The Women’s Entrepreneurship Network

This project originally started in January 2011 with the financial support from Exxon Mobil and the personal support from a Canadian intern, through the International Youth Internship Program from The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

 THE PROJECT

The project was originally aimed to equip 50 female entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and support to develop sustainable businesses in region 4 of Guyana.  Through various workshops, networking events, monthly meetings and conferences, recruitment to the project has risen to over 65 female entrepreneurs.

Some workshops conducted included:

• The Business Plan: assisted the women with their written business plans (a requirement for obtaining a loan).
• Record Keeping & Accounts: covered the value of record keeping, types of records to be kept for a small business, accounts for tax purposes and financial reporting, budgeting, and examples of different record keeping books.
• Marketing: covered basic marketing principals and assisted the participants to develop their own marketing strategy for their business.

The women entrepreneurs, a part from these meetings, workshops and networking events, have benefitted from the support of one another and the fostering of entrepreneurship in Guyana. Many of the women work together as partners, support and promote each other’s business and learn from each other.

WENET : WOMEN”S ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK

The support group is where all the women who are part of the project can come together get ideas and advice while discussing their challenges. This network is the core of the entire project; women use one another as mentors and strengthen the group through increased participation levels while attracting new members.

The second Wednesday of every month is WENETs support meeting; a committee, consisting of 6 of the entrepreneurs run and support these meetings.

Committee positions for the female entrepreneurs are:

• 2 Co- Chairs
• Communication Officer
• Finance Officer
• Events Officer
• Partnership Officer

These meetings are where all the creative juices flow; many of the women in the group gain encouragement from their peers and obtain business advice.  The mentorship aspect of these meetings between the women plays an important role in the success of the female entrepreneurs, their businesses and WENET.

Women Entrepreneurs & Their Businesses

In May 2011 when the project was implemented there were a total of 52 members, since then there have been 18 new female entrepreneurs join the program! All of these women have remarkable businesses all ranging from different stages of development.

The Businesses apart of WENET Include:

• Cake Decorating Business
• Salon (Hair, Manicures, Pedicures)
• Bar/Restaurant/Snackette/Deli
• Day Care/Babysitting
• Retail Store/ Boutique ( Clothes, Shoes, Wedding Dresses, Accessories)
• Edible Arrangements
• Printing/Publishing
• Mobile Confectionary Stand (toys,snacks,poultary,food)
• Fashion Design
• Recording Studio
• Grocery & Variety Stores
• Food Vending
• Animal Care
• Catering

WENET VISION:

A vibrant network of female entrepreneurs known and respected for creating jobs and successful businesses to ensure a bright future for Guyana and beyond.

WENET OBJECTIVES:

• Provide female entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and support to improve their businesses, ensure sustainability and ultimately enhance their quality of life
• Develop participants by building confidence and empowering them to become leaders and managers in their communities inspiring other  female entrepreneurs
• Create a network of female entrepreneurs that will work together, support each other, and foster entrepreneurship within Guyana

Over the past 12 months the programme has evolved into a successful network of female entrepreneurs in Georgetown.

Presently these women have benefitted from the support of one another and the fostering of entrepreneurship in Guyana. Many of the women apart of WENET work together to support, promote and teach each other business development ideas.

Recently free computer training was provided to the network from Global Technology, 20 women were able to gain basic knowledge in Microsoft office programs and will celebrating their graduation in July. Starting in August 2012 the second batch of 20 WENET members will be starting their free computer training courses and have expected graduation in December 2012.

Contact: Kendra Borutski

Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme Officer

Cell Phone: 660-4338

Email: Entrepreneurship@ycgi.org