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Entrepreneur Advice from Lilly Alfonso: Know yourself

October 11, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Lilly Alfonso, founder of Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)

Lilly Alfonso, founder of Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)

Know yourself...

"... it is important to know yourself. Understand and believe in your dreams. Give yourself room to research and plan for whatever you are dreaming of venturing into. Giving up isn’t the only way if things get tough ahead. Challenges build you up, and so does criticism. Failures make you unique, so use them and turn them into positives."

- Lilly Alfonso is a fashion designer and founder of Lilly Alfonso in Malawi, a fashion design label that has evolved over the years to become one of the top fashion labels in Malawi. Lilly founded her business in 2005 and has come a long way from using her first machine on a veranda to showcasing her unique designs on international runways. With 10 years of experience in design and manufacturing, Lilly has proven that with passion, dedication and hard work one can flourish and grow a brand of international repute.

Read Lilly's startup story here.

In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Dream, Failure, Self Belief
← Own your GoalsEntrepreneur Advice from Adenike Akinsemolu: Start now, start right, start proud and don’t stop! →

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LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
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Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
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Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Femi Handbags

Statement Handbags…Add a touch of drama to your wardrobe with one of the show-stopping colourful bags from Femi Handbags in Nigeria, founded by Femi Olayebi. With their iconic shapes and eclectic pops of colou
Image of the Day / Yococo

Vegan ice-cream heaven…If you are ice cream lovers like we are here at Lionesses of Africa, you will love the vegan ice cream from Yococo in South Africa, created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela. She is proving t
Image of the Day / Lilly Alfonso

Vibrant African style…Lilly Alfonso is a renowned fashion brand in Malawi created by founder and Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso. She is a two-time International Fashion Award winning designer for her contributio
Image of the Day / Pichulik

Statement earrings… Introducing The Aventurina Earrings by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear ate
Image of the Day / Uzuri K & Y

Handcrafted eco-footwear…We love the ethos of Uzuri K & Y in Rwanda, an impact driven  footwear manufacturing business founded by entrepreneurs Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe. They are changing li
Image of the Day / Margaux Wong

Sustainable statement jewellery…We love the strong designs of the hugely talented Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong in Burundi. This international, multi-cultural jewellery and accessories brand was found
Image of the Day / Nebü

Pure gold heritage…Helen Viljoen is the founder of Nebü, a transparently priced, pure investment-grade gold jewellery brand inspired by and made in South Africa. Helen creates legacy pieces for clients that w
Image of the Day / Afropian

Statement dressing…If you want to make a fashion statement, then how better to do that than with this dramatic bark-cloth dress by Afropian, the Pan-African lifestyle brand founded by Cameroonian entrepreneur Horte
Image of the Day / Vanhu Vamwe

Marvellous macrame…We have always been big fans of the uber-talented Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, co-founder of luxury Zimbabwean accessory brand, Vanhu Vamwe, together with husband Simba Nyawiri. This show-stopping co
Image of the Day / Midunu Chocolates

Chocolate love…We are big chocolate lovers at Lionesses of Africa, so we love these beautiful looking and fabulous tasting chocolates from Midunu Chocolates in Ghana, handcrafted by entrepreneur and chocol
Image of the Day / Femi Handbags

Statement Handbags…Add a touch of drama to your wardrobe with one of the show-stopping colourful bags from Femi Handbags in Nigeria, founded by Femi Olayebi. With their iconic shapes and eclectic pops of colou Image of the Day / Yococo

Vegan ice-cream heaven…If you are ice cream lovers like we are here at Lionesses of Africa, you will love the vegan ice cream from Yococo in South Africa, created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela. She is proving t Image of the Day / Lilly Alfonso

Vibrant African style…Lilly Alfonso is a renowned fashion brand in Malawi created by founder and Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso. She is a two-time International Fashion Award winning designer for her contributio Image of the Day / Pichulik

Statement earrings… Introducing The Aventurina Earrings by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear ate Image of the Day / Uzuri K & Y

Handcrafted eco-footwear…We love the ethos of Uzuri K & Y in Rwanda, an impact driven  footwear manufacturing business founded by entrepreneurs Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe. They are changing li Image of the Day / Margaux Wong

Sustainable statement jewellery…We love the strong designs of the hugely talented Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong in Burundi. This international, multi-cultural jewellery and accessories brand was found Image of the Day / Nebü

Pure gold heritage…Helen Viljoen is the founder of Nebü, a transparently priced, pure investment-grade gold jewellery brand inspired by and made in South Africa. Helen creates legacy pieces for clients that w Image of the Day / Afropian

Statement dressing…If you want to make a fashion statement, then how better to do that than with this dramatic bark-cloth dress by Afropian, the Pan-African lifestyle brand founded by Cameroonian entrepreneur Horte Image of the Day / Vanhu Vamwe

Marvellous macrame…We have always been big fans of the uber-talented Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, co-founder of luxury Zimbabwean accessory brand, Vanhu Vamwe, together with husband Simba Nyawiri. This show-stopping co Image of the Day / Midunu Chocolates

Chocolate love…We are big chocolate lovers at Lionesses of Africa, so we love these beautiful looking and fabulous tasting chocolates from Midunu Chocolates in Ghana, handcrafted by entrepreneur and chocol

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

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Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
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Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
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Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
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Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity

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The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul

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