Teaching women to be successful entrepreneurs

Numerous activities specially tailored for the ladies have been held in the past few weeks in observation of Women’s month. Today the Embassy of Mexico joined in and is collaborating with the University of Quintana Roo to conduct a workshop, teaching women to be successful entrepreneurs. Over a hundred persons applied and it has been narrowed down to forty women from Belize City, Orange Walk, Cayo and Toledo. Professor Karen Eaton, Lecturer of the University of Quintana Roo is in Belize to facilitate the two day workshop, which is being held at the IT-VET.

Karen Eaton, Facilitator, University of Quintana Roo

“The workshop today is designed to give women entrepreneurs tools to help them be successful in opening their own businesses. Many people may not know but small businesses are the economic motor of almost all countries in the world and most people have better opportunities of success if they are trained and they have tools to work with in running their small businesses. So that’s the idea here, to help women that want to take control of their life and do something positive and create their new future.”

Delahnie Bain

“What are some of the key things that these women will learn in this two day workshop?”

Karen Eaton

Karen Eaton

“That’s a great question. Well, first of all we’re talking about are they qualified—well not qualified, but do they have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. And then we talk about elements in a business plan; the importance of planning, what things they need to plan and some tools for the planning process. And then we’re also going to look at marketing and the importance for helping a business survive and succeed in spite of all the competition it might encounter. Then tomorrow we’re going to talk about doing business in Belize; what are some of the rules and regulations they need to have and account, what are the processes they need to follow, how long does it take, what does it cost and then finally, our goal is to talk about sustainability as an important element in designing their businesses.  The women are very excited, they participate, they have lots of great ideas. I call them my wonder women because they have been so receptive and willing to work and share and it’s made a great workshop for everybody.”

At the end of the court, the participants will receive a certificate from the University of Quintana Roo.

And while there has been plenty of positive news on Women’s Month, it was tainted by a scandalous publication in the Guardian Newspaper. Today the National Women’s Commission issued a short release, finally joining the voices of women who condemn the malicious front page publication of a photograph of the P.U.P.’s Women’s Group’s President, Gina Tillett. The statement simply said that the NWC denounces the issue as distasteful and unacceptable.