What GWES2018 taught me

The Ghana Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit 2018 was a two day program organised by the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI – www.nbssi.gov.gh) in June 2018 and I must say the attendance from women in business from all parts of Ghana was overwhelming. The special guest of Honor for the event was the President of the Republic of Ghana.

According to the MasterCard’s Index of Women’s Entrepreneurship 46.4% of businesses in Ghana are owned by women. It is not surprising that over 600 people from all walks of life thronged the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra to benefit from what the NBSSI had to support their businesses.

The theme for the summit for this year was ‘Voices into Action’. This is in the quest to find innovative ways to harness the untapped potential of women entrepreneurs.

In my first day of participating, I sat through the Kaizen Master Class though as an entrepreneur I am not into manufacturing or production. But I found this class useful for my personal office workspace and home.

Kaizen, also known as continuous improvement, is a long-term approach to work that systematically seeks to achieve small, incremental changes in processes in order to improve efficiency and quality.
Some benefits of this practice includes

1. Increase productivity
2. Improved quality
3. Better safety
4. Lower costs
5. Improved customer satisfaction
PS: I would advise all Mompreneurs into production and manufacturing to read more on this to better optimize their business processes.

I networked and met a couple of women in business, and we shared some business ideas and exchanged contacts.

The second day is where all the fun began….

So on the second day of the summit I was ushered in to the fourth row from the front and I was asked to sit beside a beautiful woman who should be in her mid thirties if not more. We were the only two seated on that row as that time. We were quiet for a while but then she says hello and then we introduced ourselves. Through conversation we realize we are both on a female founders group platform formed by Ispace. We had a long conversation before the program actually started. I got to know about her project Akoobooks, African Audio books.

My first lesson for the day,events are all about networking. Don’t coil in at events especially networking events. Learn to reach out to others or opportunities may pass you by.

There were quiet a number of panel discussions on topics such as Mainstreaming the informal economy and Innovation Using Digital Technology. All these discussions were handled by men and women who are well vexed with high level of knowledge in the various topics.

We had a doctor share with us some health challenges entrepreneurs face everyday, Some simple healthy morning routines and some good eating practices.

There was an exhibition on-going at the event grounds that showcased wonderful Made in Ghana products and services being rendered by some of the Women in Business.

It was great to see some Mompreneurs showcasing their craft at the event.

My top 5 take away tips from the event to date has been

1. Innovation, always try to find new and creative ways to keep your business running. We need to challenge ourselves as entrepreneurs
2. Network, it is essential to take advantage of events that seek to promote entrepreneurship growth
3. We need to move from voice to action
4. Social media is a great gift to us as entrepreneurs. We should harness these tools to the advantage of our business.
5. We must learn to take risks. Sometimes risks come with great rewards.

WeMompreneurs Feature : Maame, CheeryBaby

This month we feature a gorgeous creative mother who runs her own handmade statement accessories and clothing line. She also has a full time job as a finance manager. Her beautiful accessories caught our attention on Instagram and it was refreshing to check her profile and see her items are made right here in Ghana. We caught up with Maame for our July Feature and I must say it was inspiring reading her story. I realized that passion is that which would keep someone motivated to create amazing accessories and clothing items stuff and still work a full time job . Her company CheeryBaby makes handmade statement earrings and Handmade hair accessories for all. Join us as she shares her story with us

1. How you started as a Mompreneur ?

In February 2015 I made a bow for my daughter to match her dress. She wore it out for a kids party and the feedback was amazing. And I was like okayyyy I think I’ll make a few to sell and have literally been at it since.

2. What inspired you to take that path in business

My daughter, She was the perfect model. And I totally enjoy making bows for her.

3. A little bit about your company and what you do

Cheerybaby started off as predominantly serving our little friends. Along the way we’ve had requests from mums,aunties and even dad’s. So our line expanded and with each expansion came growth. We currently make bows, themed head pieces, fascinators, earrings. Literally anything that fits in the head of the body. Lmao
Any accessory that fits on the head of the body. Lmao. We also started a sister company called cheerycomforts. Where we hand make baby bibs and nursing pillows. Please note everything on cheerybaby and cheerycomforts is hand made from scratch. We also make kids clothing. Specifically with tulle. Perfect flower girl dresses and christening dresses . Trying to expand our party line

4. A little background about yourself

Apart from getting good feedback when we started . I actually realized it would be a good source of extra income. To date i run Cheerybaby and work a normal job 9-5 as a finance manager for Vicdoris pharmaceuticals. It may seem like a lot of work. But I’m glad I’m able to work both parts of my brain – the left and right parts – creativity and math. Lol so there’s a plus there.
Education wise – I have studied both here (Ghana and abroad) and I have a masters in Finance 😊

5. How you manage your day to day activities

Going to keep this very simple. Because the little details will tire you. Lol. 12am wake up – work through till 5 ( on a good day 4 so I catch a nap) My daughter is up by 5 :30. Shower . Eat. Morning devotion. School drop off. Drive to the office. Prepare reports /manage people/ take decisions. Luckily I still close at 3. Pick daughter from school. Do home work. Play with her. Catch a me time 6/7. Shower little one. Dinner. Bedtime story and prayers. We all doze of at around 8 and I’m up at 12am and start the cycle again.

6. How you are able to balance taking care of your family and manage the business

I’m still trying to figure this out but so far see answer to 5. Can we ever find a healthy balance. I’m waiting . . . Lol

7. What are the challenges you face

Lack of sleep. Last minute orders. Not enough time in a day to fulfill all our dreams and purposes. Lack of a social life ( although this year I must say I’ve been good to myself)

8. What are the processes and systems that have helped you in your entrepreneurial journey

Simple. Calendar.I keep a diary on me at all times. I pencil everything down and I stick to my plans. I’m normally an organised person.So literally that trait is what has sustained me. I also don’t switch plans easily I go by the book and by my word and if God permits I tick each accomplishment off till all is done. A simple diary is my life saver

9. Advise to any young one who wants to start a business

Dream big dream very Big and if you can dream those dreams you can also take action towards them. Work hard even when you think all is lost and it might be pointless. Don’t stop because God always always blesses the hands that work. Just keep going. This is something that is actually true. God sees our toils and he blesses us accordingly just don’t stop.