Darrell Kopke. Founder and Skool Principal. institute B
What do you do after you’ve been a part of one of Canada’s greatest business success stories (the 6th employee at lululemon)? You deploy your business acumen to create social change. Or maybe you try and reinvent Capitalism. That’s the bold ambition of Darrell Kopke, Founder and Skool Principal at institute B. With institute B, Darrell is helping (and challenging) social entrepreneurs to be competitive with mainstream brands. It’s a new business model where doing good is also good for the bottom line. Read on to know more on how Darrell is beating mainstream business at their own game.
Can you describe your job in a nutshell?
As Founder and Skool Principal of institute B, I oversee a diverse organization of people committed to social change via the reinvention of capitalism. We are entrepreneurs developing entrepreneurs and our mandate is to grow corporations committed to positive societal impact. Institute B has a finance group that can fund enterprises, a consulting practice that helps accelerate companies, and soon an online curriculum that will provide entrepreneurs with a different perspective on who they need to be to become successful business people.
How did you get your current job?
I invented it. After many years at lululemon athletica growing that company into a cultural icon and Canadian success story, I was able to step back and decide how I can make a difference. Institute B is my vehicle.
How did your past life and work experiences help get you to where you are today?
My family was very loving and supportive yet we did not have much money or things. When you grow up knowing that money does not make you happy, you can take on higher levels of risk. Even if everything fell apart financially, I knew I could be happy. This upbringing and unwavering family support gave me the space to take the risks I needed to take to have success in high-growth companies. This attitude took me all over the world in various industries and dozens of jobs.
What skills do you think are important to have a job in CSR?
The same skills you need in any job. The best companies are founded in relationships with other people, their communities, and the planet; all stakeholders are considered. Your ability to create authentic, caring and mutual beneficial relationships with your stakeholders (your suppliers, employees, customers, your environment, and shareholders) will be the key to your success.
What trend are you seeing that will impact your sector in the next 5 years?
In the CSR world, having a ‘green’ attitude is no longer a differentiator. Environmentally friendly products need to provide value to customers or else they will end up in a landfill. Fair Trade? So what! It is important but nobody wants to eat chalky food just because it is good for the world. Truly sustainable products need to compete with mainstream brands. And they will.
If you could have one super hero power that would help you do your job better what would it be and why?
I would stop time and find a happy place where I can create and write and build programs entrepreneurs need to develop themselves. XRay vision wouldn’t be bad either.
Inspired by what Darrell has to say?
Follow him on twitter @darrellkopke and their company @instituteb
Are you an entrepreneur? Sign up for institute B‘s Mentorship event in Toronto on January 31
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