The organizational culture of a Bee Hive

The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others’ – St. John Chrysostom.

This quote is extremely suitable for Brenda Palms Barber and her social enterprise Sweet Beginnings. Her inspiring story gave me new perspectives and insights on social entrepreneurship. On Tuesday 28^th of July we visited Sweet Beginnings, a social enterprise. They produce honey and natural skin & body care products, for more information visit their website.

The inspiring Brenda Palms Barber, founder of Sweet Beginnings, was frustrated by the lack of job opportunities, that the residents in North Lawndale were having. Especially ex-convicts, even after serving their time and following the NLEN U-TurnPermitted Program,  they were not given a second chance. 
She launched Sweet Beginnings and gave some of the graduates of the U-Turn Permitted Program a 90-day job opportunity. They learned about science, education, accounting, packaging and many other things which allows them to grasp that second chance and improve their lives.

The organizational culture of Sweet Beginnings could be compared to the organization of a bee hive.

The Queen Bee in a bee hive is the central person, the one who creates the others and let them work together. Brenda Palms Barber, the Queen Bee of Sweet Beginnings does not only educate the ex-convicts but also allows them to work. She is passionate about her business and her mission, and that passion is contagious. When leaders are truly passionate, people feel included in the leader’s commitment, part of making important things happen. That’s satisfying on a very deep level, and it lasts. 

A Queen Bee does not make honey herself, but surrounds herself by others who produce honey. This is also the vision Brenda Palms Barber has about good leaders: They surround themselves with other amazing people. Surround yourself with good people and let them shine, that is what true leadership is all about.

The quizzes for the new employees about the core values of Sweet Beginnings, just show how important it is that everybody understands and follows the mission and vision of the company. Everybody has to be on the same page, before you can advance in business or in life.

One important lesson for my StreetTube project, was that she told us that people do not care about the story if the product is not good. So focus on the product (content) and people will become interested in the story behind.

Her wisdom and insights gave me not only some new perspectives for StreetTube, but also for my future life and that is why I want to thank Brenda Palms Barber for sharing her inspiring story.