Black women in Enterprise
“We all get that feeling of doubt when starting something new!” Kim Mamhende from the Centre for African Entrepreneurship in Swansea, Wales, talks about black women in enterprise
This international women’s day we want to highlight the exceptional women who have a positive impact on their community.
The Centre for African Entrepreneurship known as The CAE inspires and supports ethnic communities to succeed through enterprise. The organisation has been supported by grants from The National Lottery Community Fund. We spoke to their business development manager Kimberley Mamhende, described as the “hands-on force behind so much that has been going on at the Centre for African Entrepreneurship over the years.” by her colleague Victoria Ucele. Kim is an integral part of the support system in place to help nurture and develop young female entrepreneurs at the centre.
Kim emphasises how important it is for young women, particularly those from ethnic backgrounds to have entrepreneurial skills, explaining “Entrepreneurial skills are a route to independence. Staring your own business is another option for women whose lives do not fit around a normal 9-5”
However, getting to the stage of financial independence is not easy and being a business owner can be a lonely place, Kim admits. The work that is done at The CAE aims to address these very issues. Projects like the Youth Entrepreneurship Network funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, creates a space for young entrepreneurs to support one another on their journey.
Kim explains “One of the biggest barriers stopping women starting their own business is confidence. We all get that feeling of doubt when starting something new, but having that supportive network around you helps you overcome that doubt and pushes you to be your best”
Kim talks about the importance of having a role model not just as someone to admire from a distance but as someone who has made it and can give guidance to those following in their footsteps. Kim took this notion one step further and arranged a meeting with 10 young women from The CAE with the wealthiest black woman in Britain - Valerie Moran.
After seeing an article on The Sunday times’ annual Rich List where Valerie became the first and only black women in the top 1,000 of Britain’s super wealthy, Kim felt inspired to contact her. Not expecting a response, to Kim’s amazement Valerie responded and expressed how she would love to meet with some of the young women from The CAE. Kim organised a trip to London to meet with Valerie. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear Valerie’s story and gain some guidance on how to navigate the business world.
One of the young women inspired by that meeting was Youmna Mouhamad (pictured above right). Youmna has set up her own business called Nyfasi, with her debut product called the deluxe detangler, a detangling comb for afro hair she developed and tested. Nyfasi has now won numerous awards and gained investment from Valerie Moran.
The impact Kim has had on not only Youmna but many of the young women at The CAE is clear to see and is a testimony to the work Kim continues to do.