How Give a Book, a Bulgarian Foundation, Turned a Social Initiative into a Profitable IT Company
Give a Book is a Bulgarian foundation that has been operating for over 12 years. It is one of the most popular volunteering organizations in Bulgaria with about 100 volunteers every year who mentor kids from seven to 18 years old. These kids live in social institutions and rarely have the opportunity to be adopted. The mentoring program provides them with guidance and support. The organization's founder, Blog Ove. Pug Voya, shared in an interview how the foundation's success led to a profitable IT company called Childish.
The journey started when Pug Voya, while working in television, realized that there was a gap between reporting on the issues faced by children and actually helping them. She had the idea to provide books to the kids who rarely had the chance to read them. This initiative was well-received by the kids, and after three visits, Pug Voya realized that one-on-one mentoring was what these kids needed most. She then started to recruit volunteers who would mentor the kids for an extended period.
Over the years, Give a Book has grown significantly, and the foundation's finances have been stable, thanks to donations and sponsorships. However, Pug Voya wanted to find a way to sustain the foundation's activities long-term. She realized that there was a significant opportunity in the IT industry and decided to start a software company. Childish was born, and Give a Book owned 41% of the company.
Childish's focus is developing business and team building web applications using Python programming language. The company employs 30 people, and their business model is unique. The IT company finances the foundation with its profits, and this model has been so successful that Childish won an award from the Forbes Business Awards 2022 in the socially responsible company category.
Pug Voya's success with Give a Book and Childish is impressive, and her story can provide valuable lessons for startups. Here are three takeaways from her journey:
Pursue Your Passion
Pug Voya's journey started with a simple idea that stemmed from her empathy for the children who rarely had the chance to read books. She had no prior experience in running a foundation or an IT company. However, her passion for helping these kids led her to create a successful foundation and a profitable IT company. As a startup founder, pursuing your passion can give you the drive to overcome the challenges that come with building a business.
Look for Opportunities
Pug Voya realized that there was an opportunity in the IT industry and decided to start a software company. This decision not only created a new revenue stream for the foundation but also enabled the organization to sustain its activities long-term. As a startup founder, always be on the lookout for opportunities that can help your business grow.
Create a Sustainable Business Model
Childish's business model is unique, and it has been successful in financing the foundation's activities. The profits from the IT company are used to finance the foundation, ensuring its sustainability. As a startup founder, it's essential to create a sustainable business model that can support your organization's growth and ensure its long-term success.
In conclusion, Give a Book's success story is a testament to the power of pursuing your passion, looking for opportunities, and creating a sustainable business model. Pug Voya's journey started with a simple idea, and it has grown into a successful foundation and a profitable IT company. As a startup founder, take inspiration from her story and use these lessons to build a successful business.
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