How technology is an enabler for growth

Typically new mothers learn about parenting from their own mothers and mothers in law. This is how it worked… until the internet and social media arrived on the scene. Welcome innovation to the space of parenting… an online community to connect mothers.

This was how it all started
The year was 2011, the idea was called LagosMums. Hindsight is always 20/20 and when certain options are widely available, it is almost difficult to imagine life prior to this. Nowadays, there are several online platforms connecting mothers and new ones will continue to spring up. As a new mother who was embracing the internet as a source of information, I recognised the gap. Minimal information online for a parent in Lagos, Nigeria. LagosMums was created as the first online blog for parents to connect.

Over the years, it has become apparent that in addition to all the advice we get from the people we know directly, there is something very strong about having an online community. There is a bond you form with other people who are going through the same time or have gone through the path you are on. Parenting is one of these journeys that is better together. A non-judgemental zone to ask questions, get advise and to realise that you are not alone.

This is one of the most classic cases of how technology can be an enabler for growth.
Motherhood and parenting is a journey and as things change faster than we can imagine in the digital world, the online platforms allow us to quickly ask a question from another parent or expert at any time of the day and on almost any topic. “The African proverb says It takes a village to raise a child, I say in addition it takes an e-village to raise a child today.” –

Yetty Williams, Founder and CEO LagosMums
From motherhood to a digital media marketing consultant
After almost 10 years and counting of bringing motherhood and technology together, I have learnt that motherhood is complex and a woman has many hats that she wears. When it comes to being all we can be as women, there is nothing like having the right network, information and support to help you achieve your goals and dreams. In addition to being a parent, many women own their own businesses either as a full-time entrepreneur or as a side hustle. I have to say that Nigerian women are exceptionally hard-working women and the majority of the mothers I have met are either working in a job with a side hustle, or they are entrepreneurs.

One of the gaps I consistently identified was that too many women were not leveraging technology as an enabler for their business growth. With over ten years in the digital media industry and running a company and brand based on technology to grow and connect with thousands across the globe; I have learnt that it works. As a result, I offer consultancy services for women business owners on how to use digital media and technology to optimize their business.

One of the hidden truths is that when a woman learns how to work smarter not just harder, and has time for her diverse interests and feels fulfilled; then she can be the best mother and wife for her family.

From a dream to a POWER initiative
I created the Lagosmums Academy for entrepreneurs a few years ago to give women in the LagosMums community the opportunity to get trained in using digital skills to grow their business. The feedback and testimonials from these sessions are always amazing and open up women to what is possible when they use digital tools for their business.

One of my true beliefs is that, when you have an idea, start and implement it because you have no idea where it could lead you.

This is the case with the POWER initiative.
We are pleased to announce the Technology as an Enabler for Growth program. It is in partnership with LagosMums, the Department of State’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs’ Providing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Rise (POWER) Initiative and the U.S. Consulate Lagos. The program will work with leading technology companies, such as Google, to focus on the use of technology as an enabler to scale and grow women-owned businesses.

POWER supports the goals of the U.S. government’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP) which was launched in February 2019. The W-GDP is the first whole-of-government approach to global women’s economic empowerment, and includes three pillars: Women Prospering in the Workforce, Women Succeeding as Entrepreneurs, and Women Enabled in the Economy.

The program will select 100 female entrepreneurs in Lagos, Nigeria to scale their businesses through the LagosMums Academy. The goal is to take these female entrepreneurs through a series of training and workshops. They will identify and implement technology as an enabler to further optimize, scale and grow their businesses locally and globally.

“We are thrilled to partner with LagosMums through the U.S. Consulate in Lagos on the Technology as an Enabler for Growth program. We recognize it’s smart economic policy to ensure that women can fully participate in the formal economy, and we strive to do that through the Bureau’s POWER initiative.” Beeta Ehdaie, PhD, Senior Advisor on Women’s Economic Empowerment and POWER Initiative Administrator, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

“We’re glad to be supporting the LagosMums academy for entrepreneurs through the POWER initiative. Small businesses are the lifeline of many African countries, including Nigeria. Beyond contributing to the country’s GDP, they provide jobs and a means of livelihood to many young people. Through this platform, we will be able to provide much-needed training to help these entrepreneurs develop the skill they need; to take advantage of ours and other online tools to connect, grow and build wealth.” Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, Head of Brand and Reputation, Sub-saharan Africa at Google

Call for entries will commence on September 1, 2020. All women-owned businesses, who fit the criteria can apply for a chance to be selected as one of the 100 participants. For more information on the criteria for entry visit Lagosmums.com/POWER