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Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Financing a women-led future
In a development with far-reaching implications for Pakistan, the State Bank of Pakistan has officially adopted the Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Finance Code, an Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiative aimed at closing the gender financing gap. Backed by a USD 500 million financing commitment to the Government of Pakistan, this move holds immense potential to transform the country's economic trajectory by enabling women-led businesses to scale sustainably. The gender finance gap in Pakistan is structural and continues to hamper equitable economic progress. Despite making up nearly half the population, only 14 percent of women have access to formal financial services. Many operate in informal sectors, unbanked and unsupported, with limited protection or opportunity. Conventional lending systems, reliant on collateral, have long ignored the realities of small, often home-based, women-run businesses. A study by PIDE highlights that up to 78 percent of female employment lies in the informal sector. And while women represent around 8 percent of Pakistan's MSMEs, they receive less than 5 percent of formal credit. Yet data, both global and our own, proves what we at Mobilink Bank have always known: women are responsible borrowers. Women-led MSMEs in our portfolio show lower default rates and higher digital engagement, making a strong case for mainstreaming gender finance. Fintech is part of the solution. Platforms like JazzCash are helping bridge the gap, but the digital divide remains real. Women in Pakistan are 38 percent less likely to own a smartphone, a gap rooted in affordability, access, and deep-seated social norms. That directly limits access to digital wallets, mobile banking, and tools that could bring financial inclusion to their fingertips. Still, these challenges are not insurmountable. With community-based, data-driven approaches, we've seen how empathy and innovation unlock extraordinary potential. Mobilink Bank has financed over 79,000 women-led businesses and digitally onboarded thousands more through user-friendly solutions tailored for their needs. But scaling access isn't enough; we must also invest in transformation. That's why we are focusing on building financial literacy and entrepreneurial capability. So far, over 25,000 women across Pakistan have received financial literacy training through Mobilink Bank. We've also launched Pakistan's first women-centric incubator within the microfinance industry to nurture scalable, formal women-led enterprises, marking a critical move toward systemic change. The programme's first cohort graduated 13 high-potential women-led startups, with the second cohort ongoing, incubating 20+ entrepreneurial ventures. Together with JazzCash, we're building both digital and physical pathways to inclusion. Women comprise 32 percent of our 52 million customers, nearly 25 percent of our 8 million active borrowers, and 10 percent of our 400,000+ merchants. We're proud that 25 percent of our 150,000 daily nano-loans serve women customers, showcasing real impact, at scale. It won't be fair to evaluate microfinance solely through the lens of profitability, as its true success lies in its impact on social indicators. For instance, in Pakistan 60 percent of all agricultural lending is facilitated by the microfinance sector, and nearly half of all mortgages in the country are underwritten by it. Through widespread digitization and nano-lending, the industry has created sustainable socioeconomic value. This is despite the fact that our industry is not only significantly younger but also individually smaller than any of the top five banks. Mobilink Bank leads the microfinance industry, holding over 17 percent of total assets and net advances in the sector, valued at Rs. 183 billion and Rs. 79 billion, respectively. We look forward to carrying this momentum onto our engagement with We Finance Code, which offers a strategic framework for Pakistan's financial transformation. It is an opportunity not only to align with global best practices, but also to institutionalize long-overdue change. We must also elevate the narrative. National campaigns spotlighting successful women entrepreneurs, demystifying finance, and challenging prevailing stereotypes are vital to inspiring the next generation of female founders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Forbes
23-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Financial Feminism And Why It's Important For Business Owners
