My name is Divine and Erasmus for Entrepreneurs was sent to me by a friend because I had talked about starting a business, that is when I applied. I am a Rwandan woman who grew up in South Africa before moving and settling in Sweden in my early teens. Navigating life is never the easiest thing for anyone yet, even harder as a teen in a country where you have some of your first overt forms of racist interactions. Despite that, moving to Sweden gave me so many opportunities for freedom, education and a chance to better shape the life that I want for myself. I have always considered myself creative, and that journey led me to so many things and in this phase, which feels the most fitting creating through the means of entrepreneurship.
My educational background is in textile product development, and that is where my biggest passion lies. I am working towards becoming a sustainability advocate, but to me the journey involves entrepreneurship in one way or the other. I have a history working in fashion, sales and service industry. I plan to be a social entrepreneur, where I am not just taking from everything around me but giving back, and not in small ways but giving back to the communities I belong to in meaningful ways. That will be the core of any business I build, especially my work in sustainability in the fashion industry.
I was sent the application and did it out of curiosity. At the time I was in the midst of leaving a job where I was treated badly and underpaid compared to my coworkers (I was the only person of color at that workplace), having a tough time finding a new job (as many young people at the moment). I did take it as a chance to put all my energy into creating something for myself and I believe in the right timing and it was all lining up so well and couldn’t ignore that it was meant to be. An opportunity to go abroad, have a new experience in a new place with all new people was both scary and thrilling.
I think the experience will contribute to my professional growth, one by mentorship through someone that has been through the trials and tribulations and found success through it. I have always believed that growth comes from being in uncomfortable situations where you can really challenge yourself beyond what you think you are capable of and I believe this is one of those opportunities. I will get to learn a lot of new skills while applying them at the same time, which is the best way to learn anything. On a personal level, to be fearless and bold and clarity on not just whether entrepreneurship is 100% for me but through action validate this belief that I have in me.
