SME Response Clinic hosts webinar on Practical Solutions for Improving the Wellbeing of Women Entrepreneurs
SME Response Clinic hosts webinar on Practical Solutions for Improving the Wellbeing of Women Entrepreneurs
The SME Response Clinic held a webinar on practical solutions for improving the wellbeing of women entrepreneurs at Kigali Public Library on the 8th of December 2021. The webinar was part of the Building Back Healthier Series that was launched with a talk show on KT Radio on the 18thof October 2021 and followed another webcast on practical strategies to deal with stress held in November. The series is organized in partnership with the Geruka Healing Centre.
The objective of the webinar was to inform, inspire, and share knowledge and skills that businesswomen can use to better their wellbeing when dealing with day-to-day stresses of running a business while managing other responsibilities. In addition, the webinar dove into practical techniques for increasing psychological safety and productivity and how to optimize the workplace especially for women entrepreneurs.
The webinar featured a mental health expert, Adelite Mukamana, M.Sc., with two active businesswomen, Scovia Umutoni and Amina Umhoza. Mme. Mukamana started the session with a fantastic example to help the audience have an in-depth appreciation of mental health and wellbeing:
Our mind is like an engine of any car. No matter how good-looking the car might seem on the outside, without the engine, it wouldn’t start. The car can only move when the engine is working in full force. Think about your mental health and wellbeing like that. When something is wrong with your car engine, you look for a mechanic. The moment you feel that your mental health or wellbeing is struggling, look for professional help.”
Scovia’s Experience:
Scovia Umutoni is Founder of KGL Flour Limited, an agribusiness factory that produces maize flour – locally known as Kawunga – and animal feed. Before the pandemic, she was employed elsewhere, but she lost her job like many others when the pandemic hit. Undeterred, she decided to invest her savings to create her own business.
While exciting, it proved to be a very challenging time because once she started her business operations, Rwanda went into lockdown, putting everything on hold.
By the time lockdown was over, while many businesses were back up and running, Scovia’s target market including schools and hotels were still not operational. She started to feel frustrated and uncertain about the future. Scovia thought quickly and decided to change her approach, targeting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She has been serving customers in DRC since then, and as Rwanda has begun to recover, she has started to deliver her products locally.
Scovia believes that women entrepreneurs often face specific challenges based on the fact they are women. When she ordered a corn flour machine to start her business from a local businessman, Scovia struggled to get the machine in the agreed-upon two week period. It took engaging male friends to visit the provider with her for Scovia to get the machine two weeks later than promised. Scovia is certain that had she been a male entrepreneur, she would not have had to resort to engaging friends to help her. This is just one example of common obstacles faced by women entrepreneurs, many of whom were also disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
During the pandemic, Scovia took a step back to reflect on her businesses and to think of new strategies to improve operations. Recognizing the importance of her own wellbeing, she took a number of actions to improve her mental health, including listening to music. Her business life is not without challenges – she still faces challenges like being a woman in a male-dominated industry and travel restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic – but she doesn’t intend to stop. Scovia has learned that challenges will always exist, and what is important is to look for solutions to deal with them.
Amina’s Experience:
Amina Umuhoza is Founder and CEO of SAYE – DUKATAZE LTD, which aims to fight unintended pregnancies in young Rwandan women due to menstruation stigma. Her company provides young women with reproductive health information, menstrual hygiene management, and economic empowerment by selling products produced by young women through technology and community engagement.
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed SAYE’s operations, and like many other businesses, the company took its business online during lockdowns. This major shift in operations led Amina and her colleagues to question whether they would attain their goals, and Amina had to work hard to balance competing priorities. For instance, the company had to use profits planned for investment to instead pay employee salaries to ensure proper staffing and employee satisfaction. Choices like these have allowed Amina to ensure SAYE continues delivering on its business and social objectives throughout the challenges of the pandemic.
Like Scovia, Amina also faces challenges unique to being a woman entrepreneur. A key example is negative comments from others, including social media bullying. It is not uncommon for Amina to receive questions about plans to marry when she posts about new products or partnerships. She believes that these comments come from cultural beliefs about the role of women, but things have started to change as the government has been educating Rwandans on the role of a woman in societal, family, and personal development.
The hardest part of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic for Amina was to ensure she was strong and resilient for herself as well as for her co-workers and employees. Amina used the lockdown as productively as possible to ensure a positive mindset, reflecting on herself and catching up on important paperwork. This cheered her up, and that feeling encouraged her to reach out to co-workers through virtual platforms. Amina also managed to take care of action items she had postponed or put off pre-pandemic, which provided SAYE with new opportunities after lockdown.
