Women in Tech Founder and CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting, Ethel Cofie, has announced the first and largest ever global women in technology week to be held both physically and virtually in over 40 countries.
Read moreEntrepreneur Smarts: Build a Bicycle First!
I encourage beginning entrepreneurs to rather tackle small, achievable projects first. This allows them to rapidly gain a full set of skills across a complete project, as well as building up contacts, credibility and confidence - rather than getting bogged down, and run down, working on an huge endless project.
Read morePaula Quinsee, a South African entrepreneur helping people and companies with their relationship issues
Healthy relationships are at the heart of successful personal and workplace environments, but often those relationships need a little specialist help to thrive. Paula Quinsee: Relationship Expert has the insights, personal experience and specialist expertise to provide that help for those that need it.
Read moreThe Secret to Building Sustainable Businesses
Ever wondered how all these big businesses started and how they came to be what they are today? The likes of Econet Wireless, Delta Corporation and British American Tobacco in Zimbabwe; Sasol, Standard Bank and MTN. I believe each of these companies has a story to tell, and from those stories we learn a lot about running a sustainable business. To some people business is all about making money, to some it’s all about fulfilling a calling, to some it is all about providing solutions to the current problems, be it social or economic ones.
Read moreLucilla Blankenberg, a South African entrepreneur with a vision for harnessing the power of the media to make a difference
Many small companies recognise that they need media and marketing support, but do not always have the time or money to develop these plans or produce the media to support their businesses. For entrepreneur Lucilla Blankenberg and her company Off the Ground Media, she is not only providing a great solution, but creating a company that makes a difference to the lives of others at the same time through those efforts.
Read moreSusan Granger, a proudly South African accessory manufacturer creating exclusive leather handbags from the heart of Johannesburg
Nubian Queen on 101 is a disruptive new name on the leather accessory scene, creating exclusive, world-class, contemporary products that are both investments yet will not break the bank.
Read moreEssential Read: The Next Wave - Financing Women's Growth-Oriented Firms by Susan Coleman and Alicia Robb
You may be familiar with the success stories of Spanx, GoldieBlox, and other women-owned businesses that have taken their markets by storm. But, today, only two percent of women-owned firms generate more than one million dollars annually. The Next Wave, a new book by Susan Coleman and Alicia Robb is here to help women drive up that number.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Njeri Rionge
“I create companies serially because I believe that Africa is the next economic frontier and we must build indigenous organisations that will support this growth.”
- Njeri Rionge is one of Africa’s leading entrepreneurs and one of the very few women pioneers in the ICT sector on the African continent. She has co-founded internet service provider Wananchi Online, Ignite Consulting, Insite Limited, Business Lounge, and Njeri Rionge Business Consulting Inc. These days Njeri describes herself as a global citizen cross-pollinating her business interests in Africa, North America and Europe. She 'telecommutes' and regularly travels between her offices in Nairobi and Toronto.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Natasha Sideris: Don't let a lack of money put you off
Don't let a lack of money put you off....
"Money helps, but you can get very far with hard work, tenacity and ingenuity. Don't let money put you off. Too many entrepreneurs feel that they can't pursue their dreams because they don't have money. That's just not true. If you're willing to work extremely hard, you can make it happen,"
- Natasha Sideris is founder of the great entrepreneurial success story, Tashas, a chain of upmarket boutique cafes that can be found across South Africa and in Dubai. Natasha originally borrowed money from loan sharks to get her first restaurant started, and ended up working 14 hours a day for "four or five months" without a day off to repay them. But she knew after the first month the concept was a winner. Today, there are twelve highly popular restaurants in this passionate foodie's growing portfolio and she is well on her way to becoming a global restaurant group.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Carrol Boyes
“Nineteen people may love your work, but the twentieth one will hate it and will tell you so; you cannot allow that to affect you. That may sound trite, but there is huge risk in letting criticism get you down.”
- Carrol Boyes is an iconic South African designer who has built a global brand. She founded Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd in 1991 combining her artistic flair and talent in sculpture with her jewellery experience to create an extensive range of distinctive homeware, giftware, flatware and table top products. Today, her company designs and manufactures a meticulously crafted product range of well over 1000 items and sells over a million items every year. Products are always imbued with Carrol's trademark artistic flair and finesse. The brand is available through her 35 branded shops in South Africa and in over 30 other countries around the world.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Mo Abudu
"We can change the narrative about Africa with content."
