Nigerian women have been urged not to allow domestic barriers to debar them from realising their entrepreneurial ambitions.
Priscilla Okechukwu, CEO Pixaweb Technologies, Conveners of Start-up Entrepreneurship Programme made this call while speaking during the maiden edition of Pixaweb Innovate Hub over the weekend in Lagos.
Okechukwu urged women to acquire entrepreneurial skills regardless of their educational background.
According to her, “women should be engaged in some sort of business no matter how small it is, regardless of what your educational background is”.
Priscilla Okechukwu, CEO Pixaweb Technologies, Conveners of Start-up Entrepreneurship Programme.
She implored on women to not allow, what she tagged as ‘default stories’ to debar them from embracing the truth that women can become established and successful.
She stated that women were good entrepreneurs because of their innate ability as care givers.
“We therefore urge women to break out of their shells and develop a mindset that would foster innovation.
“Sadly, most women today give excuses as to why they cannot set up start-up companies to engage themselves.
“Their excuses range from the fact that they have children and family to cater for or they tell you they do not have a housekeeper to help out at home,’’ she said.
Okechukwu further called women startups to break out of their silos and develop a mindset that foster innovation.
L-R: Mnena Orjime, CEO DeepReach Beddings, Eneanya Chika, Primelite Global Resources and Felicitas Iwuchukwu, Project Manager, Pixaweb Technologies during the panel session at the event.
Also speaking, Mr Sam Omoikhunu of the Total Project and Resources Management Ltd, urged women to identify their strengths and weaknesses before embarking on any business.
Omoikhunu also noted that passion was the first step in establishing any business because without it, the start-up might not thrive.
He also advised start-ups to do thorough research in order to have in-depth knowledge of the business.
“Asides from doing research, it is important to know who you are rendering your services to, so as to enable you know where to position your business,’’ he said.
Pixaweb Innovate Hub is a platform that creates an enabling environment for entrepreneurs with feasible business ideas to be raised, nurtured and mentored.