Sweet Beginnings: Creating a Buzz in Chicago

Meet Redefine Alliance-supported social enterprise Sweet Beginnings, which is helping people succeed through the cultivation of urban honey.

Community Stories, Video & Media

12.21.17

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- National Field BuildingWe invest in businesses across the country that reveal and reinforce the talents of people breaking through barriers to employment
  - CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
  - AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
  - GrantmakingCatalytic investments for employment social enterprises at key inflection points
  - Impact Investing FundFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
  - Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
  - Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- Regional EcosystemsWe’re cultivating place-based networks of social enterprises, inclusive employers, public agencies, funders, and social service partners
  - Los AngelesAn established ecosystem, focused on transformative scale
  - IllinoisA fast-expanding ecosystem, focused on policy achievement
  - AppalachiaAn emerging ecosystem, focused on seeding capacity & coordination
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, Redefine Alliance has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsRedefine Alliance achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News & Research
- News & ResearchLearn the latest about the incredible work happening throughout our Redefine Alliance community
- Economic PowerExplore our research around economic power, and learn some concrete steps that employers and communities can take to help people build autonomy in their own lives.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
- WorkshopWorkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
- PressCheck out features & interviews on ESEs and inclusive employers from news outlets around the country

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IN THIS POST

North Lawndale Employment Network/Sweet Beginnings

Meet Redefine Alliance-supported social enterprise Sweet Beginnings who is helping people striving for a better future gain the skills they need to succeed through the cultivation of urban honey.