According to the South African Women Entrepreneurs’ Network, approximately 70% of informal businesses in South Africa are owned or controlled by women. Good news, right?
Well, not if you consider that just 8% of SMEs in South Africa are owned by women according to the 2014 SME Survey.
This extreme informal-formal business divide is puzzling. What’s stopping women entrepreneurs from taking a step in the formal direction? Robyn Farrell, executive head of 1st for Women cites barriers including lack of financial resources, lack of networking opportunities and gender stereotypes.
"Our economy needs more women entrepreneurs to take the plunge. To break down these age-old barriers, women entrepreneurs need all the encouragement and support they can get," says Farrell.
One such event that does just that is Kamers vol Geskenke , a colourful celebration of local creativity, innovation and talent.
Kamers was established in 2003 and showcases over 200 traders, 95% of which are women, selling an array of handcrafted wares. This year, Kamers is proudly sponsored by 1st for Women Insurance.
1st for Women Insurance offers the following advice for women wanting to start their own business: Don’t be afraid to take risks. As author Erica Jong once said, "If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more."
Don’t underestimate one's entrepreneurial spirit. Any entrepreneur will say that if one doesn't believe in oneself, who will? 1st For Women recommends trusting one's instincts to bring one's business vision to life.
It’s not what one knows, but who one knows. Network, network and then network some more. When one is done, find a mentor – someone who has had success as an entrepreneur, someone inspiration and with who one can share ideas, get advice, learn and grow.
Rally a support network. One will have some bad days, and some good days, but at the end of the day, it’s good to know that one has supportive friends and family members that one can turn to for some much-needed encouragement. Think of them as one's own personal cheerleading squad.
Where there’s a will there’s a way. No one ever said that starting up a new business is easy. It requires determination, a change in lifestyle and stamina. What one puts in, is what one gets out though and by applying oneself, one will no doubt reap the rewards of success.
For more information about 1st for Women Insurance or to book tickets to Kamers vol Geskenke, visit the 1st for Women website .
Kamers vol Geskenke will take place in Johannesburg from Thursday, 23 to Monday, 27 April and in Cape Town from Thursday, 7 to Sunday, 10 May.
Well, not if you consider that just 8% of SMEs in South Africa are owned by women according to the 2014 SME Survey.
This extreme informal-formal business divide is puzzling. What’s stopping women entrepreneurs from taking a step in the formal direction? Robyn Farrell, executive head of 1st for Women cites barriers including lack of financial resources, lack of networking opportunities and gender stereotypes.
"Our economy needs more women entrepreneurs to take the plunge. To break down these age-old barriers, women entrepreneurs need all the encouragement and support they can get," says Farrell.
One such event that does just that is Kamers vol Geskenke , a colourful celebration of local creativity, innovation and talent.
Kamers was established in 2003 and showcases over 200 traders, 95% of which are women, selling an array of handcrafted wares. This year, Kamers is proudly sponsored by 1st for Women Insurance.
1st for Women Insurance offers the following advice for women wanting to start their own business: Don’t be afraid to take risks. As author Erica Jong once said, "If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more."
Don’t underestimate one's entrepreneurial spirit. Any entrepreneur will say that if one doesn't believe in oneself, who will? 1st For Women recommends trusting one's instincts to bring one's business vision to life.
It’s not what one knows, but who one knows. Network, network and then network some more. When one is done, find a mentor – someone who has had success as an entrepreneur, someone inspiration and with who one can share ideas, get advice, learn and grow.
Rally a support network. One will have some bad days, and some good days, but at the end of the day, it’s good to know that one has supportive friends and family members that one can turn to for some much-needed encouragement. Think of them as one's own personal cheerleading squad.
Where there’s a will there’s a way. No one ever said that starting up a new business is easy. It requires determination, a change in lifestyle and stamina. What one puts in, is what one gets out though and by applying oneself, one will no doubt reap the rewards of success.
For more information about 1st for Women Insurance or to book tickets to Kamers vol Geskenke, visit the 1st for Women website .
Kamers vol Geskenke will take place in Johannesburg from Thursday, 23 to Monday, 27 April and in Cape Town from Thursday, 7 to Sunday, 10 May.
