Case Name :      Made by Survivors: Business Solution for a Social Problem

Authors :           Gaurab Bhardwaj, Elizabeth Swanson Goldberg

Source:              Babson College

Case ID:             BAB271

Discipline :        Social Enterprise

Case Length :    22 pages

Solution sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

The case tracks the creation and growth of a social enterprise, Made By Survivors (MBS), founded by Sarah Symons and John Berger. Inspired by a documentary on sex trafficking and a visit to a Nepalese non-profit that helped women freed from sex trafficking (survivors), Symons conceived the idea for a business that would help survivors become financially independent and restore their lives. With Berger’s help, she launched MBS to sell handicrafts, stationery, and home goods in the United States, all products that were made by survivors in several countries, thus providing them a source of income. To grow sales, the co-founders tried different means of selling, altering the product mix, partnering with suppliers, starting production on their own, and designing products to increase appeal to U.S. customers. The case ends with the co-founders wondering how to multiply revenue to benefit greater numbers of survivors. Should they modify their business model or adopt a new one? Modify their organization’s mission and identity? The case asks students to generate ideas for high growth and determine MBS’s strategic direction.