Financial Feminism And Why It's Important For Business Owners Money is power, whether you like it or not. And for too long that power has been out of the hands of women. Financial feminism is a movement that challenges that imbalance and strives for women to have equal access to money, financial literacy, and financial opportunities. Financial feminism is rewriting the rules of money to ensure that women can build profitable businesses that build wealth for them. For business owners, financial feminism isn't just a movement to feel good about, it's a strategy for success. Women entrepreneurs face challenges such as equal access to funding, lower revenue levels in their businesses, and lower business exit values. When we embrace financial feminism, we can break through these barriers and confidently build profitable businesses and create lasting wealth for ourselves and our families. The Gender Wealth Gap in Business Despite being one of the fastest-growing segments of the economy, women-owned businesses still receive less than two percent of venture capital funding. And we're still underearning when it comes to revenue. This is often due to systemic barriers such as the lack of funding, lack of mentorship, and lack of access to high-value networks where major deals and opportunities are made. Financial feminism aims to break down these inequities and encourages women to confidently seek funding, raise their prices, and own their financial power. The more we challenge outdated systems and create ways for women to thrive financially, women can generate wealth for themselves, families, and communities. Why Financial Feminism Matters for Small Business Owners When women can look at business ownership not only to make money but as a way to create lasting wealth and influence, then we have financial control. Here's why it matters: Women are reshaping the business landscape and proving that profit and purpose can coexist powerfully. They are building companies that not only generate wealth but to enforce values like sustainability, equity, and community impact. Financial feminism isn't just about fairness, it's about creating a thriving economy where women succeed, lead, and set new standards for what successful businesses look like. Practical Ways to Practice Financial Feminism as a Business Owner Take the time to understand financial statements, cash flow, and profitability so you can make profitable decisions and confidently grow your business. Apply to women-focused grants, pitch competitions, and venture funds designed to support female entrepreneurs and help close the funding gap. Strengthen the ecosystem by supporting women-owned businesses, hiring women, and mentoring other female entrepreneurs. Treat your business as a financial asset by focusing on increasing its value, creating systems that can run without you, and developing an exit strategy that allows you to sell for long-term wealth. The bottom line is that financial feminism is more than closing gender gaps; it's about taking care of ourselves. With financial literacy skills you can build not just a source of income from your business but a profitable asset that creates long term wealth. When women rise financially, they transform future generations.
SBS Australia
16-06-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
One of Australia's first Indigenous models behind modern day women's business event
Pauline Lampton, centre, at the Black, Bold and Beautiful event, which champions female First Nations entrepreneurs and fashion. Credit: Aunty Sandra King is a trailblazer in First Nations modelling and fashion. In the 1970s the proud Quandamooka and Bundjalung woman became one of Australia's first Aboriginal fashion models and was booked extensively for editorial fashion articles and parades, as well as numerous clothing and manufacturing businesses. After her modelling career, Aunty Sandra moved behind the scenes directing, managing and presenting Indigenous events, fashion parades, modelling training and community programs. In 2009 Aunty Sandra founded Black, Bold and Beautiful, with a vision of creating a space where Aboriginal women could be seen, celebrated, and supported. 'BBB is the grounds for our women, the modern era of women's business,' Aunty Sandra said. 'It's about showing our young women what's possible and reminding the world of the strength and beauty in our culture.' Over the years the gala has evolved into more than just a fashion event, which this year was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, earlier this month. It showcases the work of First Nations designers and entrepreneurs, highlighting businesses from across Queensland led by women. The annual luncheon has become a cornerstone of the celebration, offering a space to honour the vital roles Aboriginal women play in their communities, as leaders, creatives, business owners and changemakers. It's also a chance for attendees to connect with and support Indigenous-run businesses, many of which are forging new paths in fashion, arts, health, education and more. 'The industry is changing very slowly, but when I started, there wasn't many Aboriginal models and to do full time, it was unheard of,' Aunty Sandra said. 'Now we see it. We see a lot more Aboriginal models, and we see a lot more events happening now, which is great. "I'm hitting 70 next year, so I don't know which way I'm going, but I won't be retiring." Interviews and feature reports from NITV. A mob-made podcast about all things Blak life. The Point: Referendum Road Trip Live weekly on Tuesday at 7.30pm Join Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke to get unique Indigenous perspectives and cutting-edge analysis on the road to the referendum. Watch now
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
In The Rush To Scale AI, Are We Listening To Entrepreneurs?
