Spotlight on Female Founders
She says that often, however, women need to battle negative perceptions and stereotypes, in addition to overcoming the many other challenges entrepreneurs face on a daily basis. Furthermore, female entrepreneurs may not have access to networks and sub-networks of potential mentors and partners that are often crucial in helping entrepreneurs to develop; that is something New Faces New Voices is looking to remedy.
Additionally, the organisation is looking to promote younger female voices to showcase a new generation of entrepreneurs in Kenya and beyond. Chakava says female entrepreneurs need to become more comfortable with networking and turning connections into funding or business partners; visibility as key, as people will invest in your business if they have seen you around and read about your start-up. Ultimately, however, Chakava says focusing on female or male entrepreneurs only is misguided — after all, companies that are built on and embrace diversity typically end up doing the best.