I Like Local—A Sustainable Initiative to Improve the Livelihoods of Asian Communities

Born out of her love for different cultures and desire to have a sustainable and positive impact on the globe, Sanne Meijboom established I Like Local in 2014 in South Asian countries. Seeing how poverty alleviation is a top priority for the world, she realized that tourism could become a significant source of income for local communities and believed that connecting locals in developing countries with travellers directly via their platform could have a transformative power on local livelihoods. This case presents an innovative approach using technology, new business processes, and enhanced business models; a social enterprise achieves the intended social effect. Interviews with the founder and CEO of I Like Local formed the basis of the case study as a part of the case research. The author sought to understand the social entrepreneur's business model, the obstacles it encountered, the competencies required, and the strategic decisions she took, which helped it become sustainable over the period. This juncture forces Sanne to confront the ethical implications of her choices and question the true impact of her entrepreneurial endeavors. The challenge lies in finding a delicate balance between economic success and a more equitable distribution of value that addresses societal concerns, thereby navigating the complexities of responsible entrepreneurship in an ever-evolving global landscape. The resolution of this dilemma will likely shape not only the future trajectory of Sanne's business but also her legacy as a social entrepreneur committed to fostering positive change.