50 Inspiring Quotes from Africa's leading women entrepreneurs to motivate you in 2015

To kickstart 2015 off on a truly inspirational note, we are sharing our Top 50 Inspiring Quotes from some of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs. We found so much motivation and encouragement in their words and we hope they inspire you too as you continue on your own entrepreneurial journey to success in the year ahead. 

1. “I knew what I wanted in life and I worked day and night to achieve it, and here I am.” - Tabitha Karanja is founder & CEO of  Keroche Breweries - Kenya's monopoly and gender busting beer brewer
2. “I have always believed that women can do anything they set their hearts on” - Pam Golding is founder of Pam Golding Property Group headquartered in South Africa, and a celebrated property icon of Africa
3. "If you have a crazy idea, go for it! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes." - Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world
4. "My advice to women all the time is: If you want a certain future, go out and create it. Conquer your fears as that is what enslaves most women." - Divine Ndhlukula is founder SECURICO Security Services in Zimbabwe, and the queen of Africa's security industry
5. "Everything is possible. Impossible just takes a little longer.” - Wendy Ackerman is a co-founder and an Executive Director of Pick n Pay Stores, and widely respected as the doyenne of South African retail
6. “Taking an idea that’s on paper or in your head and moving it forward into real, tangible action is the true spirit of entrepreneurship.” - Njeri Rionge is one of very few women pioneers in the ICT sector on the African continent and co-founder of internet service provider Wananchi Online
7. "Never listen to anybody who tells you, you can’t do it. You know you can so just get on with it.” - Margaret Hirsch is one half of a dynamic husband and wife duo that founded Hirsch's Homestores back in 1979, and has gone on to become a true champion of women empowerment
8. “The West has taken and borrowed a lot from Africa…now it’s a renaissance: we’re claiming back what is ours and we’re adding value to what is ours, making it globally acceptable and globally appealing." - Deola Sagoe is founder of Deola and is widely respected as the leading lady of African haute couture fashion and was the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma back in 2004
9. “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 the iconic South African designer who built a global brand with Carrol Boyes, the company she founded in 1991, combining her artistic flair and talent in sculpture to create an extensive range of distinctive homeware products
10. "It was my dream to capture true African luxury, change the world's perception of Africa and produce a luxury brand that is truly African in origin, nature and tradition." - Swaady Martin-Leke is founder of YSWARA, a rapidly growing African luxury brand creating elegant, high-end products produced by African artisans with a focus on exquisite teas sourced from across Africa
11. “I have learnt that if you face the challenges with positive energy, you are most likely to get better results.” - Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble the leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria
12. "The most important thing is to trust your inner instincts. Look at what you respect; who you respect and who you believe in." - Angela Dick is founder and CEO of Transman, the largest privately owned, temporary employment service provider in South Africa
13. “If I can change the life of one person it makes a whole difference because behind that person there is a whole family. It’s a family, it’s a society, it’s Tanzania.” - Victoria Kisyombe founded SELFINA in 2002 taking the lead role as pioneer of micro-credit in Tanzania through micro-leasing to widows and young women
14. “Have a vision and passion. Be courageous, focused and disciplined. Lastly, persist… it’s definitely not easy.” - Monica Musonda is the founder of Java Foods, a food processing company based in Zambia with a mission to revolutionize the eating habits of the youth market by offering them affordable and nutritious food options made from local products
15. "When you are starting out, grow organically and take it slow. Don’t fall into the trap of taking out high interest loans and getting into unmanageable debt." - Janet Rhys is co-founder of Charlotte Rhys, South Africa’s leading luxurious bath, body and lifestyle range, supplying leading hotels across the world
16. “My greatest wish is to see a global community where our society is embracing internet technology to positively change lives and improve the efficiency of work done in our offices.” - Dorcas Muthoni is founder of Openworld Ltd, a market leading computer software company she established in Kenya when she was just 24 years old
17. “Hopefully consumers will begin demanding finished products from Africa, a place typically only considered for raw materials.” - Yodut Ekland is founder of Bantu Wax a fresh and trendy beachwear brand making waves around the world, and proudly 'Made In Africa, by Africans', sustainably & fairly
18. "... failure is an opportunity to learn and to do better next time. It’s part of the path to greatness, which was never meant to be smooth." - Khanyi Dhlomo is founder of Ndalo Media and Destiny Connect; and co-founder of Luminance, a South African media mogul with a passion for luxury retailing
19. "We need to create an environment that would drive creativity. Do not be afraid to test new things.  We must be creative, ensuring we are a step ahead of competition." - Kofo Akinkugbe is recognised globally for her entrepreneurial success story and strong business track record as founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd a market leader in smart card technology and digital security
