From Small Shop to Business Leader: Overcoming Barriers as a Woman Entrepreneur
When Chaquila José Augusto first started her business, she was selling just one loaf of bread per day. Today, she owns multiple shops and employs several people in her community. Learn how gaining new business skills helped her overcome barriers as a woman entrepreneur.
By the time Chaquila José Augusto arrives at her shop in Nampula, Mozambique, a small crowd is already lingering outside. The air is oppressive despite the early hour, but stepping inside offers a brief respite from the heat.
Humble Beginnings as a Woman Entrepreneur
Chaquila opened her first business in 2020. “At the beginning, I would sell just a loaf of bread per day,” she recalled. It was not nearly enough to live off of, and she sometimes questioned if she had made a mistake by starting her own business. But her perseverance paid off, and little by little, she increased her sales. Eventually, she began selling 10 loaves per day and even saved up enough money to open another small shop. But she still had bigger dreams for herself and her business.
In Mozambique, 43% of business owners are women. Women entrepreneurs often face additional barriers in running their businesses. First, women often have more difficulty accessing finance than their male counterparts. Many women don’t own property or assets that can be used as collateral for loans. Financial institutions may also perceive women as higher-risk borrowers, leading to higher interest rates or outright loan denials.
Women also face challenging social and cultural norms. They are often expected to prioritize domestic responsibilities over business endeavors, which limits the time and energy they can invest in their enterprises. Some families do not approve of women engaging in business activities, viewing it as neglecting their household duties or challenging male authority. Women face discrimination or exclusion in business networks and negotiations, making it harder to establish partnerships or secure contracts.
Increasing Economic Opportunity for Women and Youth Through Business Training
In 2023, Chaquila joined a TechnoServe program working with micro and small growing businesses in northern Mozambique. FTF Premier-Oholo (PRO) is a $32.2 million project implemented over five years with collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development ($25.5 million) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation ($6.7 million) for the final 3.5 years.
While Chaquila was excited to join the program, her participation came with its own challenges. “At first, I wanted to drop out because my baby was really small,” Chaquila admitted. “But with the support of my [TechnoServe] business advisor, I was able to attend. My consultant helped me organize my schedule and activities, and my husband supported me with the baby while I was in training. In some workshops, my husband and baby were able to go together.”
TechnoServe designs its programs with gender considerations in mind, aiming to address barriers that might prevent women from participating. For example, by offering flexible schedules to accommodate women’s household and caregiving responsibilities.
Critical Skills to Improve Business Operations
One of Chaquila’s most significant challenges was ensuring she had all the products her customers needed. It was expensive to stock the shop fully, and she often ran out of high-demand products, such as cooking oil, rice, and maize. “If I didn’t have what my customers wanted, they would go to the next market, and I would lose business,” she explained.
Chaquila learned critical skills through FTF Premier-Oholo that helped her improve her business operations. “The biggest thing I’ve learned is to keep records for the business,” she explained. “Having full control of the products—what goes in and what comes out—is very important. And good customer care is also critical. For example, smiling and keeping the customers happy.”
Chaquila now keeps careful records of her inventory so she has what her customers want. She still needs certain products, but she plans to increase her product selection as she saves more money.
Community Support is Critical for Women Entrepreneurs
When asked about her support system, Chaquila shared, “In my case, I have a lot of support from my family, including my husband and sister. She helps me with the baby. I have a very supportive environment, so it’s easier to manage everything.”
With support from her family, Chaquila can now focus on growing her business. “My dream is to open a bigger shop,” she shared. “I’m also planning to start an IT program soon.” Chaquila has increased her income by 34% since joining the PRO program in 2023.
Over five years, the program aims to reach 112,000 people (40% women and 50% young people), create 2,600 new jobs, and increase incomes by an average of 30%.
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