After two days of learning, bonding and networking, the camaraderie among VV GROW Nicaragua Fellows became palpable. They shared stories of sacrifice, and how they followed their passions to launch and grow their businesses.
The second day of training focused on finances and growth strategy. Fellows deepened their understanding of accounting cycles, learned how to analyze financial statements, and were taught how to strategically define and approach their target markets. Networking – a skill they were already naturally employing – was discussed as well, framed as a skill to expand their enterprises.
On average, the women in VV GROW have been running their businesses for seven years or more. Together they’ve created more than 350 jobs, with sales from their SMEs totaling more than $6 million USD. The connections and businesses-to-business opportunities that arose over the course of the training will strengthen a new, evolving network of women business owners.
VV GROW is designed to build the Fellows’ business management capacity, leadership skills and networks, in order to expand the women’s impact in their communities by growing their small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The comprehensive training integrates innovative business trends and interactive learning techniques, unlocking national and regional economic growth through high potential women-owned SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the next month, the VV GROW Fellowship Program takes place in Jordan and Ghana. Stay tuned for updates!
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VV GROW LAC: Checkout the first and third posts from the program. Photo gallery below.