Photo shows the letters AI for Artificial Intelligence on a laptop screen AFP via Getty Images Artificial intelligence is reshaping our economy at a remarkable pace—optimizing operations, transforming industries, and opening new frontiers for innovation. As policymakers and business leaders explore how to integrate AI across sectors, one vital question deserves more attention: How do we ensure small business support evolves with empathy, not just efficiency? When Access Doesn't Equal Impact For the millions of small and entrepreneurs driving local economies across the country, success rarely comes down to a single metric or model. Entrepreneurs—especially those navigating structural barriers—often require not just tools, but trust. Over the past five years, digital coaching platforms and AI-powered business assessments have become more common. But many have struggled to maintain deep, lasting engagement with users. Research from the Kauffman Foundation highlights the challenge. Entrepreneurs frequently disengage from support tools that don't reflect their lived realities or build meaningful connections. Accessibility, it turns out, doesn't automatically lead to impact. Why This Moment Matters This conversation is especially timely as the federal government proposes significant shifts in how entrepreneurial support is funded. The FY2026 budget recommends eliminating $167 million in technical assistance programs at the U.S. Small Business Administration, including the Women's Business Centers, SCORE. These programs have long delivered personalized, human-centered support—something no algorithm can fully replace. Still, the answer isn't to reject AI. It's to ensure that digital innovation works in tandem with human insight. A Case for Human-Centered Design One promising approach is emerging from a recent study by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO ). AEO's Business Health Assessment (BHA), piloted in 2024, used both traditional metrics (like cash flow) and personal indicators (like entrepreneurial mindset and stress levels) to create a more holistic and actionable picture of business health. When paired with coaching, the BHA became more than a diagnostic—it became a bridge to deeper, more effective support. The Future of AI in Small Business and Entrepreneurial Support The lesson is clear: technology can enhance, not replace, the human element. AI offers enormous potential to personalize, prioritize, and scale support. But its impact depends on how thoughtfully it's designed and deployed—especially for entrepreneurs who don't have the time or resources to navigate systems that weren't built with them in mind. As AI continues to influence the future of small business support, the path forward lies in balance. We need tools that are intelligent and intuitive—but also flexible and empathetic. We need funding that embraces innovation—while preserving the relationships that help entrepreneurs thrive. And above all, we need to design systems that recognize entrepreneurship as both a data-driven endeavor and a deeply human one. AI is not the enemy of small business. But it must be shaped by the voices of those it aims to serve. Because behind every business model is a human story—and behind every algorithmic insight, there should be a listening ear.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Continues its Mission of Empowering Entrepreneurs Through "The Confidence Project"
BOTOX® Cosmetic Will Provide 250 Entrepreneurs with Access to New Resources and Opportunities and Will Award 20 Grants Worth $20,000 Each to Support Business Goals. By 2030, BOTOX® Cosmetic Pledges to Empower 50,000 Entrepreneurs, Helping to Close the Confidence Gap. IRVINE, Calif., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company (NYSE: ABBV), today announced BOTOX® Cosmetic's continued commitment to closing the Confidence Gap with the introduction of The Confidence Project: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs. The one & only BOTOX® Cosmetic invites business owners to apply for this year's program starting today through May 9, 2025, at 11:59pm PT. Women entrepreneurs continue to break barriers in the business world, with increasing efforts to close the Confidence Gap. When women founders are supported by mentors and have access to capital, they become agents of change. Seventy-one percent of businesswomen said their mentor was influential in their career advancement, with many using their income to uplift their families and community.1 Since 2023, BOTOX® Cosmetic has provided a total of $1 million dollars in grant funding across more than 40 founders, along with coaching and networking opportunities. This year, BOTOX® Cosmetic is expanding to reach more founders by providing 250 entrepreneurs with access to The Confidence Project. Through a partnership with Hello Alice, an online platform that helps businesses launch and grow, each of the 250 entrepreneurs will participate in an intensive "Boostcamp" program, which will provide participants with skill-building, mentorship resources, and exclusive networking opportunities. After completing the course, they will leverage their newfound skills to pitch their business to a panel of aesthetic entrepreneurs, as well as key business leaders from Allergan Aesthetics and Hello Alice, for a chance to receive one of 20 $20,000 grants from BOTOX® Cosmetic. "BOTOX® Cosmetic is committed to being a catalyst for confidence, whether that be by pursuing education, aesthetic treatment, or your entrepreneurial goals. Through The Confidence Project, we pledge to continue to uplift founders who've invested