Academy for Women Entrepreneurs 2021 New Zealand
Report by Laura Keil Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Business Hub and International Visitor Leadership Program alumni
It’s been a privilege to deliver the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs for the first time in 2021 to our Pacific women in New Zealand.
Participants found it very useful. Participants were Pacific women in New Zealand who were already in business. They gained knowledge that broadened their views on things they didn’t think of when they initially started their business. Since the program, many participants have gained confidence and are serious about setting up their businesses.
Our programme included a launch, networking event with Shopify, business plan presentations, and networking events with the Samoa Business Network and Cook Islands Business Network, a Tech Talanoa, and Pop-Up Market.
Women walked away with a comprehensive business plan, fundamental business skills and knowledge. Feedback from participants was fantastic!
“What a blessing to be amongst such talented Pasifika women entrepreneurs…it was an awesome, inspiring, and empowering experience.” –AWE graduate
“I loved connecting and learning around inspiring business women on the grind. I’m blessed to be a part of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, putting purpose into action is an exciting journey…Thank you for your ongoing support and beautiful commitment to our indigenous women in business.”-AWE graduate
AWE graduate Sala Josephine Stowers-Kolo was selected to present her business and AWE experience at the global Woman Impact Summit 2021. Sala is a lawyer by profession and runs a law firm in Samoa from New Zealand. She got stuck in New Zealand due to COVID after she had her baby in New Zealand. She is a wife and mother of 7 children. She’s always had a business idea to look at starting a business in New Zealand to help Samoans living overseas access information, understanding the always and support about land matters in Samoa. AWE gave her the confidence and encouragement to pursue and start this business.
Check out Sala’s participation in the Woman Impact Summit:
About the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs
The U.S. Department of State’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) gives enterprising women around the world the knowledge, networks and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses. AWE uses a hybrid model that combines the online platform DreamBuilder (developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan) with in-class mentoring and facilitation. Through AWE, participants learn core business skills, then get together as a class to discuss the material with experienced implementers, local mentors, and U.S. Exchange Alumni. AWE harnesses the power of local partnerships and U.S. Exchange Alumni networks to help women and their businesses grow, driving localized prosperity in communities in more than 80 countries worldwide.
This program was funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Pacific Business Hub.