Look local... act global

It has been a while since I blogged. Mozzo is now reaching the stage where the demands of the business are becoming too much for one person... no matter how much energy one has to burn... to do! This raises the exciting challenge of taking on the first member of staff... a big step in the development of any business and something that I shall tell you about in the near future! 

With Mozzo about to move on to its 'second phase' of operations, I began to think about 'Where, Why and How' did Mozzo come from???  

Reading a Guardian supplement titled 'Green Living Guide on 23/09/06' by 'George Monbiot' seemed to sum up 'where, why and how' I found the inspiration and ability to launch Mozzo. I looked local and thought global. 

Young entrepreneurs are interested in 'positive action' not 'politics'

Most weeks in Mozzo I get to talk to people who share many challenges and work similarities to myself. Passionate people running their own business that are simply focused on doing the best they can for the people within their business and the people immediately effected by it. Whether these people in the private sector i.e. bars, cafes or restaurants; that I meet choose to work with Mozzo or not I always admire their approach to making positive things happen for themselves, their community and their customers. 

Occasionally Mozzo leads me to be facing the challenge of presenting or meeting elements of the public sector with the end of aim being to hopefully secure work or opportunities for Mozzo.Since dealing with my local city council last year at the time of Mozzo's launch I have attempted to stay away from organisations such as City Councils. However last week I found myself observing and learning at first hand the most ridiculous level of responsibility passing and opportunity wasting I have ever seen. University does not prepare one for negotiation skills or even make one aware of skills needed when dealing with people motivated by political aims. I sat in two meetings last week with my brain on over drive... can I speak now? Should I raise this point? Should I mention my project? Should I ask for action? I even raised the issue of measurability to record progress... something that I do personally and I know that Mozzo like many other businesses and pro-active organisations do on a daily, weekly and yearly basis. No chance! A wise old gentleman at one of these meetings witnessed my obvious torment and gave me some advice... "make it happen... tell them its happening... then wait... you will soon see they want to support you."  

Building Mozzo Bean-by-Bean

Firstly thank you to all at UnLtd for this opportunity to blog and supporting me with a Level 1 Award turning the Mozzo Art on the Cart Award from a dream to a reality!

The purpose of my blog is to give an honest and open account of my experiences as young social entrepreneur as I work to build Mozzo bean-by-bean.

In 2004 just as I was about to graduate from University I was told by a lecturer that if I was serious about running my own business I would not be sitting in this room but would be out there doing it! Well since graduating that is what I have done after starting Mozzo in 2005.

I set out to build Mozzo on community values by following my beliefs that in today’s global society organisations should be focused upon their impact upon People, Sources and Environments. If these are at the core of what and why an organisation does what it does then success will come.