so much in their businesses," said Nicole Katz, Vice President, Customer Engagement and Corporate Affairs at Allergan Aesthetics. "We know when women have access to resources and capital, there's no limit to what they can achieve. We look forward to getting to know this year's cohort of founders and how they found the confidence to pursue their dreams." "Our mission at Hello Alice is to help entrepreneurs access the funding, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed. BOTOX® Cosmetic's The Confidence Project provides a powerful opportunity for women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and create lasting change," said Elizabeth Gore, Co-Founder and President of Hello Alice. "Our partnership with BOTOX® Cosmetic aims to foster long-term growth, confidence, and leadership for future generations of women in business, by investing in their success today." Business owners and their cofounders interested in applying to The Confidence Project are encouraged to visit Applicants must agree to the official rules of the grant program and submissions must be received by May 9, 2025, at 11:59pm PT. The 250 women entrepreneurs selected to participate in the Hello Alice Boostcamp will be announced in July, and the 20 grant recipients will be announced in October 2025. For more information on The Confidence Project, visit and follow @botoxcosmetic on Instagram and YouTube. About Allergan Aesthetics At Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, we develop, manufacture, and market a portfolio of leading aesthetics brands and products. Our aesthetics portfolio includes facial injectables, body contouring, plastics, skin care, and more. Our goal is to consistently provide our customers with innovation, education, exceptional service, and a commitment to excellence, all with a personal touch. For more information, visit About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. Approved Uses BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to temporarily improve the look of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow's feet lines, frown lines between the eyebrows, and vertical bands connecting the jaw and neck (platysma bands) in adults. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic: Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, which can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are preexisting before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months. Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms, including loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, and trouble swallowing. BOTOX® Cosmetic dosing units are not the same as, or comparable to, any other botulinum toxin product. There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines, crow's feet lines, forehead lines, and/or platysma bands. BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours to weeks of receiving BOTOX® Cosmetic. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions have been reported, including itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint. Get medical help right away if you are wheezing or have asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint. Do not receive BOTOX® Cosmetic if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs), Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm), or Letybo (letibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg); or have a skin infection at the planned injection site. This list may not include all available botulinum toxin products. Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions, such as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects, including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing, from standard doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including surgery or plans to have surgery on your face, trouble raising your eyebrows, drooping eyelids, any other abnormal facial change, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby), or are breastfeeding or plan to (it is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk). Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using BOTOX® Cosmetic with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX® Cosmetic in the past. Tell your doctor if you have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months; have received injections of botulinum toxin such as Myobloc, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, Daxxify, or Letybo in the past (tell your doctor exactly which product you received); have recently received an antibiotic by injection; take muscle relaxants; take an allergy or cold medicine; take a sleep medicine; or take aspirin-like products or blood thinners. Other side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic include dry mouth; discomfort or pain at the injection site; tiredness; headache; neck pain; and eye problems, including double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids and eyebrows, swelling of eyelids, and dry eyes. For more information, refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor. To report a side effect, please call Allergan Aesthetics at 1-800-678-1605. Please see BOTOX® Cosmetic full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide. References: Barbara Kurshan. Purpose-Driven Women: Unleash Your Potential Through Mentorship. 2023 © 2025 AbbVie. All rights reserved. BOTOX Cosmetic and its designs are trademarks of Allergan Holdings France SAS, an AbbVie company, or its affiliates. Contacts: Investors: Liz Shea (847) 935-2211 Media: Ember Garrett (714) 246-3525 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE AbbVie
