WRITING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN: 8 QUESTIONS THAT PREPARE YOU TO WRITE A MISSION STATEMENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Mission statements come in all shapes and sizes, each reflecting the nature of the company it represents. 

Some mission statements include definitions of company values, what the companies do, or descriptions of the customers the companies plan to serve. 

The 8 questions that you need to answer when writing a mission statement for your business are: 

1. What exactly do we do? 

2. What products and services do we offer? 

3. Who is our ideal customer? 

4. What customer needs do we meet, and what benefits do we provide? 

5. What markets and geographic areas do we serve? 

6. What sets us apart from our competition? 

7. What’s the best thing a satisfied customer can say about us? 

8. What gets us most excited about the company’s future? 

After answering basic questions about your business and evaluating how your answers relate to one another, you’re ready to transform your ideas into a mission statement. 

Remember that:

 As you describe who you are, what you do, and what sets you apart, try to make your mission statement as short and sweet as possible. 

 Use plain language so that your mission statement can be understood by everyone. 

 Make your mission statement very specific with messaging that has a strong sense of conviction and commitment.

 Stick to simple, straightforward explanations. 

AVAILABLE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KENYA

Here is a list of open funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Kenya.

1.   United States Africa Development Foundation

Deadline: 25/02/2022

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF), in partnership with the Stanbic Kenya Foundation (SKF), invites applications from small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and producer groups for grant financing and local support to help them address gaps in their internal systems and capabilities to 100% meet investment requirements by commercial investors.

Applications will only be accepted from registered private entities operating in Kenya.

Maximum Award US $50,000

For more information, visit https://www.usadf.gov/apply

 

2.   Right Sharing of World Resources - Kenya 

Deadline: Cycle of May 31 & November 30

RSWR is a Quaker organization supported primarily by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the United States. RSWR has two main goals: 1) Provide grants for women in the developing world to begin small income-generating businesses so that they may help themselves and their families out of poverty. 2) Help Quakers in the United States learn about the negative effects of poverty in the developing world and the negative effects of materialism in North America. 

RSWR focuses its funding in Kenya in the districts of: 1. Siaya County, 2. Kisumu County, 3. Homa Bay County, 4. Migori County. 5. Kisii County. 6. Nyamira County, 7. Vihiga County, 8. Kakamega County, 9. Bungoma County, 10. Busia County, 11. Nandi County, 12. Trans Nzoi County, 13. Uasin-Gishu County. 

Up to US $5,500 for a one year project. Each group may receive only one grant. 

For more information, visit  https://rswr.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20for%20Proposals%20-%20KENYA-new%20criteria%20(1).pdf

 

3.   AFDB: Transitioning Women Entrepreneurs from the Informal to the Formal Economy

Deadline: 25/02/2022

The African Development Bank (The Bank) plays a catalytic role in accelerating efforts to address gender inequality and drive inclusive economic transformation for women across Africa through mainstreaming gender in its operations and implementing targeted initiatives dedicated to African women. To further push forward the agenda of gender equality and women’s empowerment across the continent, the Bank is also investing in targeted initiatives through specific projects specifically designed to impact women such as the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), a flagship initiative that specifically focuses on increasing inclusive finance for women entrepreneurs on the continent. AFAWA’s primary objective is to bridge the $42 billion finance gap for women entepreneurs in Africa and to unlock their entrepreneurial capacity and full potential.

For more information, visit https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/call-proposals-transitioning-women-entrepreneurs-informal-formal-economy