Many self employed people in France have jumped through hoops in order to be their own boss. Bureaucracy is as common as bread here in France and no-one or no two people has experienced their fare share of hoop jumping than Tony Verhulst and Sofie Goetghebeur, the founders of Elephant Haven. It's not an ordinary enterprise but the first of its kind here in France, a retirement home for elephants.

After a mammoth search for the right land they successfully acquired stunning and necessary land at Bussière Galant, Haute-Vienne. Then the hard work began in preparing dossier after dossier being presented to many bureaus and officials locally and across the country. In August this year, after three years of administrative work and preparation they were granted the relevant authorisation to receive elephants. Three years!!! Many of us know what it feels like to submit a dossier responding to what is needed, make a submission, only to get another request for something else rather than a complete checklist from the start.

During that time they have worked tirelessly to continue to raise awareness of Elephant Haven, they have worked alongside hundreds of volunteers who have donated time to work on the land while dossiers and meetings were being handled. They have amassed an amazing amount of digital love from around the world with their active social media presence and local papers and radio stations have helped share their good news along the way. Fund-raisers across Europe have hosted events and raised funds. The love of elephants has spurred many to continue to do so across Europe and beyond, knowing that at some point in the very near future an elephant will be residing here in France.

Much of the funds directed towards Elephant Haven have been raised through people like you and I, and the success of the project is dependent on that continued support. The Elephant Haven have also been successful in acquiring support from businesses too. It is help from companies like Hitachi Construction, donating a brand spanking new mini digger to Elephant Haven.

The Elephant Haven hosted their 2nd Open Day on Sunday 29th October and I made a visit to catch up with them, with a contribution of some delicious lemon and mango cupcakes made lovingly by Bev Barker-Brown, of Chez Tante Mabel. Visitors were given a unique and interesting quiz which gave them an opportunity to speak to various stall holders and speak directly with Tony and Sofie. Roasted pumpkin seeds and soup were on hand to warm us all. 

Now, with many successes under their belts, support is needed for Phase 1 of the barn conversion which will be the elephants home. Today, a crowd-funding campaign has been launched to raise €120,000 by the end of December 2017. Every single euro is dedicated to this phase and brings Elephant Haven another step closer to homing an elephant. If you would like to get involved, click here http://bit.ly/EleBarnElephantHaven

For more information about Elephant Haven and their plans visit www.elephanthaven.com
https://www.facebook.com/ElephantHaven/

As a small business what are you passionate about? Animals, people, places? A certain cause, organisation or charity?

Not everyone has something or a cause that is dear to their hearts and that's fine. If you do and you are in business, then share and show a bit of that in your business demeanour and activity.

As an individual I have always worn my heart on my sleeve. My working career has always found me getting involved in good citizenship programmes and organising fundraising events on a small and huge scale. It helps feed my soul in connecting people with people and creating fun and feel good moments for all involved. As an auto entrepreneur in France I have an opportunity to share a bit about me through elephants. I love elephants. They remind me of a deep soul.

I hosted a coffee morning this week for Elephant Haven at my house. For me, it's not just about raising money. It's about having people in the room. People sharing conversations, exchanging 'what do you dos' followed by business cards. It's about receiving one gem of information that I can pass forward to help develop the cause, however large or small. It's about people's joy at having a coffee morning to come to. Coffee and cake is serious business here in France. Imagine not having a Starbucks on every street corner. A coffee and cake morning is our 'Starbucks'. It's about working with other small businesses who are happy to help and get involved and making sure that they get the exposure they deserve.    

What has been particularly heart warming to me is that the support I get from friends and colleagues who are happy to get behind me. I received a handmade knitted pink elephant, someone found me an elephant key ring. People post on my Facebook timeline articles about elephants and others send me private messages about how much they too love elephants.

As I said above, elephants remind me of deep souls. Every time I receive a message or an elephant trinket from others, I get a glimpse into another persons soul.

So what are the benefits of including a social cause to your business?

• People get to know what you are passionate about.
  
• People like to see businesses with a caring side to them.
  
• It helps bring other businesses together.
  
• Strengthens ties in your local community.
  
• Increases awareness of that social cause.
  
• Small business, big impact. Collectively the sum of all small activity can ultimately have a big impact.
  
• The weaving of knowledge and information - you never know who others know and how they can help.
  
• It's not always about money. Support can be given in many other ways: knowledge, expertise, use of business skills.
  
• Feel good factor and fun. Every business needs that! 
  

Finally, if you love elephants and want to see elephants enjoying their final years in a retirement home in the Limousin, please visit Elephant Haven. 


Yours socially

Over the last few weeks I have made no bones that I love elephants. I can't really explain why I love them, I just do.

It all came about a couple of years ago working for Pink Chillies. A young company with a great ethical ethos and having a love of elephants. Supporting them with their social media activity I got to read a lot about elephants and the struggles faced by them which have reached unprecedented proportions. I live in hope that the unnecessary slaughter will stop and that the younger generations will grow up in a world that is not devoid of such beautiful creatures which are vital to this planet.

So let's look a little closer to home in France at Elephant Haven – a very new non profit organisation. Sofie and Tony arrived in France in September last year, with their big plan and dream to create the first elephant retirement home in the Limousin region of France. I quickly offered my services in a volunteer capacity when I met them back in November 2014. With support garnered in their home country of Belgium a move to France meansa new culture, new bureaucracy and new ways of getting their message out here in France.

With those big plans and dreams come big financial commitments and the Elephant Haven need by 31st March 2015 €440,000 to purchase the land earmarked for the retirement home. I share their enthusiasm in wanting to see this project fruition, for many reasons. Personally, knowing that there will be elephants less than a 2 hour drive from my rural French town puts a huge smile on my face. Knowing that they can retire in peace, calm and comfort brought about by determination, courage and no doubt many sleepless nights by two people who are extremely passionate about this project really spurs me on. There are retirement homes all over the globe. There is absolutely no reason why there shuold not be one in France.  The positive effects for the local community and the country in general have yet to be realised.  

And I want to share that enthusiasm with you dear reader, so that you might feel a bit of what I'm feeling and take some kind of action. Sofie and Tony have been told by French and non French alike that this is a crazy idea that won't happen. When I hear the words 'won't' it makes me more determined. So collectively we can turn 'won't' into job done!

Here's how small businesses can help the Elephant Haven:

• Visit their website www.elephanthaven.com  – have a read. While you are there, make a donation, however small or large.
  
• Sign up to to their newsletter for regular updates.
  
• Like their Facebook page and share their updates.
  
• Follow them on Twitter @elephanthaven
• Include details about them in your newsletter. Quote #Land4Elephants
  
• Write a blog about them and circulate. 
  
• Create a page on your website and give them a dedicated space, so that your visitors can read about them too.
  
• Orangise a quick and simple fund-raising event. There are plenty of ideas in their fund-raising pack – email fundraising@elephanthaven.com
  
• If you have a physical presence – offer to take some wristbands or a donation tin
  
• Share in their determination.
  

Yours socially