Krishini Panjanadum : ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’ program in the USA

Young and thriving woman entrepreneur Krishini Panjandum was selected by the US Embassy in Mauritius to participate in the ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’ program. Working in the cleaning sector, Krishini will have the opportunity to participate in various workshops and share her experience as woman entrepreneur in four major cities – Washington DC, San Francisco, California and New York. “A lifetime opportunity” – this is how Krishini Panjanadum describes her selection as participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the U.S ‘Women and Entrepreneurship.’ Sent by the U.S Embassy Mauritius to follow a three-week program, the Director of Nickelnet Cleaning shares with News on Sunday readers her expectations. Krishini Panjanadum flew to the U.S at the end of February in the context of the ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’ programme which seeks to equip businesswomen around the world with the tools and opportunities to accelerate the growth of their businesses. For the youngest of the 24 participants of the program, Krishini says that she has been given an opportunity which will beneficial for both her professional and personal background. “The chance given to meet 18 women entrepreneurs around the globe, gathered in the most powerful economy, is more than just beneficial. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"13147","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-21635","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"715","height":"402","alt":"Krishini-with-other-participants"}}]] Director of Nickelnet Cleaning, a company specialised in the cleaning of carpets, rugs, sofas and mattresses, Krishini has begun her programme in Washington D.C. Holder of a Joint Humanities Degree in English and French, Krishini learned about programs empowering women around the world namely through the National Programs for Women Entrepreneurs and Small Business Development and Support for Women’s Empowerment Internationally. She also had an enriching meeting at the U.S Department of State. The woman entrepreneur confides that she has received encouraging messages since she began the program. “In just the span of a week, since the US embassy has published the news of my departure to the United States on their Facebook account, I was extremely surprised how even people with whom, I seldom spoke was excited about this news and even shared it on their wall,” she says.

Goals of the Women and EntrepreneurshipThe program seeks to provide examples of entrepreneurial efforts in the U.S., particularly those initiated by women; to illustrate the essential role of non-governmental and grassroot organisations in supporting and empowering the development of women-owned businesses; to highlight the social, economic, and political factors that influence and encourage the development of private enterprise in the U.S.; observe the effectiveness of the business sector in creating jobs and alleviating poverty worldwide; discuss societal barriers facing entrepreneurs, especially women and other disadvantaged groups, and best practices in overcoming these restrictions; and explore various business models and expose the visitors to support mechanisms and innovations such as micro-lending, multi-level marketing, the use of the Internet, and others.

Krishini’s programme was then followed by workshops on Social Entrepreneurship, Incubators and Accelerators, Women in Technology Entrepreneurship, Financing for Small Business and Entrepreneurial Endeavors in San Francisco, California. On Tuesday 8th March, the young woman entrepreneur presented a best practice, together with three other participants representing Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, on the problems met by women entrepreneur in Sacramento, California. Krishini is currently in Kansas City, Missouri where she is following workshops on Mentorship and Support Networks for Women Business Leaders, among others. Her program will end in New York City where she will look up for University Programs that Support Entrepreneurship Education and Practice. What is Krishini expecting from the whole program? “I am looking forward to speak, share and propose multifaceted entrepreneurial ideas – and listen to the way how each of them has tackled and responded to a particular difficulty, encountered as a woman entrepreneur.” She also believes that the programme will inspire people who are sceptical about creating their own enterprise. “I am sure they would think twice before dropping the idea and would rather be encouraged to bring their project to reality.” Back in Mauritius on 21st March, Krishini plans to share her experience at the local level. “I first plan to share the stories by writing articles on suggestions about how we can follow examples of leaders I came across and work with the YEP, youth employment program or business incubators like the MBGS to encourage youngsters to create their own businesses,” she states.