Women Challenged To Unleash Their Entrepreneurial Potential
Pini Bothoko | Monday October 16, 2017 16:27
Patrice Bailey, a coach, consultant and trainer from the United Kingdom (UK) said this at this year’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Women’s Wing (BDPWW) annual ladies high tea.
The BDP women’s wing hosted a ladies high tea at Avani Hotel on Saturday in a bid to unlock the potential of women who aspire to venture in business.
Bailey called on women to unleash their multi-faceted constraints and not to allow set backs and failure to stop them from achieving their entrepreneurial goals. She said that when there is commitment it is possible for everyone to achieve their goals. “Worldwide women’s potential is yet to be unleashed but this is a divine time with God’s assistance because with his grace he can move you internationally. Distinguish between an entrepreneur and just a genuine business owner because entrepreneurs build an enterprise, they build a brand that can go anywhere and they are visionary. This is what I challenge you as Botswana women to do in order to achieve your entrepreneurial goals,” Bailey said.
She encouraged women to have a vision because there is no how they can succeed in life and be able to unleash their entrepreneurial principles.
Bailey said researchers have discovered that by the year 2020, about 42.5 million Africa’s youth population is expected to be faced with high unemployment something that needs women to think outside the box and set up businesses that can create job opportunities. “What will you do with this population if you continue to sit on your entrepreneurial capabilities? As a women you should be able to solve a problem with your product or service but you should be bold enough to take a risk, see opportunities and break the tradition with your uniqueness,” Bailey said. She said unemployment is high worldwide therefore women should not be discouraged but be prepared, not to give up in life and have determination to transform their vision into success.
“It takes passion, focus, vision and action to pull through any challenges. Entrepreneurship is a learnt behaviour therefore you should have a passion of mind. I am confident that female entrepreneurs can possibly boost the economy and as such you should believe in yourselves as women because you can transform the world,” Bailey said.
Bailey encouraged women to invest in themselves, acquire trainings, up their skills because lack of skills can be a challenge to one’s success.
“Capital can be a challenge when starting a business but I encourage you not be quick to make profits, challenge yourselves and do not be resistant to change. Get wisdom, do not rely on the little you know, change your thinking. This high tea started as an idea but today it is something big that has grouped women together to share ideas on how they can improve themselves as women,” Bailey said.
For her part, the BDPWW chairperson and also the Minister of Health and Wellness Dorcas Makgato encouraged the women to be bold for change. She said the ladies high tea offers women an opportunity to meet people they have never met and share business ideas.
The Women’s Wing raised funds in this event and it was revealed that part of the money will be donated to Maitamo Trust, which helps the less fortunate in the community. Bailey donated P96,000 to BDPWW.