Building Business Brilliance in Liberia
Rachel B. Williams (in photo), founder of R Fashion.
GoLocal is a Liberian social impact agro-venture that amplifies the participation of women and youth in economic activities, fostering opportunities through speed mentoring, pitch competitions, and entrepreneurial fairs. The Giving Joy grant significantly contributed to the socio-economic empowerment of 55 women and girls, enabling them to initiate, launch, and successfully manage new and existing businesses in Monrovia.
GoLocal provided tailored mentorship and coaching through its business clinic, designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills. Activities included business ideation sessions covering idea generation, financing, marketing strategies, business planning, financial management, customer segmentation, resource mobilization, customer relations, recordkeeping, and leadership skills.
The program’s impact was profound, boosting confidence and sharpening business skills. For instance, Rachel B. Williams (in photo below) , founder of R Fashion, received a new sewing machine from GoLocal, enabling her to work from home and mentor others. Rachel shared, “Prior to joining the program, I worked at a tailor shop where I was not earning anything because I was just a student seamstress.” With the sewing machine, Rachel now sews independently, earns revenue, continues her apprenticeship, saves to open her own shop, and plans to hire young women like herself. Additionally, GoLocal extended $150 micro-loans with very low interest to Rachel and three other exceptional entrepreneurs to further enhance their businesses.
This is GoLocal’s first grant, and since receiving it, their brand recognition has increased from 5% to 35% in local and international donor networks. As a result, GoLocal signed a contract with a Canadian business to conduct business development training. GoLocal also won the Mercy Corps Market Facility Fund, receiving $14,000 to help them purchase processing machines, raw materials, marketing and promotion, shipment, and custom clearances for GoLocal’s farina cereal. Sales of cereal increased by 10% over five months, generating revenue for additional business training for local entrepreneurs.
David K. Sinatue, Founder and CEO, stated, “The Giving Joy grant has taught us the transformational power of even modest donations, illustrating how $500 can significantly amplify our efforts to create social impact. This funding has enabled us to strengthen partnerships and networks, enhancing our capacity to generate meaningful change.”
This is an inspiring example of the ripple effect of the Giving Joy grant, benefiting individual women, the organization, and the entire community. We are proud to support and work alongside such an incredible organization, making real change in Liberia.