Successful women all over the world have attained their dream through determination and hardwork – twice that of their men counterparts. Women who particularly hail from developing countries are expected to work even harder because of the runaway poverty in the countries.
As a developing nation, Kenya has produced women of international caliber in education and entrepreneurship. Professor Wangari Maathai has brought pride to this nation for her relentless fight against the environmental degradation. Through her Greenbelt Movement organization, million of trees have been distributed and planted throughout the country to curtail desertification in future.
Chief Executive of Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT), Dr.Jennifer Riria has been transforming the lives and livelihood of Kenyan women by providing them with affordable loans. Her company has boosted thousands of formal and informal business owned and operated by women. The icing on the cake it’s the fact that they are offered unsecured loans in some deserving instances.
Mrs. Terry Mungai, the owner of Ashleys Hair and Beauty Academy is a role model to the aspiring businesswomen. She has overcome many challenges to transform once nondescript salon into reputable one-stop beauty solutions in various towns in a span of 15 years. Her schools have produced many students who are employed in state-of- art salons while others are their own bosses around the country.
Apparently, Kenyan women aspiring to start business and those still struggling to breakthrough in entrepreneurship have all reasons to keep their desires burning. It’s every woman pleasure to be financially independent. While this can be achieved through employment, it is unfortunate that jobs are scarce in a reality.
For women to become entrepreneur in a field predominantly occupied by men, they need to plough back their earnings in their businesses no matter how small they are. This can be done by partnering with the banks by opening bank accounts and exercising financial discipline. This is a slow but sure way of expanding such businesses.
Equity Bank, Family Bank, K-rep Bank, KWFT and other financial institutions have a soft spot for women clients. It’s open secret that women are more committed in repaying their loans than men. Prof Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and a Nobel Peace Prize winner is on record encouraging other banks to give priority to women borrowers.
Women entrepreneurs should not take the advantage of those facilities offered by these banks and expand their businesses. Youthful entrepreneurs are even advantaged in that they can access loans from Government’s funded scheme (Youth Enterprise Funds) at an attractive interest rate.
It is also important that these entrepreneurs enroll in regular workshops to be educated on vital principals of running businesses. During such forums, successful businesspersons should share their secrets to the new entrants to boost their confidence in their ventures. Businesses run by groups of women need to sponsor some members in other countries to familiarize themselves in international trade.
Women need to adopt a fighting spirit. A case in study is that of Managing Director of Keroche Industries, Mrs.Tabitha Karanja.She has fought numerous battles with her competitor and the Government. It is through her sheer determination that she has been able to stay in business for many years.
It’s worthy sometimes to take risk in life. A number of women have made it big in politics and businesses after quitting well paying jobs. This can happen to any woman with will power to succeed in uncertain environment. Business opportunities avail themselves in equal measures. The onus is on women to grab them in appropriate time to enjoy the financial independence they yearn for.Afterall, the government is in their full support.
James Mwangi Kanyi, Nairobi
No comments:
Post a Comment