Page 34 - Winning Women 2017

34 BWASA

ALISON VISSER

perating as an entrepreneur in
an unpredictable economy can be
Oa challenging task.
The Businesswomen’s Association
strives to inspire, encourage and
support ardent women entrepreneurs
with an annual entrepreneurship
expo.
The international entrepreneurship
week started in 2008 with 102 countries
participating in entrepreneurial-related
activities.
As part of this global initiative, the
association’s Gauteng branch hosted its
entrepreneurship expo on November 18
last year at the Nedbank head office in
Sandton.
“The expo was held in an effort to
increase entrepreneurial activity in
Gauteng,” says Nobuntu Webster,
chairperson of the association’s Gauteng
branch.
The event was open to both members
and non-members, who had the
opportunity to view the products and
services on offer and also to network
with other businesswomen.
“One of the association’s aims is to BUSTLING BUSINESS: The expo ensures lots of foot traffic for exhibitors
create opportunities for owners to
one of these platforms – an opportunity Exposure, networking, sales...
grow their businesses and this expo was
to promote their businesses,” said
Webster.
Exhibitors spoke highly of the event, WAYS THIS
saying they valued the opportunity to
network and expose their businesses to 3 3
great foot traffic, and said that business EXPO SUPPORTS
was booming in terms of sales.
“The expo gave exposure to the
brand,” said Mmoni Sehlapelo, owner of ENTREPRENEURS
skincare company Mamoa Skin Care.
“Good sales were made on the day.
The atmosphere was entrepreneurial
and it was a good opportunity to catch
a glimpse and talk to other exhibitors,”
says Sehlapelo.
Her views were echoed by Lizaan
Pretorius, a biotherapist at
“cosmeceutical” company Biomedical
Emporium.
“It was good business exposure – with
a lot of feet. It was the ideal
opportunity to stimulate business
growth. During lunch time it was busier
and we had a lot of interaction. People
were treated to free facials and advice.”
Biotherapists treated interested ON TRIAL Entrepreneurs are given a SAMPLES Free treatments are on the
passersby to a biomedical skin analysis chance to test the market cards for customers
and a treatment to determine which
products from the range would improve
their skin conditions.
“It was a day filled with fun and
networking,” said Pretorius.
This year, expos were held across the
country – in Zululand on September 1
and Durban on September 6.
The association’s Gauteng branch will
host its entrepreneur expo on
November 16.
• Should you wish to be involved
in the Gauteng expo, contact the
branch coordinator Boitumelo
Bacela on 011 484 4945 or email her NEW CONTACTS Networking is a top CHILD’S PLAY Sales boom, especially
at gauteng@bwasa.co.za priority, and the foot traffic adds to it during busy times like lunch