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Lionesses of Africa

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The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Disrupters: Success Strategies from Women Who Break the Mold by Dr Patti Fletcher

May 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Dr Patti Fletcher

Dr Patti Fletcher

This book is not about what women should do, and it’s not a preachy TEDTalk. Disrupters by Dr Patti Fletcher shows what different women in business have done to reach success as they define it. From board members to CEOs to freelancers to entrepreneurs, the business world is stacked against women because they follow the unspoken rules of business culture made long before women entered the workforce. 

 

Tech executive, board member, and angel investor Dr. Patti Fletcher recognizes the existing rules of business and then showcases the women who have found success by breaking them. With exciting insights and uplifting stories, Disrupters demystifies what it takes to go where so few have gone before by. It explores the mindsets that help or hinder success against all odds. It helps readers to discover the right time to begin the journey to a role that feels too big and too hard to obtain; and to learn the habits, tactics, and relationships that separate those who succeed from those who do not. It shows how to build a personal board of directors that will catapult you to the professional boardroom; and it reveals what it means to achieve your own version of success with case studies and interviews with women of diverse races, ages, backgrounds, and industries. 

Author quotes

Disrupters isn’t about me; it’s about you. It’s about equipping you with the knowledge, confidence, and maybe even that extra boost of courage you need to succeed.
If you are looking for a business book on finding success in the world doing things your own way, well this is a great place to start.
I want you to find your own path, as I and the women profiled throughout this book have. I want you to experience success your way.

About the author

Dr. Patti Fletcher is a leading advocate for women in business leadership and technology and an authority on how to create a culture of inclusion to drive real business results. She is recognized as a futurist and gender equity advocate; student of the inclusive talent economy and future of leadership; and innovation through inclusion expert. She writes, advises and speaks on topics related to driving progress through people. Patti is a seasoned tech executive, award-winning marketing influencer, board member, angel investor and speaker. She is a VIP contributor to Entrepreneur.com, writes for Huffington Post and The Digitalist. She has contributed to and been featured in Inc., The Guardian, Time Magazine, Forbes, Fortune, Newsweek, and The Muse. Patti advises corporate executives and board members from lean start-ups to Fortune 100s, from small community organizations to large global non-profits.

www.drpattifletcher.com 


Why LoA loves it….

The world of business needs a little more disruption if women entrepreneurs are to really break through and build game-changing businesses. This is a great read that brings the very real stories of women disruptors who are shaking things up in their own business worlds. It’s inspiring, challenging, and makes you challenge whether you are doing enough in your own space to make that all important breakthrough.  --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa

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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

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LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
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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

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

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Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
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Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
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Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
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Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
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Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
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Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The

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