INTRODUCING THE MAGAZINE $9.99 TOP Kathleen Wynne our annual ranking of Kathy Bardswick 25IMPACT + INFLUENCE p.16 Pernille Fischer Boulter Dr. Catherine Zahn, President and CEO Sara Austin of CAMH. YOUR VOTES ARE IN! 2,500 of you answered our Cover Contest call — YEARS these standout women are your choice. 20 OF INSPIRATION Sharon Hapton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers An Inspiring Case Study in the Rise of Social Enterprise and Social Entrepreneurship LISA HEIDMAN LL.B. SENIOR CLIENT PARTNER, THE BEDFORD CONSULTING GROUP, Photo: Paul Alexander Paul Photo: NORTH AMERICAN DIRECTOR OF BEDFORD LEGAL What business entrepreneurs are to the these soup making events provide a highly with thousands of volunteers at soup mak- economy, social entrepreneurs are to social rewarding and immediately tangible hands- ing events which are booked and sold out change. David Bornstein, who wrote the on, communal volunteer experience and an into 2015, coast-to-coast. As its first point bible on social entrepreneurship, How to opportunity to raise awareness about family of entry in the US and with its first chapter Change the World, Social Entrepreneurs violence and youth homelessness. In an en- now booming in Los Angeles, Soup Sisters and the Power of New Ideas, describes gaging event, involving thousands of people is now at the tipping point of growing North social entrepreneurs as “driven, creative every year, it’s one small way to tackle the American wide. individuals who question the status quo, issue of violence against women and chil- exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up, dren, while giving youth at risk a chance. This social enterprise is an exceptional and indeed remake the world for the better.” example of private sector strategy and plan- Sharon Hapton, Founder and Chief Executive Since its inception, Soup Sisters has deliv- ning combined with meaning and purpose. Officer of Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers ered nearly half a million servings of soup Key to Soup Sisters success is that it is a (“Soup Sisters,”) a Canadian not-for-profit to over 25 recipient shelters in Canada. triple win proposition for all involved. Volun- charitable social enterprise that provides Local volunteer led chapters are popping teers, celebrity chefs and culinary schools comfort to women, children and youth up across the country with new interest across Canada are able to actively partici- through the making, sharing and donating of daily. Soup Sisters operates over 25 events pate in an event that is both meaningful and soup, is definitively one of them. in 20 cities across Canada, every month. fun through a simple but tangible gesture: Over 10,000 bowls of soup are made and the making and sharing of a bowl of soup. Founded in Calgary, Alberta, in March 2009, donated to women’s shelters and youth on a Soup Sisters was the inspirational vision of monthly basis. The Soup Sisters Cookbook, For the ultimate soup recipient, in addition the driven and dynamic Sharon Hapton. a spectacular collection of many of the to receiving “a hug in a bowl,” it provides A private sector entrepreneur and a soup celebrity chef recipes immediately became the moral support and nurturing message maker for all of her life, the concept she de- a Canadian best seller, and is now in its 6th that they are not alone. For the recipient veloped was simple, which is a core element Random House printing. A second cook- shelter, the soups Soup Sisters provide cut of its success. Organized by local volunteers book, The Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers the shelter’s operating costs by 18-20%, while and hosted by a local celebrity chef, each Cookbook, with recipes from celebrity chefs freeing those resources for much needed Soup Sister/Broth Brother event features around the world, was released October additional counselling and programming individuals or groups who have registered 7, 2014, and is already number one in its support for families and children. to participate in a soup making evening at category. Soup Sisters has also recently a local culinary school. These events are launched its first US chapter in Los Angeles, Under the guidance of the chef, the volun- charged at $55 per person to cover the cost California and it too has become an im- teer teams make large quantities of soup of all ingredients, kitchen facilities, chef- mediate success. Plans for Soup Sister soups that are packaged, hand labelled and then facilitator, kitchen staff, and the food and sold in grocery stores, and further expan- delivered to a local shelter. It also provides wine at the event. Although the enterprise sion throughout North America, are quickly a forum to educate and awareness about began with a group of women, the engage- unfolding. Like the recent ALS Ice Bucket important societal issues, domestic abuse, ment of men as