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Dwight Wilson - Chile and Honduras
Dwight Wilson, Peace Corps volunteer in Chile and Honduras (1981-1983), spent twenty years working in the field of international development, with a particular focus on youth leadership programs. He is now CEO of OneRoof, a network of franchise businesses in rural communities in the developing world.
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Dwight Wilson was in the Peace Corps in Honduras and Chile from 1981- 1983, working as a rural community development specialist, which he said was a fancy title for a 23-year old history major who had never been in the developing world before. He lived in small villages for what he says were the best two and half years of his life – a period that still impacts his life today. While in Honduras, he saw the usual problems of underdevelopment, but he also what worked well. He became a facilitator of many small projects ranging from water distribution to vaccinating children and teaching.Today he is CEO of a for-profit social business, OneRoof, which is setting up a network of franchise businesses in rural areas in the developing world, run by local entrepreneurs who care deeply about their communities. OneRoof gives them training and helps to set up businesses that gives the community access to a range of critical goods and services and also offers classes to help people get ready for jobs. OneRoof offers a range of services and products in a replicable and scalable sustainable business. Eventually, OneRoof plans to open many thousands of businesses across the developing world (they now operate 18 company stores) to have a major impact in reducing rural poverty around the world.
Dwight Wilson set up OneRoof as a for-profit because, after 20 years in the NPO space, he realized that the NPO world did not think “large scale and long term.” He saw that the for-profit model would provide the energy to create a sustainable, long-term scaleable business. He thinks that OneRoof will make a profit later this year through franchise fees, royalties and markup and commissions on products and services. OneRoof is set up to be a win-win that will enable it to go to scale around the world.
One Roof was part of the Clinton Global Initiative, which Dwight Wilson says is a wonderful organization that requires you to make a commitment and then "holds your feet to the fire," making sure you follow through and make good progress. He says the networking at the CGI is tremendous and the encouragement and support is the best he has seen in terms of getting things done.
His advice for social entrepreneurs: go the for-profit route. He feels that the for-profit model offers a better opportunity for social entrepreneurs to go to scale and be sustainable and replicable.
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This message is for Mr. Dwight Wilson
Wow I am very impresed on what you been doing for the world on all these years that is amaizing. it is few peple that really worry about others. probabli you are asking your self who I am ok may you don't remember me. I am Mirna your English student from " INSTITUTO DEPARTAMENTAL DE MANTO" I lived in the little village El Ocotal. my father Mr, Herminio Munguia. and my Mom Carminda, in my house is where Judith Hoagland, the Peace Corp volunteer used to eat. i have been seaching for you or either Judith but is so nice i found you. i live now in USA in Chicago, I have a son his name is Javier he is 23 years old now his father is Saul Pagoada remember him. Saul got married He lives in Washington stated as well as Maria Elena Reyes. in fact Saul is married to a Maria Elena sister. I got married back in 1993 my husband was from California, we moved to USA in 1996 and died in 1998. my parents come here to Chicago every year, or I go to Honduras to visit them ok hope you get to see this. my E-mail is mrose97@univision.com