DAR ES SALAAM, July 24 -- LIFE has a funny way of opening new doors when one closes. For a group of four determined women in Dar es Salaam, the unexpected closure of their employer, a shoe company, could have been a devastating blow. Instead, it became the unexpected catalyst for their entrepreneurial journey.

“We were left with our hired workers, and our loyal customers were still looking for us. Thats when we decided we had to do something,” said Neema Mkojera, Secretary of Carn Group.

These ladies were employed by a company that sold shoes. When that company closed its business, they didnt just give up. They decided to approach the company for them to start supplying their shoes.

With a bold idea, they pooled their funds...