An African social business has been leveraging on the direct sales model to help empower women with economic opportunity while promoting the breakthrough potential of clean energy technology.
Solar Sister is a social business that uses the direct selling model to distribute solar equipment in Africa. It’s been operating for more than five years and now works with about 1,500 women entrepreneurs in three countries. The women buy solar lamps, solar phone chargers, and solar panels at cost, then mark up the items at retail, pocketing the difference. Solar Sister provides training and support, helping the saleswomen reach their goals.
CEO Katherine Lucey explains the challenges the company has faced in that time and how Solar Sister hopes to continue to grow.
Lucey founded the business on the premise that women are the family members most likely