volunteers and soup makers, Challenge that went viral on both sides of family violence and youth living in crisis, the “Broth Brothers,” quickly followed. Within the border this summer, Soup Sisters has while providing an opportunity to contrib- a couple of hours, from chopping to bottling, struck a chord and has resonated profoundly ute in an immediate and meaningful way. 58 WINTER 2014 | womenofinfluence.ca SERIES COLUMN HEIDMAN THE FUTURE OF NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS… SENIOR EXECUTIVE WOMEN AT THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE AND BOARD TABLES The culinary schools have their food expenses covered and business, it got easier. Now other celebrity chefs are coming to us, are introduced to a developing group of volunteer chefs; the and we are incredibly grateful for their support, because it matters. celebrity chefs donate their time and recipes to a cause that Lisa: matters to them and to a cookbook that has sold out around Can you share the adventure of how Soup Sisters began? the country; and the volunteer chapter leads and participant soup makers see in a few short hours the results of their ef- Sharon: forts. All in, it’s a feel good, do good experience. I am, and have always been, a soup maker. For most of my adult life, I have taken care of family and friends with soup. I knew Sharon Hapton has been selected as one of Chatelaine’s and that this simple gesture had the power to influence their day, and in CityTV’s Women of the Year and as a Woman of Vision by Global the process of making it, I could in my own way, let them know how Television and the YWCA. She lives with her husband Garry in Calgary, Alberta, and has two grown children, Dan and Blaire. much I cared. The whole exchange, the soup making, the delivery, the Sharon believes that wherever there is a shelter for women and warm comfort it provided and the appreciation I received, created a children fleeing domestic abuse, or a program for youth in crisis, fulfilling cycle of giving. there should be a Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers chapter. On my 50th birthday, I decided to have a different kind of celebra- tion with my friends. Instead of the usual dinner party with a few Ms. Hapton has simply and powerfully demonstrated that a community of people coming together to make soup is not couples, I invited 30 girlfriends to a local cooking school to make only about providing meals to those who need them, but a large batch of soup, which we donated to a women’s emergency is also a strong, united voice against family violence and shelter in Calgary. To say that something completely magical took domestic abuse. In so doing, she has created a vibrant social place in the room that night is an understatement. I knew imme- enterprise that actually works. What makes this business story diately we were onto something, but could not have imagined that so compelling and refreshing to Women of Influence, and par- ticularly in light of this winter’s magazine edition focused on a few years later I would be at the helm of Soup Sisters and Broth the theme of excellence, is the unique combination of private Brothers, a thriving international organization. sector business savvy, entrepreneurial vision and a collabora- tive leadership style that, together, is key to the success of Lisa: It speaks to the power of soup, but also about the power of effective social enterprise. shared experiences and communal giving. Can you tell us more about what a Soup Sisters event is like? Lisa: David Bornstein defines a social entrepreneur as “a person Sharon: Making soup for someone is a simple gesture, but some- who has both a powerful idea to cause a positive social change and times the smallest gestures at the right time can have the most the creativity, skills, determination and drive to transform that profound impact. For women and children subjected to domestic idea into reality. They combine the savvy, opportunism, optimism abuse and forced to flee their homes, comfort and safety are in and resourcefulness of business entrepreneurs, but they devote short supply. The warmth of a bowl of soup made by hand by those themselves to pursuing social change or ‘social profit,’ rather who care has done wonders for these women and their families. than financial profit. They are people with new ideas for solving They feel supported and nourished and not completely alone. problems, who build new kinds of organizations to implement It sends the message that “we care and stand with you against those ideas, who will not take ‘no’ for an answer, and who will not domestic abuse.” give up until they have spread their ideas as far as they possibly For our volunteer leaders and soup making participants, it can.” Sound like anyone you know, Sharon? provides an evening to be together and an opportunity to give back to the community in a fun and engaging way.