20. “There are still many problems (in Rwanda), but I now see them as opportunities where entrepreneurs like me can thrive and rebuild the country,” - Lydie Hakizimana is co-founder and Managing Director of Drakkar Limited, a reseller and distributor of educational textbooks in Rwanda - she is a passionate enabler of her country's vision for building a knowledge-based economy
21. “Women in Africa do not need charity to finance the issue. Control of the resources that they create is the issue, and respect in the financial sector is the issue.” - Jennifer Riria is group chief executive of Kenya Women Holding a microfinance, banking and insurance group that works with 900,000 women - she is widely regarded as the entrepreneur who empowered Kenyan women
22. "At every African’s heart is an entrepreneurial spirit: we are survivors of struggle, malleable enough to embrace change and celebrate doing things differently." - Tammy Frazer founded Cape-Town-based Frazer Parfum in 2008 creating organic and natural perfume products, all handcrafted in collaboration with local artists
23. "We need to build our own national social networks and not be dependent on those coming from mainly the USA. We need to build home grown social media networks." - Uche Pedro is founder of BellaNaija.com, a company that develops and delivers exciting online content aimed at Nigerian and Pan-African audiences - Africa's diva of online media
24. "I am guided each day by these three questions: ‘What are you fixing?’ ‘What are you making?’ and ‘Who are you helping?'" - Juliana Rotich is an inspirational Kenyan technologist & social entrepreneur and co-founder of Ushahidi a company with a mission to change the way information flows in the world and empower people to make an impact with open source technologies
25. “Do not be afraid to try. Fail. Fail again. Fail better. He who takes all the risks, takes all the rewards.”  - Maira Koutsoudakis is an internationally acclaimed interior architect and founder and CEO of the Life group of companies and Life Interiors, Architecture and Strategic Design
26. “I learned through working with the UN that the greatest return on investment comes not from ‘fixing’ a problem but from shaping new mindsets amongst youth, .... I wanted to help forge mindsets that are not limited by current circumstances, but can re-imagine and re-create new possibilities.” - Anne Githuku-Shongwe is founder & CEO of AFROES Transformational Games a visionary creator of mobile phone edu-tainment for young Africans
27. “Don’t be afraid of criticism, research shows that in cases of men and women with the same type ‘A’ personalities, a man will always be seen as a go-getter and ambitious and the woman will be seen as bitchy and loud; understand it and move on.” - Ethel Cofie is founder of Edel Technologies, a Ghanaian tech entrepreneur and a pioneering member of a "Women in Tech" group working to form an African alliance of female technologists 
28. "If you start to see more successful businesses that are playing on a global level, the story of Africa will begin to change" - Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian-born lawyer turned Africa's leading beauty and makeup entrepreneur - she founded House of Tara at the age of 20 in her living room
29. "Start at the bottom. You need 100% passion, 100% guts and a total belief in your vision and your determination to succeed. Be prepared to put in crazy work hours and all kinds of sacrifices, but most important.. NEVER GIVE UP!" - Bev Missing is founder of RAIN who create handmade bath & body products and homeware from natural ingredients with African origins, using craftspeople who care for the environment.
30. "Failure is necessary for any learning curve. Failure makes you stronger, bolder, and less scared of taking risks." - Nkemdilim Begho is founder and Managing Di­rector of Future Software Resources Limited, an IT solutions provider focused on online solutions, e-learning and IT security - a leading lady of Nigeria's tech sector
31. "I have a philosophy; I question my intention, why am I living in this world? It is tough, and it gets lonely. The harder you work, the lonelier it gets." - Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation and founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa
32. "I have often also relied on my gut instinct to guide me in business, the times I haven’t, have been unfortunate.” - Jenna Clifford is a world-renowned jewellery designer who founded Jenna Clifford Designs back in 1992 and has crafted unique jewellery pieces for business icons and celebrities around the world
33. “It’s really rewarding when you can manage to turn a passion into a profitable business, and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs along the way” - Teta Isibo is the founder and creative force behind Inzuki Designs a young Rwandan brand specializing in jewelry, accessories and interior decor all produced using local craft skills and materials
34. "The biggest problem in Uganda is unemployment, .... I know what to do—we can create more employment.” - Julian Adyeri Omalla is one of Uganda's top female entrepreneurs and founder of Delight Uganda Limited, producing the country's most popular fruit drink sold under the brand name 'Cheers'
35. "Africa can do more than simply send its raw goods overseas .... Spinning and textile industries have nearly all closed and traditional weavers are slowly but surely disappearing. It’s a huge paradox. While millions of tons of cotton are being grown in west Africa, you can barely find a metre of finished textiles.” - Aïssa Dione is a renowned Senegalese painter and textile designer who founded the company that bears her name, Aissa Dione Tissus, back in 1992 with a mission to revive Senegal's traditional and unique fabric weaving craftsmanship
