FOUNDERS of the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA) have revealed an elaborate plan to institutionalise the successful development of “Women in Business” Expo.The organisation will, for the second time, be hosting what is now becoming an annual event, under the theme, “Be Bold for Change.”

At a press conference hosted by SNFCA and its partners at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday, organisers related their intention to take the work of the foundation across Guyana and to institutionalise their activities in a bid to continuously focus on the building and promotion of women entrepreneurs.

Co-founder of SNFCA, Eric Phillips told the gathering that given the great success of the event last year and already the sheer energy of this year, “this year we anticipate that it will become and institution; and we will start moving towards that.”

Phillips said that women underpin every society and entrepreneurship creates most of the jobs in the world. “So the SNFCA, in partnership with the Women Association of Sustainable Development, have combined the two …to help women in Guyana develop their business acumen to be more exposed and to become more successful.”

Phillips, who also lectures at the University of Guyana, described a grim reality where he found that women are becoming more successful and doing better than men. He said, “They (women) seem to be more focused and they seem to take calculated risks and are more dedicated when involved in entrepreneurship.”

This Phillips said, is a catalyst for encouraging more women in business and providing an avenue where they can partner with other persons and receive needed support.

Sonia Noel, the name and energy behind the Foundation, in her run down of this year’s event explained that more than 40 women, most of them being Guyanese, will have their products or services on exhibition during the event. It was explained that seven different events will be held during the two days of activity. One of these new activities will be the “inspire you” event, where businesswomen will have discussions about their journeys to success. It will include persons that benefited from the Foundation and they will explain the support they received and how it built them and their businesses.

There will be motivation women speakers such as Pamela Michelle, who was trained by world renowned motivational speaker Les Brown. Dr. Linda Wallace, a resident of California, USA, is an empowerment specialist and advocate for Women’s Rights. A young Guyanese, 34 year old Kerensa Gravesande, country Manager of El Dorado Offshore (Guyana) Inc., will also make an appearance during this empowerment segment.

Noel said that among other things there will be a fashion show, the two day exhibition, and forums on self-development and business advice. It was explained that the SNFCA was developed to create access for talented individuals, not only in Guyana, but throughout the Caribbean. It is expected that through this medium, an avenue for development is created for the creative industries that are relevant to current social-economic life changes. The organisation works with raw talent in the areas of performing arts, which include dance and music; visual and culinary arts, fashion and Philanthropic work.
Representatives of organisations partnering with SNFCA include the Demerara Distillers, Courts (Guyana), Small Business Bureau, The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and the Ministry of Social Protection. The Ministry of Social Protection and Indigenous Affairs will be playing a greater role in the event this year to ensure that assistance is rendered to businesswomen from the Hinterland who are willing to participate.

Noel told the media that Women in Business will be heading to various parts of the country with work on stream to have stations or even offices in locations such as Berbice and Bartica among others. The exposition will be held from March 25 to the 26.

For more information, organisers can be contacted on 226-6554.