“Being an entrepreneur is an act of service. No matter what happens, you have your gift.”
In this interview, we meet Bisila Bokoko, CEO of BBES International, a New York-based business development agency that has been on the market since 2012 helping companies to go international and grow. She shares her journey from “What is my business now?” to “How I can be of service to my clients and the wider community of entrepreneurs?” Being in a people-facing business, Bisila used to travel to her client-companies personally to learn about them in-depth, she now found herself confined to a single location. The lockdown has also put on hold her speaking bookings for the next eight months. Bisila mentions that at first, it was paralyzing, but once she accepted the fear and focused on her entrepreneurial gift, she tried to see it as an opportunity and started a youtube channel to stay active and continue sharing her advice. As far as the future goes, Bisila already anticipates that the market will remain slow till the end of the year. So she is assessing the new hybrid option on how to restart her business activities.
#LockdownEconomy #SustainableDevelopementGoals #AlterContacts #SDGaction35868
About the Guest
Bisila Bokoko is a Former Director of the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in New York, CEO of BBES International, a New York-based business development agency that represents, promotes and markets brands internationally. She is a Founder of BBLP African Literacy Project Bisila Bokoko whose mission is to promote literacy among African people.
Bisila Bokoko is considered one of the ten most influential Spanish women in American business.
Former director of the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in New York, CEO of BBES International and Founder of BBLP African Literacy Project Bisila Bokoko whose mission is to promote literacy among African people.
BB has created a collection of wines called “Bisila Wines'' made in Spain, which has received international recognition.
Since 2010 she has been working closely with the UNCTAD with the EMPRETEC program, supporting emerging entrepreneurs from all parts of the world. Recently Bisila has been awarded by the UN Hospitality Committee with the 2019 Citizen of the World Award, and she is the recipient of the 2019 International Award by the Spanish Federation of Women Managers, Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs (FEDEPE). She has also been awarded by Ideal Woman organization in Equatorial Guinea, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Women Werk, Inspiring Leader Award by the University of New York (NYU) among others along her career.
About the Host
Julia Skupchenko is a co-founder of Think Tank for Sustainable Development, AlterContacts.org, a co-founder and lead mentor of the global online community of entrepreneurs, BusinessGreenHouse.org. She is a published writer for a leading international online magazine for small business with millions of readers, Entrepreneur.com.
She is also a business mentor on the Artificial Intelligence program at Rockstart Startup Accelerator (Amsterdam) and at the Higher School of Economics (Moscow). In her personal practice as a Business Developer and Advisor, Julia has consulted 100+ entrepreneurs, experts, small and medium businesses across the globe. She is nominated for Entrepreneur Award 2020.