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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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Grit & Grind: 10 Principles for Living An Extraordinary Life by Rhonda Vetere

April 28, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Rhonda Vetere

Rhonda Vetere

It's not WHAT challenges you face in life but HOW you face them that determines how fast you reach your goals. Rhonda Vetere, seasoned C-Suite technology veteran and author of the new book Grit & Grind, knows first-hand that there's no such thing as a perfect, struggle-free life. In her work as a Global Technology Executive, she's faced down some of the biggest financial crises of modern times, and she knows it's not WHAT challenges you face in life but HOW you face them that matters.



Grit & Grind uses real-life stories of how Rhonda Vetere and her team navigate the volatile tech industry and illustrates a simple 10-part practice for building bone-deep confidence in your own abilities no matter what the challenge is. We all face obstacles as we wind our way through life. Whether you're seeking success at work, creating a lasting relationship, or just trying to get unstuck in some area of your life, the quickest way to get what you want is to dive into the mess and learn your way through it.

Grit & Grind's 10-part practice provides the framework. You provide the willingness to dive in. No matter what challenges you face, no matter how messy things get, you CAN work your way through them, and things WILL be better on the other side. When you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty, and when you embrace the idea that grit and grind can be fun, nothing can stop you from achieving the life you desire.

Author quotes

When it comes to real life, avoidance and shortcuts will get you nowhere but stuck. Whether you’re seeking success at work, dealing with a health crisis or injury, or just trying to get “unstuck” in some other area of your life, the quickest way to get to the other side is to dive into the mess and learn your way through it.

You’re stronger than you know. You’re more capable than you give yourself credit for. No matter what challenges you face, no matter how messy things get, you CAN work your way through them, and things WILL be better on the other side. When you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty, and when you embrace the idea that some challenges might even be fun, nothing can stop you from achieving the life you desire.

The 10 principles in this book will help you develop the skills to handle whatever life throws your way while building bone-deep confidence in your own abilities. And when you gain that confidence, you’ll not only survive through the grit and grind you’ll lead others too.

About the author

Rhonda Vetere is a seasoned C-Suite technology veteran who has worked across industries as a Global Technology Executive. A change agent for digital transformation, she has led the way for growth with more than 23 mergers and acquisitions at companies including Este e Lauder Companies, AIG, HP Enterprise Services, Barclays, Lehman Brothers, Bank One / JPMorgan Chase, CompuServe, MCI, and Worldcom. She was named a top female global technology icon by Worth Magazine. As an industry expert and influencer, Rhonda has been a keynote speaker and panelist at many conferences and events, including WIT Connect, Microsoft Global CIO Summit, Dell EMC World, and the U.S. Vice Presidential Candidate Debate. She has lived and worked internationally in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Mumbai, and across India and has managed teams of more than 20,000 people. Rhonda is also the co-author of an HP special edition book, Enterprise Service Management for Dummies.

An avid sports fan and real-world corporate athlete, she stays focused and sharp by competing in marathons and triathlons on a regular basis.

www.rhondavetere.com 


Why LoA loves it….

As women entrepreneurs, we all experience the hurdles, barriers, stresses, frustrations of launching and growing our businesses, and in Africa, those can often be daunting. We need to find our inner Lioness and the strength and the confidence to deal with everything that life and business throws at us, day in and day out. In Grit & Grind, Rhonda Vetere’s new book, she provides a 10-principle guide to developing what she calls the ‘bone-deep’ confidence to deal with anything, and to thrive and grow personally at the same time. This is a fabulous book for any woman entrepreneur who needs a really good dose of ‘can do’ spirit to get them through the tough times and beyond. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa

In Essential Tags Books
← LIONESS LAUNCH: Liberian entrepreneur Lena Marshall launches new specialist Food Safety training programme for the country’s street food sellersA Tool to Succeed Through Uncertain Circumstances →

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.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
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
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

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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
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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

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

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Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
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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
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

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