Empowering Small Businesses Through Digital Financial Education
Although global attention often centers on massive corporations and the celebrity of their founders, the true backbone of the world economy looks very different. The IFC reports that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for roughly 90% of all businesses, provide 70% of jobs, and contribute around half of global GDP. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are vital to economic health and household financial security, yet many owners still struggle to access financing, resources, and guidance.
Take the example of Brenda, who operates Masajes Relajantes, a tiny massage studio in a modest neighborhood of Mexico City beside her niece’s beauty salon. Her workspace is barely bigger than a massage table and a small set of essential oils, but her clients consistently praise her treatments. Despite this, she charges only 450 Mexican pesos (around $24 USD)—less than half the typical rate. While her profession focuses on relaxation, the pressure of keeping her business afloat with slim margins often overshadows that purpose.
Even with her talent and experience, Brenda feels unsure about financial management, online marketing, and the range of products or services that might help her business grow. She needs someone who can guide her through the fundamentals of running a small enterprise: organizing daily operations, promoting her services, and pricing fairly without losing customers. She is also cautious about being misled and cannot afford the fees or interest associated with many traditional loans. In addition, many existing financial services overlook small, women-owned businesses because of their size, perceived risk, or persistent cultural barriers.
Expanding learning opportunities and opening doors for entrepreneurs
Brenda’s situation reflects that of countless microentrepreneurs across Mexico who work tirelessly but struggle to move beyond subsistence income. Many lack the confidence and tools needed to expand their businesses sustainably.
This is where digital solutions like Ovante play a meaningful role. Ovante is an online learning platform designed to strengthen microentrepreneurs’ financial, business, and digital skills. In May, Ovante introduced a new WhatsApp-based chatbot offering simple videos, practical tips, tools, and resources that explain key financial concepts and help users manage their business finances more effectively. After discovering Ovante through online marketing, users can immediately begin chatting with the avatar “Sofia,” who guides them through topics that support business growth, informed financial decision-making, and greater financial confidence.
Entrepreneurs can learn about budgeting, managing debt, improving financial health, and building a digital presence. For Brenda, guidance on strengthening her online footprint and organizing her finances is especially valuable as she works to bring in new clients and appropriately price her services. With support from FedEx, Accion has made both Ovante’s learning platform and the WhatsApp chatbot available at no cost so that business owners like Brenda can build essential skills at their own pace.
Brenda often uses Ovante in the evenings or on weekends, fitting learning into her schedule whenever her work and family responsibilities allow. As the number of users continues to increase, Sofia will help Ovante reach more entrepreneurs while enhancing the speed, personalization, and quality of the support provided.
Just a few months after launch, the WhatsApp chatbot has already demonstrated its impact in Mexico. So far, it has facilitated over 17,000 conversations with more than 12,500 microentrepreneurs—an impressive level of engagement in a segment that is frequently overlooked when it comes to business training. Each conversation averages 18 messages and lasts about half an hour, suggesting that users are not only connecting but also staying engaged and diving deeper into the content.
The quality of these interactions is notable as well. The chatbot maintains an average user rating of 4.4 out of 5, and nearly 40% of conversations exceed the industry norm of seven interactions—clear evidence of meaningful exchanges and strong learning engagement. Importantly, Ovante is reaching its intended audience: 70% of users are women entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their financial and managerial knowledge, build confidence, and grow their businesses. These results underscore how digital innovation can make a tangible difference for those who have historically lacked access to such resources.
Over the past five years, Ovante has expanded across Mexico, Colombia, and India, engaging more than 150,000 users—two-thirds of whom are women. Accion aims to triple that reach through the chatbot over the next three years. Achieving this goal will require ongoing improvements and outreach, and feedback from entrepreneurs like Brenda is already helping refine the tool.
With simple, accessible guidance that builds both financial and entrepreneurial capability, Ovante empowers women like Brenda to recognize their value, strengthen their confidence, and take control of their financial futures. By investing in inclusive financial education and practical digital tools, we can help microentrepreneurs grow their digital and financial skills and position themselves for long-term success.
