Why African Women Entrepreneurs Are Undervalued by Investors — And How to Change the Narrative
By She Leads Africa | 22nd June, 2026 Here is a number worth sitting with: in 2024, female-led startups across Africa raised just $48 million. Their male counterparts raised $2.2 billion. That’s not a gap. That’s a canyon. And it’s getting worse. Women-led startups received only 2% of total venture capital deployed across Africa in 2024 — the lowest share recorded since data collection began. A year later, despite a 40% rebound in overall African startup funding, the situation barely moved. Less than 10% of all venture funding in 2025 went to companies with even one female founder. If you are a woman building a business on this continent, these numbers are not news to you. You have felt this. In the rooms you weren’t invited into. In the pitch feedback that focused on your risk rather than your runway. In the investor who asked who else was backing you before deciding if he should. The question isn’t whether the gap is real. The question is: what do we do about it? First, let’s name what’s actually happening The funding gap is not an accident. It is the output of a system that was never designed with African women entrepreneurs in mind. Bias shows up before you even walk in the room. Research consistently shows that investors — the majority of whom are men — tend to back founders who look, sound, and network like them. This “homophily” effect means women-led ventures are evaluated through a narrower lens, often before a single slide is reviewed. The sectors women dominate are undervalued. Women-led startups are disproportionately concentrated in education, health, agriculture, and social impact — all sectors that attract lower valuations and smaller check sizes than fintech infrastructure or enterprise SaaS, where male founders dominate. It’s not that these sectors matter less. It’s that the ecosystem has decided to value them less. The “market potential” question is rigged. Women entrepreneurs frequently report being questioned about the size of their addressable market — even when they are explicitly serving African women consumers, one of the fastest-growing and most underserved economic groups on the continent. A $2.5 billion funding gap has accumulated over five years while investors simultaneously missed the explosive growth of women-driven markets in e-commerce, mobile finance, and agri-food. Grant dependency is a trap, not a solution. Women receive around 52% of Africa’s grant funding — which sounds like progress until you realise that grants don’t build the equity runway needed to scale. Overreliance on grants keeps businesses in a perpetual “startup” phase and reinforces the perception that women-led ventures need charity, not capital. What this costs all of us This is not only a women’s issue. It is an economic one. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that closing the gender funding gap in Africa could unlock $316 billion in additional economic growth. The $42 billion financing gap for women entrepreneurs isn’t just a missed investment opportunity — it is economic value being left on the table, every single year. Women in Africa represent one of the highest rates of entrepreneurship in the world. They are already building. They are already selling — On the Jumia platform, over half of sellers in Kenya and Nigeria are women, according to IFC research, a signal of just how actively African women are driving digital commerce. They are already creating employment, driving household income, and sustaining local economies. The infrastructure of care, food, learning, and trade in this continent runs largely on women’s labour and ingenuity. Choosing not to fund them is not a neutral decision. It is a choice — and it has compounding consequences. What you can do — right now, as a woman entrepreneur If you’re building and you’re frustrated, you have every right to be. But here is what we know works. Get clear on what kind of capital you actually need. Not every business needs venture capital, and chasing VC before you’re ready — or when it’s the wrong structure for your model — can cost you equity and momentum. Revenue-based financing, development finance institutions (DFIs), blended finance instruments, and targeted grant programmes are growing. Know your options before you walk into any room. Build your evidence base obsessively. Investors claim to be data-driven. Give them data that’s hard to argue with — unit economics, retention metrics, market size research, customer testimonials. Don’t let anyone tell you your market is too niche when you can show them exactly who your customer is and how much she’s willing to pay. Invest in your investor network before you need it. The single biggest predictor of who gets funded is who already has warm introductions to the right people. This is unfair — and it is also true. Find the female angel networks, the gender-lens funds, the investors who have a track record of backing women founders. In Kenya, for example, a robust network of female angel investors has measurably increased funding rates for women entrepreneurs. That’s replicable. Document your story with precision. Your impact, your growth, your team, your vision — all of it needs to be articulable in three minutes and defensible in an hour. Work on your pitch the same way you work on your product. Ruthlessly. Find your community and stay in it. Isolation is the enemy of ambition. Connect with other women who are at the stage you’re trying to reach. They will open doors, share intelligence, challenge your assumptions, and remind you — when the ecosystem fails you — that the failure is not yours. What needs to change at the system level Individual preparation matters. But let’s be honest: the burden of fixing a structural problem should not fall entirely on the people being excluded by it. The ecosystem needs to move. Specifically: Gender-disaggregated data must become standard. You cannot address what you do not measure. Every fund, accelerator, and DFI operating in Africa should be required to track and publish funding flows by gender. More women need to be in investment decision-making roles.
