Doing good can mean doing well. (Really!)

Entrepreneurs are constantly juggling a million choices—how to grow, who to hire, which tools to use—and somewhere in there, the pressure to just stay afloat can feel like a full-time job. Too often, people are told the only way to "win" is to prioritize profit above all else.

But what if we told you that building your business with purpose baked in from the start—for your community, the planet, or the people around you—could also be your competitive edge?

It totally can.

🧠 Let’s talk data

Purpose-driven companies don’t just feel good—they perform better

Purpose-led businesses are growing faster than ever. Organizations with strong missions see:

Higher growth rates
Better talent retention
Stronger productivity
Deeper, longer-lasting community impact [1][2]

And the public is paying attention.

🛒 Consumers are voting with their wallets

62% of global consumers prefer to buy from companies whose values align with theirs [1]
73% of Americans factor a company’s charitable giving into purchase decisions [2]
65% would stop buying from a company they saw as unethical [1]
58% of stakeholders are more likely to buy or advocate for brands that reflect their beliefs [1]

👩‍💼 Millennials are (still) leading the charge

76% consider a company’s social and environmental commitments when job hunting [3]
64% won’t even take a job if the employer lacks strong social responsibility [3]
63% are willing to pay more for sustainable products [3]

Millennials are not here for business-as-usual. And neither are we.

👩‍🔬 Leaders are redefining success

It’s not just consumers—CEOs and execs are shifting too:

75% of leaders say they’ve changed offerings to benefit society [1]
62% prioritize linking social good with profits [1]
81% believe CEOs should speak up on social impact work [1]

💼 Employees want purpose, too

Working for a mission-driven organization isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a major retention and performance booster:

Employees at purpose-driven companies are 54% more likely to stay long-term [4]
They’re also 30% more likely to be high performers [4]
Confidence in growth is nearly double at purpose-driven companies: 82% vs. 48% [5]

💸 And investors? They’re paying attention

Impact investing isn’t a trend—it’s a moneymaker:

Sustainable investment funds outperformed their traditional counterparts by nearly 50% in 2023 [6]
In a review of 2,000+ studies, 90% showed ESG investments outperforming traditional ones [4]

Still need a reason to go the Social Enterprise route?

Okay, how about this:

🌱 65% of SEA Change alumni businesses are still operational—compared to the industry average of just 33%.
🌍 Entrepreneurs who have completed SEA Change have impacted over 3 million lives (3,056,961+, to be exact).
💸 Collectively, these Alumni earned $36M in lifetime revenue, with $21.83M in 2023 alone.

Translation? The social enterprise model works. For your purpose. For your wallet. For the people.

Join the Movement

We believe the future of business is bold, brilliant, and built on purpose. Want in? SEA Change exists to make purpose practical. With our 14-module curriculum, we help social entrepreneurs:

Define their measurable social impact
Build a sustainable financial model
Plug into their local startup ecosystem
Do good and do well—from day one

So if you’ve ever wondered, “Can I do good and still build a thriving business?”—the answer is a resounding YES!

And we’d love to help you get there! Get started by applying for a cohort or learning online. If you work for an organization that supports entrepreneurs, check out our Affiliate partner program.

Let’s build something that lasts. Together!

References

[1] Edelman. (2022). 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer. [Link]

[2] Mintel. (2021, August 3). 73% of Americans consider a company’s charitable work when making a purchase. [Link]

[3] Netimperative. (2021, August 3). Millennials pay more for sustainable products: Rise of the socially conscious consumer. [Link]

[4] Winiarski, D. (2023, June 1). Purpose-Driven Organizations Foster Employee Retention And More. Forbes. [Link]

[5] Benevity. (2022). Talent Retention Study: Connecting Purpose and Employee Retention. [Link]

[6] Equities.com. (2024, June 10). Sustainable investments outperformed their traditional peers by almost 50% in 2023. [Link]

Why Social Enterprise? Doing good + doing well data