Building Back Healthier:
Scovia and Amina seek to thrive as businesswomen, but this is not always easy. Both receive negative comments based on stereotypes nearly every day; for example, the idea that as women entrepreneurs they can only be successful if they are married. Adelite Mukamana disagrees with this stereotype. “We often hear that the development of women depends on a man. Scovia and Amina are true examples that a businesswoman can run her business smoothly and shine through all circumstances, and we hope they are good examples to our fellow women in the Rwandan society,” she says.
Both entrepreneurs agreed on one fact – one chooses her or his own mentality, and a positive sense of wellbeing is key to carrying on in the face of adversity. Adelite Mukamana agrees. “We act how we think, and we decide how to think,” she says.
Women entrepreneurs are typically challenged by balancing work and home life. Amina believes that marrying to a partner who supports you and who understands your vision is a crucial element for a success as a businesswoman. Mme Adelite Mukamana, both an expert in her field and a mother, advised businesswomen to not be afraid of having families since a woman is a human being that is capable of carrying out multiple tasks. She advised women to launch businesses regardless of their family lives if they’re confident they can do it. She also pointed out that men shouldn’t be threatened by women’s economic empowerment and their partners’ success but instead focus on growing together.
Visit the SME Response Clinic for tips for entrepreneurs to support their mental health and wellbeing. We also invite you to keep an eye on our social media platforms for entrepreneurs’ stories on how their businesses are prioritizing mental health and wellbeing, as part of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic challenges. You can find us on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Submission
SME Response Clinic ikoresha ikiganiro hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga ku nsanganyamatsiko yerekeranye n’ibisubizo bishoboka byo kunoza imibereho myiza ya ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore
Kuwa 8 Ukuboza 2021, SME Response Clinic yakoresheje ikiganiro hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga ku nsanganyamatsiko yerekeranye n’ibisubizo bishoboka byo kunoza imibereho myiza ya ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore mu Isomero Rusange rya Kigali.
Icyo kiganiro gitambuka hakoreshejwe ikoranabuhanga ni igice cy’uruhererekane rw’ibiganiro bya Ubaka ufite ubuzima bwiza kurushaho byatangijwe n’ikiganiro cyanyuze kuri KT Radio kuwa 18 Ukwakira 2021 kikaza gukurikirwa n’ikindi kiganiro ku nsanganyamatsiko yerekeranye n’ingamba zishoboka zo kurwanya umunaniro cyabaye mu Ugushyingo. Urwo ruhererekane rutegurwa ku bufatanye na n’Ikigo cya Geruka Healing Centre.
Icyo kiganiro cyakozwe hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga cyari kigamije kumenyesha, kungura ibitekerezo, no gusangira ubumenyi n’ubushobozi na ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore; ibyo bikaba byabafasha kunoza imibereho myiza yabo igihe baba bahanganye n’umunaniro wa buri munsi ukomoka ku kazi kajyanye no gucunga ubucuruzi bwabo ari nako banakurikirana izindi nshingano baba bafite. Byongeye kandi, icyo kiganiro cyakozwe hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga kibanze ku buryo bushoboka bwo kubungabunga umutekano mu rwego rw’imitekerereze no kongera umusaruro no ku buryo bwo gutunganya neza aho akazi gakorerwa cyane cyane kuri ba rwiyemezamirimbo b’abagore.
Icyo kiganiro gikorwa hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga cyitabiriwe n’impuguke mu bijyanye n’ubuzima bwo mutwe, Adelite Mukamana, M.Sc., hamwe n’abacuruzi bakomeye b’abagore ari bo Scovia Umutoni na Amina Umuhoza. Madame Mukamana yatangije ikiganiro atanga urugero rutangaje rufasha abari bitabiriye ikiganiro kugira imyumvire yimbitse ku byerekeranye n’ubuzima bwo mu mutwe n’imibereho myiza:
Mu mutwe hacu hameze nka moteri y’imodoka iyo ari yo yose. Uko imodoka yaba igaragara neza hanze kose, idafite moteri, ntabwo yashobora kugenda. Imodoka ishobora kugenda gusa iyo moteri ikorana ingufu zayo zose. Mufate ubuzima bwo mu mutwe n’imibereho yanyu muri ubwo buryo.Iyo hari ikintu kitameze neza muri moteri y’imodoka, ushaka umukanishi. Mu gihe wumvise ubuzima bwo mu mutwe cyangwa imibereho yawe itameze neza, saba ubufasha bwo mu rwego rw’umwuga.