The Gap Is Not About Awareness — It’s About Who Gets Left Out of the Room
Why African women entrepreneurs are still being failed by the systems built to serve them — and what She Leads Africa is doing about it. There are more fintech apps, grant programmes, accelerators, and women empowerment initiatives on the African continent today than at any point in history. And yet, if you ask the women building businesses across Africa — from the woman six months into her first venture to the one who has been grinding for five years — many will tell you the same thing. The opportunities exist. But not for her. Not yet. This is the paradox that sits at the heart of women’s entrepreneurship in Africa. It is not a gap caused by a lack of solutions. It is a gap caused by solutions that keep finding the same women — the already connected, the already visible, the ones who already had one foot inside the door. At She Leads Africa, we see this every day. And we think it is time to name it plainly. The Pipeline Leaks at Every Stage The challenge facing African women entrepreneurs is not one bottleneck. It is many — and they show up differently depending on where a woman is in her journey. The aspiring entrepreneur has the idea, the drive, and the lived experience. What she doesn’t have is a pitch deck she was taught to write, an account history that satisfies a lender, or a network that opens the right doors. The tools and programmes built to help her still assume she is already halfway there. The early-stage founder is generating revenue — sometimes formally, often not. But the moment she tries to grow, the system asks her to prove she is already established. Registration documents. Bank statements. Credit history. Requirements that assume a formalised business life she hasn’t had the opportunity to build yet. She is told to be formal before the system will help her formalise. The growth-stage woman has survived. In the African entrepreneurship environment, that alone deserves recognition. But survival doesn’t make her visible to funders. She is too revenue-generating for a grant, too informal for equity investment, and too small for a traditional bank loan. She has outgrown the programmes designed for beginners and been overlooked by the systems designed for scale. The ecosystem has no clear product for who she is right now. At every stage, the same truth emerges: the pipeline doesn’t break in one place. It leaks everywhere. It’s Not Just Funding. It’s Technology Too. When we talk about inclusion for women entrepreneurs, the conversation often stops at capital. But the gap runs deeper than money. The digital tools built to serve African women entrepreneurs — the apps, the platforms, the financial products — are largely designed for someone who already has a registered business, a reliable internet connection, a smartphone, and a transaction history. For the woman who has none of these yet, the technology meant to include her is effectively invisible to her daily reality. And here is what makes this particularly frustrating: the women we work with are not lacking in intelligence or capability. Many are educated. Many are digitally aware. Many have smartphones and data. But they are still using tools that were not built with them in mind — tools that assume a version of their life that doesn’t yet exist. This is the technology inclusion gap that doesn’t get talked about enough. It is not just about the woman in a rural area with no internet access. It is also about the young graduate in the city who downloads a fintech app and finds that every feature requires a credit history she was never given the chance to build. Both women are being failed. By the same assumption. That inclusion means making the tool available — not making it actually work for her. The Bigger Problem: Who Is in the Room When Solutions Are Built Every programme, product, and policy that has failed to reach the women who needed it most has one thing in common. She wasn’t in the room when it was designed. Not really. Not in a way that shaped the brief, challenged the assumptions, or redirected the approach. She may have appeared in a survey. She may have been referenced in a needs assessment. But co-design — real, compensated, iterative co-design that starts from her reality — is still the exception, not the standard. The result is solutions that are technically available but practically inaccessible. Programmes that serve the women already connected to the ecosystem and measure that as impact. Funds routed through organisations closest to power, not closest to the women themselves. We are not short of good intentions. We