Donna Rosa

Everyone in the entrepreneurship community seems to have an opinion on the topic of business plans. They range from “Yes, they are always needed, no matter how small the business” to “They are a complete waste of time”. The real, unequivocable answer is “it depends”. You laugh. But it’s the truth, especially for those in low-income countries. So let’s dissect this. What is a business plan, simply put? A business plan is a document that describes: what the business does where

As the COVID-19 pandemic reshapes our work and priorities, we have the opportunity to transform and improve our approach to MSME support.

Why we need a new way to support entrepreneurs in developing countries--ESchool remote business coaching.

Perhaps the better question is: why isn’t food science widely utilized for humanitarian and development purposes? An emerging field called Food Science for Relief and Development (FSRD) offers innovative solutions to food insecurity and malnutrition. what is fsrd? First, let’s define FSRD: The application of food science and technology to enhance food security, health, and economic prosperity for global humanitarian and development purposes. Why Food Science and Technology

Indoor cooking with wood, charcoal, dung, or kerosene exposes families to dangerous household air pollution. Learn the health impacts, why women and children are most at risk, and what clean cooking solutions actually work.

It seemed like a great business model. Several years ago, I worked with a young solopreneur in Liberia – let’s call her Lucie – helping her with a business plan. She had figured out that she could make good money by purchasing agricultural produce that’s plentiful in one county (say, palm oil) and selling it in nearby counties where there was little supply but high demand, thus bringing higher prices. Even better, while she was in one county selling the palm oil, Lucie would

In my work supporting food and agribusiness micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries, I must often find ways to i

The good news is that success stories of women entrepreneurs in developing countries are increasing. We should honor and encourage them.

Donna Rosa joins host Eric Dye on the Entrepreneurship Podcast Network to discuss why entrepreneurship is harder in low-income countries, what “aidtrepreneurship” means, and how to support small businesses with real impact.

Photo: CTI I'm passionate about food security. To me it's a crime that people don't have enough to eat; this is a basic human right. I like to bring attention to organizations making a difference, and did just that in this feature article for the March 2017 issue of Food Technology magazine. I profiled three organizations who are tackling food insecurity in very different ways: Purdue's PICS storage bags drastically reduce crop postharvest losses CTI's simple, low-cost equ

I have done a lot of volunteering, both at home and abroad, and I highly recommend it. I always get more out of the experience than those I helped. Selfish, yes, but it just feels good. It's not always easy, but the greater the challenge, the bigger the payback.

After consulting in Liberia, Donna Rosa reflects on child street sellers and entrepreneurship of necessity. Learn why strengthening adult microenterprises with skills, capital, and long-term mentorship can reduce poverty and keep children in school.