When Business Doesn’t Make Money

<p>Rev. Matthew Smedley is the Executive Director and CEO of Mission Possible. Over the past 10+ years, Matt has helped Mission Possible transition its programming from offering basic street-level care to being a leading community economic development organization in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Though his role at Mission Possible is varied and complex, his favourite part about his job has stayed consistent - the people. He loves both the Mission Possible team that works alongside him, as well as the community of amazing people who offer every-day inspiration.</p> <p>Matt has served as a pastor in the inner city and has over five years of experience working in the trades. He holds a graduate certificate from SFU in Community Economic Development, has done coursework in theology and sociology, and has a B.S. from Cairn University. Outside of his work, Matt spends time walking with his wife, playing games with his daughter and three sons, and tinkering with his motorcycle.</p> <p>In this episode….</p> <p>Matthew Smedley came to Mission Possible after accepting a volunteer opportunity from his friend, the then-Executive Director. When he ventured back into part-time work after staying home with his sons for two years, he went back to Mission Possible and eventually stayed on full-time. Now as the Executive Director and CEO, he explains that the work greatly affected him and how he thought; it challenged assumptions he held about why people are homeless or in poverty.</p> <p>Matthew has a real clarity about what a non-profit organization can do in terms of a social enterprise endeavor, which is how Mission Possible functions. He is very clear that financial profit is only a goal in terms of breaking even and that the true goal is social profit. He prides Mission Possible on running high quality and professional social enterprises which in turn elevates a sense of dignity and purpose in the work for the downtown eastside Vancouver community he serves.</p> <p>In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, host Martin Hunte