‘Be bold, take risks’ – entrepreneur urges as ‘Women in Business’ expo returns
Leisa Gibson decided to join the Women in Business Expo in 2016 when she merely had one product under her belt but that decision has paid off as she now supplies a total of 25 products through her venture – Mel – Lesia Organic Products and Beauty Supplies.
Now, with the event returning for its sixth year with more in store for women entrepreneurs, Gibson is urging women to “be bold and take more risks” to see their business ventures grow.
Gibson was a part of a press conference on Thursday at the Pegasus Hotel as the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA) – the host of the event – provided insight on what’s to come this year.
“I will never forget the day I made the call to find out if I got into the event…I did and the rest is history because here I am today, a successful businesswoman so I am saying to people, you need to take that bold step and take some risks.
“I know some women are sometimes shy but you have to be bold in business because I started out with one product – a hair moisturizer and now I have 25 products so you need be risky to be successful,” she urged.
The 44-year-old entrepreneur will be among the 50 exhibitors who are set to showcase their talents at the expo which will be held at the Pegasus Hotel on March 30 – 31.
The event has become an extension of the wider celebrations associated with International Women’s Month and is set to mobilize women from all walks of life, determined to take their entrepreneurial pursuits to the next level.
It focuses on small businesses with the aim of allowing persons to gradually increase their operations into medium, large then eventually conglomerates.
And the mind behind the venture, Sonia Noel explained that this can only be achieved through investments and partnerships.
It is for that reason that the foundation has partnered with Women in Business International to introduce a virtual platform that promises to engage diverse global businesses.
“This will be a major development in the business landscape of Guyana. There is going to be a booth back all and the exhibitors will be part of that booth so customers can come and chat with them see what they offer and I am so excited about that,” Noel shared.
The event will also feature an art exhibition section from the Managing Director and Founder of Seeing Eyes – Signing Hands Inc. Tracey Cholmondeley who provides training for the deaf.