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?

Sep 17, 2017 Award Winner, Lionesses, 100 Lionesses Project Divine Ndhlukula Melanie Hawken Comment

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.

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.

Sep 17, 2017 Essential Books Melanie Hawken Comment

Essential Read: Pivot - The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One by Jenny Blake

If you've got the perfect career or business, congratulations. But if you are even a little bit uncertain that your current gig is the right one, it is time to start thinking about your next move. In the new world of work and business, it's the only move that matters, according to Jenny Blake, author of Pivot.

Sep 2, 2017 Essential Books, Lionesses of Africa Conference Melanie Hawken Comment

ESSENTIAL READS: Meet 5 authors who are helping women entrepreneurs to achieve greater success

Africa’s women entrepreneurs need access to a wide variety of business support, advice, inspiration and motivation from others who have been there and got the proverbial t-shirt in the world of business building. There are an increasing number of inspirational women authors across the African continent and globally who are publishing fascinating books to fulfill this need, and at this year’s Lionesses of Africa Conference we are introducing five of them, all based in South Africa. These highly knowledgeable writers will be showcasing their latest books, offering their insights and expert knowledge, and of course, networking to help women entrepreneurs to greater success.

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