Thinkinc. Partners with WorldChicago to Host Workshop for 30 African Women Entrepreneurs
WorldChicago, a non-profit organization that provides the local community with a unique opportunities to build business relationships and lasting friendships with visitors from around the world, selected Thinkinc. to host and lead a business planning workshop for a group of 30 African Women Entrepreneurs. This delegation was invited to Chicago through the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State. Alumni of this highly-selective program include 35 current and 300 former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government. As such, meetings with IVLP participants are concrete opportunities to participate directly in international diplomacy and impact the global dialogue on a variety of pressing issues.
This particular program of African Women Entrepreneurs focused on economic empowerment as a means of social change. The women worked across three sectors: Agriculture, Home Decor and Fashion/Textiles, and Thinkinc.’s workshop was designed to assist the participants in future business planning, identifying opportunities and challenges, and mapping out next steps for marketing and growing their businesses.
The workshop began with a panel discussion in which Laurie R. Glenn, President & CEO of ThinkInc., engaged three Chicago entrepreneurs, David Marienthal, Grace Rink and Laurie Roberts in a conversation focusing on their individual experiences growing their businesses. After the panel discussion, participants broke into four small working groups to work on their own business plans. Finally, the group reconvened to report out results and next steps for their businesses.
Chicago was the final city of their 3-week stay in the US, and this workshop was held on the morning of Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at the Sofitel Hotel Chicago.
