Roadmap to impact: How businesses can create positive change without compromising on profits

How can businesses make a positive impact without compromising their bottom line? Social entrepreneurs Jaime Ayala and Dora Nattinee Sae Ho discuss

For social entrepreneurs Jaime Ayala and Dora Nattinee Sae Ho, building ventures isn’t just about making money. To them, the most impactful entrepreneurs reach out to the community by offering practical and sustainable solutions to real-world problems.

Ayala, who once helmed Ayala Land, one of the Philippines’ largest corporations, is now a systems-change social entrepreneur. His work sees him addressing social and development issues. Through his leadership roles, Ayala manages to make renewable energy and life-changing innovations accessible to rural communities. He founded Hybrid Social Solutions, through which he is transforming communities in rural Philippines with access to energy. The company has gained 1 million solar users so far and is on track to reaching its goal of impacting 25 million users by 2032.

Sae Ho honed her skills as an entrepreneur and leader through stints at several impact-minded startups, including Learn, Thailand’s largest ed-tech company. Now, as the founder and CEO of Thrive Venture Builder, she has built Thailand’s first social impact venture builder that also trains and consults other companies on incorporating more ethical and sustainable business practices. The company focuses on areas such as poverty reduction, climate change, equitable education and sustainable communities.

The pair got together to exchange insights on what it takes to start an impact-driven business and how for-profit companies can make a smooth transition to becoming more responsible at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023.

Above Jaime "Jim" Ayala speaks out on how he found his true passion as an entrepreneur (Photo: Billy Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)

On finding purpose in life

“[When I was younger], I went to business school and was helping our clients make more money. It was about maximising profits. If it was good for my career, my credentials and my resume, I valued that. But I started making a shift when I started to understand my purpose in life,” said Ayala.

“Mark Twain is known to have said that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you realise or discover what you are made for. I went through a process of self-discovery and it circled back to my heart. My heart wants to help the poor and marginalised in the Philippines. [But I want to do it] through business because that’s the only way it is sustainable.”

On the possibilities of social ventures

“I want to inspire more young people in Thailand to jump into the social venture and sustainability space. I think most people want to get into it but they feel that making money and making an impact are two different paths that won’t collide. I want to let people know that it is possible,” said Sae Ho.

Above Dora Nattinee Sae Ho is the founder and CEO of the first social impact venture builder in Thailand, Thrive Venture Builder (Photo: Billy Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)

On leading by example

“There’s a huge disconnect between what we say our values are versus what is happening. Through my enterprise, I am trying to influence and build an ecosystem of like-minded and like-hearted people who share the same set of values,” said Ayala.

“It’s about thinking not just on an enterprise-level, but also on a cultural level that will change the way we do business. Then it becomes a movement as well. No one is going to pay attention to me if I’m not a successful business so it’s important to lead by example and demonstrate how it works; how you change lives and how you can grow the business and be profitable.”

Above Watch the highlights from Jaime Ayala and Dora Nattinee Sae Ho’s panel session titled ‘Changing Lanes: Roadmap to an Impact-Driven Business’ at the Tatler Gen.T Summit (Video: C9 Media)

On being practical while making an impact

“If your business doesn’t survive, then you’re not able to solve problems. Surviving financially is a number one priority,” said Sae Ho.

“[But entrepreneurs should also have an understanding of what they] want to do and how they can solve problems. I believe all human beings act out of the goodness of their hearts but if we don’t do our research properly, doing good might have a negative impact somewhere down the line. Having a solid understanding of what’s the issue [is necessary].”

Above A summary of Ayala and Sae Ho’s session at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 (Infographic: Thoth)

On modelling values

“It’s not about balance, it’s about alignment. Everything [in the business] needs to be self-reinforcing. The critical thing is to have the priorities and culture set from day one,” said Ayala.

“For example, we feel that generosity is a very important value in our company because we’re out there helping people and so if we ourselves are not willing to help, [it wouldn’t make much sense]. We need to model that. At the start, even if we were losing money, we would make it a point to donate 2 percent of our revenue to foundation partners.”

Read more articles from the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 here.

The Tatler Gen.T Summit is sponsored by Standard Chartered Private Bank, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong and MTR Lab, organised in partnership with M+, Regent, Black Sheep and Cathay Pacific and supported by Brand Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tourism Board and InvestHK.

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Topics

Tatler Gen.T Summit Innovation Event Hong Kong Impact Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurs Philippines Thailand

Tatler Asia

From profit to purpose: How to build an impact-driven business

On finding purpose in life

On the possibilities of social ventures

On leading by example

On being practical while making an impact

On modelling values