In a strong move to uplift Nigeria’s women business owners, the Celebrations Cards & Gifts Ltd. has expanded its sustainability-oriented initiative, Project Advance. The program now offers increased support in training, mentorship, and market access to female entrepreneurs across the country.
Empowering Women, Strengthening Enterprises
At its core, Project Advance is built on the idea that when women succeed, communities prosper. Through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and peer-networking opportunities, the initiative equips women-owned startups, but also more established small businesses, to scale with confidence and purpose. Already, over 50 women entrepreneurs have benefitted, more than 70 small enterprises have scaled, and the program has helped create over 100 new jobs.
The initiative doesn’t stop at training. Rather, it extends to giving participants tangible market-access support and strategic mentoring. For instance, businesses in sectors such as food processing, fashion, wellness and agriculture have been included, ensuring the program touches diverse industries.
Why This Matters for Smartpreneurs
For aspiring and current entrepreneurs reading on Smartpreneur, Project Advance shines as a model worth watching. Firstly, it demonstrates how corporate-led initiatives can fill the gap where traditional financing falls short, especially for women. Secondly, it shows that growth hinges on more than money; mentoring and market access matter just as much. Additionally, the success metrics, job creation, sustainability uplift, business scaling, serve as inspirational benchmarks. When participating businesses reported an 85% improvement in sustainability after the program, it underscored how structured support translates into real results.
Related: SMEDAN Unveils ₦20M Pitch Competition for Startups
How to Engage and Benefit from Project Advance
If you’re a woman-led business or thinking of launching one, here are a few actions to take:
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Research Project Advance’s application or entry criteria and prepare your pitch and business story.
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Highlight how your business contributes to sustainability, community impact, or market innovation.
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Leverage any mentorship or networking opportunities offered and follow through with the contacts you make.
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Use the momentum from programs like this to strengthen your visibility, refine your business systems, and plan for scale.
The Bigger Picture of Project Advance
Celebrations Cards & Gifts Ltd. sees Project Advance not just as a CSR initiative but as a long-term pathway to sustainable entrepreneurship. As the company itself noted, the goal is to build legacies of business success that ripple out across communities and generations. For Smartpreneurs, this means your business journey can align not only with profit but also with purpose.
