Overview

The Zena model is founded on the single premise that investing in female entrepreneurs has the power to change the global stories of gender inequality, and extreme poverty. We believe that educated, female business owners are positioned to address systemic and pervasive community issues. With little to no financial literacy or infrastructure, female entrepreneurs living in rural poverty are vulnerable to exploitation and pitfalls of loans and handouts. In short, female entrepreneurs living in rural poverty are facing two major barriers to business opportunity: lack of education and lack of capital. We set out to change that. We have a HYBRID model of social enterprise and nonprofit. At The Zena Launch Pad, our model provides debt free access to skills and capital for female entrepreneurs, under the poverty line, to start their own businesses. Through short term apprenticeships, Zena program members are able to earn a living wage above the poverty line, while saving monthly towards the start-up capital they need to start their businesses. While on the program, Zena women work together creating our Collection of Ankole Cattle Horn jewelry, sold in the US and UK. The profits are reinvested into The Zena Launch Pad and used to employ more female entrepreneurs. ZENA is a nonprofit organization management company based out of 13135 HERMITAGE LN, Houston, Texas, United States.