How I Used Social Entrepreneurship Principles When Building Rythmia

~ Gerard Powell

---

Introduction

As the founder and CEO of Rythmia Life Advancement Center, my journey into social entrepreneurship wasn't something I had planned on purpose, it was born from deeply personal experiences and a desire to help make real change for others. After facing my own deep struggles and finding healing, I knew traditional business wasn't enough for me anymore. I wanted to create something that would genuinely help people, transforming their lives while still being financially sustainable. I considered taking a non-profit path, but the entrepreneur in me wanted to show that one can do good and make money at the same time. I had no idea just how difficult it would be!

---

What is Social Entrepreneurship ?

Social entrepreneurship uses the creativity and innovation of entrepreneurship to tackle important social or environmental issues. It was exactly the type of business model that aligned with the values that my personal healing formed. It's about addressing real-world problems like poverty, inequality, or environmental challenges through practical business solutions. Unlike purely charitable organizations, social entrepreneurship often operates as a sustainable, for-profit business, but with social impact as its primary goal. In my case, I wanted to create a safe place where others can find healing and transformation through plant medicine just like I did. I like to think of social entrepreneurship as business with a heart. For me, it isn’t just about profits or business success. Instead, success means creating meaningful and lasting positive change for people and communities. The real value isn't just in money earned but in lives improved. And even though I do want to make my company strong and self-sustainable, positive change is what really motivates me every day.

---

How Social Entrepreneurship Differs From Traditional Business Entrepreneurship ?

The key difference between social entrepreneurship and traditional business entrepreneurship comes down to motivation. In my early business career, I saw how traditional entrepreneurs usually aimed to maximize profits and build financial wealth. Their main success measures were revenue, market share, financial growth and successful “exit”... When I shifted to social entrepreneurship, I quickly saw that social entrepreneurs must prioritize positive mission-driven outcomes as much as financial sustainability. For me, profit still matters, but it's not the primary goal, it's a tool to achieve a larger mission. As a social entrepreneur, I constantly ask myself, “How can my business improve people's lives or the planet?” rather than focusing solely on the bottom line. This doesn’t mean social businesses can't be profitable; many thrive precisely because people increasingly want to support businesses making a difference. But fundamentally, the intent is different: traditional businesses ask, "How can we make more money?" while social entrepreneurship asks, "How can we make a bigger positive impact?" It's a shift in mindset that I've personally found profoundly rewarding.

---

How I Leveraged Social Entrepreneurship Principles to Build Rythmia ?

When I founded Rythmia, I deliberately built it around social entrepreneurship principles. My goal wasn’t just to create another retreat center, it was to establish a place where people could truly heal and transform, benefiting themselves, their families and their communities. At Rythmia, we combine plant medicine, wellness practices, and comprehensive support systems that deeply impact guests’ lives. Our entire business model focuses on addressing emotional, mental, psychological, and spiritual challenges that many people face, especially those who may not have benefited from traditional healthcare. By using social entrepreneurship principles, we’ve created sustainable ways to benefit both our guests and our community. I actively promote local hiring, providing training and empowerment to people in our region. I also prioritize environmental responsibility to maintain ecological sustainability, reflecting my personal commitment to the planet. This approach aligns perfectly with my personal values and commitment to my own growth journey, and has been essential to our success. Our guests feel the authenticity and genuine care behind what we do, reinforcing that social entrepreneurship truly works.

---

Summary

My experience with Rythmia has shown me the incredible potential of a social entrepreneurship approach to building success. It proves that businesses can be both financially successful and deeply impactful. Social entrepreneurship offers an inspiring path for anyone who wants their work to matter beyond profits, creating real, lasting benefits in the world. If you'd like to learn more about my journey or social entrepreneurship, visit my website at gerardarmondpowell.com. For additional resources, check out organizations like Ashoka and Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship , both leaders in supporting global social entrepreneurship initiatives.

---

Related Blogs