are short of proximity. And proximity cannot be replaced by a focus group held after the product is already built. What She Leads Africa Is Building Toward She Leads Africa exists because we believe African women don’t need to be saved. They need to be seen. Seen at the aspiring stage, before they have the language or the credentials the system demands. Seen at the early stage, when they are building something real with little structural support. Seen at the growth stage, when they have proven themselves and still can’t get a seat at the table. Our work is not perfect. The gap is wide, and we are one organisation. But we are committed to closing it one step at a time — by creating platforms where these women are not just beneficiaries of a solution someone else designed, but active voices in shaping what support actually looks like for them. That means programmes built around continuity, not just conversion. Real, sustained accompaniment — mentorship that outlasts the cohort, networks that hold beyond graduation, follow-on support that responds to where she actually is, not where the programme assumed she would be. It means funding and amplifying the organisations with genuine proximity to underserved women — the ones operating in communities that the mainstream ecosystem rarely reaches. And
Redefining the Future: How Impact Hub and Bayer Foundation Empower Women Entrepreneurs to Transform Food and Health Systems in Africa and the Middle East
In a world where millions still lack access to basic healthcare and nutritious food, change is being written not in policy papers or boardrooms, but by women entrepreneurs building solutions at the heart of their communities.
IN MY CORNER : How Ivie Osula and Jokotade Shonowo Are Redefining Sisterhood Through Style, Storytelling & Sister Support
A feature from the “In My Corner” campaign a platform where real friendship becomes real power. There are friendships that text you when you’re down. And then there are friendships that pull up, uninvited but deeply needed, when the lights are off and the stage is empty. That’s the kind of bond Ivie Osula and Jokotade Shonowo share a powerful, creative sisterhood built on authenticity, shared vision and an unspoken “I’ve got you” that doesn’t need applause. At the heart of this year’s In My Corner campaign — an initiative spotlighting women who choose collaboration over competition their story unfolds not just in fashion and photographs, but in deep, mutual support. What Is “In My Corner”? In My Corner is more than a campaign, it’s a movement. A visual and storytelling experience created by women, for women, to celebrate the friendships and mentorships that anchor us. Through powerful portraits, honest conversations, and a lens focused on community, the campaign documents the real relationships behind success the ones that rarely make the headlines, but always shape the journey. Meet the Women Behind the Story Ivie Osula is the founder of @DWLonline, a luxury fashion brand reshaping the narrative around power dressing for modern African women. Her designs are intentional — every stitch a declaration of strength and softness, woven together. Jokotade Shonowo is the founder of @Poshclick, a creative studio capturing women and men as they are bold, vulnerable, regal. Her lens doesn’t just see beauty; it reveals truth. Together, they’re redefining what it means for women to be in each other’s corners not just in theory, but in action. More Than Just a Moment — It’s a Movement In an industry that often rewards rivalry, Ivie and Joko choose something different. They style each other’s dreams. Shoot each other’s visions. And stand side-by-side as they climb. Their friendship isn’t performative, it’s purposeful. Built in quiet moments. Sealed through trust. Strengthened by shared ambition and soft landings. Whether they’re working late on campaign visuals or sharing silent support between shoots, what they’ve built is a living example of what In My Corner champions: sisterhood as strategy, friendship as fuel. A Toast to the Real Ones This International Friendship Day, we celebrate the women who show up when the cameras aren’t rolling. Who hold the ladder while you climb. Who don’t compete with your light, they reflect it back at you. Because when you’ve got someone in your corner, you don’t just survive.You soar. To stay engaged with In My Corner, follow @InMyCornercampaign for the latest conversations. For Ivie’s work in fashion, visit @DWLonline and for Joko’s photography, explore @Poshclick. The journey continues, and In My Corner is here to remind us, every woman has a story worth telling.
