… As mentors task women on entrepreneurship
BY: Justice Godfry
Pixaweb Technologies Limited has presented N50,000 cheque each to the two winners of its all-female startup development initiative called ‘Innovate-Hub Start-Up Entrepreneurship Programme’.
The two winners are Helen Enamejuwa and Lucy Nwankwu. Helen’s idea is to start a stationary business. The startup, she said, will focus on schools.
On her part, Lucy is eager to start a catering business. However, she is expected to undergo further trainings before launching fully into the space.
The event which had over 25 ideas pitched to judges (serial entrepreneurs and mentors), was rated as very successful as other participants were exposed to tips on how to successfully run their businesses.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Pixaweb Technologies, Priscilla Okechukwu, urged the participants and other Nigerian women not to allow domestic barriers to debar them from realising their entrepreneurial ambitions.
Okechukwu, Convener of the Start-up Entrepreneurship Programme, urged young women to acquire entrepreneurial skills regardless of their educational background.
According to her, “Women should be engaged in some sort of business no matter how small it is, regardless of what your educational background is”.
She implored on women to not allow, what she tagged as ‘default stories’ to debar them from embracing the truth that women can become established and successful.
She stated that women were good entrepreneurs because of their innate ability as care givers.
“We therefore urge women to break out of their shells and develop a mindset that would foster innovation.
“Sadly, most women today give excuses as to why they cannot set up start-up companies to engage themselves.
“Their excuses range from the fact that they have children and family to cater for or they tell you they do not have a housekeeper to help out at home,’’ she said.
Okechukwu further called women startups to break out of their silos and develop a mindset that foster innovation.
Also speaking, the CEO of Total Project and Resources Management Ltd., Mr Sam Omoikhunu, emphasised the need for potential womenpreneurs (women entrepreneurs) to identify their strengths and weaknesses before embarking on any business.
Omoikhunu also noted that passion was the first step in establishing any business because without it, the start-up might not thrive.
He also advised start-ups to do thorough research in order to have in-depth knowledge of the business.
“Asides from doing research, it is important to know who you are rendering your services to, so as to enable you know where to position your business,’’ he said.
Pixaweb Innovate Hub is a platform that creates an enabling environment for entrepreneurs with feasible business ideas to be raised, nurtured and mentored.:
Source: TechEconomy.ng