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SHENi – Empowering Women-led SMEs – Kano

In today’s digital age, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a tough time creating content that resonates with their target audience. They lack the specialized skills needed to craft compelling content. As a result, they often find themselves struggling in the competitive digital ecosystem, where captivating content is key to capturing attention and driving engagement. As the challenges of content creation persist for SMEs, it becomes increasingly evident that innovative solutions are needed to level up their playing field. From February 24th to 26th, 2024, the SHENi workshop unfolded. Led by Salamatu Adamu, CEO of Sals Epiphany Studio, in collaboration with Startup Kano and others, this project aimed to empower women-led small businesses with crucial skills of visual presentation, product photography, and effective content creation. “SHENi” symbolizes the project’s essence, representing the ‘She Commerce Nigeria Initiative.’ Before jumping into the SHENi workshop, let’s grasp some of the significance of visual presentation, product photography, and effective content creation. Visual Presentation: First Impressions: Visual elements are often the first things potential customers notice. A well-crafted visual presentation can create a positive and memorable first impression. Brand Identity: Consistent visual presentation reinforces brand identity. It helps customers recognize and remember a brand amidst the vast array of options. Communication: Visuals can convey complex messages quickly and effectively, making it easier for the audience to understand the essence of a product or service. Product Photography: Showcasing Products: High-quality product photography allows businesses to showcase their offerings in the best light, providing customers with a clear view of what they can expect. Building Trust: Professional product photos instill confidence in potential buyers. When customers can see products clearly, they are more likely to trust the business and make a purchase. Elevating Brand Perception: Exceptional product photography contributes to the overall perception of a brand. It reflects a commitment to quality and attention to detail. Effective Content Creation: Engagement: Content that is well-crafted and engaging captures the audience’s attention and encourages them to spend more time interacting with a brand. Educating Consumers: Content can serve as a valuable tool for educating consumers about products or services. It helps in highlighting unique selling points and features. SEO and Visibility: Search engines favor high-quality, relevant content. Effective content creation can improve a website’s search engine ranking, leading to increased visibility and Traffic Mastering these skills is vital for businesses, shaping how they present themselves and connect with their audience. The three-day workshop was full of insightful discussions and practical learning experiences. Day 1 focused on the general concept of branding, where participants delved into understanding brand identity, values, and storytelling, with hands-on exercises using Canva to create visual elements.             Day 2 explored the art and science of photography, covering various techniques and principles to capture compelling images.                 Day 3  Day was all about product photography, providing participants with the skills to showcase products effectively through photography. Below are the shots made by the beneficiaries.        It was truly a wonderful experience, full of interactions and opportunities for creative exploration SHENi Seminar The three-day workshop was followed by a seminar on the 27th of February. Invited among the SHENi Seminar guests were Maryam Abbas A, Bichi arpa, an expert Digital Marketer. She gave insights about Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, and Ecommerce Marketing. Maryam is famous as ‘Hausa Social Media Coach.’ Aside from just the expert business insights, she reflected a deep passion to help businesses excel and see the community prosper and grow. Not least, Nasir Muhammad, an experienced creative designer and the Founder of design studio M. Naseer, also beamed at SHENi Seminar. He shared lots of creative tips for the digital space.                Salamatu didn’t stop at just organizing a 3-day workshop and seminar. She went further and created something even bigger: The Epiphany Magic Book, the first handbook of its kind in Africa. This book covers everything small businesses need to know about showcasing their products and taking great pictures. It’s a big deal because with the Epiphany Magic Book, small businesses can improve their online presence without relying on outside help. They can make their products look amazing and draw in more customers. Buy Now Expressing her feelings about all the support she got, Salamatu exclaimed, “I’m really happy about the partners that I have for this project; shoutout to Northino, Startup Kano, e-Health, Impact Ventures, and Anatomia Limited”. Looking ahead, it’s exciting to announce that the workshop will also take place in Abuja on the 2nd-5th of May 2024, offering even more SMEs the opportunity to enhance their digital presence and achieve success in their businesses. Join The Waitlist Click here to watch the SHENi video (Kano Cohort)

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The Month of March in Startup Kano

