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Lionesses of Africa

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(212) 634-4540
The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Impact Founder: Inspirational stories of entrepreneurs who risk everything for what they believe in by Kristin R Darga

June 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Kristin Darga

Kristin Darga

After there were two suicides of startup founders and the sudden death of a third, Kristin Darga created Impact Founder to do whatever she could to help alleviate the feelings of inadequacy, isolation, stress, depression and suicide among founders by sharing real stories of real entrepreneurs’ struggles and successes. Her book, Impact Founder, tells real stories of entrepreneurs to help all of us understand that we are not alone with the challenges. Through Impact Founder, she is on a mission to make sure another entrepreneur isn’t lost due to isolation, feelings of inadequacy, failure, or for any other reason. Self-doubt is part of life and sometimes entrepreneurs face the issue alone and lose their perspective.



Author quotes

I invite you to  see yourself somewhere in this book, and potentially more than one place, and take solace in the fact that the person you are relating to survived to tell their story. What this book accomplishes is a look at the range of issues from self-doubt to overwhelm to the internal battles of all kinds that entrepreneurs face. 

I am reminded of the definition of courage that is often attributed to our military members... "It's not that we're not scared, it's that we did it anyway."   And with that definition in mind, I invite you to come in and share the stories in the book, share your story on our platform, learn from others, help others learn from you, and let's create a real dialogue to make sure that what happened to the three entrepreneurs who inspired this book never happens again.

I am on a mission to make sure we never lose another entrepreneur due to isolation, feelings of inadequacy, failure, or for any other reason.  Self-doubt is part of life and sometimes entrepreneurs face the issue alone, and lose their perspective.  As the leader of a movement to build real entrepreneurship - to empower entrepreneurs to keep making change in the world and to not give up - I know it is important to share vulnerably. This is the story of what lead me to create Impact Founder™.

About the author

Kristin Darga, Founder of Impact Founder™, is an executive coach who guides and supports entrepreneurs to break the code of what's holding them back from success. After her ex-boyfriend almost took his life and she heard about a number of founder suicides, Kristin took action and created Impact Founder,  a global multi-media movement to create an authentic entrepreneurship community. This growing community supports and empowers entrepreneurs to combat isolation through connection and support each other through the struggles to make a lasting impact.  

www.impactfounder.com 


Why LoA loves it….

As entrepreneurs, we all know that this business building journey we are on can be a tough one, challenging us each and every day, pushing us to the limits and back - ultimately, it can also be a very lonely journey. We all need people around us that can help to keep us on track, to be there when we lose perspective and hope, and to boost our confidence and energy when we need to keep going. This book is an incredibly honest, inspirational platform through which to share stories of those who have made it through the toughest of times and come through the other side in business and in life. It is a great read for all those who sometimes feel the isolation and pressure of choosing this crazy entrepreneurial life and who need to know that it is all possible with perseverance and the right support.  --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa

In Essential Tags Books
← Marie-Paule Tano, an entrepreneur with a passion for Cote d’Ivoire creating a luxury jewellery and accessory brand inspired by African art and cultureThe biggest risk for the entrepreneur is being unable to work due to illness, trauma or force majeure →

Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

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


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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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 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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