Scovia na Amina buri wese yatumenyesheje ibyamubayeho. Mureke tubyinjiremo maze turusheho kumenya byinshi:
Ibyabaye kuri Scovia:
Scovia Umutoni ni we washinze KGL Flour Limited, uruganda rutunganya ibihingwa mu rwego rw’ubucuruzi, urwo ruganda rukaba rukora ifu y’ibigori- izwi ku izina rya kawunga- n’ibiryo by’amatungo. Mbere ya COVID-19, yakoraga ahandi hantu, ariko yaje gutakaza akazi ke kimwe n’abandi bantu benshi ubwo icyorezo cyadukaga. Aho kwiheba, yafashe icyemezo cyo gushora amafaranga yari yarizigamiye maze atangiza ubucuruzi bwe bwite. Nubwo byari igitekerezo cyiza, byabaye ibihe bikomeye kubera ko ubwo yatangiraga ubucuruzi bwe, u Rwanda rwagiye muri Guma mu Rugo, ibintu byose bihita bihagarara.
Guma mu rugo irangiye, ubwo ubundi bucuruzi bwongeraga gutangira gukora, isoko rya Scovia ryari rigizwe n’ibigo by’amashuri n’amahoteli ryari ritaratangira gukora. Yatangiye kumva bimubabaje atanabona neza uko ejo hazaza he hazaba hameze. Scovia yahise atekereza vuba noneho afata icyemezo cyo guhindura uburyo bw’imikorere, agamije isoko ryo muri Repubulika iharanira Demokarasi ya Congo (DRC). Ubwo yatangiye kujya aha ibicuruzwa bye abaguzi bo muri DRC guhera ubwo ngubwo. Noneho u Rwanda rutangiye kuzahuka buva mu ngaruka z’icyorezo yongera gutangira kugurisha ibicuruzwa bye mu Rwanda.
Scovia akeka ko ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore kenshi na kenshi bagira ingorane mu kazi kabo baterwa n’uko ari abagore. Urugero, yagombye gutumiza imashini isya ifu y’ibigori ku mucuruzi w’umugabo, ubwo yatangiriraga ku busa. Uwo mucuruzi yari yaramurangiwe na Rwanda Standard Board. Uwo mucuruzi yabwiye Scovia ko azamuha imashini mu byumweru bibiri. Ariko, ntabwo yabashije kuzuza amasezerano bari bagiranye, ahubwo byarengeje ukwezi kugirango amuhe izo mashini. Byabaye ngombwa ko ajyana yo n’inshuti ze magara z’abagabo kugirango zimurebere kugira ngo zimufashe guhabwa izo mashini. Ibi byaramubabaje cyane kandi ni kimwe mu bintu bibi cyane yahuye na byo mu kazi ke nka rwiyemezamirimo.
Muri COVID-19, Scovia yasubiye inyuma atekereza ku byari biri kuba noneho atangira gutekereza ku ngamba nshya zigamije kunoza ubucuruzi bwe. Yakoze ibikorwa byinshi byamushimishije kandi byamunogeye mu buzima bwe. Urugero, kumva indirimbo z’Imana nka kimwe mu bintu bigamije gushyigikira ubuzima bwo mu mutwe bwe. Ubuzima bwe nk’umucuruzi ntibubuzemo ingorane- aracyahura n’ingorane nk’umugore ukora mu rwego rwiganjemo abagabo kimwe n’inzitizi zishingiye ku ihagarikwa ry’ingendo bitewe n’icyorezo kigikomeza. Ariko, ntabwo ateganya guhagarika imirimo ye. Scovia yaje kumva ko ingorane zizahoraho igihe cyose kandi ko icy’ingenzi ari ugushaka ibisubizo bigamije guhangana n’izo ngorane.
Ibyabaye kuri Amina :
Amina Umuhoza ni we washinze SAYE – DUKATAZE LTD akaba n’Umuyobozi Mukuru wayo. SAYE ni sosiyete igamije kurwanya inda zitateganyijwe ziterwa abakobwa b’abangavu bitewe n’akato bakorerwa iyo bari mu mihango y’ukwezi. Sosiyete ye iha abagore bato amakuru yerekeranye n’ubuzima bw’imyororokere, imicungire y’isuku igihe bari mu mihango y’ukwezi, ikanabongerera ubushobozi bwo mu rwego rw’ubukungu igurisha ibicuruzwa bakora hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga n’ubwitange bw’abaturanyi.
Icyorezo cya COVID-19 cyagabanyije cyane ibikorwa bya SAYE . Ntabwo ari ibintu byoroheye sosiyete mu bihe bya Guma mu rugo. Byabaye ngombwa ko sosiyete ikora ibikorwa byayo byose ikoresheje ikoranabuhanga; ibyo bikaba byaratumye Amina na bagenzi be batangira kwibaza niba bazashobora kugera ku ntego bihaye. Amina yagombye guhitamo ibikorwa byihutirwaga kurusha ibindi. Urugero, sosiyete yagombaga gukoresha inyungu yabonaga mu guhemba abakozi imishahara yabo ku buryo babasha gukomeza akazi kandi bakabaho bishimye. Birumvikana, ibi byagize ingaruka zikomeye ku mikorere ya sosiyete no ku mibereho myiza y’abakozi. Bakomeza gukora neza mu gihe cy’icyorezo kuberako bize kubaho nk’aho ari ibintu bishya ariko bisanzwe.
