WE ARE IN THE month of March and this is the month women’s achievements in various disciplines are celebrated all over the world. The United Nation’s theme is BE BOLD FOR CHANGE.( I LOVE IT).

We had our first meeting for Women in Business Expo 2017 a few days ago and very fond memories came flooding back to the genesis of it all through two NGOs
Sonia Noel Foundation was launch in 2012.
The mission of SNFCA is to create access for talented individuals, not only in Guyana, its home base, but through the wider Caribbean. It is hoped that through this medium an avenue for the development of the creative industries, so relevant to current socio-economic life changes could be fostered.
The Women’s Association for Sustainable Development is a social group to empower women.
Some of the objectives of WASD are: providing a forum for business and professional women to relax; renewing and rejuvenating while providing support and mentorship to youth and to each other; providing an environment conducive to the formation of a sisterhood dedicated towards the development of self, family, society and country.
I requested a meeting with my team to share my vision of the first Women in Business Expo and the WASD to collaborate with the foundation to make this a reality. All agreed we now had to strategize how it was going to happen.
I believe God always had a plan for us and he certainly had big plans for collaborations in the lives of women in business. My friend Richard called from Trinidad to tell me his friend Nicole Dyer Griffith wanted to come to Guyana to host Oxygen with Nicole which is a motivational series in collaboration with SNFCA.I was both honored and thrilled at the possibilities of this partnership.

We decided we would have the expo one day and 0xegen with Nicole the next
Both events were exceptional and the feedback from patrons very complimentary.
Women telling their intimate stories to inspire others without feeling people will look at them differently.
Women in Business 2016 afforded more than 40 female entrepreneurs, 35 of whom are Guyanese, an opportunity to showcase their craft and services offered. These women are farmers, environmentalists, up-cyclers and recycling crafters, event planners, artists, immigration consultants, barristers, fashion designers, wood crafters, body and hair care consultants etc. Two workshops hosted by Scotia bank and Eric Phillips were held ahead of the exhibition assisting to equip entrepreneurs with the requisite tools to develop and market their individual brands.
Allow me to share a few testimonials with you:
Hollywood- Benn Creative Arts (HWBCA)-Ms. Romaine Benn. “Due to the Women in Business Expo 2016, Hollywood-Benn Creative Arts gained a lot of exposure. From that exposure HWBCA gained new clients and access to trainings which aided in the development of the business.
Personally, the WIB Expo 2016 helped me to develop much more confidence in what I do as a professional. With that confidence telling others about my business became a lot easier. It also helped me to gain new sisters in business who I can count on when there is a need for advice or assistance in the world of business.”
Rave Designs-Deborah Mathias: “Other than the wonderful interaction with some very strong and amazingly focused women it encouraged me to renew my commitment to my business and at a personal level I came to understand that I am a very important part of my brand”
Bowjay and More-Jenell Pierre: “Women in Business Expo was an ingenious initiative It brought together women not only on a business level but created a sisterhood of women supporting women. Sonia Noel was the ideal woman to bring the WIBE to fruition, thanks to her fervent and no-nonsense deportment. It is my hope that the WIBE will be annual or biannual and grow in quality and the number of participants as well. Guyana needs more women in business.”
Shaliza Sagala: “My experience at the Women in Business Expo 2016 was wonderful. When women support each other, incredible things happen and Sonia Noel is an incredible woman. It was indeed a pleasure to have been selected out of the many women that applied to participate in this most sublime event and all for free. Sonia went out of her way to provide an organized and practical event which included workshops in marketing and finance. We were also invited to participate in the promotional aspect for the Expo. This challenged us to come out of our shells and express our thoughts and ideas. Over all it was an event that will forever be a part of my memory, I was able to develop networking skills and establish lifetime friendships.

“Woman in Business was the beginning for my hair product line. It has grown and I am about to have the product in supermarkets. My business has gone to a higher level. This expo raised my confidence as a business woman to a next level. Thanks, again”
Even with the challenges it was a great feeling seeing the program come alive on the Friday evening. Very excited exhibitors fixing their props and chatting with each other. Some emotional but all getting ready for Saturday morning opening.
When I entered the Pegasus lobby that Saturday morning for the opening of the expo words could not describe the feeling I experienced looking at all those beautiful exotic displays of business all owned by women.
Former Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence, opted to “big up the women in Guyana” for taking the initiative to participate in the expo. “There is not a single country that I have been to and looked at a product and not asked, “Why can’t we do this in Guyana”. Through (Sonia Noel and her team) and all of you here, that question that I have often asked, is now a reality.
I continue to thank God many times a day for his guidance as we embark on women in Business expo and the other event during the month of March
Will you pledge to be bold for change?
Send us your comments to beyondtherunwayway1@gmail.com and visit our FB Page BEYOND THE RUNWAY and continue this beautiful journey called LIFE BEYOND THE RUNWAY.