The Big Issue is not just a magazine; it's a movement. Founded in 1991 by John Bird and Gordon Roddick, it was created as a response to the increasing numbers of homeless people in London. Inspired by New York's "Street News," the magazine aimed to provide homeless individuals with a means to earn a legitimate income by selling the publication on the streets. The Body Shop provided the initial funding, and the magazine quickly became a symbol of social enterprise and empowerment .