Top image credit: dpict.info / Foter / CC BY-NC 2.0.

These days, social entrepreneurs have many resources to draw on. The path to success has been blazed time and again. And there's a robust ecosystem to support them. But what about those early pioneers, the mission-driven business leaders who first took aim at the triple-bottom line and, sometimes, missed the mark? What advice did they get?

Turns out, many of them got bad, profit-centric advice, if any at all. That's why the Social Venture Network recently launched a new video series, "The Best Advice I Never Got," in which members offer up the words of wisdom they now wish someone had shared with them. From a company's culture to the founder's character, these eight gems could save the next generation of social entrepreneurs — including those focused on helping people share — a lot of time, money, and stress.

1. Adnan Durrani, American Halal/Saffron Road: "Creating Value Around Values"

2. Kat Taylor, One PacificCoast Bank: "Culture Matters"

3. Akaya Windwood, Rockwood Leadership Institute: "Ignore the Shoulds"

4. Joel Solomon, Renewal Funds: "Inner Skills"

5. Justin Guilbert and Douglas Riboud, Harmless Harvest: "Detach Yourself and Take It Slow"

6. Neil Grimmer, Plum Organics: "Building on Purpose"

7. Danny Grossman, Slow Food for Fast Lives: "Define Who Is Who and What Is What"

8. Michael Kieschnick, CREDO Mobile: "Recruit Constantly"