Nka rwiyemezamirimo w’umugore, imwe mu ngorane ahura nazo ni amagambo atari meza abantu bagenda bavuga, harimo no gukorerwa iterabwoba ku mbuga nkoranyambaga. Urugero, akunda kumva cyangwa agasoma ( ku mbuga nkoranyambaga) iyo sosiyete ye yungutse umufatanyabikorwa mushya cyangwa yafunguye ishami rishya igurishirizamo ibicuruzwa byayo amagambo agira ati: “uzashyingirwa ryari ?” cyangwa “utegereje kubanza gukira kugirango ubone gushaka?” Atekereza ko aya magambo yose akomoka mu muco wacu wakomeje kujya ugenda inyuma y’abagore mu bice byose by’ubuzima. Ariko, ibintu byatangiye guhinduka kubera ko Leta yacu yagiye yigisha abanyarwanda akamaro k’umugore mu iterambere ry’igihugu, iry’umuryango n’iry’umuntu ku giti cye.
Ibyo bihe ntabwo byoroheye Amina. Ikintu cyamukomereye mu rwego rwo guhangana n’ingorane zifitanye isano n’Icyorezo cya COVID-19 ni ukugira imbaraga zihagije no gukomeza gukora we n’abo bakorana. Kugirango babashe kubigeraho, yakoresheje ibihe bya guma mu rugo abibyaza umusaruro uko bishoboka kose, yitekerezaho akanakora imirimo yo mu mpapuro. Ibyo byamuteye akanyabugabo, kandi n’ibyo byiyumviro byamufashije kubasha kugera ku bo bakorana binyuze mu mbuga nkoranyambuga. Amina kandi yagerageje kwita ku bikorwa yari yarasubitse mbere y’icyorezo; ibyo bikorwa bikaba byarahaye SAYE amahirwe mashya nyuma ya guma mu rugo.
Kongera kubaka ufite ubuzima bwiza kurushaho :
Scovia n’Amina bifuza gutera imbere nk’abacuruzi b’abagore ariko ntabwo byoroshye. Bose amagambo atari meza abageraho ashingiye ku bintu bisanzwe bivugwa hafi ya buri munsi; urugero, igitekerezo kivuga ko ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bashobora gutera imbere gusa ari uko bashatse. Adelite Mukamana ntabwo yemera ibyo bivugwa. Yaravuze ati : “ Kenshi na kenshi twumva bavuga ko iterambere ry’abagore rishingira ku mugabo. Scovia n’Amina ni ingero zifatika zigaragaza ko rwiyemezamirimo w’umugore ashobora gucunga ubucuruzi bwe neza kandi agatera imbere mu bihe ibyo ari byo byose kandi twizeye ko ari ingero nziza abandi bagore bagenzi bacu bashobora kureberaho muri sosiyete nyarwanda ”.
Ba rwiyemezamirimo bombi bemeranyijwe ku kintu kimwe – umuntu ahitamo imyumvire ye bwite, kandi kugira imyumvire myiza ku bijyanye n’imibereho myiza ni ikintu cy’ingenzi gifasha guhangana n’ibintu bibi. Adelite Mukamana yemera ibi bikurikira: “ Dukora dukurikije uburyo dutekereza kandi dufata icyemezo kubyerekeranye n’uburyo dutekereza”.
Ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore by’umwihariko bahura n’ingorane zo guhuza akazi kabo n’ubuzima bwo mu rugo. Amina akeka ko kugira umugabo ugushyigikira kandi wumva icyerekezo cye ari ikintu cy’ingenzi gifasha rwiyemezamirimo w’umugore gutera imbere. Madamu Adelite Mukamana, inzobere mu kazi ke akaba n’umubyeyi, yagiriye inama ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore kudatinya kugira imiryango kubera ko umugore ari ikiremwa muntu gishobora gukora imirimo myinshi. Yagiriye inama abagore gukora ibikorwa by’ubucuruzi batitaye ku buzima bwabo bwo mu muryango mu gihe cyose bifitemo icyizere ko bashobora kubikora. Yashimangiye kandi ko abagabo batagomba guterwa ubwoba n’uko abagore bagira ubushobozi bwo mu rwwego rw’ubukungu cyangwa n’iterambere ry’abo bashakanye ahubwo ko bagomba kwibanda ku iterambere ryabo bombi.
Sura urubuga rwa SME Response Clinic maze ubone inama zigirwa ba rwiyemezamirimo zibafasha gukomeza ubuzima bwo mu mutwe n’imibereho myiza yabo n’iy’abakozi babo. Tubasabye kandi kujya mukurikirana ku mbuga nkoranyambaga zacu inkuru za ba rwiyemezamirimo ku byerekeranye n’uburyo ibikorwa by’ubucuruzi byabo bishyira imbere ubuzima bwo mu mutwe n’imibereho myiza nk’imwe mu ngamba zo guhangana n’ingorane zatejwe n’icyorezo cya COVID-19. Ushobora kandi kudusanga kuri YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, na LinkedIn.
Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!
Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year.
As we come closer to the end of the year 2021, the SME Response Clinic would like to reflect on the initiatives that helped us achieve our objective of bringing your business closer to financial services and other business development initiatives. We are so grateful for the support you afforded us throughout the year and we look forward to your continued collaboration in the year 2022.
Here are some of the key initiatives we engaged in for the year 2021.
In March 2021, the SME Response Clinic launched the Twiteze Imbere (Let’s Move Forward) campaign to recognise small businesses’ role in Rwanda’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign’s main activity involved the nomination of favourite businesses by the general public. Three businesses from three categories (women-led, start-up and established) were nominated and each received a cash prize of 1 million Rwandan Francs and expert advisory services.
In August 2021, the SME Response Clinic entered into a partnership with KCB Bank Rwanda. The partnership was aimed at connecting entrepreneurs with a financial service provider. Over 900+ users engaged with our KCB Bank related content posted on the site. Over 30 entrepreneurs submitted inquiries into KCB Bank’s financial products with more calling directly to KCB Bank’s helpline.
Building Back Healthier Series.
In October 2021, we launched the Building Back Healthier series, a mental wellness initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurs to deal with the mental wellness challenges they faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was implemented in partnership with a local mental wellness service provider Geruka Healing Center. We held one radio show and two webinars featuring prominent entrepreneurs in Rwanda and experts in mental wellness through the initiative. The general public participated in these discussions, and they used the webinars as a platform to learn, ask, and share some of their experiences on how they have managed to practice self-care to run their businesses efficiently.
Away from the key initiatives, we also shared business tips, wellness tips, and funding and capacity building opportunities available in the market. We hope you approach the new year with much optimism, and we look forward to your continued engagement with us as we work to help you grow your business.
With that in mind, we would like to wish you Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!
Apply for the Open Innovation Program by 23 December 2021!
Apply for the Open Innovation Program by 23 December 2021!
Inkomoko Business Development, in partnership with Make-IT in Africa and Digital Solutions for Development, seeks to support startups in SMART cities, EdTech and AgriTech through the Open Innovation Program (OIP). The OIP aims to help tech startups nurture and scale their products by increasing their engagement with existing or prospective stakeholders.
Through the program, 15 tech startups will be selected to participate in a four months accelerator that will help them roll out their solutions to the market. Additionally, participants will be offered more customized support to scale their product to the local and regional markets. This will include product development support, market access, legal and accounting support, and multiple opportunities to network with potential investors.
Interested businesses should fulfil the following criteria to apply:
- Tech or tech-enabled product/solution must fall under one of the three sectors: Smart cities, AgriTech, or EdTech
- Must have an MVP tested in the market and present some traction (e.g. sales, users, reviews
- Product or service must create a positive social or environmental impact
- Should have been in operation for at least 6 months
- The team should be based in Rwanda, and the solution should be implemented in Rwanda
- Should be committed to working with the open innovation approach
Women-led startups are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply, visit: Open Innovation Program Application
For any inquiries about OIP, contact:
Phone: 0788358639
Email: info@inkomoko.com
Join us in our upcoming webinar about “Practical Solutions for Improving the Wellbeing of Women Entrepreneurs”
Join us in our upcoming webinar about
“Practical Solutions for Improving the Wellbeing of Women Entrepreneurs”
Together with the Geruka Healing Center and the Kigali Public Library, the SME Response Clinic will be holding a live webinar, “Practical Solutions for Improving the Wellbeing of Women Entrepreneurs.“ The webinar is part of the Building Back Healthier Series, which aims to support entrepreneurs’ wellbeing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussion will be on Wednesday, 8 December 2021 at 3 pm via the SME Response Clinic Facebook page. The discussions will feature Adelite Mukamana, Registered Clinical Psychologist Specialist, Scovia Mutoni, Founder KGL Flour Limited, and Amina Muhoza, Founder Saye Company Limited. The discussion will be in Kinyarwanda
Are you a student or a young innovator? Apply for Westerwelle Start-up Haus Ideate Program by 8 December!
Are you a student or a young innovator? Apply for Westerwelle Start-up Haus Ideate Program by 8 December!
In partnership with the US Embassy in Rwanda, Westerwelle Start-up Haus Kigali seeks to support young social innovators through the Ideate Rwanda program. Ideate Rwanda is a program that aims to empower young innovators to launch tech start-ups with a positive social impact.
Through the program, over 80 innovators will be selected to participate in a hackathon on 13th December 2021. From this group, 10 participants will be selected and provided with resources to support them in developing tech solutions for social challenges in their communities.
