Where Elena is from

Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

 

Interview

what was your dream when you were a kid? what was the reason?

When I was a kid I had 2 dreams. One of them was to be older like my sisters, and the other one was to be a singer. I really don’t remember why, but i just thought it was so cool to be independent, grown up, and have real life challenges.

 

What was your dream when you were 18 years old? what was the reason?

When i was 18 years old my dream was to have a dream. I had no idea what to do with my life and i just dreamt with having a vision and goals like the rest of my friends. I really felt very lost.

 

What really made you start thinking about social entrepreneurship/social enterprises? when was that?

I really never looked for the masters of social entrepreneurship. My dad thought it was better for me and thats why i did it. I am more of a corporate person. A part of me does like social entrepreneurship and believes that giving back to society is the right way to succeed, but i never had a 110% MSE mindset like the rest of our class.

 

How much do you think social entrepreneurs play an important role in the world?

I think social entrepreneurs are who will help the world stay out of misery.  Without social entrepreneurs we wouldn’t have innovative and authentic ideas to help society stay wealthy, healthy, educated, protected and happy at all times.

 

What would you say to future social entrepreneurs / those who are interested in social entrepreneurs?

I would tell them believe you can and you’re already halfway there! Also, i would say that social entrepreneurs touch others people lives everywhere they go with every project they carry out. Social entrepreneurs little by little are changing the world and turning it into a better place for future generations. and last, i would also tell him/her to buckle your seat belt because this ride is about to get bumpy!

 

What is your favorite quote? Who said that quote?

“Believe you can and you’re always halfway there” – Theodore Roosevelt

Who Elena is

Elena herself is ‘emotion.’ I have never met such an emotional person like her in my life. She easily expresses everything; joy, anger, grief, depression. She is so open so what you see from Elena is who Elena is. In addition, she is very pure, naive and sweet and has great hospitality. She loves helping people. In other words, she cannot leave those who need help. No matter how busy she is or how much she knows the person, she comes and gives them a hand. One of our classmates has an issue with his eyesight and she always helped him to read and manage assignments by sitting next to him.

Elena was one of my first teammates at Hult. My impression of her is that she is creative and an idea girl. She usually takes part by saying “how about…?” It is also true that Elena pushed the team to move ahead. She not only suggested things but also managed the suggestions as projects. She is a good project manager.

Elena is strong enough to do what she does without caring how others see her. She does not mind standing out and giving opinions no matter how many people agree with her. The memorable moment, and actually my favorite memory with her, was when we watched ‘Big Hero 6.’ That is my favorite movie and very good. It is fun but not so funny, meaning that there are not so many scenes that are funny. However, Elena…she burst into laughter and kept laughing out laod during the movie.

 

Awesome Episode

Last May, Elena organized the Musana Launch Party for Musana Carts, a social venture that Manon, Taliey and I founded through Hult Prize. She could have not done it but she actually made it happen for us. The way she held the party was very unique. Elena met Clair, an event organizer, at her extended-stay building and they became co-organizers. Elena is very very friendly to anyone. The episode explains a lot to you, right?

The party was so much fun. Guests and us had such a great time. However, Elena walked around the party place and checked if everything was ok all the time during the party. See? Hospitality. That makes Elena, Elena. We still appreciate what you did for us, Elena!

 

The Power of MSE

What Elena is holding is a symbol called “go-en(ご縁)”, which means ‘fate’, ’destiny’ and ’special tie.’

I believe that it is meant to be that we met in San Francisco! I studied Social Entrepreneurship with Elena for a year, saying “We will make the world a better place.” I would love to spend the rest of my life with MSEs (Master of Social Entrepreneurship; my classmates) until the very day I die. They have already completely changed my life.

At the same time, however, I also think that we should not be together all the time, because that is not the reason why we learned Social Entrepreneurship. That is not how we will deliver the impact we want to give to society and to the world.

I think MSEs are like dandelions. We were seeded at the first day at Hult and we bloomed on our graduation day. Our mission is that we spread all over the world like dandelions and seed the future, the next generation, from each place where each of us has landed.

本当にありがとう(Honto ni Arigato-); Thank you very very much for everything!! The world needs you! Let’s make the world a better place together!!