The Co-Founder of Investment Friends, Mimi Anane Appiah, has advised women entrepreneurs to consistently track their revenues and expenses from the very start of their businesses in order to improve growth and gain access to finance.
Speaking as a panellist at the MTN Unlocking for Women in Business event, Mimi underscored the importance of financial record-keeping, stating that even simple tools like Microsoft Excel or bank and mobile money transfers could significantly help businesswomen account for their operations.
“No matter the vision or plan for your business, if you are not tracking your revenue, you won’t see progress. And when you need financing, you won’t have the records to show,” she said.
Mimi emphasised that keeping good financial records gives entrepreneurs leverage when applying for loans or grants, adding that it builds credibility and confidence with potential investors and financial institutions.
Meanwhile, fellow panellist Sereyam Ofori Attah encouraged women to be more daring in pursuing opportunities, noting that self-doubt often holds them back.
“Many women wait until they’re 90% to 100% qualified before they apply for something, but that’s too late. Men apply even when they meet just 60% of the requirements—and they get the opportunity,” she pointed out.
She added that confidence and boldness often open unexpected doors and allow women to compete effectively in male-dominated spaces.
Both speakers agreed that a combination of financial discipline and fearless ambition could accelerate women’s success in entrepreneurship, urging aspiring business owners to embrace data, digital tools, and risk-taking as core elements of their business strategy.
