My AWEC General Assembly Highlights in Nairobi

Just as we believe it takes a village to raise a child, it is also true that it takes a community to grow an entrepreneur.?

In 2018 I trusted myself and applied for the African women entrepreneurs cooperative motivated by an Instagram post by Ritha Tarimo who shared her experience joining the program. In 2019 my journey with AWEC started, in cohort 2.?

This April, we convened in Nairobi Kenya to celebrate the 5th cohort’s graduation as well as to celebrate how far the program has come, our commitment to the program and celebrate our accomplishments in our businesses.

3 days of fully packed activities, from graduation to industry-focused sessions, mentorship labs, keynote speeches, and panel sessions. All geared to understanding as an entrepreneur, where you stand in your business, how far you can go, and what resources you need to get there.

When I joined AWEC in 2019, my business was barely a year. I had an informal partner and we were just excited to be building a business around our passion - Books. I remember the only plan I had then, because I had just quit my job, was to make enough money to afford rent, food, and other basic amenities.

AWEC was my business saver. I went through intensive learning from experts about sales, marketing, strategy, finance, business law, growth, and innovation. And in between we worked on specific business assignments and got feedback from the teachers, fellows, and mentors. We still to date refer to the intensive training as a MINI MBA, because of the intensity!?

Through the AWEC Program, I started having real plans and goals for my business and hired a team for marketing and finance. Got an opportunity to work with a formal partner, registered my business and collaborated more to have more impact, and definitely made sisters for life. I also got an opportunity to serve as an alumni advisory board member for a period of 1 year.?

The last AWEC General Assembly was in 2019, which happened to have been in Tanzania, what are the odds right? And since then, the Nairobi General Assembly was the first since Covid-19. And so, you can imagine the excitement the alumni had for a chance to reconnect with fellows and meet new people.?

You would think the 2019 sessions were enough to propel me to the business growth I desire, alas! As entrepreneurs, it is crucial to keep learning and innovating. AWEC knows this, and they do it best. Even after you become an alumnus, there are always organized opportunities to learn from industry leaders. To make sure you as an entrepreneur are up to date, in the right mindset, and with the best company to run your business. This is one of the things I love about AWEC, they are your partner. It is their mission for you to succeed.?

Nairobi General Assembly exceeded my expectations. I must admit though, at first, I was really drawn by the opportunity to travel. I mean who wouldn’t? Lol

I had a brief chat with Nima Hassan Ali, she asked me how I am feeling going through everything considering that I was fasting, I told her the energy in the room is giving me the fuel I need. I told her how everybody was so generous with information, and resources and I am going away having all my specific business questions answered. I was super pumped and grateful. I also had an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones.?

Below are my key takeaways from the AWEC Nairobi general assembly

1. From the financial services industry

Headed by our super ladies –?Michelle Bello & Nima Hassan Ali

Firstly, I was thrilled to meet ladies providing loans to different marginalized groups in their communities. We discussed challenges, financial literacy, risk mitigation factors and opportunities. The discussions were made even more vibrant by who challenged us on working on our legacies. Different ways to package our offerings, calculate our expenses, tying up capital and ways to cut cost. They also challenged us to look thoroughly into our finances, are we really making profits? Enough to help our businesses grow? You would think this is a no brainer, but as entrepreneurs, we sometimes get so caught up in building the business we neglect some aspects that can bring the business down in the long run.?

2. Building a team on lean budget by Maryam Darwich

I specifically chose this session because of the current stage of my new business. I wanted to understand and learn how to get talent without breaking a Bank.?

And Maryam did not disappoint here; one key thing she mentioned we need to do as business owners is to understand the needs of the people that we need in our team or the people that we are hiring so that we can support them outside money. This includes, allowing flexibility of work, learning and development packages, wellness packages (gym, meals, etc) Creating internship pathways – This is when you hire an intern, you let them choose which path they want to take within your organization. Also, when hiring focus on the experience someone has other than what education they have attained. She also shared how you can structure pay especially for sales people. You can focus on profit sharing for every revenue they bring in.?

3. Panel Discussion: Innovation Strategies for SME’S

This session was moderated by Akinola Odunlade which featured Nancy Muhoya, Marianne Nyangi, Joycee Awosika and Maryanne Ochola

I learnt here that innovation is all about your mind. What you are willing to do for your business and how far you are willing to go. Innovation has little to do with a fancy app or new technology in your business. So as entrepreneurs we should not get intimidated. As long as you are constantly working on finding best ways to serve your customers and improving their experience working with you, you are innovating.?

One other key highlight from this panel was the stressing of leveraging of our network to drive innovation. AWEC has now up to 5,000 ladies they support, and we are all part of that community. Imagine what you can do and achieve together with that kind of network. Opportunities to collaborate are endless. Be intentional with your ask of your network, closed mouths don’t get fed. Forge connections and stay connected.?

4. Business Clinics & Learning Lab

A. Reverse Brainstorming led by Kudzayi Nhweyembwa

We had an interesting session here where we brainstormed all the ways in our businesses that could make our customers upset. Late delivery, mixing of orders, failure to solve a customer problem etc. It is said that 60% of customers are unhappy with your business but they will never tell you, they will just go to your competition. So this exercise, when done constantly in your business can help you come up with strategies to solve issues before they happen so you can retain your clients.?

B. Six Thinking hats led by Mary Agyemang

Another interesting session where we were tasked to come up with a product, and assume we want to take it to the market but different stakeholders in the business have an opinion on why it is a good or bad idea. In 10 minutes.?The ladies in my table were quick to assign each other roles, from marketing, to creatives, finance analyst, project manager. At the end, the product we chose did not make it to the market. With some great reasons too. This task was aimed to show us that involving your whole team in coming up with a product gives you insights and ideas of whether it will be profitable or not. It builds trust and when the product does make it to the market, everyone has ownership and they will be proud, more sales for you. Always involve your team.?

C. Know your business numbers led by?Michelle Bello

This was the last business session I attended so it is still fresh in my mind. Michelle stressed on the importance of knowing your sales – This includes having sales and profit goals.?

As a business owner, if you do not know your costs, profits and revenue, you are headed in the wrong direction. Have an expense and income sheet, marry the 2 to know your profits. Have at least weekly check in on your sales numbers to know whether you are hitting targets or lagging behind. And lastly, pay yourself!?

Most small business owners can not afford to pay themselves, so she suggested you half the amount you get paid at your 9-5 or used to get and pay yourself that much. If you still cannot afford it, budget it for the future. This key add-on was super helpful for me personally. I am looking forward to incorporating it.?

And that’s about it. As you can see, my days were fully packed. No dull moment. So much happened in between that I won’t be able to pin down.?

And lastly, they say do not mix business with pleasure. We did! After the GA, a few of my friends from AWEC decided to go and have fun in Mombasa.

Extending our trip was also the highlight of the GA. We got to relax and really ponder on all the learning while exploring Mombasa City. What a privilege it was. To pause, reflect, have fun, and then go back to our respective countries to start working on execution. All thanks to AWEC. I am proud to be part of this community that has supported me as a business owner from the beginning.?