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?

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 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.

Jul 9, 2017 Essential Books Melanie Hawken Comment

Essential Read: Regroup - The How-To of Never Giving Up by Jaunique Sealey

Real, relatable and raw - an unflinching look at what it takes to live life on your own terms. Written in the words of a savvy best friend and packed full of emotion-stirring moments, Regroup is the entertaining and uplifting read that we all need in these days of uncertainty.

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