Click here to know more about FedEx Cares
Take the example of Brenda, who operates Masajes Relajantes, a tiny massage studio in a modest neighborhood of Mexico City beside her niece’s beauty salon. Her workspace is barely bigger than a massage table and a small set of essential oils, but her clients consistently praise her treatments. Despite this, she charges only 450 Mexican pesos (around $24 USD)—less than half the typical rate. While her profession focuses on relaxation, the pressure of keeping her business afloat with slim margins often overshadows that purpose.
Even with her talent and experience, Brenda feels unsure about financial management, online marketing, and the range of products or services that might help her business grow. She needs someone who can guide her through the fundamentals of running a small enterprise: organizing daily operations, promoting her services, and pricing fairly without losing customers. She is also cautious about being misled and cannot afford the fees or interest associated with many traditional loans. In addition, many existing financial services overlook small, women-owned businesses because of their size, perceived risk, or persistent cultural barriers.
Expanding learning opportunities and opening doors for entrepreneurs
Brenda’s situation reflects that of countless microentrepreneurs across Mexico who work tirelessly but struggle to move beyond subsistence income. Many lack the confidence and tools needed to expand their businesses sustainably.
This is where digital solutions like Ovante play a meaningful role. Ovante is an online learning platform designed to strengthen microentrepreneurs’ financial, business, and digital skills. In May, Ovante introduced a new WhatsApp-based chatbot offering simple videos, practical tips, tools, and resources that explain key financial concepts and help users manage their business finances more effectively. After discovering Ovante through online marketing, users can immediately begin chatting with the avatar “Sofia,” who guides them through topics that support business growth, informed financial decision-making, and greater financial confidence.
Entrepreneurs can learn about budgeting, managing debt, improving financial health, and building a digital presence. For Brenda, guidance on strengthening her online footprint and organizing her finances is especially valuable as she works to bring in new clients and appropriately price her services. With support from FedEx, Accion has made both Ovante’s learning platform and the WhatsApp chatbot available at no cost so that business owners like Brenda can build essential skills at their own pace.
Brenda often uses Ovante in the evenings or on weekends, fitting learning into her schedule whenever her work and family responsibilities allow. As the number of users continues to increase, Sofia will help Ovante reach more entrepreneurs while enhancing the speed, personalization, and quality of the support provided.
Just a few months after launch, the WhatsApp chatbot has already demonstrated its impact in Mexico. So far, it has facilitated over 17,000 conversations with more than 12,500 microentrepreneurs—an impressive level of engagement in a segment that is frequently overlooked when it comes to business training. Each conversation averages 18 messages and lasts about half an hour, suggesting that users are not only connecting but also staying engaged and diving deeper into the content.
The quality of these interactions is notable as well. The chatbot maintains an average user rating of 4.4 out of 5, and nearly 40% of conversations exceed the industry norm of seven interactions—clear evidence of meaningful exchanges and strong learning engagement. Importantly, Ovante is reaching its intended audience: 70% of users are women entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their financial and managerial knowledge, build confidence, and grow their businesses. These results underscore how digital innovation can make a tangible difference for those who have historically lacked access to such resources.
Over the past five years, Ovante has expanded across Mexico, Colombia, and India, engaging more than 150,000 users—two-thirds of whom are women. Accion aims to triple that reach through the chatbot over the next three years. Achieving this goal will require ongoing improvements and outreach, and feedback from entrepreneurs like Brenda is already helping refine the tool.
With simple, accessible guidance that builds both financial and entrepreneurial capability, Ovante empowers women like Brenda to recognize their value, strengthen their confidence, and take control of their financial futures. By investing in inclusive financial education and practical digital tools, we can help microentrepreneurs grow their digital and financial skills and position themselves for long-term success.
Click here to know more about FedEx Cares
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