Building your own business during or after your athletic career is impressive—but it doesn’t have to be the final goal. When you combine your business drive with a passion for social impact, you step into the world of social entrepreneurship—a growing movement that blends purpose with profit.
Social enterprises tackle real-world problems using the money they earn through sales, grants, or government funding. Their success isn’t just about profit—it’s about the meaningful, measurable impact they create in communities.
Athletes have always been at the forefront of social change. As public figures and role models, they have a unique platform to raise awareness and inspire action. In a world driven by sports and media, athletes can cut across cultural and economic barriers to connect with diverse audiences.
Many athletes today are using that influence to become social entrepreneurs. They’re launching ventures that address pressing issues—from education and health to environmental justice and equity. By turning their fame into a force for good, they’re proving that you can win both on and off the field:
- Spanish international soccer player, Juan Mata, has partnered with football charity organization, Street Football World, to launch his charitable movement Common Goal. Footballers’ who sign up for the cause pledge 1% of their salaries to a central fund that is allocated to high-impact organizations that harness the power of football to advance the United Nations Global Goals.
- Successful Indian American professional tennis player and Princeton graduate, Shikha Oberoi, launched her media and lifestyle company, SDU Seva Inc., in 2013. Using the power of sports and television, she made six documentaries to push towards people becoming more involved in positive social reform within India. Through her media company in India, she has also created a reality show that is used as a platform for social entrepreneurs to gain visibility.
The secret to a successful social enterprise lies not only on focusing on a cause you are passionate about, but following the same principles as building any other business:
- As a Money Smart Athlete, you should, if you haven’t already aligned yourself with a charitable cause or mission that you deeply believe in. Giving back to the community is not only a moral obligation but a way to show your deep altruism and an important component of your brand. If you need to decide on a cause, you can ask yourself: What are the things happening in the world that make me feel like I want to change them and make them better?
- You can research organizations that are already involved in the cause about which you feel passionate. If for example you are passionate about sports and its power to change the world you can visit sportsaid.org.uk or www.streetfootballworld.org to see how these organizations are making a difference using sports as a tool.
- Use your free time to volunteer for organizations that triggered your interest so that you can learn even more about them. An athlete volunteer, can always attract more people to the cause and increase media attention.
- Set a clear, big-picture goal for what you want to achieve. For example, you want to organize international soccer matches with famous ex-players to raise money for bringing electricity to rural areas in Africa. Your network and connections, from the sports industry such as coaches, ex-teammates, etc., can be very useful.
- Take action and make a difference!
It is a really difficult task to set off to change the world alone, so we are available to be your trusted advisor in your next venture to create a positive change. Get in touch with us at [email protected], to discuss your ideas for launching your social enterprise.