I read a great quote this morning by the renowned business guru, Peter F. Drucker that really resonated, he said: “In every success story, you will find someone who has made a courageous decision.” It seems to me, when meeting and speaking to so many incredible woman entrepreneurs in Africa, that bravery is at the heart of entrepreneurship. It takes great courage to believe in the journey you are on and the businesses you are trying to build, even when those around you tell you it’s impossible. Looking back, it seems like often the really groundbreaking businesses and ideas come from brave entrepreneurs, those who are willing to back their world-changing idea to the hilt and and fight against the doubters, the nay-sayers and general apathy in order to build something truly great and original. Many a successful company and world-changing invention has emerged as a result of a courageous entrepreneur who simply believed that it was too good to fail. So this morning, be brave, be courageous, and make things happen.

Jul 2, 2017 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Divine Ndhlukula Melanie Hawken Comment

100 Lionesses: Divine Ndhlukula appointed new Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce President

This month saw the appointment of Divine Ndhlukula, founder of game changing security services company, Securico, as the new Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) President, a post she will occupy for the next two years. She has committed to dedicating her time at the helm of the ZNCC to furthering the cause of small to medium sized enterprises, something close to her heart as an entrepreneur. Divine said: “It will be important to note that we will focus on helping SMEs to realize their full potential as they now anchor the country’s economy. In the same vein, we will also strive to ensure that the country’s economy can realize its full potential.”

Mar 10, 2017 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Sarah Collins Melanie Hawken Comment

Sarah Collins and Wonderbag collaborate with Pfizer Vaccines to positively change lives in Ghana

In the Upper East Region of Ghana, cooking is a dangerous and time-consuming daily activity. Results from a self-reported survey indicate that women spend two hours a day gathering fuel and water, followed by up to four hours standing over open fires1. Exposed to cooking smoke for hours each day, women and small children can be at higher risk for deadly diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, heart disease and lung cancer.

Mar 5, 2017 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tara Fela-Durotoye Melanie Hawken Comment

Is your favorite lipstick fake? Africa's leading beauty entrepreneur Tara Fela-Durotoye launches campaign to tackle counterfeiting

Leading African beauty industry entrepreneur, Tara Fela-Durotoye, together with other leading Nigerian entrepreneurs are raising their voices to stand against counterfeiting, intellectual property theft and piracy in Nigeria. Their powerful new campaign 'United We Stand' aimed at tackling piracy, counterfeiting and intellectual property theft head-on launched on 24th February 2017. The campaign is a call to action against injustice which also implores the Nigerian public to take extra steps to preserve hard work and to ensure consumer safety by buying genuine products and shunning counterfeit products.

Feb 26, 2017 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Ethiopia Melanie Hawken Comment

SoleRebels founder Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu demonstrates the power of thinking big with her new Garden of Coffee venture

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, the pioneering and enterprising creator of the inspirational SoleRebels ethical footwear brand, and Republic of Leather, her business venture that puts Ethiopia’s handcrafted leatherwear and accessories on the global map, believes the future of a truly sustainable specialty coffee market can be found in coffee’s birthplace, her native Ethiopia. After more than a decade of building SoleRebels into a global footwear and leather goods brand that combines traditional Ethiopian craftsmanship and materials with fresh new designs while also paying top dollar throughout the supply chain, Alemu late last year launched an equally ambitious new coffee venture called Garden of Coffee.

Jan 15, 2017 Lionesses Fée Halsted Melanie Hawken Comment

Fée Halsted's Ardmore Ceramics exhibits its vibrant and unique ceramic art in Miami

Fée Halsted flew to Miami this week for the opening of Pascoe and Company's Ardmore Ceramics Exhibition hosted by the Ocean Reef Art League. The exhibition has received a great response with tremendous enthusiasm for Ardmore and its artists. The new Pascoe and Company Gallery offers the largest selection of Ardmore in the United States.

Jul 23, 2017 Essential Books Melanie Hawken Comment

Essential Read: Grit - The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls 'grit'.

Jul 15, 2017 Essential Books Melanie Hawken Comment

ESSENTIAL READ: Real Tales of a Mompreneur - True Stories of Babies, Business and Balance by Kendra Garcia

There is an art to attempting to balance the challenging demands of motherhood and career, and it only gets more strenuous for those mothers who decide to take the risk and bank on their business idea. The demands and pressure of that lifestyle are extremely difficult to understand without actually experiencing it. In her new book, Real Tales of a Mompreneur, author and business coach Kendra Garcia tells it like it is.

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