Why gender justice transcends moral obligation, becoming essential for both societal progress and business success. Drawing from powerful insights and my own experience leading a women-centric social enterprise, I try in this post to outline the undeniable benefits of including women at every business level. From improving decision-making and fostering innovation to enhancing financial outcomes and driving positive societal changes.

In an industry where creativity meets tradition, female craft makers are the unsung heroes of cultural heritage. Yet, amidst the vibrancy of textiles and pottery, a silent struggle persists against informal work conditions and undervaluation. Imagine a world where these artisans are not just seen but heard, empowered not by chance but through a revolutionary approach. Dive into our exploration of how ethical intermediaries can craft a brighter future for those who weave, mold, and create the fabric of our culture.

In a world grappling with socioeconomic disparities, environmental challenges, and marginalized voices, we need to reimagine our economic structures. Most enterprises are rooted in 'shareholder primacy,' aiming primarily to maximize returns for shareholders. This often comes at the cost of broader societal and environmental objectives, only perpetuating economic inequalities and increasing the already existing issues both societal and environmental.

While Alternative Ownership Enterprises (AOEs), described so well in The Stanford Social Innovation Review, pave a compelling way forward, one subset of those AOE’s stands out to me as the most powerful vehicle to social change.

After studying charity models, steward ownership models and many multiple hybrids and model variations; the cooperative model stood out as the best option. But not your standard worker cooperative model: a non-profit cooperative model.

In a world that's rapidly recognizing the importance of sustainability, recent legislative updates in the U.S. and E.U. are setting the stage for significant changes in business behavior. Sustainability, once considered a mere corporate buzzword or "nice-to-have", is now evolving more and more into a non-negotiable, legally enforced mandate.

Turkey's enthusiastic push towards fostering social entrepreneurship, particularly for women's cooperatives, is undoubtedly laudable. Yet, a significant oversight looms large in the approach. Many programs prioritize capacity building, equipment, and training right at the outset, sidelining the foundational pillars of entrepreneurship - understanding the product, its market fit, and customer needs. While training and capacity have their place, success hinges on first identifying what the market wants. Simply put, before building capacity, we need to ask, "Capacity for what?" To truly empower Turkish social enterprises, a shift in focus is imperative: from mere capacity building to first ensuring product-market alignment and customer demand. Only then can we ensure that the significant resources dedicated to these ventures lead to sustainable, thriving businesses.

As the European Union (EU) embarks on an ambitious journey to implement green legislation, the textile industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainability, and traceability. Amidst these changes, Türkiye could emerge as a key player with unparalleled potential to capture significant market shares in the textile sector. The convergence of Turkey's skilled workforce and its deep-rooted know-how in textiles positions added to its geographical position could put the country as a frontrunner in catering to the EU's evolving demands and becoming the region’s manufacturing hub.