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Empowering Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Recap of the "Starting a Business in Belgium" Webinar
On October 5th, 2024, Welcome Home International and Zone Femmes hosted a dynamic and insightful webinar titled "Starting a Business in Belgium". Aimed at empowering participants, especially those from migrant backgrounds, this event provided a wealth of information to help navigate the Belgian entrepreneurial landscape. The session was conducted entirely in Arabic, making it accessible for a diverse audience with different language preferences.
Overview: What Was Covered?
The webinar, hosted by Lubana Kahlid, began with a deep dive into the essential steps to starting a business in Belgium, based on the project’s comprehensive guidebook. The session was divided into three key parts:
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Part A: Focused on the foundational elements of starting a business, including legal requirements and registration processes.
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Part B: Covered financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management—skills essential for all new entrepreneurs.
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Part C: Discussed networking and personal branding, with valuable advice on how to connect with local business communities and establish credibility as a newcomer.
Lubana brought the content to life with real-life examples of successful startups, particularly from migrant communities, which resonated deeply with the attendees. Participants were encouraged to share their own experiences, making the session interactive and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
Interactive Q&A and Networking
The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to ask questions and clarify doubts. This part of the session encouraged networking among attendees, as they shared insights and connected with others on their entrepreneurial journey. The Q&A created a space for meaningful exchanges and helped attendees feel more supported.
What Did Participants Find Most Useful?
The feedback from participants highlighted several key takeaways from the event:
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Financial Planning: Understanding how to budget, forecast income, and manage cash flow was seen as incredibly valuable.
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Networking Tips: Attendees appreciated the insights on how to connect with local business communities, highlighting the importance of mentorship and support networks.
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Legal Requirements: The section detailing legal and compliance requirements was widely praised for providing clear, actionable guidance.
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Personal Branding: The advice on building a personal brand and telling one’s story was seen as essential for newcomers to build credibility in the business world.
Suggestions for Improvement
While the webinar was overwhelmingly well-received, participants shared some useful suggestions to enhance future sessions:
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More Real-Life Examples: Including more success stories from refugee entrepreneurs would provide inspiration and relatability.
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Glossary of Terms: Some participants found the business terminology complex and suggested providing simpler definitions or a glossary.
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Focus on Funding: There was a strong request for more information on funding options, especially microloans and grants for refugee entrepreneurs.
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Digital Marketing: Participants requested a section on digital marketing, including tips on using social media and creating websites for online businesses.
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Visual Aids: Flowcharts and infographics were suggested to simplify complex processes like business registration.
Additional suggestions included offering a fillable business planning template, a self-assessment checklist for evaluating business readiness, and resources for cultural adaptation in business practices, ensuring newcomers understand local expectations.
Conclusion: A Valuable Learning Experience
The "Starting a Business in Belgium" webinar successfully met its goals of educating, inspiring, and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly migrants, to pursue their business ventures in Belgium. The engaging and informative session, led by Lubana Kahlid, provided participants with the essential tools and confidence to take the next steps toward establishing their businesses.
The positive feedback, along with the suggestions for improvement, will play a key role in shaping future editions of the Entrepreneurship Guide to better support refugee and migrant entrepreneurs. This is just the beginning, and with the right resources and guidance, the path to entrepreneurship in Belgium is becoming more accessible for everyone.
Stay tuned for future webinars and workshops that continue to support entrepreneurs on their journey!
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