Alexander Clemeston shares his experience launching his social enterprise, Together We Compost, a community-focused compost collection service. Launching in 2021, he built this service to make it easy for people to start composting while engaging marginalized communities and building a fair wage company.
Alexander has a family and a full-time job but didn’t want to be the only one in his family not to have a business. So he searched for a side hustle that aligned with his mission to uplift the community and create a positive impact on our planet. After a brainstorm with colleagues and family, the idea of a composting service just clicked.
He shares an overview of composting - it is a complex process where different materials require different composting methods. For example, compostable containers don’t go in with the regular food waste. Meat and dairy are more complex. Finding the right balance requires some attention if you’re composting at home so you don’t end up with mush. But that’s why Together We Compost exists - to make this process simple for anyone to join.
This year, Alexander is still building Together We Compost as a side hustle and joined the growing team at SEA Change to help expand the work they do. He was a 2021 participant of SEA Change - a program that provides tools to validate your social enterprise, develop your minimally viable product (MVP), and connect with individuals in your community. SEA Change continues to grow and expand and is adding additional cohorts across the US (and globally) this year to help support budding social enterprises.
I found it interesting when Alexander spoke about the power of a side hustle, likening it to a valuable MVP for entrepreneurs. With a side hustle, you have fewer constraints around needing an immediate income, and it gives you more space to test ideas, find your market, and understand the impact you can make. You can fail, and it is easier to restart and pivot your business without the financial burden of trying to make a living while launching an enterprise full-time.
The hardest challenge with a side hustle is finding enough time to grow your venture. Alexander responded that it’s all about organization and communication. Take time to reflect on how you can be the most productive in each moment. Equally, give yourself permission to shut down and take a break - so that you can stay rested and energized when you need to be.
Tune in to the podcast for more seeds of wisdom around composting, building a social enterprise, and starting a social enterprise. And if you’re in central Ohio, check out Together We Compost and start composting today!
Launching a social enterprise? Then check out the accelerator and programming through SEA Change!