These participants will have the opportunity to complete a 4-month program at the Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali starting in January 2022. They will benefit from:
- Capacity building workshops
- Networking opportunities with a community of entrepreneurs
- Promotion of their developed solutions
The selection of hackathon participants will be based on the following criteria:
- The project demonstrates a positive social impact on the community
- Team/individual demonstrate the ability to execute their vision into reality
- Project/idea has an innovative model
Interested applicants should apply by 8th December 2021.
To apply, visit: Application
SME Response Clinic hosts a webinar on practical strategies to deal with stress at Kigali Public Library.
SME Response Clinic hosts a webinar on practical strategies to deal with stress at Kigali Public Library.
The SME Response Clinic held a webinar on practical strategies to deal with stress at Kigali Public Library on the 12th of November 2021. The webinar is part of the Building Back Healthier Series that was launched with a talk show on KT Radio on the 18th of October 2021. The series is organized in partnership with the Geruka Healing Centre.
The objective of the webinar was to inform and inspire entrepreneurs to incorporate wellbeing into the daily operations of their businesses and equip them with practical skills to cope with stress. The webinar featured a mental health expert, Dr Jean Pierre Ndagijimana, with two active small business owners, Claudine Tuyisenge and Johnson Runuya. Learn more below.
Dr Ndagijimana kicked off the session with a great example to help attendees and viewers understand how to improve the stress response. Let’s dig in:
Most of us use a fire pit to cook food. When the food starts to boil up, you decrease the intensity of the heat so that your saucepan, for instance, won’t explode. At a certain point in time, you may also increase the intensity of the heat again. This process of balancing the intensity of the heat that goes into your firepit is also applicable to managing stress. As an entrepreneur, this means knowing when your level of stress is increasing or decreasing so that you can think of what actions you should take to regulate your level of stress.
Claudine and Johnson each shared their own experiences – read on to learn more.
Claudine’s Experience:
Claudine Tuyisenge is the founder of KICIRWANDA, a local organization that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. The business works with artisans – 90% of whom are women -based in rural Rwanda who makes handcrafted products to earn sustainable livelihoods. Claudine is no stranger to stress – she shared that in particular, she and her colleagues are always very stressed during the festive season – a season that is important for sales and during which taking a helpful holiday to recharge is not possible. For her staff, the experience of rushing to meet looming deadlines created insomnia and other challenges that made their lives more difficult.
To manage the stress of the season – Claudine introduced a new way of taking orders. To promote a healthy workplace at KICIRWANDA, rather than taking every order that comes in and rushing to complete it, Claudine implemented a process of accepting orders based on production capacity. Now, staff work together toward achievable goals, and it has allowed the business to continue to uphold high standards of quality while caring for its employees. Claudine shared the sentiment behind the process, “It’s crucial to be true to yourself and to your clients. [If you plan well,] you can tell them the timeframe you need to make quality products for them, which is an important element in managing stress.”
Johnson’s Experience:
Johnson Runuya is the founder of Johnson The Baker, a bakery that operates in Kigali and surrounding areas. While lockdown measures implemented in March 2020 forced many businesses to close their doors, they gave some entrepreneurs the time and inspiration to start online businesses. Johnson is among a number of university students who saw COVID-19 as an opportunity – he launched his business’ website just days after the lockdown started and began receiving orders from friends, family, and schoolmates. By April 2020, orders started flooding in as Johnson promoted his business through social media platforms.
Johnson never thought his business would continue after the lockdown was lifted, but instead, it has continued to thrive to the point where he is expanding his operations. While the orders are increasing, this comes with stress. He highlights that a big source of stress is that as a pastry chef, you do not set your own deadlines – customers do – and sometimes those deadlines are as short as one hour. As an entrepreneur, it is difficult to say no to the customer, so what is key is preparation. Having all needed materials on hand is critical to being able to say yes and meet customers’ needs. Johnson also stressed the importance of being kind to oneself – not everything will be perfect every time. To plan for his continued expansion, Johnson is setting up a system through which clients will send orders with a three-hour turnaround time, better enabling the business to manage the number of orders that come in. Johnson is sure this will help maintain his own well-being as well as the well-being of his employees by reducing the level of stress that comes with strict deadlines.
Championing wellbeing is important to a company’s success
“To have stress is common. The only way to have no stress is when we are no longer alive. Stress assists us (including entrepreneurs) in being successful and, in more extreme circumstances, in surviving. The ultimate goal for all of us is to improve stress response. What differentiates how individuals regulate levels of stress includes things like the time period that stress lasts and the techniques one uses to deal with it.” – Dr Ndaagijimana.
