SC Johnson has been working for years to develop sustainable business solutions that raise the standard of living and provide opportunities for a better quality of life for base of the pyramid families.
There are 4 billion people globally at the base of the economic pyramid – earning less than a few US dollars a day. Many live-in areas where malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases take a terrible toll every year.
One example of a social enterprise we have tried is partnering with The Coca-Cola Co. in the
EKOCENTER programme. These modular retail experiences, run by women, provide safe drinking water, sanitation, solar energy and wireless communication in countries like Rwanda and Vietnam. They also sell basic goods including OFF!® mosquito repellent lotion, Baygon® mosquito coils and KIWI® shoe polish.
An earlier enterprise example was the WOW™ business concept, which aimed to create an economically sustainable business model that enabled malaria prevention through affordable, accessible and compelling products. It came to life through a club membership model.