- Mo Abudu is founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV, Africa's first and fastest growing black entertainment and lifestyle network. This Nigerian media entrepreneur and talk show host is the first African woman to launch a Pan-African TV channel. The channel currently on DSTV Channel 165, as well as in the UK on the TalkTalk platform, providing premium, original and home-grown programming to its ever increasing viewership. She has received many awards in recognition of her outstanding work in media and her services to humanity, and was most recently honoured with an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Babcock University.
Read moreYswara, the luxury tea and lifestyle brand, celebrates the opening of its first store and tearoom in Johannesburg
Luxury tea and lifestyle brand, Yswara, founded by the inspirational entrepreneur Swaady Martin, has just opened its first store and tearoom in Maboneng "Place of light", Johannesburg. Since its launch 3.5 years ago, it is the first time YSWARA has had the opportunity to share its vision and experience with customers directly. It is a proud milestone for the brand and the beginning of its direct retail journey.
Read moreAnother packed Lioness Lean In event in Johannesburg celebrates the importance of finding your niche
On 15 September 2016, around 85 of Johannesburg’s women entrepreneurs representing all sectors of business and industry, and at all stages of their business journeys, gathered for a morning of inspirational startup story sharing and great networking at the latest in the highly successful series of Lioness Lean In Breakfast events. As always in this popular Lioness Lean In destination, the event took place in the city’s Rosebank district at the Standard Bank Business Incubator where the surroundings create a great entrepreneurial vibe for all those attending.
Read moreEssential Read: Dear Female Founder: 66 Letters of Advice from Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Made $1 Billion in Revenue by Lu Li
“Dear Female Founder” by author and entrepreneur Lu Li is a unique book based on one simple question: If successful female entrepreneurs and investors wrote a letter of advice to the next generation of female entrepreneurs – what would they write about? The book provides some invaluable insights from 66 inspirational women sharing the business advice they wished someone had told them when they started out.
Read moreManyara Chigunduru, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur with a never give up attitude to business, and a great brand builder
Integrity is everything in the fields of financial advisory services, auditing and accounting, and for the founder of Marianhill Capital (Pvt) Ltd & Marianhill Chartered Accountants, Manyara Chigunduru, she was driven by the desire to build a company with integrity at its foundation.
Read moreMthuthukile Msibi, a South African entrepreneur transforming PVC into weather resistant trendy apparel and accessories
How many times looking back in history have great companies and brands been created as a result of necessity. In the case of Mthuthukile Msibi and her company Rain Dear, she saw opportunity in Cape Town’s bad weather, creating a range of rainproof clothing and accessories that is winning fans at home and abroad.
Read moreCharmaine Ngobeni, a South African entrepreneur with a passion for branding and supporting creatives in the industry
In the world of branding and design, standing out from the crowd is always a good thing, and Conté Creatives the Agency, the brainchild of South African entrepreneur Charmaine Ngobeni and her business partner Amanda Sibiya, is certainly doing that. Their unique differentiator in the marketplace is not only a great service offering, but also a wonderful creative portfolio magazine showcasing some great work by highly talented designers.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Lana de Klerk: Persevere!
Perseverance is essential....
"See every challenge and hurdle along the way as an opportunity. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will cheer you on. Always remember the 4 P's: Persevere! Persevere! Persevere! Persevere!"
- Lana de Klerk is the founder of Prestige Marketing in South Africa, a company specialising in corporate gifts and clothing. Lana's passion has always been in marketing, and she's always loved stationery, gifts and clothing, so it seemed the perfect industry for her to launch her business in.Today, she is building a successful business and brand and with great ambitions for the future.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Magatte Wade
"I’d like to think that I’m instead part of a new wave of conscious entrepreneurs, committed to social and environmental responsibility as we do business in Africa."
- Magatte Wade is the Senegalese-born founder of Tiossan, an all-natural, artisan skin care brand inspired by the traditional Sufi healers of Senegal. At the heart of this growing global brand are the proud tradition of ancient Senegalese recipes from which Tiossan draws inspiration. Magatte is a passionate champion of entrepreneurial education in Senegal and 50% of Tiossan profits are dedicated to the creation of innovative schools.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Julie Cassidy: The rewards far outweigh the efforts
The rewards will far outweigh your efforts....
"Don't give up! As hard as the struggle seems to get your business off the ground and become your own boss, the rewards far outweigh the efforts."
- Julie Cassidy is the co-founder of ProFlex People in South Africa, a company that provides a flexible solution to small businesses by allowing them to choose and buy-in the skills they need, for as long as they need, with no additional overheads, employment challenges or excessive rates - all via an online platform. Julie worked in the corporate world for over 20 years building a strong foundation of business knowledge and skills in the transformation and change management fields before launching her own entrepreneurial journey.
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