Social Innovation Interests
I was working as technical project manager in the automotive industry, at both Volvo and Saab. Even though I was working in safety and security I felt that I wasn’t saving the world by working on a new Volvo SUV. During my spare time I studied political science and started a get-help-with-your-homework program at the local library. When the crisis of -08 hit I decided to change careers completely. I didn’t know about the concept social innovation or social entrepreneurship. I had problems finding shirts that fit me and I knew that the textile industry is not very good at fair working conditions. I decided to start making Fair Trade tailor made shirts, and sell them online. I was tired of the fact that Fair Trade garments in many cases were something you bought to be kind, not because you wanted the actual product. So I started The Fair Tailor, a company that designs and sells Fair Trade Tailor Made shirts and have secured a venture investment.
Social Innovation Experience
Sebastian Stjern is Project Manager at CSES (Center for Social Entrepreneurship Stockholm) and the founder of The Fair Tailor.
CSES is the first incubator for social entrepreneurs and innovators in Sweden. By being first we have managed to become well known in the field in Sweden. This has made it natural for Swedish start-ups in this sector to contact us. Due to this we have been able to build up a good network of Swedish social entrepreneurs. We are also working on building up the first Swedish impact investment network.
With The Fair Tailor we developed a unique partnership between an NGO looking to start a social business and a for-profit company. The social business funds the NGO and the company makes a profit by selling the products produced by them.
Looking forward-Social Innovation Aspirations
I want us at CSES to help develop three businesses that are investor ready over the next three years. I want us to make social entrepreneurship and social innovation well established in Sweden. Over the next ten years I want to work continuously towards making investors better at understanding impact investment and social entrepreneurs better at business.
Your favourite Social Innovation
My favorit is an old classic – the public library. Over the years it has helped millions and millions of people.
