Diversity & Inclusion

HP LIFE Program Empowers Female Entrepreneurs around the World

Mar 7, 2014 4:20 PM ET

HP Next

Beyoncé’s single “Run the World (Girls)” includes a strong message of female empowerment. And, with female entrepreneurship on the rise, it could prove to be prophetic.  

A recent Babson College study  identified  an estimated126 million women worldwide who were starting or running businesses, with 98 million operating businesses that were three and a half years or older. This is good news for the economy, as women are increasingly contributing to job creation around the world.  In fact, the Guardian Small Business Research Institute projects that female-owned businesses will create 5 million new U.S. jobs by 2018, representing roughly one-third of the 15.3 million total new jobs estimated by the U.S. Department of Labor.  In emerging markets, women are also a driving force behind reinvestment in important poverty reduction, health and education programs. 

At HP, we are committed to using our technology and services to empower entrepreneurs—men and women alike. Our HP LIFE e-Learning program provides free online business and IT training modules to help entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses. The modules are available in multiple languages, making the program accessible to entrepreneurs around the world.

In honor of International Women’s Day this weekend, we wanted to take a moment to profile two female entrepreneurs who have enhanced their business skills with the help of our HP LIFE e-Learning program. 

  • Ada Bustamante used the HP LIFE e-Learning program to make her “Clean World Better Living” commercial and residential cleaning business more efficient. Through courses on Excel, time management and budgeting, she overcame organizational and administrative challenges and is now better able to estimate costs for clients. She also hired her first employee and is building a company website.   
  • Neha Gupta used the HP LIFE training program to build the IT skills she needed to launch and market her jewelry business in New Delhi, India. She hopes her business will improve the lives of local jewelry craftsmen and positively influence her community. 

Ada and Neha are just two examples of women taking control of their destinies. Studies have shown that learning business knowledge and skills empowers women to become providers for their families. Financial management training has also been proven to increase women’s direct control over resources. 

If you have a business idea and want to begin the HP LIFE e-Learning program, you can watch this video, follow HP LIFE on Twitter and Facebook, or start your free online training today.