social entrepreneurship

What is Social Entrepreneurship?

Social Entrepreneurship takes a business approach to a problematic societal issue, for example glass recycling, which is a growing concern worldwide. Glass is 100% recyclable, however almost all of it goes into our landfills, wasting valuable resources and a significant amount of energy.

Focused on sustainability, The Olio served as Winston-Salem’s only furnace glassblowing studio from 2014-2020. Recycling and repurposing is critical to all program and marketing efforts.

Waste glass was collected from the community and mixed with a proprietary flux system, which created a workable and compatible glass for melting in the furnace to create a variety of work for sale.

The unique glass recycling system served as an excellent teaching tool for the Youth Apprentice Program, as well as the community, through various programs and workshops. Thank you, Winston-Salem!!

“Creativity will be the currency of the 21st century.”

~ Gerald Gordon