Jana Degrott discusses some of the most urgent social issues of our time. In the second episode, two young women talk about the struggle of building their own businesses.
Wat leeft? isn’t just a podcast. It’s a platform for those who’ve been systematically marginalised, victimised, gaslit and ignored – guests who are changing narratives and challenging the status quo. It’s a safe space where the otherwise taboo topics of our society can be confronted openly and honestly.
Inclusive entrepreneurship is about allowing everyone, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity, faith or academic background, to create successful and sustainable businesses. Expanding entrepreneurship creates jobs, mitigates social and financial exclusion, and helps respond to economic challenges. Among the key targets of inclusive entrepreneurship policies and programmes are women, youth, older people, the unemployed, migrants and people with disabilities, who all continue to face challenges in the labour market and are underrepresented or disadvantaged in entrepreneurial professions.
In Luxembourg, the self-employment rate has remained fairly constant over the past decade (7.4% in 2009 and 7.5% in 2018) and remained below the EU average in 2018 (13.5%). Similarly, the self-employment rates for women, youth, seniors and immigrants were all slightly below the EU average in 2018. However, between 2014 and 2018, women, youth and seniors in Luxembourg were more likely than those elsewhere in the EU to be involved in starting or managing a new business.
Wat leeft? - Ep. 2
Breaking down the barriers to entrepreneurship
It is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, not only because we need to make our societies more equitable, but also because tapping into this well of human potential will make our societies more creative, dynamic, future-proof and competitive. Jana Degrott discusses inclusive entrepreneurship with two female entrepreneurs from Luxembourg who talk about the heartbeat of their businesses, shed light on the challenges they had to face as young women and people of colour, and share keys on how to boost your self-confidence in order to start your own business.
Debbie Kirsch is the founder of Devï, an ethical clothing brand focusing on women's empowerment, rural community development and sustainability.
Marlee Dos Reis is the founder of Imani beauty and clothing line and Imani Organization.
*in English
