Female entrepreneurs urged to inspire change
Published:Thursday | March 7, 2024 | 12:07 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
AHEAD OF tomorrow’s celebration of International Women’s Day, a group of up-and-coming female entrepreneurs have been encouraged to be unafraid to inspire change and help to elevate the future generation in following their dreams.
Speaking yesterday at the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Summit 2024, US diplomat Amy Tachco said that the intention of the event was to “foster an ecosystem” and a kind of sisterhood that encourages the next generation of women entrepreneurs, giving them greater opportunities than what they had. The summit is being held under the theme ‘Inspire, Inclusion: Value Our Women’.
“There is power in the community of women ... power when our voices come together. We use community to hold each other up, to heal one another, to share our inner strength, and most importantly, to create lasting change,” said Tachco, deputy chief of mission at the United States (US) Embassy in Kingston,.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’.
Tachco further stated that empowering women in business was not only a matter of equality, but also “a smart business decision” as the diversification and inclusion of women in workspaces led to better business outcomes.
“Throughout history, women have demonstrated unparalleled determination and resourcefulness in the face of countless challenges. From pioneering entrepreneurs, defying societal norms to trailblazers who have shattered glass ceilings in boardrooms and beyond, women entrepreneurs have been instrumental in driving innovation, fuelling economic growth and aspiring future generations,” she said.
Tachco noted the US’ commitment to “knocking down” barriers that prevented both women and girls from reaching their full potential. Areas they view as priority include helping women build greater stability, greater equality, and greater opportunities.
The summit, which was supported by the US government, brought together women leaders, students, and innovators to have meaningful discussions surrounding the empowerment of women in business planning, capital raising, and networking.
It featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions. The importance of financial empowerment; science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, leadership; and self-care were some of the topics discussed.
TRADE SECRETS FOR LEVELLING UP
Kiddist Cowans, pitchathon expert and AWE lead facilitator, equipped the young women through her presentation with how to prepare for a business pitch. This, she said, should include conducting research, preparing a pitch deck, and practising the pitch to ensure that you stay within the allotted timeframe, among other things.
She also shared some trade secrets with entrepreneurs and encouraged them to learn when to “level-up” and adapt to ever-changing situations.
“With each stage that I go, I tell myself [that] I’m a blank slate. So even though I know what I know at that level, I erase that, and I open my mind and expand my mind to say, ‘What can I take in now?’. There’s always a level to go higher ... even as I achieve more success,” Cowans said.
She continued, saying that a proactive mindset was necessary in business to ensure that the business stayed relevant to its intended customers.
This is the third staging of the AWE summit, which had in attendance over 20 women entrepreneurs. Prior to the Kingston staging, the summit targeted women entrepreneurs from Mandeville and then Clarendon.