How This Beauty‑Obsessed Tech Founder Is Giving the Industry a Voice
Layo Ogunbanwo has spent the last year building Splice, a software platform for salons and spas in Nigeria. Now, she’s taking things a step further with the Beyond Beauty Podcast: a platform for raw, real, and unfiltered conversations about the business of beauty. In this Q&A, she shares why she’s doing it, who it’s for, and why it might be the industry’s most important mic yet. 1. Why are you launching a Podcast? And why now? I felt like we needed a place to talk about the business of beauty. About leadership, retention, growth, pricing, burnout, and hiring. The real stuff that salon and spa owners face every day, but don’t always have the space or the language to unpack. Since launching Splice in September of 2024, I’ve spoken with hundreds of beauty professionals across Nigeria. These are some of the most hardworking and talented entrepreneurs I’ve met. But a lot of them feel isolated. They are figuring things out in silos, with no real community or steady access to knowledge. I wanted to change that. The Beyond Beauty Podcast is a place where real people can have real conversations about what it takes to run and grow a beauty business. No platitudes. Just honest, helpful, inspiring stories from people building the industry. It’s our way of giving the industry a voice and support. 2. You’ve worked in tech and product for years. What drew you into the beauty space? Honestly, I’ve always been a beauty girlie. I like to do my nails, lashes, the whole works. There’s something deeply human about walking into a salon or spa. It’s where people go to feel better, to reset, to be seen. I’ve always admired the people behind that experience, especially the women who run their businesses and build from scratch. But my deeper involvement started in 2020. A close friend who owns a salon in Lagos was struggling to keep her operations organised. She was juggling everything by herself, and it was chaotic. So I helped her map out a more structured workflow using some basic digital tools. It wasn’t perfect, but it made a difference. And that’s when it clicked for me that this entire industry was operating without real, centralised infrastructure. That experience pushed me to start researching the beauty and wellness sector more intentionally. I spoke to dozens of business owners, kept hearing essentially the same thing: “We’re figuring it out, but it’s hard.” That gap between talent and tech support is what pulled me in. Beauty businesses are everywhere, but not many people are building for them. That’s the problem I wanted to solve with Splice. 3. The Beyond Beauty Podcast feels very community-focused. Who did you build it for? I built it for the people who are doing the work. The salon and spa owners with no formal support, aestheticians and therapists trying to keep up with industry trends while holding a team together, stylists who are booked out, but still aren’t sure how to scale. There’s so much skill and ambition in this industry, but not nearly enough support or visibility. Many don’t even see themselves as business owners when in reality, they’re doing the full work of entrepreneurs, including hiring, managing clients, handling marketing, and even product development in some cases. This podcast puts their stories at the forefront: the journeys, the challenges, the pivots, and the small wins that don’t usually make it into the spotlight. 4. What stories are you most excited to tell through this podcast? The honest ones. I’m particularly excited about the stories that go beyond aesthetics and “how I started” and into the heart of “how I’m surviving.” Stories about beauty business owners who didn’t know as much as they do now six months ago, who have had to let go of staff, who’ve mastered how to deal with the no-show problems, who’ve struggled with and figured out retention. I want to hear about pricing anxiety, customer drama, burnout, rebranding, breakthroughs, and bounce-backs. There’s a lot of polish in the beauty industry, and that’s great. But what we don’t see enough of are the layers underneath, the things that every business owner goes through but rarely shares out loud. Those are the stories that make people feel less alone. And those are the stories that teach. So, yes, we’ll talk about growth, strategy, and systems, but we’ll also talk about doubt, mistakes, and the bounce-backs. Because that’s real life. Because these stories don’t just inspire, but reflect. 5. How does the Beyond Beauty Podcast connect with what you’re building at Splice? They’re deeply connected: same mission, different formats. With Splice, we’re building the software that helps beauty professionals manage bookings, reduce no-shows, automate reminders, track client history, all of that. It’s the operational backbone. But with the Beyond Beauty Podcast, we’re building the voice. The narrative. The space where beauty professionals can hear from people who’ve walked similar paths, where they can learn what’s working, what’s not, and how others are growing through it. One supports the “how to do it.” The other supports the “why it’s worth it.” Too much innovation can slow tech. But I’ve always believed that community and infrastructure should grow together. If we only give people tools but no sense of identity or belonging, they’ll struggle to sustain momentum. But if you give them both, they build better businesses and stay in the game longer. 6. You’ve had some amazing guests already. Any common threads or surprises? Yes, definitely. One thing that keeps coming up is how much beauty professionals are learning on the job. There’s no formal blueprint for how to run a successful salon or spa in Nigeria, so people are figuring it out as they go, through mistakes, word of mouth, and watching others. And that’s why the conversations are so powerful. Guests are open. They share what they wish they knew earlier, the turning points in their journey, and the systems that helped them grow. For example, in
Tailored for Success: DWL by Ivie Osula Brings Chic and Confidence to the Workplace.
