Fempreneurs is an online platform for women in business – but it is so much more than a marketplace.
Mum, wife and business owner Meg Enerson is nothing if not passionate. Although she works hard at a full-time job – and juggling everything that comes with it – her side-hustle is what really drives her.
A year ago, one of Meg’s friends was struggling to start her own business selling party boxes. “She felt completely overwhelmed,” explains Meg. “There is so much that goes into a new business, and she had no idea what to do.” After some research, Meg realised that there was a need for a platform to help women overcome the obstacles that are so often experienced when starting a business. Together with co-founders Lauren Lister, Julia Clark and Mandy Bircher, she began work on the concept, one that is “driven by doing good, not profits”.
Meg describes Fempreneurs as an ecosystem that women can use to access the resources and support they need to launch and run their business. The team has grown to include a dynamic group of coaches, each of whom is an expert in their field. Fempreneur members can learn skills and receive guidance from these coaches – from legal and accounting, to social media and brand strategy.
For now, the platform serves as an online marketplace community for female-owned small businesses, and provides a choice of listings or stores. Meg and her team have some exciting plans for the future, including a chat room for fempreneurs and coaches, a recruitment portal, a space to promote charities and other worthwhile initiatives (for free), and the opportunity for collaborations and partnerships.
The Fempreneurs platform has already attracted a diverse range of female-run businesses, including content creators, artists, lawyers, and skincare and accessory brands. Some of the businesses that have signed up include Thandanda Bag Co, NutriVita, TW Skin, Jane Linley-Thomas, Shumba Bags, ShanFourie.co.za, Leigh Bisset Creative, S Danka Inc. and Shesha-Lawza.
THE FEMPRENEURS
Meet some of the women who have already joined the platform.
Details: www.fempreneurs.co.za, IG: fempreneurs.sa and fempreneurs.shop
