Facebook, after successfully hosting Boost Your Business program in multiple cities in collaboration with SheThePeople.TV reached Lucknow, their seventh city in India for this noble initiative.
THE BOOST YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM
The Boost Your Business program, a high energy meet of women entrepreneurs, helps women entrepreneurs to gain expertise in various fields that can benefit them in running their businesses and increasing their profit. Its main objective is to help women, so that they can build a successful social brand and utilize their technical resources efficiently.
The state of Uttar Pradesh is known for its vibrant culture and enterprising people. Women are skilled and talented and run successful businesses.
PUSH FOR SMEs
Ritesh Mehta, Head of Economic Growth Initiatives for Facebook India said, “Our Boost Your Business program is an initiative to enhance the knowledge, skills and technology of different women entrepreneurs who are running SMEs from different cities. Facebook provides a platform to these SMEs for exploring various dimensions by optimum utilization of social media. It helps small businesses in connecting them with new customers and expanding their horizon in this competitive world.”
Shaili Chopra, Founder of SheThePeople.TV said “Women entrepreneurs play an important role in the growth of Indian economy. Their ideas are innovative and creative. Their unique vision and dedication help in the growth of the business and this program helps in polishing their skills and creating brand awareness by providing the right insight and knowledge. This makes it a great platform for women entrepreneurs”
INSPIRING EXPERIENCES
During the event in Lucknow, women entrepreneurs had the opportunity to meet and interact with each other and share their experiences on managing and marketing their businesses. They also interacted with the panel of women entrepreneurs who shared insights on their businesses.
Anjali Singh of Jute Artisans Guild Association has a most inspiring journey. She started out alone with one other woman and build the association to one of more than 200 women. "When I started out, we saw women coming from different backgrounds. Their families doubted this. I always say it's important for women to first convince their husbands and get them on their side. Slowly the families realised their daughters or daughter in laws were not going out for anything wrong but to work hard in the jute association. They got more confidence when the women started earning more than their fathers and uncles. There is no greater motivation other than money."
Arti Vaid expanded on Lucknow's leading restaurant chain Cappuccino Blast inspired by her mother and sister. Originally set up sixteen years, Aarti has built the business to become likeable to the new generation. A self made baker, she now bakes specialty cakes through her bakery called Buttercup Bunglow. Aarti uses instagram and Facebook for all her orders. "I believe that every woman should be a bit tech savvy ... its the need of the hour... coz the growth of any business lies in how u market yourself and social media is big now. It was a wonderful afternoon and a great platform to connect with working ladies of all generations...very inspiring and motivating"
The team of experts from Facebook also organised hands-on training sessions for the attendees to cover a mélange of topics like how to effectively use mobile; create engaging content, leverage the power of social media to grow their business through social media networks like Facebook and Instagram.