BEYOUROWN x YumChop Founder Abi Adefisan Bring Together Manchester’s Female Leaders for an Inspiring Afternoon Hosted by Forbes 30 Under 30 Founder Samanah Duran

Manchester welcomed an inspiring gathering of female founders, executives, and emerging leaders yesterday as BEYOUROWN partnered with Yumchop for an empowering Women Who Lead luncheon hosted by Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur Samanah Duran.

The event brought together ambitious women from across business, leadership, and entrepreneurship for an afternoon centred around meaningful conversation, powerful storytelling, and intentional networking. Guests were invited into an intimate setting designed to foster collaboration, confidence, and community among women shaping the future of modern business. At the centre of the conversation was Abi Adefisan, the visionary Co-Founder of Yumchop, the award-winning African ready meal brand redefining convenience dining in the UK.

Abi has become one of the most exciting voices within the food and retail industry through her commitment to innovation, representation, and cultural authenticity. A Gold Award “One to Watch” recipient, she has pioneered the development of authentic African meals tailored for today’s diverse and culturally curious consumer.

Her impact extends far beyond product development. Abi became the first entrepreneur to introduce Nigerian Jollof Rice into universities and hospitals through innovative vending kiosks and has successfully launched more than six African cuisine SKUs into Tesco stores across the UK, helping reshape representation within mainstream retail.

As an entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and mentor, Abi continues to inspire others through her mission to empower individuals to lead with confidence, build with purpose, and challenge traditional industry norms. Her insights during the luncheon sparked conversations around resilience, innovation, scaling a brand with authenticity, and the importance of creating space for underrepresented voices within business.

Hosted by Samanah Duran, founder of BEYOUROWN and one of the UK’s leading voices in female entrepreneurship and personal branding, the event reflected the growing appetite for intentional spaces where women can connect beyond surface-level networking.

Speaking on the event, Samanah shared: “Events like this are about creating real conversations and meaningful connections between women who are building ambitious futures. Abi’s story is incredibly powerful because it represents what happens when innovation, culture, and vision come together with confidence and consistency.”

The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was electric, with guests exchanging ideas, forming new collaborations, and leaving with renewed motivation for the next stage of their leadership journey.

The BEYOUROWN Women Who Lead series continues to grow across the UK, creating elevated experiences designed to support ambitious women through connection, visibility, and strategic conversations with industry leaders.

If you fancy joining us next time, become part of the next conversation shaping the future of female leadership by checking out Eventbrite and online at BEYOUROWN