There’s something about a woman who walks into a room and owns it not with noise, but with confidence & presence. That’s the kind of woman Ivie Osula dresses.
“Money Can’t Buy Happiness”: Debunking Popular Lies
In our society, we’re often told comforting lies about money and happiness. One of the most pervasive myths is that “money can’t buy happiness.” While well-intentioned, this advice often comes from people who may not fully understand the complex relationship between financial resources and personal well-being. Introduction: The Truth About Money and Happiness Many of us have heard this phrase repeated so often that we’ve come to accept it as universal truth. But is it really? As someone who believed this for years, I’ve come to realize that this statement is not just oversimplified—it’s fundamentally flawed. What Science Says About Money and Happiness According to research from Very Well Mind, happiness is defined as “an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment.” Money, when viewed as a tool, can absolutely help create and support these emotional states. Lie #1: Money Can’t Buy Happiness The Common MisconceptionWhen people say “money can’t buy happiness,” they often mean well. They’re trying to caution against becoming overly materialistic or believing that wealth is the only path to joy. However, this advice typically comes from a place of privilege—often from those who already have their basic needs met. A Humorous PerspectiveI love to counter this argument with a simple, humorous retort: “I’d rather cry in a Benz than on an Okada.” This quip highlights a fundamental truth—financial security provides options and reduces stress in ways that poverty simply cannot. How Money Contributes to HappinessFinancial resources can: Lie #2: Money Comes When You Are Not Focused On It The Myth of Passive Wealth There’s a dangerous narrative that suggests money will magically appear if you’re not actively pursuing it. This is not just misleading—it’s a harmful misconception that can keep people from taking meaningful financial action. The Value of Intentional Earning Money that comes by accident or pure chance rarely holds lasting value. Unexpected wealth lacks the foundational understanding and effort required to sustain and grow it. True financial success is the result of conscious effort, strategic planning, continuous learning, and deliberate opportunity-seeking. Accidental earnings might provide a temporary boost, but they don’t create lasting wealth. Consider the stories of lottery winners who quickly lose their fortunes or unexpected inheritances that disappear within a few years. In contrast, money earned through intentional hard work carries deep personal value, a sense of achievement, better financial management skills, and long-term financial intelligence. Successful individuals understand that waiting for financial opportunities is not a strategy. Instead, they actively identify valuable opportunities, develop necessary skills, network strategically, take calculated risks, learn from failures, and persist through challenges. Waiting passively for financial success is like waiting for a ship at a bus stop—it simply doesn’t make sense. Lie #3: The Most Successful Entrepreneurs Did Not Set Out To Make Money The Real Motivation Behind Entrepreneurship Let’s be brutally honest: No serious entrepreneur starts a business without considering financial gain. The idea that successful business leaders are solely motivated by passion or some altruistic purpose is a romantic myth that doesn’t reflect reality Money: The Primary Business Motivator Every entrepreneur, whether they admit it openly or not, has financial objectives. These include generating personal income, creating wealth, achieving financial independence, building generational assets, and solving personal financial challenges. Passion and purpose are crucial, but they work alongside financial motivation, not in opposition to it. Successful entrepreneurs understand that financial success enables broader impact. Profitability is a measure of business health, money provides resources for innovation, and economic sustainability is key to long-term vision. While money is a primary motivator, these business leaders are typically driven by a complex mix of financial goals, problem-solving passion, innovation