Claudette and Johnson are building back healthier by creating self-awareness about their own wellbeing and educating their staff to do the same. By paying attention to their levels of stress, they are understanding more clearly what they are capable of as well as what changes they need to make to be able to deliver on time. And, as a result, both have seen positive impacts, including increased productivity and better workplace environments.
Visit SME Response Clinic for tips for entrepreneurs to sustain their wellbeing and optimize mental health at the workplace, and join us for our upcoming webinar, “Building Back Healthier: Practical Solutions for Improving the Wellbeing of Women Entrepreneurs” scheduled for 08 December at 2 pm Rwanda local time at Kigali Public Library, and on our Facebook and YouTube channels.
Supporting Entrepreneurs’ Wellbeing During COVID-19: Tools and Tips to Build Back Healthier
Supporting Entrepreneurs’ Wellbeing During COVID-19: Tools and Tips to Build Back Healthier
Building back after a difficult time is always stressful. Entrepreneurs have faced unprecedented pressure as they work to re-open their businesses and recover from losses while maintaining and ensuring their health and wellbeing as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on.
During a recent radio show that aired on KT Radio, the SME Response Clinic and Geruka Healing Centre shared tips for how entrepreneurs and businesses can manage stress and burnout related to the everchanging business environment. Read on for more.
Tips for entrepreneurs and small business owners
Take care of yourself.
The day-to-day hustle and the need to stay on top of market and supplier demands makes it difficult to find time to care for yourself. It’s important to take time to enjoy simple things like listening to music and exercising after work to help prepare for the next workday. Some entrepreneurs have found practicing breathing exercises or walking back home from work to be helpful. Taking time to practice mindfulness after a hectic day is a great way to take care of yourself.
Be gentle with yourself.
Do not blame yourself for things that are out of your control, such as government lockdowns or the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Instead, take stock of the things you can control and focus on what you can accomplish in a given day. Set realistic goals to help build a sense of fulfillment.
Practice a healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and jogging or walking a few minutes after a long day can go a long way in maintaining a good balance in your life. There’s strong evidence that physical exercise produces an effect equivalent to antidepressants, and playing sports can help overcome depression. Reducing unhealthy coping behaviors such as alcohol and drug use are also important in improving overall wellbeing.
Connect with others.
Although measures such as curfews have halted physical meet ups with loved ones, some people have found it useful to stay socially connected through texts, calls, and virtual events. These activities build a sense of belonging and togetherness during difficult times. Look for opportunities to connect with those around you, and if none exist, reach out and schedule time for a group call or start a group chat on WhatsApp.
Avoid misinformation.
With the onset of the pandemic, we’ve seen an uptick in misinformation circulating on social media and other channels. Staying up to date on the latest information about the pandemic is key for entrepreneurs in order to stay ahead of the competition, but overloading yourself with misinformation can increase anxiety. You may access accurate information on COVID-19 here: https://www.rbc.gov.rw/index.php?id=707 or how to look for information safely here: https://cyber.gov.rw/updates/article/7-tips-to-be-safe-online/.
Put your phone down once in a while.
While phones and digital tools have been critical during the pandemic, reducing excessive use of technological equipment during the day may help your brain rest and reset. Normalize having time away from technological devices such as your phone or computer, and take time to bond and build connections with people around you.
Seek professional help.
In Kinyarwanda, we say “Ibuye ryagaragaye ntiriba rikishe isuka,” which loosely translates to, “a stone visible in the field can no longer destroy a hoe”. As an entrepreneur, if you continue to see signs of depression or anxiety, it’s important to seek out professional support in your area. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness! Please reach out to Geruka Healing Centre for mental health support.
Tips to implement for your business
Create safe and open workspaces.
Employees should be able to share distresses or challenges that arise from work. Build in peer support networks and allow employees to share their feelings and stressors. Whenever possible, have a professional facilitate the conversations.
Recognize and acknowledge employee efforts.
Appreciate employee sacrifices and reward them when you can for their hard work during challenging times, such as by giving time off. Building strong relationships between the employee and employer helps boosts employee morale and ultimately results in reduced risk of stress and burnout.
Provide access to information.
Give employees access to important information on how to manage stress and burnout as well as useful health and wellness techniques for selfcare. For some people, having this knowledge easily accessible will promote a positive change. Techniques could include writing down on a piece of paper what’s stressing you along with how you know it is causing you stress and an idea or two for what you can do about it. Visit this SME Response Clinic for more health and wellness tips.
Ensure emotional and physical safety.
Safety and security are key for employees wellbeing. Promoting a safe and secure work environment will build trust and a sense of ownership. Honor and respect your staff by giving them enough time to adjust as needed to upcoming changes at work to encourage a smooth transition and avoid mental shocks.
Building Back Healthier
The silver lining from the COVID-19 pandemic could be that we have learned to change the way we work, confront our day-to-day stresses, and talk about our needs. By turning inward to better understand emotions and cultivate compassion, it’s easier for business owners and leaders to address employee’s concerns and build resilience for any future challenges they may confront. Stay tuned for more from the SME Response Clinic on the topic!
