Anapidédé Kibandou Betema, a Togolian who has degrees in logistics and communications, nonetheless had trouble landing a job. But she knew how to raise poultry and grow veggies because she had grown up on her father’s farm.
In order to feed her family and make money, Betema founded a farming cooperative in 2020. There, she works alongside other women to raise organic veggies. Residents of the city can purchase fresh food at the Société Coopérative Simplifée Best Choice, or SCOOPS-BC, which is now situated on three hectares of property six kilometres from Lomé, the capital of Togo.
Spinach and peppers are grown by Betema and three other women for sale in Lomé and on the farm. Each week, their 350 laying hens lay 70 trays of eggs.
becoming more assured
The U.S. Department of State’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), which has operations in Togo and 20 other African nations, accepted Betema as a student in February 2022. On the continent, AWE has aided almost 5,500 female company owners in realising their ambitions. The expertise and networks required to start or expand their own enterprises have been provided by AWE to more than 25,000 women worldwide in 100 different countries.
AWE assisted Betema in getting over her shyness and developing as a businesswoman. I got independent, she claimed. It dawned on her that “I have self-confidence and that I, too, can manage and run a business.”
BETEMA claimed, “I GOT SELF SUCCESSFUL.” She realised, “I Have Self-Confidence and That I, Too, Can Manage and Run a Business.”
Managing my obligations
Betema improved her ability to juggle operating a business and raising kids thanks to the strategic planning and time management training she received from AWE. The DreamBuilder platform, which teaches entrepreneurial skills in areas like finance, marketing, and business administration, was also made available by AWE.
Betema revised her business plan using DreamBuilder, a tool created by Arizona State University, to better suit her requirements. “When I started, I wasn’t the one who wrote the business plan,” she remarked, noting that she delegated the task to a consultant. But I now understand that you alone are the only person who can write your business plan because you are the only one who knows how you want your company to operate.
dividing up the many tasks
Betema gained greater business and parenting balance as a result of the strategic planning and time management training she received from AWE. AWE also gave access to the DreamBuilder platform, which teaches company administration, marketing, and a variety of financial and entrepreneurial skills.
Betema revised her business plan using DreamBuilder, a programme created by Arizona State University, to better suit her requirements. “When I started, I wasn’t the one who wrote the business plan,” she admitted, noting that she delegated the task to a consultant. However, I now understand that since you are the only one who knows how you want your business to operate, only you are qualified to write your business plan.
educating others
Betema now develops courses to help other women reconcile running a business with the demands of parenthood and organic farming and vegetable preservation. Along with teaching dressmaking and hairstyling, she is also instructing young girls in other useful talents.
“We are working to keep the women together so that everyone succeeds,” Betema added. “We know that together you can go far.”