drive, personal fulfillment, and desire to create change. The most successful business leaders don’t shy away from discussing money—they embrace it as a critical component of their entrepreneurial journey. They recognize that financial objectives are not something to be ashamed of, but rather a fundamental aspect of building a meaningful and impactful business. The Real Truth: Money as a Tool for Happiness It’s crucial to understand that wanting more money isn’t greedy—it’s responsible. We work hard, advocate for better salaries, and build businesses because we desire a fulfilling life. Admitting that you want more money because it can make you happier is not just okay—it’s perfectly valid. Conclusion: Reframing Our Understanding of Money Money isn’t everything, but it’s far from nothing. It’s a powerful tool that, when used wisely, can significantly enhance quality of life and contribute to overall happiness. Here are key advice to build a successful business in Africa Want to learn more??? Join our community
The She Tank and BellaNaija Unveil “Her Money, Her Power” Campaign to Champion Women’s Economic Power.
The She Tank and BellaNaija have joined forces to launch the Her Money, Her Power campaign, which will advocate for more economic power for Nigerian women.
5 Reasons Why Your Budget Is Not Working
Sis, let’s be real. Since you created that budget, you probably haven’t used it more than once or twice. If you are like me, you sat down when you were extra broke and created that “wonderful” budget that accounted for every single thing- including chewing gum. Once you got a little money, you forgot all about it. I know it is tempting to spend. Most of us have the spending bug somewhere in our systems but we must learn to control it. Here are 5 budget mistakes and tips on how you can fix them. You made it too generic So, remember how you went online to download xyz’s budgeting template and never bothered to make it suit your own spending habits? Yeah, this is a common budget mistake. On a general level, we may have the same basic needs- food, housing, transport- but Akosua from Ghana’s expenses can never be the same as Sheryl’s from Houston. You have to modify your budget according to your location, lifestyle, and personal needs. Should you be budgeting for a gym membership when you work out at home right now? You do not have your day planned “What is the connection between planning my day and budgeting my expenses?” You may be wondering. Planning your day helps you recall those activities that will eventually require you to spend. Create a daily plan around work, chores, cooking, and transport and see if that impacts your budgeting. Your budget is set in stone Ah, this one. I’ve been guilty of this too many times to count. I would piously create the most frugal budget known to man and then wonder why I was so miserable after. See babe, budgeting like every other planning endeavour, ought to make your life simpler. Create a realistic budget that factors in enjoyment. That aspect of your life is hella essential too! The danger of creating a frugal budget is that at 2 AM one day, you may snap and treat yourself to natural hair products you don’t even need. At the beginning of each month, add a treat to your budget- a book you want to read, fancy skincare stuff, bralettes, etc. Pick one thing and treat yo self! You have not adjusted your budget in forever You still have the same budget since last year and you wonder why it is not working for you. If you work from home or you are bored in the house, bored in the house, bored, I am guessing that certain expenses are on pause while others (like grocery expenses) are being incurred. If this is true for you, then you obviously should not budget the same amount that you did for transportation last year. Evaluate your budget at the beginning of each month to see if it is realistic to your current lifestyle. You have barely used it since you created it This is another common budget mistake you could be making. What is the use of having a budget if you won’t use it? If you barely use the budget after creating it, consider setting a good ol’ reminder for checking your budget. And girl, when that alarm goes off, make sure you check, okay? Join our community of young, ambitious African women to step up your budgeting AND money game!
