Summary
In the late 1990s, Aspire was the model of British social enterprise. Founded by two recent Oxford University graduates, Paul Harrod and Mark Richardson, Aspire employed homeless people in a door-to-door catalog business that sold fair-trade products. By 2001, the company was doing $1.6 million in business, and was one of the first social enterprises in the United Kingdom to expand through franchising. Politicians, funders, and the press were overflowing with praise. By 2004, however, Aspire had collapsed into bankruptcy. One of the authors of this article, Owen Jarvis, was the manager of an Aspire franchise from March 2001 to July 2004, providing him with a firsthand perspective on the organization's rise and fall. In 2003, Jarvis decided to write his master's thesis about the failure of this promising social enterprise. This article is based on his experience, interviews, and analysis.
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Extract
An Enterprising Failure
IN THE LATE 1990s, ASPIRE WAS THE MODEL OF BRITISH SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. FOUNDED by two recent Oxford University graduates, Paul Harrod and Mark Richardson, Aspire employed homeless people in a door-to-door catalog business that sold fair-trade products. By 2001, the company was doing $1.6 million in business, and was one of the first social enterprises in the United Kingdom to expand through franchising.
Politicians, funders, and the press were overflowing with praise. Prime Minister Tony Blair called Aspire's employees an "inspiration," and Prince Charles told its founders, "Your track record to date is most impressive."By 2004, however, Aspire had collapsed into bankruptcy. One of the authors of this article, Owen Jarvis, was the manager of an Aspire franchise from March 2001 to July 2004, providing him with a firsthand perspective on the organization's rise and fall. In 2003, Jarvis deci...See the full content of this document
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