How Francine Mbvoumbo Is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Imagine you’re a Millennial or Gen Z woman hoping to start or grow your business and have the chance to for one-on-one mentorship and guidance from a woman who is older, more experienced and can guide you through your entrepreneurial journey. That’s exactly why Francine Mbvoumbo founded her non-profit Mothers to Daughters: because she believes that older generations (mothers) can pass not only knowledge, but also wisdom to younger generations (daughters).

She draws inspiration not only from her own mother, who is an entrepreneur, but also from women who were her university professors and professional mentors.

“They’re just not my biological mothers, and because there was such a sense of warmth, affinity and bond between those different relationships,” Francine said.  

This wisdom gave her the tools and strength to build a life far from home and start a business.

The Journey From Cameroon to Canada

While it’s common for college students to want to leave home, Francine wanted to go to college in Canada, halfway around the world from her parent’s home in Cameroon. As if that weren’t enough of a change, she also wanted to study in English, a new language.

“I just thought, ‘Why am I going to leave my parents household and go to another environment where I speak the same language?’” Francine said.

Adjusting to a new country and culture was not easy; while she came to Canada not knowing anyone, her classmates had known each other since childhood.

“I needed to talk to people make friends,” she said. “And those friends at the beginning were immigrants, and then I started opening up and or being inserted in certain circles. That’s how I really made friends over time.”