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Empowering Change: Shanice Bako's Journey Through Fashion, Social Justice, and Entrepreneurship

Shanice’s previous experience

Shanice has a diverse background in stakeholder management, research, data analytics, and project management. Beginning at Kingston University, she managed student satisfaction data, in early 2016 before transitioning to a startup finance company where she excelled in pitching and sales services, exploring new areas like blockchain technology for about six months. With previous experience from working at Society of motors manufacturers and traders for three years as a data analyst, she later joined the Electoral Commission in January 2020 - 2023, initially in the compliance division, ensuring election spending laws were being upheld.

Fashion and Social justice

Shanice is deeply passionate about both social justice and fashion, recognising the profound intersection between the two fields. Her passion for both is evident in her continual lobbying against the environmental and human rights affected by the fashion industry.  Shanice highlights the often overlooked consequences faced by communities in countries, where toxic waste from clothing production pollutes freshwater supplies and devastates local communities. Her advocacy emphasises the need for higher consumer awareness, urging individuals to consider the broader impacts of their purchasing decisions.

Central to Shanice's message is the call for mindful consumption and a shift away from the culture of overconsumption in fast fashion. She underscores the importance of understanding functionality of clothing, encouraging individuals to prioritise pieces that serve a genuine purpose. Shanice champions the idea of reimagining fashion consumption through sustainable practices, such as shopping second hand, upcycling and repurposing items to encourage a more conscious and responsible approach to fashion.

Through her work, Shanice seeks to empower individuals to make informed choices that align with their values of social justice and sustainability. She emphasises the transformative potential of mindful consumer behaviour driving positive change within the fashion industry. By fostering a greater understanding of the wider impact of fashion consumption and encouraging alternatives like secondhand shopping and upcycling, Shanice inspires others to embrace a more ethical and environmentally conscious approach to fashion.

Shanice and the BEC

Despite being a longtime resident of Barking and Dagenham, Shanice had never encountered the Barking Enterprise Centre until her sister's chance discovery. Intrigued by her sister's mention of a role at the BEC, Shanice swiftly delved into online research to learn more about the organisation and its contributions to their local community. Through this newfound awareness, Shanice became intrigued by the potential opportunities and impact the BEC could offer to Barking and Dagenham, sparking her curiosity and paving the way for potential engagement with their initiatives.

The Amplify programme

Shanice's extensive background in project management and stakeholder engagement has equipped her well for her role in the Amplify program. Her experience in managing various stakeholders, understanding their needs, and effectively communicating services aligns closely with the demands of this role. Through her previous positions, Shanice has developed skills in tracking and monitoring engagement, ensuring resources meet stakeholder needs, and managing expectations. These capabilities are invaluable as she and her team focus on aspects such as mentoring, skills workshops, and participant engagement within the Amplify program. Shanice's ability to strategise around industry alignment, mentor recruitment, and event planning reflects her proficiency in tailoring initiatives to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders, making her a valuable asset to the Amplify team.

Who the amplify programme is for

The Amplify program caters to entrepreneurs who have launched their businesses but are still navigating critical aspects such as cash flow management, customer acquisition, digital transformation, product understanding, and market reach. As well as offering support for businesses that may have been established for some time but are looking to explore and expand into new areas for growth and development. The program is comprehensive and extensive, offering tailored support and resources most suitable for individual business needs.

Becoming sustainable

Shanice's advice for ensuring business sustainability is succinct yet profound: "Do not overcomplicate it, and do not feel overwhelmed by it." She emphasises the importance of assessing one's current business operations and identifying feasible changes. By adopting a pragmatic approach and focusing on manageable adjustments, businesses can incrementally enhance their sustainability efforts without succumbing to unnecessary complexity or stress.

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