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Networking forum targets aspiring and struggling women entrepreneurs
Through strategic collaboration between Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) and CUSO International, a total of 60 women were recently able to benefit from a networking event.
Some products on display.
The forum, which was held at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, was initiated through the YCG Women Entrepreneurship programme. The Entrepreneurship programme, according to Coordinator, CUSO International Volunteer, Marianna Zakala, has been in existence since 2012.
However, the networking tactic represented an added flair to the programme.
The event, moreover, saw the coming together of not only women already engaged in thriving business enterprises, but also those in businesses that are struggling and some who have never ventured into the arena before.
“What we did was take women from our entrepreneurship programme as well as youths (young women) in the Volunteer Youth Corps’ Sky Programme, which is sort of a business livelihood programme and women across the fences programme, which they run with teenage mothers, and we invited them to network to sort of create connections,” said Zakala during an interview with this publication.
The programme was premised on the observation that many women and girls, including pregnant teenage mothers, face several issues in their attempts to start small businesses of their own. As such, Zakala said that the networking move was intended to “find ways to overcome, at least, some of the issues that they may face in the future”.
The networking event in progress.
The event saw presentations from women who were able to start up and sustain thriving businesses with support from the YCG Women Entrepreneurship programme over the years. Among them was 21-year-old Jenelle Pierre, who has been managing a successful accessory business for a number of years. She was therefore able to share extensively about the challenges and eventual success she was able to realise because of her perseverance.
“She talked about being a young woman and starting a business…she started when she was just a teenager and was able to overcome problems to be where she is today,” Zakala reported.
Another speaker at the event was Anira Jones-Sealey, who is currently the owner of yet another thriving business. Zakala disclosed that Jones-Sealey was among the first batch of women to benefit from the YCG’s Entrepreneurship programme.
“She talked about being a woman in a male-dominated business; how to get your name out there and how to fight to establish and develop your business and be successful,” the YCG Coordinator added.
Those presentations, among others, helped to contribute to the ultimate success of the event, according to Zakala. Some entrepreneurs also brought along samples of their products to showcase.
“We had positive responses from all of the women involved…they found ways to work together to start networking,” said Zakala, as she added that YCG is committed to continue monitoring the evolution of aspiring entrepreneurs, even as efforts are made to help strengthen others that are struggling.
“We will be following through with them and we will be looking at future opportunities for them to connect,” informed Zakala. She also disclosed plans for workshops that are slated to commence January and culminate in March, to help nurture entrepreneurial skills as she disclosed that “we are going to be doing that and continuing one on one mentoring with them.”
But Zakala noted that YCG is always ready to assist other women who did not benefit from the recent event. Those desirous of being a part of the programme can call YCG on 225-0129 to register for the Entrepreneurship programme, and be able to participate in future events and also gain access to a mentor.
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