It was all glitz and excitement as Rite Foods, a beverage and food company hosted their first ever ‘Food, Drinks and Her Fair’ to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day creating a platform for women to interact, network and do business in a fun filled environment.
The event which held last weekend at Oriental Hotel Lagos attracted People from different ‘walks of life’ especially upcoming female entrepreneurs to the main ball room of the hotel to learn from the panel discussants, Network, exhibit their services, foods and drinks to the admiration of the would be customers who were allowed free sampling in the hope that they would patronize them.
Speaking at the Event, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director Rite Foods regretted that many societies still do not appreciate women despite their positive impact in a society. “It cannot be over emphasized that what women teach has a positive impact on the society, country and future generations”.
“As a food and beverage company, it was natural that our thoughts gravitated towards the idea of recognizing, celebrating and ultimately empowering female, food and drinks entrepreneurs by providing a platform where they can showcase entrepreneurial spirit, network among themselves for positive alignments for future success and most importantly have fun while doing that” stated the Firm’s MD.
“This event is the company’s way of celebrating the International Women’s Day, and bringing to the front burner the importance of gender parity in the workplace and empowering women in business”, noted Mr. Adegunwa.
The MD who was visibly excited, acknowledged that the hall was filled with a fine mix of established names and fast rising female entrepreneurs all set and ready to unleash, “We do hope that dreams come true for all of you. I am certain, many here will get new information for the next step in their business”.
In all, 35 food and drink vendors got the opportunity to exhibit their products at the Fair. Speaking with Seleem Adegunwa, he explained that about 500 vendors applied but 35 vendors who applied first were chosen.
The well attended event which started in the morning and ended in the evening had two sessions. In both sessions, panel of successful women were on hand to discuss major challenges facing women entrepreneurs. Money was identified as a huge challenge facing upcoming female entrepreneurs.
In the morning Session the Panelists agreed that it was better to raise money from friends and family than getting loan from a bank especially for someone that was just starting a business. “Getting a loan from bank will put so much pressure on the person. I will advise you save for that project. Deny yourself of a lot, make sacrifice, do any job even if it menial and towards advised Mosunmola Akinwamide, Chief Executive Officer, IPC Events.
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