Social Entrepreneur: Ishikawa Naohito - FRONTRUNNERS

Key Concepts

• Social Business: Utilizing business principles to address social issues, prioritizing impact over profit maximization.
• Inclusive Employment: Creating work opportunities for individuals with disabilities, focusing on their skills and potential.
• Empowerment vs. Aid: Shifting from a model of providing assistance to one of collaborative problem-solving and skill development.
• Sensory Compensation: The heightened development of other senses in individuals with visual impairments.
• Nail Art as Vocational Training: Utilizing detailed and precise work like nail art as a viable career path for individuals with disabilities.
• Community-Driven Development: Building sustainable solutions through local partnerships and addressing specific community needs.

Creating an Inclusive Work Environment for People with Disabilities

The speaker discusses his journey in establishing a social business in Sri Lanka focused on creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. He emphasizes a shift from traditional aid-based approaches to empowerment through professional skill development and collaborative problem-solving.

The Problem with Traditional Aid

The speaker recounts initial experiences where providing assistance to individuals led to dependency rather than sustainable progress. He observed a cycle where beneficiaries continually sought further aid instead of developing self-sufficiency. He states, “その現場でやはりその、ま、いわゆる催された方々が、ま、我々がこう援助することによって何かこう次のステップ進むのではなくてなんかこう援助に慣れてしまって、ま、どんどんどんどん次の援助が欲しい。” (At the scene, the people we were helping didn't move forward with our assistance, but rather became accustomed to it and constantly wanted more aid.) This realization prompted a change in approach.

The Core Philosophy: Empowerment and Professionalism

The core principle driving his work is to unlock the potential of individuals with disabilities and enable them to contribute as professionals. He rejects the notion that providing jobs to people with disabilities is inherently negative, countering criticisms he’s received: “援助する側される側ではなくて一緒にこう働いて その問題[音楽]を解決してくそういう取り組みをしていきたいなっていう風に思いました。” (Instead of being the helper and the helped, I want to work together to solve these problems.) He aims to change societal perceptions and create an environment where individuals with disabilities are valued for their skills.

Initial Steps & The Massage Therapy Model

The speaker’s initial venture involved bringing Japanese massage therapists to Sri Lanka following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. He discovered that individuals with visual impairments possessed exceptional skills in massage due to heightened sensory perception: “How[音楽]IfeelsogoodI feellikethepressure thewaytheydidthe wholemassagevery goodbecausetheyhave extrasensory[音楽] skillbecausetheycan seeksotheymoreused tofocusingmore[音楽] ontheothersenson.” This observation led to the idea of providing specialized training to visually impaired individuals in massage therapy. He brought in Japanese practitioners to conduct the training, starting with a man born with extra fingers who lost his sight at age 15.

Overcoming Challenges & Building Trust

The speaker faced initial skepticism and resistance when attempting to establish this venture. He recounts a story of convincing a mother to allow her son to participate, highlighting the importance of building trust and demonstrating potential: “එයාටඒ ඒකචැලේජ්එකක්ගන්න පුළුවන්කියන විශ්වාසයකුත්තිබුණා. දැන්ඒනිසාතමයිමමඑයාට කිව්වේඔයාකැමතිනම් එන්නකියලාකියන්නේමගේ අරඇංගලිස්වැඩිලා තියෙනවනේ.” (He had the confidence to take on a challenge. That's why I told him to come if he wanted, because my angels had increased.) He emphasizes the importance of believing in their capabilities.

Expanding the Business & Diversification

The business expanded beyond massage therapy to include a grocery store and, more recently, a nail art training program. The speaker recognized the potential of nail art as a suitable vocation for individuals with disabilities due to its requirement for precision and detail. He collaborated with Japanese nail art professionals to provide high-level training: “障害者との仕事はずっと続けてる中で、ま、他の障害持ってる方々とも何か新しい仕事ができないかっていうのを、ま、考えてました。 で、ま、最終的にその今スりラン下では結構そのネイルでのこう興味というかネールのお店もすぐ増えたりして障害者の方がやはりそういう細かな仕事とか結構得意だっていうのも知ったんで特別な訓練をしてネイルアーティストを育てるというそういうプログラムを今やってます。” (While continuing to work with people with disabilities, I was thinking about what other jobs we could create for other people with disabilities. Finally, I noticed that nail art was becoming popular in Sri Lanka, and people with disabilities are quite good at detailed work, so I started a special training program to nurture nail artists.) He secured funding through crowdfunding to open a professional nail salon.

