Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship

During the month of May, TYO welcomed 35 determined women entrepreneurs to participate in the Entrepreneurship training under our Women’s Empowerment Program. Ambitious and creative, they were ready to turn their dreams into reality but faced a common obstacle: limited financial resources and formal entrepreneurship training.

Under the guidance of Hend, TYO’s Entrepreneurship Program Manager, these women immersed in an intensive training program, tailored to equip them with the skills and resources for success. The first two sessions focused on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and how to craft a robust business canvas. 

But learning didn’t stop there! An experienced financial advisor joined us to lecture and train on the complexities of costing and pricing, ensuring our entrepreneurs understood and mastered the financial aspects of their ventures. Following this, a social media and marketing expert brought invaluable insights into leveraging digital platforms for marketing and brand visibility.

In order to provide specialized training, TYO partnered with Mariam Hashem Cooking Academy, where 16 women practiced and improved their culinary skills. Ten of them mastered the art of Western sweets and the other 6 focused on Arab cuisine.

For those interested and venturing into different fields, we facilitated mentorship programs tailored to their specific industries. With mentors specializing in areas such as embroidery, cleaning products, event planning, beauty salons, and pharmaceutical grade cosmetics, we made sure all women received personalized guidance to nurture their entrepreneurial endeavors.

The program concluded with an inspiring pitching event, where all 33 participants showcased their projects before a panel of judges. “It was exciting to watch as women presented their ideas so passionately and carefully, detailing their business concept, resource requirements, and projected outcomes. We were proud of how much they learned and developed over the training weeks,” Ellen, TYO’s Women's Empowerment Program Manager.

After thorough deliberation, the judges selected eight winners who secured the funding needed to advance their ventures. One of the thrilled winners said, "This is the first time I've ever won anything. I feel so excited and content."

Beyond financial support, the entrepreneurship program was a transformational journey to the 33 women participating. With dedication and resilience, they overcame limitations in their everyday lives. Empowered by the newfound knowledge and skills, they realized they can control their futures, feeling capable of achieving their aspirations against all odds.

Much more than instilling the entrepreneurial spirit, TYO’s Women’s Empowerment Program inspires women to gain control of their futures, crafting a pathway for economic wellbeing and self-realization. 

Huda Masri is TYO’s Women's Empowerment Program Coordinator