Coca cola celebrates Sri Lanka’s rising women entrepreneurs
View(s):The Coca Cola led global initiative titled 5by20 programme facilitated locally by Women In Management (WIM) has helped women run successful entrepreneurial ventures in marking women’s day it celebrates the life stories of two such Sri Lankans.
On International Women’s Day, the 5by20 programme celebrated Ereshika Pushpakumari Samarasinghe and Nirmala Nilmini Navaratne, two programme participants who have acquired the skills needed to successfully run their businesses whilst supporting their families, a media release issued by the company stated.
But Ms. Ereshika heard about the 5by20 programme, where she learnt more about basic accounting and financial management; received practical operational skills as well as sales and marketing skills to run her business more profitably, the release said.
Ms. Ereshika diversified her product offering and supplies a variety of retailers in Kandy and she regularly showcases her work at exhibitions. Her business has grown significantly and she now employs six full time seamstresses as well as seven others who sew from their homes.
Commenting on the impact of the programme, Ereshika Pushpakumari Samarasinghe stated, “I am grateful for the knowledge I acquired through the programme and for the connections I made at the workshop. During the different sessions, women facing different hardships all came together to support each other and share their business insights. This programme has added immense value to my professional and personal life and has helped me transform our family business from a stagnant venture, into a thriving and profitable business.”
Ms. Desha Shakthi Nirmala Nilani Nawaraathna lives in Trincomalee and currently works as a branch manager at a rural development bank. She is a busy working mother and career woman who also runs her own guesthouse.
After participating in a 5by20 workshop along with 60 other women, she learned valuable skills such as time management and the importance of personal grooming. She was also able to strengthen her financial management and entrepreneurial skills. One of the insights she received from the 5by20 programme was on balancing her role as a wife, a mother, a full-time bank manager and a business owner.
The lessons learned inspired her to start a small eatery in her guesthouse which helped her to expand and increase her revenue and which also brought in additional business to her guesthouse.
Commenting on the key insights that she took away from the programme, Ms. Nirmala said, “The 5by20 programme taught me how to balance the demands of my life and it also taught me the importance of partnerships in growing a business. By becoming a Coca-Cola retailer, I have been able to take my business to greater heights and increase my daily revenue. Coca-Cola is a refreshing beverage and it draws many patrons to my eatery and guesthouse, especially when the weather is extremely hot. I’m really happy about how this partnership and the lessons I learned at the programme, have helped me to change my life and find success.”