Over 50 businesses participate in Women in Business Expo 2022

As the month of March comes to an end, fashion icon Sonia Noel hosted her 6th Women in Business Expo at the Pegasus Hotel in observance of International Women’s Day held earlier this month. The expo saw over 50 women-owned businesses showcasing their products.

The expo, in its sixth year, encouraged and empowered women from all walks of life who have a passion for entrepreneurship to dive into the business world and make a name for themselves.

Noel stated that since its materialisation, the event was put on a virtual pause when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Guyana. She said that this gave the exhibitors time to improve their craft and she has noticed significant improvement from the exhibitors at this year’s Women in Business Expo.

“Women in Business Expo, we started in 2016, we took a break, we had actually the virtual edition and now we’re back here 2022. What I think I love about what I am seeing… some of the exhibitors that you are going to meet today definitely emerged out of that [the pandemic]. And what I have noticed, and not just me, the feedback from patrons, they’re saying oh my god those products that we’re seeing are really at a different level. People had time to reflect and re-tweak their brand,” she said.

She noted that the event this year beaconed women from all over the country, not only from the business-driven capital of Guyana, something she is very proud of and excited about.
“We have over fifty exhibitors from all walks of life, not just Georgetown, we have from Linden also. We have from Berbice,” she revealed.
One thing that stood out at the expo that struck Noel was the kindness and willingness of the exhibitors. She told this publication in an interview that she admired that the exhibitors who didn’t know each other were very helpful to each other.
“It’s really awesome to be in this atmosphere. And one of the great things I love about seeing them, they’re helping each other. You know sometimes you find a business environment can be very competitive. What you find is that it has been extremely helpful,” she noticed excitedly.
Tonette Leacock, the owner of TLC Extraordinary Products, a small business that specialises in making finger foods like Guyanese tamarind balls, among other things, who has been a part of the expo for the past three years, said that event has enhanced her business personality and that she is always willing to be a part of the event.
“I feel excellent about it,” she said. “From the time I hear women in Business Expo I’m always excited,” she added.
Representative of Camille’s Academy, Rebecca Hansraj expressed similar sentiments.
“I think it’s a very good opportunity for women to enhance their ability and to showcase what we as women can do. For a long time, women’s abilities have been hidden and now this is an opportunity for women to boost themselves, to be up there,” Hansraj related.
Noel encouraged young entrepreneurs to take the next step and register for next year’s expo.
“I would really like to encourage, especially young entrepreneurs that, you know, a lot of them are coming to the expo and say that they’re being in that environment where they’re inspired and saying you know what, Miss Noel, I think I wanna do this, I want to register next year. I’m loving that because they want to just venture out because of just being in this atmosphere.”
She added that the, “entrepreneurial journey is not for the faint of heart but it’s possible”.
Noel also thanked all the persons and entities that helped her with Women in Business Expo 2022; 93.1 Real FM, Stanley Ming, Dr Sabetha Singh of Cardinal Services from Texas, Pegasus Hotel, Mings Products and Services, Impression, Spotlight Production, and Beacon Cafe.
The expo commenced on March 30 and will conclude on April 1 at the Pegasus Hotel.