"Society needs more self-supporting, successful social enterprises"

FKI Chairman visits Goodwill Store Songpa branch

FKI Chairman Chang Soo Huh visited the Songpa branch of the Goodwill Store, an exemplary social enterprise, in Macheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul on April 18.

The visit, made ahead of the Day for the Disabled which falls on April 20, was to find and encourage excellent social enterprises that help the disabled stand on their own feet, beyond simple donations to citizens with disabilities.

Goodwill Store, modelled after the Goodwill Store of the U.S. which has been combining donations, reuse of resources and job creation, is now operating 10 branches across the country.

The Songpa branch, known to have invited a professional manager, CEO Man Seok Sohn who has an extensive on-the-job experience of 30 years in business, is now generating profits by expanding its business area in addition to selling gifts, and working with large companies as a subcontractor. It has been paying bonuses to disabled workers from profits, and increasing employment of the disabled every year, being considered as one of the most successful social enterprises.

After CEO's briefing on business performance, Chairman Huh concluded an MOU with the company to donate some of office furniture and supplies used by FKI when it moves into a new facility in October this year.

Chairman Huh said, "I believe social businesses like this will be new alternatives to creating jobs for the regional community, and the underprivileged class through development of creative business models." He also met disabled employees at work and offered a donation to help make a mobile webpage of the company. Sohn responded, "When the mobile webpage is completed, more ordinary citizens will find it easier to make donations, and management of donators and collection of items much more efficient, eventually raising the re-donation rate. Since securing continued donations leads to creating profits, management of donors will be a great contribution to us." While looking around the store, Chairman Huh bought pajamas for his grandson.