March has been nothing short of extraordinary, marked by exciting activities, initiatives, and partnerships. As we turn the page on another month, let’s pause and reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve embarked on throughout March and, of course, what lies ahead in the next quarter. Supporting Founders: Startup Kano Teams Up with ALX Nigeria New Month, New Partnerships, New Opportunities! On March 1st, 2024, Startup Kano partnered with ALX Nigeria to help founders grow their businesses. ALX Nigeria is known for helping entrepreneurs and fostering new ideas. Together, Startup Kano and ALX Nigeria want to give entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed… view NSA Engagement: Pioneering Government Support for Start-ups March 13th, 2024, came with an unforgettable event. Startup Kano participated in a groundbreaking engagement with the NSA (National Startup Act) initiative. The NSA aims to guide states in transitioning from traditional economies to vibrant digital economies, fostering innovation and growth. Represented by HR Manager Yomi Sani and Hub/Community Manager Aydah Isah, our team contributed insights to the discussion. Under the theme “Government and Start-ups: A New Era,” the discussion went deep into pivotal questions shaping the landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Bētá Nigeria Education Roundtable On March 23rd, 2024, Startup Kano had the honor of participating in the Bētá Nigeria Education Roundtable. As the name suggests, of course, it’s for a better Nigeria. This campaign is a powerful initiative aimed at elevating education as a top priority for all citizens of Nigeria. Led by a coalition comprising civil society, media, and citizens, the roundtable seeks to ignite a nationwide conversation on education reform and advocate for improved education outcomes… Read more Emotional Intelligence Master Class On March 28th, 2024, Startup Kano, in collaboration with The Northern Therapist, hosted an Emotional Intelligence Masterclass. The event, led by expert therapists, aimed to empower attendees with invaluable knowledge and guidance to enhance their emotional intelligence. What made this masterclass truly exceptional? The best part was that it was completely free of charge! In a world where access to expert-led sessions often comes with a hefty price tag, this opportunity was indeed rare and remarkable… Read more Save the Dates for Exciting Events Ahead! Get ready to mark your calendars because we’ve got some fantastic events lined up! Engaging discussions aor hands-on workshops, there’s definitely something for everyone. So, grab your planner and make sure you don’t miss out on these upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. Here’s what’s coming up in the next quater: May 11, 2024 (Thursday): A Day with a Mentor May 13, 2024 (Saturday): UNDP Innovation & Creativity Stakeholders Engagement June 14, 2024 (Friday): Restart Acceleration June 22, 2024 (Saturday): Figma Config Save the dates and get ready for an exciting journey ahead!

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Mastering Emotional Intelligence: Insights from The Northern Therapists and Startup Kano Master Class

Understanding emotions is crucial for navigating our day-to-day life activities. They influence how we perceive and interact with the world around us. Whether it’s joy, sadness, anger, or fear, emotions shape our thoughts, decisions, and relationships. This goes to show us that Learning to recognize and manage our emotions not only enhances our well-being but also empowers us to communicate effectively, handle stress, and cultivate meaningful connections with others. In essence, mastering our emotions is key to living a fulfilling and balanced life. On March 28th, 2024, Startup Kano and The Northern Therapists hosted a transformative master class focusing on emotional intelligence. Attendees were guided through a series of enlightening strategies and techniques aimed at utilizing emotions to enhance personal well-being and nurture meaningful connections with others. Key areas include:  Understanding Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence, as emphasized by Maryam Hassan Baba, founder of The Northern Therapist, is the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions effectively, ultimately leading to improved communication and stress management. Participants were encouraged to go deep into their emotional landscapes, identifying triggers for anger and exploring whether anger serves as a friend or an enemy in their lives. Daily Strategies for Emotional Mastery A highlight of the session was the presentation of 21 daily strategies designed to cultivate emotional resilience. From deep breathing exercises to journaling and problem-solving techniques, attendees were equipped with diverse strategies to navigate the complexities of their emotions and take care of themselves in every way. The Power of Self-Awareness At the heart of the master class was the concept of self-awareness – the understanding of one’s character, motives, desires, and feelings. Practical tips on building and increasing self-awareness were shared with the participants in order to deepen their understanding of themselves and others. Maryam also discussed how stress is an aspect of modern life. She explained ways to manage stress, and warned against using harmful coping methods like smoking or drinking, which can make stress worse. Calmness Amidst Provocation A key takeaway from the master class was the importance of maintaining calmness in provoking situations. Participants were introduced to qualities such as mindfulness, patience, and optimism as essential components of emotional resilience. Practical strategies empowered everyone in the class to navigate conflicts with grace and composure. Harnessing the Power of Breath Breathing therapy emerged as a potent tool for stress relief and emotional regulation. The class concluded with learning how breathing techniques can swiftly calm the mind and body, promoting relaxation and clarity amidst life’s challenges. The Emotional Intelligence Master Class was a resounding success, leaving everyone that attended inspired and equipped with practical strategies to enhance their well-being. As participants departed with newfound insights and tools, the ripple effects of emotional mastery promised to enrich not only their individual lives but also their interactions within their communities and beyond.

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