Managing Employees While Protecting Your Business
Running a business comes with a huge burden of managing people. After all, every business problem they say, is a people problem. The demands of a growing business are burdensome and health draining in some cases where the business owner acts as the finance manager, marketing manager, procurement manager, customer service representative, and so much more. Doing all these and hiring the wrong team members puts you at the risk of losing the business in its entirety. But, when done right, employee management can actually unlock an enormous amount of human potential. Below, we’ll look at some tips on how to set your business up for success. 1. Create functional systems (it’s not as difficult as it sounds). The temptation to micromanage employees can be strong, especially for entrepreneurs who are accustomed to having complete control over all aspects of their business. However, I recommend establishing a set of standards and expectations so that constant supervision is not required. When on boarding and training new employees, your priority should be to halt your input as soon as possible thereby ensuring proper training to help them succeed. That means having clear expectations and channels of communication with people who don’t necessarily need you to function is critical. Set up standard operating procedures for the entire business, beginning with the DOs and Don’ts that form your policy, the expected standard of production and service delivery for each department documented on paper, your mission, vision, and values, your target for the year, month, or quarter, your product description and in-depth value for knowledge selling, and a documented job description. (For example, tell your employees to write down what they do on a daily basis, review them, and add things you want them to do on a daily, monthly, or quarterly basis). The advantage of standard operating procedures is that they allow you to control your service standards, see your business in writing, and make adjustments as things change. 2. Be the type of leader you want to see in your employees Employees look to their leaders for guidance on how to think and act in the workplace. Try to model the behaviours you want to see in your employees and be consistent. Modelling consistency and integrity will earn the respect of your team and show them how they can earn your respect. Your responses to customers, vendors, and employees shape their behaviour, especially when things don’t go as planned. Reacting angrily or inconsistently to customers implies that employees can do the same. Your management approach must be consistent before it can be effective. Employees know when management fails to act consistently or fails to hold themselves to the same standards as their subordinates. Don’t forget, your employees reflect your personality and character. 3. Help your Employees grow The skills that your employees bring to you are merely generic and basic, not streamlined to your business. You owe them training, direction, feedback, and assistance. If they were the best, they just maybe somewhere better. Involving them in the big-picture goals of the company helps them feel like they can grow at your business, no matter how uneducated or inexperienced they are. Don’t be concerned about them leaving after you train; what matters is the quality of service they provide while they are with you. Learn to promote high-performing employees. Keep no one on the same level for too long. Help them see career advancement in your small business and don’t take them for granted. Don’t undervalue what your employees already know about your company and what they can contribute or even do after they leave. 4. Create a workplace culture. Forget the English, Let me explain… When it comes to employee management, developing a strong workplace culture is your best bet for attracting top-quality applicants, retaining great employees, and increasing productivity. It starts with implementing your core values and ensuring compliance. Don’t just pick an employee of the month based on the amount of gossip given to you, or how they are protecting the wrongs of the business. When you present awards, tell all of the employees exactly what the employee did and how it relates to the milestones you want your company to achieve. Make it a habit, and other employees will see how they, too, can make meaningful contributions. Hiding performance metrics because you believe they aren’t paying attention is risky for your business. If there are milestones, let them know, if It’s a difficult time, let them know. Don’t just say it verbally show them evidence. You’re likely to have more committed employees this way. There’s a lot of things you can do: Reimburse people when they spend their money, provide them with tools and resources needed for the job. Buy lunch when you can and sponsor office hours’ activities. These show employees that you don’t just care about the work they do but that you value them. 5. Know the business you’re in charge of Only expertise can win authority. I’ve seen business owners cry because a certain employee took their trade secrets and customers with them. You must understand the business you manage. Be the best hairstylist or nail technician in your store while you have others. This will allow you to review what other stylists have done and retain your customers regardless of what the rest knows. Don’t limit yourself; learn everything, or at least a portion of what you manage, and your employees wouldn’t take you for granted. 6. Protect your business Have you been a victim of your employee leaving with your trade secrets, database, confidentiality information and more? Either converting them for personal use or giving to a competitor? This is a regular situation with small businesses of course MSMEs are not left out but its prevalent with smaller businesses. What can you do? Decentralise your business. Never have one employee take charge of production, operations, finance and customer relations etc. I know you have a slim budget, but you’re safer in the long