The Importance of Social Impact & Sustainable Growth

The speaker’s business operates on the principles of social entrepreneurship, aiming to improve the lives of both producers (farmers and employees with disabilities) and consumers. He describes a model involving contract farming with local farmers, purchasing their produce at a fair price, and selling it to urban consumers: “ま、我々これ健康っていうキーワードで考えてるんですが、ま、有気農業を農家の人にしてもらって、それを我々が、ま、高く買い取りをして、で、ま、こういう都市部の消費者に売るとで、農家の人たちにも健康になってもら [音楽] 収入も増えてプラス消費者の方々コロンボ、ま、この大都市の消費者の方の、ま、健康もあの増信しようっていう狙いで始めました。” (We are thinking about this in terms of health, having farmers practice organic farming, buying it from them at a high price, and selling it to urban consumers, which increases the income of farmers and improves the health of consumers in Colombo.) He also notes the positive impact on employees, allowing them to travel and gain independence.

Political & Societal Shifts

The speaker acknowledges the positive influence of recent political changes in Sri Lanka, with the new government prioritizing support for people with disabilities: “政権交代してやっぱりこういう障害者へのこうサポートとかっていうのを、ま、この政権はもちろんその力入れてくっていうのもあって、ま、国全体としてやっぱ公平な取り組みをしようっていう動きになってますので、ま、そういった流れですごい仕事としてはやりやすくなってます。” (With the change of government, there is a strong emphasis on support for people with disabilities, and as a nation, there is a movement towards fair initiatives, which makes our work much easier.)

Future Vision & Scaling Impact

The speaker envisions expanding his social business model to reach more individuals with disabilities across Sri Lanka. He believes that his work can serve as a model for creating inclusive employment opportunities nationwide: “やっぱりその社会の問題を、ま、ビジネス の力でこう解決していくっていうところに 、ま、我々としてはこうコミットしていき たいなっていう風に考えてますので、その ソーシャル[音楽]ビジネスの、ま、水化 でのこう、ま、バイオニアとしてやって いきたいなっていう風には考えてます。” (We are committed to solving social problems through the power of business, and we want to be pioneers in social business in Sri Lanka.) He emphasizes the importance of human connection and the ripple effect of positive change.

Data & Statistics (Implicit)

While specific figures aren't explicitly stated, the transcript implies a growing demand for nail art services in Sri Lanka, creating a viable market for trained professionals. The speaker also mentions a five-year plan for expansion, suggesting a long-term commitment to scaling the business.

Notable Quotes

• “援助する側される側ではなくて一緒にこう働いて その問題[音楽]を解決してくそういう取り組みをしていきたいなっていう風に思いました。” (Instead of being the helper and the helped, I want to work together to solve these problems.)
• “炎上 付けっていうのをどうやって、ま、立ち切るか。うん。で、それで次のステップに行ってやっぱ援助する側される側ではなくてやっぱ一緒にこう働いてその問題を解決してくていうそういう取り組みをしていきたいなっていう風に思いました。” (How do we overcome this? And then move on to the next step, working together to solve the problem instead of being the helper and the helped.)
• “自分で仕事したいとかちゃんとそのプロフェッショナルなあのこういう職業に着きたいって思いはあるっていうのはすごい感じるので、ま、そういったところを我々も一緒に目指してはいます。” (I strongly feel that they want to work for themselves and pursue professional careers like this, so we are working towards that together.)

Conclusion:

The speaker’s journey exemplifies the power of social entrepreneurship in creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. By shifting from a traditional aid-based model to one of empowerment and professional development, he has not only improved the lives of his employees but also challenged societal perceptions and paved the way for a more inclusive future in Sri Lanka. His commitment to sustainable growth, community engagement, and innovative vocational training programs positions him as a pioneer in the field of social business.