How many times when speaking to would-be entrepreneurs and innovators do you hear them talk about how they are not able to realise their business dreams because they are held back by fear of the unknown? Their path to success is blocked by nagging fears and doubts such as fear of failure; fear of the idea or invention not being perfect and therefore not ready to launch; fear of not having enough money to take the leap to being an entrepreneur; fear of not having enough time to make the entrepreneurial dream a reality; fear of ending up broke if the idea doesn’t work. But the fact is that every entrepreneurwho has ever developed a new business or invented a new product has faced the same questions and challenges, and there are always unknowns and potential roadblocks on the entrepreneurial journey. The trick is not to let the fear of the unknown paralyse you to the point where nothing gets done. You need to battle your fears, find solutions to each of the challenges that will inevitably confront you, and just launch - after all, what is the point of having a great idea or product concept if it is the world’s best kept secret?

100 LIONESSES: Nkemdilim Begho takes to the stage in Brussels to talk Technology and Job Creation, Growth and Competitiveness in West Africa

This month, Nigerian serial entrepreneur Nkemdilim Begho, founder of specialist IT company FutureSoft and co-founder of children’s accessory brand AlwaysMe by Ann Li, had the honour of speaking in Brussels at a high level European Commission conference. The event, which sought to tackle issues around Job Creation, Growth and Competitiveness in West Africa, attracted 300 high-level representatives from the European Commission, Regional Organisations (ECOWAS and WAEMU), Regional Development Banks, National Authorities at Ministerial level, financial Institutions and private sector stakeholders.

100 Lionesses: Renowned Conservationist, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, speaks at Explorers Festival in Washington D.C.

Some of the world’s most innovative scientists, conservationists, explorers and storytellers took to the stage at the prestigious National Geographic Explorers Festival this week in Washington. Amongst them was the renowned Ugandan gorilla conservationist and veterinarian Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of leading organisation CTPH Conservation Through Public Health, and Gorilla Conservation Coffee.

100 Lionesses: Flying Doctors Nigeria founder, Dr Ola Brown, honoured with Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award

In recognition of Flying Doctors Nigeria’s role in saving lives during critical and emergency situations in sub-Sahara Africa, Dr Ola Brown, the company's founder has been bestowed with the prestigious 2017 Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award by the Nigeria Aviation Awards (NIGAV) held last month.

Divine Ndhlukula wins Zimbabwe's private sector leader of the year award

Women dominated the Zimbabwe Institute of Management 2017 Leadership Excellence awards that were presented in Harare this month, with Securico Security Services founder, Divine Ndhlukula, picking up the prestigious Private Sector Leader of the Year award. She received the award for her ongoing contribution to management excellence in the country in the preceding year and for being an example and inspiration for others to emulate.

100 Lionesses: Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee wins prestigious SEED Award

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee, the game-changing for-profit social enterprise which aims to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers whilst at the same time protecting mountain gorillas in Uganda, has just been recognised by this year’s prestigious SEED Awards.

Awards and Accolades: 5 Young Women Entrepreneurs Recognized by the Keroche Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Mentorship Programme

The Keroche Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program is one of the tangible ways that leading Kenyan entrepreneur, Tabitha Karanja, founder of Keroche Breweries, is fulfilling her vision of empowering a new generation of young entrepreneurs in her country. Five young women entrepreneurs have just been recognized for their business building activities in the second cohort to graduate from the program.

Start Your Business on a Ramen Noodle Budget: 12 Lessons on Becoming a Young Entrepreneur When You are Broke! by Felecia Hatcher

Author Felecia Hatcher believes that you don't need millions of dollars to get your business idea off the ground, but you do need to START, with what you have and where you probably are financially - on a Ramen Noodle budget! And that philosophy is the basis of her new book Start Your Business on a Ramen Noodle Budget: 12 Lessons on Becoming a Young Entrepreneur When You Are Broke!

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Imposter Syndrome and How To Thrive In Spite of It - by Valerie Young

Learn to take ownership of your success, overcome self-doubt, and banish the thought patterns that undermine your ability to feel—and act—as bright and capable as others already know you are with this award-winning book by Valerie Young.

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