HANOI, VIETNAM — CARE, in partnership with Mastercard, re-imagines outdoor umbrellas, an item that every business uses, to spotlight success stories of female entrepreneurs for inspiration.
The Umbrellas of Pride rethinks the way umbrellas are used. In contrast to regular umbrellas that bring shade, the Umbrellas of Pride brings to light two important things: the successes of female leaders and entrepreneurs, and the support that the CARE Ignite program can provide.
In Vietnam, 27% of all businesses are owned by women, as reported by the Mastercard Index Women Entrepreneurs of 2019. The number comes with a striking insight: the index found relatively high rates of “fear of failure” among female entrepreneurs in Vietnam, pointing to the existence of potential underlying vulnerabilities that may be preventing progress—vulnerabilities which are likely to have been amplified by the impact of the global pandemic.
The Umbrellas of Pride were gifted to Strivers—female business owners in Vietnam that signed up for the program. By simply providing story-filled umbrellas, all women instantly became IGNITE ambassadors and helped build a network of support and mentorship.
VISIBILITY AND REPRESENTATION
With women’s stories front and center, more aspiring entrepreneurs, especially female entrepreneurs, can overcome the fears that come with starting a business. The more success stories are told, the more we can create.
“Our solution was to increase visibility—we wanted to show aspiring businesswomen that there is nothing to be afraid of. Women are capable of thriving in a male-dominated field. By highlighting real stories through the Umbrellas of Pride, we wanted to inspire and let them grow,” Nichi Gatdula, Happiness Saigon, Partner – Creative / Concept and Art.
SUPPORT AND ACCESS
The Umbrellas of Pride also highlights access to resources and support provided by the Ignite Program from finance, technology, and networks to entrepreneurship capacity and skill-building efforts. Grow your business under the IGNITE Program:
- Financial Access – Borrow capital for less interest through VPBank’s WeLoan.
- Capacity Building – Expand your capability in digital marketing, financial management, and business plan development with WISE’s Mentor-mentee platform.
- Networking – Connect with CEOs and fellow female entrepreneurs in networking events.
“The pandemic has set back recent gains made towards women empowerment and there is a high risk of women getting left behind. Mastercard is committed to creating an inclusive world that works for everyone, especially women. Women-owned businesses are the heartbeat of every economy and are critical to boosting recovery efforts in Vietnam. Hence, Mastercard is honored to be part of the Umbrellas of Pride campaign that acknowledges the strength, perseverance, and success of women entrepreneurs – a vital initiative in creating an equal world post-Covid.” – Winnie Wong, Country Manager, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, Mastercard
To know more about CARE and the IGNITE program, visit at care.org.vn