Are you a social business with a solution for sustainable food systems looking to scale up? Apply for the Grow Up Social Incubator by November 21!
Are you a social business with a solution for sustainable food systems looking to scale up? Apply for the Grow Up Social Incubator by November 21!
Yunus Environment Hub, a global social business network focused on creating solutions for the environmental crisis, is launching its 2022 cohort of the GrowUp Incubator for social businesses focusing on sustainable food systems in East Africa. The GrowUp Incubator aims to support and grow the skills of early-stage entrepreneurs who can create sustainable environmental and social impact. The cohort will support social business entrepreneurs in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi. The program provides critical support to social business entrepreneurs in a post-revenue stage.
Why should you join the Grow Up Social Incubator?
Successful applicants will receive access to the following benefits through the 6-month program:
- Bi-weekly tailored mentorship
- Interactive capacity-building bootcamp and training
- Networking with local partners
- Peer-to-peer support to share challenges and discover solutions
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, your business must:
- Be located in one of the above-mentioned target countries in East Africa
- Solve a challenge within one or more thematic areas related to food systems
- Be beyond the experimentation stage
- Have your product/service on the market for 6 months to 3 years
- Be legally registered or plan on doing it during the incubation program
- Be led by a person or by the community (i.e., through a cooperative model)
- Be able to demonstrate substantial environmental and social impact
- Be in pre-seed investment but the post-revenue stage
- Have accumulated sales to date of approximately 10,000 – 25,000 USD
- Have 2-3 people from the team who will participate in the program
- Have regular access to stable internet to participate in mentoring sessions and cohort events
How to apply
Social businesses that are eligible can apply by completing the application form here.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor for the cohort, please find the Terms of Reference and apply here.
Application Deadline: 21 November 2021
For more information,
Email: Anna.Khudiiash@yunuseh.com.
Are you an early or growth stage startup interested in scaling your business? Apply for the THRIVE VIII Accelerator program 2022
Are you an early or growth stage startup interested in scaling your business? Apply for the THRIVE VIII Accelerator program 2022
The THRIVE Accelerator program seeks applicants for the THRIVE VIII Accelerator program 2022. The program targets and supports early and growth-stage startups active in various agriculture value chains to facilitate their business growth. The annual program offers a three month virtual and in-person training that provides investment opportunities and direct access to practical learnings from Central California’s largest agriculture companies.
Why should you join the program?
By joining the program, successful applicants will get the following benefits:
- Investment funding of up to $100,000 ($50,000 cash, $50k in program value).
- Access to an extensive partner network inclusive of over 6,000 farmers, growers, and agriculture partners for technology adoption
- Mentorship and coaching from experts and industry leaders from our extensive global entrepreneur network
- Participation in our award-winning program that will validate your startup to potential investors and give you access to THRIVE’s ecosystem
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, applicants must have technologies that drive towards a more efficient, sustainable and secure agriculture future with a focus on:
- Supply chain management and traceability
- Big data and predictive analytics
- Biotechnology
- Indoor farming
- Animal health and livestock
How to apply
Eligible startups can apply by filling in the form here.
Application Deadline: 05th November 2021.
For more information, visit https://thriveagrifood.com/
Are you a youth entrepreneur with a solution aimed at adapting to climate change? Apply for the African Youth Adaptation Solutions (YouthADAPT) Challenge today!
Are you a youth entrepreneur with a solution aimed at adapting to climate change? Apply for the African Youth Adaptation Solutions (YouthADAPT) Challenge today!
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) invite youth entrepreneurs to apply for the African Youth Adaptation Solutions (YouthADAPT) Challenge under the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). The Challenge seeks to inspire and scale solutions focused on helping adapt to ongoing climate change driven by youth entrepreneurs in Africa. Selected applicants will have an opportunity to develop and fully commercialize their businesses via a 12-month accelerator program. Ten winners will be selected, and each will receive a business grant of up to $100,000 to grow their business.
The Challenge is open to solutions (products, services, tools, or ideas) targeted at climate change adaptation and increasing resilience. These solutions must also contribute to raising awareness on climate adaptation among communities. To be eligible for the Challenge, applicants must fulfil the following criteria:
- Youth-led applicants aged between the ages of 18 and 35 years
- Commitment to delivering climate adaptation or resilience solutions addressing real-life challenges
- Legally registered enterprises operating in Africa
- Be able to show company revenues for at least two years
Note: 50% of the enterprises to be supported will be women-owned or women-led.
How to apply
Interested youth enterprises can apply by filling in the form here.
Submission deadline: 06th October 2021.
For more information:
Email: solutionschallenge@gca.org
Visit: https://gca.org/african-youth-adaptation-solutions-challenge-2