Designer Sonia Noel will host her second annual ‘Women in Business Expo’ in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) on March 25 and 26 at the Pegasus Hotel.
The month of March is significant since Women International Day is observed on March 8 and Sonia believes it is important to focus on women and their entrepreneurial skills and give them a platform to display their business skills.
The mission of the expo, according to a release from Sonia, who said it is being held through her foundation, is to create access for talented individuals, not only in Guyana, but in the wider Caribbean. It is hoped that through this medium an avenue will be formed for the development of the creative industries.
The Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts (SNFCA) was set up to “encourage and nurture raw talent – performing arts (dance, drama, music), visual arts (painting, film, illustration, sculpture, photography), fashion arts (design, modelling, styling), culinary arts and other creative energies.”
WASD is a social group that aims to empower women. Some of the objectives of WASD are providing a forum for business and professional women to relax, renew and rejuvenate while providing support and mentorship to youth and to each other.
According to the release, Women in Business 2016 afforded more than 40 women entrepreneurs, 36 of whom were Guyanese, an opportunity to showcase their craft and services offered. The women were farmers, environmentalists, up-cycling and recycling crafters, event planners, artists, immigration consultants, baristas, fashion designers, wood crafters, body and hair care consultants among others. 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.
Also at the woman’s prison in Berbice there was an outreach programme held by the team where an interactive motivational session on life in and out of prison was demonstrated through drama. They also participated in Guyana’s 50th anniversary by contributing their handicraft. This was accomplished through SNFCA.
“The expo was one of the highlights for my 2016. So many business and personal relations were forged because of this event. This year, the programme has expanded and we are looking forward to partnering with business, other NGOs and ministries to execute these empowering events,” Sonia said in the release.
The event will feature sessions with motivational speakers, workshops, a brunch and fashion show, exhibitions and networking opportunities vital for the development of women in business and on a personal level, benefiting their homes and communities in which they operate.
Registration information is available on the SNFCA Facebook page or by emailing [email protected]
