Every year in the month of August, South Africa celebrates National Women’s Month, and to support this commemorative initiative, Lionesses of Africa headed to Durban on 1 August to host one of its popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast Events. As always, the event was powered by Standard Bank and hosted at its Kingsway conference centre in the heart of Durban. At the event, women entrepreneurs representing all sectors of business and industry, gathered for a morning of inspirational startup story sharing and great networking.
The Lioness Lean In Breakfast events are proving to be a huge hit with women entrepreneurs who come from across the country to listen to other successful women business brand builders share their stories and to network. On arrival in Durban for this month’s event, the attendees immediately got on with the main business of the morning, enjoying breakfast and of course, networking - lots of it!
Melanie Hawken, Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo
The programme got underway with Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken, encouraging every woman entrepreneur in the room to make at least one new business connection during the morning. Following an introduction to the audience of the mission and vision of Lionesses of Africa, and a brief outline of the information and resources available to women entrepreneurs through the network, the first guest speaker was welcomed to the podium. Entrepreneur and interior architect, Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey, a niche interior and exterior design company based in Durban, wowed the audience with her unique approach to design. She explained how she had aspirations to see Hector & Bailey make a real dent in the South African interiors market, with a strong focus on the commercial sector. Her hope is to expand the Hector & Bailey 'family', by complimenting the firm with fresh, new talent that shares her passion and drive for outstanding service and craftsmanship. Jess is currently breaking ground with other African countries, such as Mozambique, and also hopes to see this work flourish and grow across the continent.
Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey
Thandiwe Makhanya, founder of ATL Events and Promotions
Next up to share her story was Thandiwe Makhanya, founder of ATL Events and Promotions, a niche event management and promotions company working with leading brands to position their products with consumers in the South African marketplace. Thandiwe shared her entrepreneurial journey and also her brand building expertise with the audience, explaining what it takes to get brands noticed and loved by consumers. She also gave an insight into her parallel career as a radio presenter, sharing her insights on the world of brand marketing through her regular radio show. It was good for everyone to get to know the person behind the microphone.
Narcissi Madisha, founder of Kameo Kids
The third of the guest speakers at the Lioness Lean In Breakfast in Durban was children’s fashionwear designer, Narcissi Madisha, founder of the hip and trendy Kameo Kids brand. She shared her entrepreneurial journey to becoming a growing childrenswear brand in the country, and her belief that fashion is powerful form of expression of an individual, and one to be enjoyed and embraced at any age. Narcissi also announced the news of her label’s exciting new retail store launch on 1st September. Wrapping up the event was Standard Bank’s Kabelo Matlala, who shared valuable insights into what the bank is doing through its Incubator to empower and support women entrepreneurs. She was followed on the speaker podium by two representatives from Standard Bank in Durban, Maya Ramnath and Vanilla Chetty who gave away a gift bag of goodies to one lucky draw winner.
Above: Standard Bank's Maya Ramnath and Vanilla Chetty give away a gift bag of goodies to one lucky draw winner
Left: Standard Bank’s Kabelo Matlala
Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken, said of the success of the latest Lioness Lean In Breakfast event in Durban:
“Each of the Lioness Lean In Breakfast events we host has a different personality, due to the women entrepreneurs who attend and their businesses which are all unique and cover a myriad of business and industry sectors. This makes for an incredible dynamic event, as these women entrepreneurs not only look for inspiration and motivation in their own businesses, but also use the event as a means of meeting potential collaborators, customers and mentors.”
For more information on future Lioness Lean In Breakfast events and to book a place, click on http://www.lionessesofafrica.com/events/
