Social Entrepreneurship Case Study: Words with Heart Business

This case study examines Words with Heart, a social enterprise founded by Lauren Shuttleworth, which produces eco-friendly stationery and donates all proceeds to educate women and girls. The business utilizes recycled paper, vegetable ink, and green electricity, highlighting its commitment to sustainability. Words with Heart partners with various organizations to fund projects in countries like Cambodia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, supporting initiatives such as tuition fees, uniforms, and business training for women. The analysis emphasizes the importance of women's education in combating societal issues like sexism and stereotypes, referencing how educated women improve their earning potential and contribute to societal development. The case study also addresses challenges faced by social enterprises, Lauren's inspiration for the business, her goals, and the importance of men as allies in the fight for gender equality. It underscores the impact of Words with Heart, its future aspirations, and its role as an inspiration for for-profit companies to engage in social development.

1
Social Entrepreneurship
Name:
Instructor
:

Social Entrepreneurship
Words with Heart is a printery and stationery business ran by Lauren Shuttleworth. In her
business website, Lauren state that this business is eco-friendly and only uses recycled paper as
raw material. It also utilizes ink from vegetable material and green electricity. Words with Heart
understands the paper industry is a significant cause of greenhouses. Therefore, using sustainable
practice is a contribution to environmental preservation (Shuttleworth 2018). All the proceeds of
this entity are donated to educate women and girls.
The business encourages consumers to the products by informing them how many
education days they will help to fund. Words with Heart does not entirely support all the projects
it has. This business partners with other charitable organizations to do projects in nations such as
Cambodia, Nepal, Sierra Leone and Uganda (She Society 2017). Among the particular activities
happening in these projects include paying tuition fees and tuition, buying uniforms and sanitary
pads. Women also learn how to start a business and manage them.
Most societies have limited opportunities for women to exploit their potential. Factors
such as lack of education, oppression, stereotyping and sexism are contributing factors to this
problem (Wadhera & Koreth 2012, p23). A significant solution to this problem is empowering
women through education. Educated mothers increase the survival rate of their children. Girls
who advance their education stand a higher chance of improving their earnings by 20%.
Developing a society and the entire nation requires educated and empowered women.
For many centuries, women have lived under the shadow of men. Women were denied
many opportunities and their roles were defined for them. This unfairness and prejudice went on
until the 20th century when women were allowed to vote (Andalón, Williams & Grossman 2014,
p69). It started in Switzerland, and other nations followed. By the 21st century, countries had
significant movement fighting for women’s rights and freedoms. Empowering women is a
2

progressive journey that does not have a definite timeline. That is why these campaigns and
efforts continue. Through her business, Lauren is determined to lead on her feminism and
activism in women and girl empowerment.
Educated women will erase the stereotyping and sexism that exists in the society. Women
are perceived as people who can only be homemakers. They are not capable or competent of
performing some professional jobs, especially those dominated by men. These misconceptions
are regressive and a hindrance to societal development (Van 2014, p.38). Lauren Shuttleworth
has dedicated her life to break the glass ceiling for women and girls.
According to Lauren, she has always been interested in philanthropy. Her business idea
was inspired by a trip to one of the developing nation in Africa. She witnessed how difficult girls
struggled to remain in school due to lack of funds. After going back to Australia, Lauren
identified an ideal social enterprise that would support her cause. At the airport, Lauren walked
into a stationery store and saw a notebook with a slightly sad message. The message was on a
notebook meant for girls. It suggested heels, boys, and blogs, which sounded like stereotyping
girls. This experience inspired Lauren to have a business that would empower women and use
sustainable practices simultaneously.
Utilizing recycled products saves a lot of wood, water, and energy (Longman & Madsen
2014, p93). Lauren believes that consumers need to be conscious of eco-friendly products.
Today, there are numerous varieties, and consumers could choose from them. Environmental
preservation and conservation is a responsibility for the entire nation. While companies create
eco-friendly products, consumers ought to use them. Each stakeholder has a role to play in this
duty. Small practices such as avoiding plastic straws and carrying personal cups to buy coffee
will go a long way.
3

Lauren has spoken to many men, and they are not aware of the difficulties that women
face. If women are going to overcome the barriers in life, they need men as allies. Although the
society may be prejudicial towards women, getting support from men is vital. Some men have a
low opinion about women because of specific influences that were misleading. If they
understand the essence of supporting women empowerment, their attitude will change. Every
generation that is rising should meet a world where sexism and other forms of prejudices are
vices.
While seeking support from men, women should also support each other. Women have
been carried away by the stereotyping, and they believe in it. As a result, they live settling for
less and compromising where they should not. By supporting each other for empowerment,
women will defeat these challenges that have been misleading them (Mocan & Cannonier 2012,
p59). Women and men need to get to a place where they equally compete for opportunities. The
present age is beyond viewing a woman as the weaker sex.
Words with Heart may be for a good cause, but it faces several challenges. Out of
observation, most social businesses are unable to go past the first phase. Lauren is grateful for
the far her company has come. For the past three years, her business has managed to give up to
$5,701 funding in projects. Lauren is also thrilled by penetrating a male-dominated industry and
thriving. Words with Heart enterprise anticipate more achievements and success in the future.
By the year 2020, Lauren has a target of funding a million days of education. So far, the
business has funded 80,000 education days (She Society 2017). To achieve this objective, Lauren
is planning to expand into the USA. Despite having significant goals to achieve and big plans,
Lauren appreciates the opportunity to impact the world positively.
4

Lauren Shuttleworth is an inspiration to both men and women. She is running a
successful business that uses part of its profits to educate women. She encourages those that are
managing social firms or other forms of entities. Social enterprises have challenges, mainly
because they are for social wellbeing. This business motivates and challenges corporations and
other for-profit companies to participate in societal development. Businesses ought to support
charitable causes and improve people’s lives.
5

References
Andaló n, M., Williams, J., & Grossman, M. (2014). Empowering women: The effect of schooling
on young women's knowledge and use of contraception. Cambridge, Mass.
Lauren Shuttleworth (2018) About Lauren Shuttleworth. Retrieved from:
http://wordswithheart.com/author/laurenshuttleworth/
Longman, K., & Madsen, S. R. (2014). Women and leadership in higher education. North
Carolina : Information Age Publishing.
Mocan, N. H., & Cannonier, C. (2012). Empowering Women Through Education: Evidence from
Sierra Leone. Cambridge, Mass: National Bureau of Economic Research.
She Society (2017). Lauren Shuttleworth#SheInspires. Retrieved from:
https://shesociety.com.au/news/lauren-shuttleworth-sheinspires/
Van, K. M. (2014). Empowering women in work in developing countries. Place of publication
not identified: Palgrave Macmillan.
Wadhera, K., & Koreth, G. (2012). Empowering rural women: Micro-enterprise through
achievement motivation. Los Angeles: Sage.
6