Branding & Business Plans

Mathare Cohort 1 is beginning the final stages of the YE program. The focus of this week's lesson was "Branding Yourself." The girls spent some time sharing their favorite commercials and why they liked them. They then compared advertising to branding and discussed how they wanted to represent themselves personally and professionally.

After break, the girls learned how to create a Curriculum Vitae (CV). They were taught what information they should include about themselves—such as their objectives, skills, experiences and references—as well as how to keep the document neat and focused. The importance of making a good first impression was stressed.

The class utilized drama to role play how to find a job followed by a lecture on networking. Lastly, the girls reviewed the due dates and requirements for their business plans. They need to turn everything in to be judged within the next 2 weeks!

After class, a social mentor from Microsave stopped by to talk to the girls about opening a bank account. Microsave partners with K-Rep Bank and Public Council to help minors set up savings. Each YE Cohort will open a group account monitored by a social mentor. In addition, each girl must cosign on the account with a financial mentor—an adult they trust to help them manage their money. Once they turn in the signed application next week, they'll be ready to start saving.

After a few rousing ice breakers, Kawangware Cohort 2 reviewed the "4 Ps" they learned last week—product, price, promotion and place. They then moved on to their lesson for the day, "Planning & Starting Up Your Experiential Business." Throughout the course of the afternoon, they talked through everything from the means of production to calculating start-up costs.

At the end of the day, they received their "My Business Plan" packets. These are the forms they will use to outline their business idea. The must include their business name, the nature of their business and their marketing plan—complete with the demographics of their target customer and their business tactics. In addition, there are spaces for them review their competitors' strengths and weaknesses. They will also write out organizational, production, risk management and financial plans. Once they finish, they will be ready to begin their experiential businesses!