2006 Social Venture Institute Overview
November 3-4, 2006
Wharton Small Business Development Center
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Jon M. Hunstman Hall
3730 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
About SVI
Social Venture Institutes were created by Social Venture Network in 1996. Since then, Social Venture Institutes (SVI) have
offered the leaders of socially responsible businesses and innovative
nonprofits a forum in which to air their business problems and receive
expert advice and mentoring by leading members of Social Venture
Network.
The combination of high-quality mentors, a confidential and supportive
environment, and a practical problem-solving format ensures that
participants leave with a rich portfolio of skills, a plan to grow
their socially responsible businesses, and a network of contact to
support their journey.
Format
The format of SVI is highly interactive and experiential. Participants present their business problems to a panel of experienced business leaders and fellow participants. In return, participants receive advice, tools and resources to strengthen and grow their enterprise. Participants also hear the "True Confessions" of seasoned entrepreneurs - this year featuring the founders of American Reading Company and Warm Spirit, Inc.
Read the event scheduleKeynote Speakers
Jane Hileman, Founder and CEO, The American Reading Company
Jane Hileman, a former teacher and reading specialist, founded the American Reading Company in 1998, after developing a highly successful reading program called the 100 Book Challenge. The program, which is standards-based and designed to help students develop the type of reading lifestyle that is common among top achievers, was first implemented in Ms. Hileman’s own classroom of struggling readers in suburban Philadelphia. The improvement in students’ reading abilities was so dramatic that soon other school districts sought out the program. To meet the demand, Ms. Hileman established the American Reading Company.
Since the company was founded, it has gone on to serve over 250,000 students in 1000 schools in 32 states, plus the District of Columbia. The 100 Book Challenge program has been cited as key in boosting the standardized reading test scores of students nationwide, including those in New York City, Pennsylvania, northern California, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Maryland and Florida. Ms. Hileman and her staff are demonstrating on a daily basis that business can be both profitable and transformative for employees, the community and the world.
Nadine Thomspon, President, CEO and Co-Founder, Warm Spirt, Inc.
Nadine Thompson is not only the President, CEO and Co-Founder of Warm Spirit, Inc., she is the visionary and leader of a community of over 25,000 women and men who are empowered entrepreneurs and change agents. Warm Spirit is transforming the face of the direct sales and network marketing industry by providing an opportunity for wealth and financial freedom that has not always been accessible for women and even less so for African-American women.
In 1999, Thompson founded Warm Spirit, Inc. with her friend and entrepreneur Daniel Wolf, excited about the possibilities of a business venture that incorporated her belief in enlightening and empowering women. Not only does Warm Spirit provide access to entrepreneurial opportunities and high quality natural products, most importantly, it creates wealth for the consultants and their communities. Warm Sprit’s unique marketing plan is an empowering entrepreneurial opportunity that helps create wealth. Approximately 50 cents from each dollar that is sold is returned back into the pockets of the consultants, therefore wealth and profits are recycled directly back into communities.