36. "Competition is normal and makes for good quality products at good prices to consumers. We have to ensure that we get our positioning right – be an afropolitan brand with a striking label and irresistible story." - Malmsey Rangaka is co-founder and CEO of M’hudi Wines, a family wine farm located in Stellenbosch and the first black-owned wine tourism farm in South Africa
37. "We are very proactive. We are strong women. We are great managers. We are great policy makers. We can be a great force for Africa.” - Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana are inspirational sisters and co-founders of  Gahaya Links Cooperatives, created to turn ancient basket weaving skills into a source of livelihood for thousands of rural women in Rwanda who were returning refugees or survivors of the genocide
38. "....the best thing about female entrepreneurs is that they have an inborn responsibility toward society and aspire to help others and enjoy doing it." - Lorna Rutto is a Kenyan eco-preneur and founder of EcoPost, a social enterprise created in response to the need to find alternative waste management solutions to Kenya's huge plastic waste problem
39.  "True success is about a passion to create a better world, live a life that you can look back on and be truly proud of."- Dr. Ola Orekunrin is a medical doctor, helicopter pilot and  healthcare entrepreneur founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa’s first Air Ambulance Service
40. "As a successful female entrepreneur, I recognize that I have a responsibility to support those following in my footsteps, and to give back to the community." - Susan Mashibe is founder of VIA Aviation, an international aircraft services operation and the first company of its kind in Tanzania. Susan is also the first woman in Tanzania to hold both a FAA certified commercial pilot and an aircraft maintenance engineering qualification.
41. "To improve innovation in Africa, we need to invest more in education. You cannot innovate when you do not have a good education." - Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is a Nigerian entrepreneur and innovator, and founder and CEO of WeCyclers an award winning social enterprise
42. "In my experience, women tend to create a collective around them and then it is ‘let’s go into battle together’. For me, it is this type of collaborative, collective thinking that is useful in this industry, an industry full of innovation." - Emma Kaye, founder and CEO of Bozza, a plug & play solution for African musicians, poets & film makers to promote and sell their digital content
43. "Entrepreneurs in Africa could also take it upon themselves to serve as role models by taking time to talk to young people in school and in other programs so the students can understand what entrepreneurship is and begin to consider it as a career path." - Anne Amuzu is co-founder and lead product developer of Nandimobile Ltd., a young and vibrant technology startup based in Ghana
44. "I might fail in a business venture but I do not consider myself a failure until I have given up. Failure is giving up on my goals and dreams." - Damilola Solesi is founder of Smids Animation Studios based in Lagos, Nigeria, creators of 3D computer animation, 3D content production, motion graphics and visual effects
45. “I am an advocate of business being an important instrument of development. In fact, business is the fabric for development.” - Eva Muraya, founder and CEO of Brand Strategy and Design, a market leading East African brand, advertising and communications agency
46. "I sold sweets to friends at school, and we would sell sandwiches and ice cream at soccer matches on weekends. So from a very early age I understood what business was about and I knew how to work with money. All the basic business principles I learned from watching my parents." - Basetsana Kumalo is a pioneering South African entrepreneur, television personality, beauty pageant titleholder, businesswoman, and philanthropist
47. "If success means living with joy, contentment, and doing great things with my talent, then failure is the opposite of success. It means not living with joy, contentment, or using my skills and gifts. Failure would also mean not pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and not daring to try new things and ideas." - Oreoluwa Somolu Lesi is founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre a Nigerian organisation working to empower girls and women socially and economically, using information and communication technologies
48. "To empower the women of South Africa has always been a very important passion for me. In my company I have often seen women grow from shy and uneducated, into confident individuals that take responsibility of their own lives and jobs. These women are often the main breadwinners of their immediate and extended families." - Nelia Annandale is founder of Keedo Kids a South African company that manufactures designer children’s clothing in a socially responsible and ethical manner
49. "When you dream, shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars" - Emelda Mwamanga is a truly inspiring Tanzanian entrepreneur who a decade ago, without any experience in journalism, started her country's first lifestyle publication, Bang! magazine
50. "I often find with businesses is that it’s like having a child; you create a monster and then you have to just let it run it’s course." - Anna Savage is founder of two of the most popular markets in Durban, South Africa, I Heart Market and The Morning Trade, hubs for the city's best artisanal food, innovative décor and design, and live entertainment

We wish all our Lionesses of Africa an inspirational, successful and creative year ahead in 2015!

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