From bustling ancient marketplaces to today’s digital world, women have always been the heartbeat of marketing. Long before billboards and social media ads, they mastered storytelling and persuasion , selling spices in Mesopotamia, perfumes in Egypt, and textiles in Rome, all while building trust through personal connections. They weren’t just traders; they were the architects of influence, shaping commerce, culture, and communities.

Marketing, at its core, is about storytelling. And who tells stories better than women?

Rwanda’s Living Legend: Janet Nkubana

Fast forward to today, and Rwanda has its own marketing powerhouse: Janet Nkubana. If you don’t know her name, you should. She’s a pioneer, a businesswoman, and a visionary who transformed traditional Rwandan craftsmanship into an internationally recognized brand.

Janet Nkubana co-founded Gahaya Links, a company that empowers women artisans by turning their weaving skills into sustainable livelihoods. What started as a small initiative to help women, many of them genocide survivors, has blossomed into a globally recognized business exporting Rwandan handwoven baskets to high-end markets, including Macy’s in the United States.

Her work is not just about selling baskets; it’s about selling stories—stories of resilience, empowerment, and economic independence. Through her vision, she has turned Rwandan women into global entrepreneurs, proving that marketing isn’t just about products; it’s about people.

Women Driving Rwanda Forward

Janet Nkubana represents a new wave of Rwandan women who are shaping industries, driving economic growth, and redefining success. From agriculture to tech, from fashion to finance, women are at the forefront of Rwanda’s development.

Marketing is no longer about just selling things; it’s about crafting narratives that inspire, connect, and empower. And if history has shown us anything, it’s that women do this best.

250 Brands: Celebrating Women, Celebrating Stories

At 250 Brands, we believe in the power of storytelling. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate women like Janet Nkubana and countless others who have turned passion into purpose.

Marketing isn’t just an industry , it’s a legacy. And women will always be at the heart of it.

Happy Women’s History Month!