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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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Your First Year: What I Wish I'd Known by Deborah Kevin and Jill Celeste

September 3, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Jill Celeste and Deborah Kevin

Book Review

Entrepreneurs Deborah Kevin and Jill Celeste, co-authors of the book, Your First Year: What I Wish I'd Known, believe that there is no one “right way,” to build a start-up and you will make mistakes. That’s part of growing. In their new book they bring together the insights, experiences and shared wisdom of fellow women entrepreneurs who have all got through their own business growing pains and emerged to find success.


Are you a new woman entrepreneur or one who is waiting in the wings? Do you want to do things the “right way?”Or worry about making mistakes? Here’s the truth: there is no one “right way,” and you will make mistakes. That’s part of growing. In the book, Your First Year: What I Wish I'd Known by Deborah Kevin and Jill Celeste, there is a host of generous and hard-won wisdom shared - it won’t be a cure-all, but it will reassure you that following your internal GPS is just as (or maybe more) important as getting advice. From legally setting up your business to keeping clean bookkeeping records and effective marketing strategies through thriving through major health and life crises, this book will be your “go-to” guide as you step fully into a CEO role. The women authors in this book want you to succeed. They’re cheering you on as you make an impact in Your First Year…and beyond!

Author Quotes

When ‘Your First Year’ was first conceived, the women I spoke with about sharing their business start-up experience with others responded with a wholehearted and collective, ‘Yes!’ It’s this kind of generosity of spirit and wisdom that reminds me how important it is to give women a voice, to allow them to share from their hearts, and provide a platform to make their wisdom available to those who desperately need it.

When I left the corporate world in 2010, I never dreamed that I’d own a business, one that morphed over time to allow me to serve writers and authors in a way that I couldn’t comprehend back then.

The book you hold in your hands contains hard-earned wisdom, shared from a place of love and encouragement. Consider it written for you because we have your back and want you to make a positive impact in our world. We believe in you!

About the authors

Deborah Kevin (pronounced "KEY-vin"), MA, as the founder and chief inspiration officer of Highlander Press, loves helping change-makers tap into and share their stories of healing and truth with impactful books, including her book entitled You've Written Your Book. Now What? Debby, a graduate of Stanford University's Novel Writing program, earned a master's degree in publishing from Western Colorado University. She's trekked over 350 miles of the Camino de Santiago, and she lives in Maryland with the love of her life, Rob, her sons, and their puppy Fergus.

www.deborahkevin.com

Jill Celeste, MA, loves Loud Women and loud bassets. That's why you will likely find her teaching marketing and mindset to female entrepreneurs at Celestial University; or facilitating sisterhood and connection through her online networking organization, Virtual Networkers; or hanging out with basset hounds as the co-founder of Tampa Bay Basset Hounds. She's the bestselling author of two books (so far): Loud Woman and That First Client. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, two sons, two cats, and a basset hound named Trixie.

www.jillceleste.com

Contributing Authors:

Suzanne Tregenza Moore, Nicole Meltzer, Nancy Linnerooth, Maribeth Decker, Jennifer Kate, Lee Murphy Wolf, Cheri D. Andrews, Connie Jo Miller, Laura Templeton, Hanne Broter, Jill Celeste, Clare Whalley, Pam Knox, Kate Varness, Margaret Martin, Maureen "Mo" Cooper, Kelly Lutman, Orianna Nienan, Gabriela Bocanete, Donna Kendrick, Deborah Kevin, Cathy Agasar


Why LoA loves it…

As any woman entrepreneur will tell you, getting through your first year in business is challenging at best, and scary and stressful at worst. Knowing how other women have not just managed to survive their first year in business, but also go on to thrive, is so important. In this great new book, authors and entrepreneurs Deborah Kevin and Jill Celeste have tapped into their fellow women business builder network to glean essential insights and experiences that can be shared with others who need to know it’s possible. This is a great read for every woman entrepreneur starting out on their business building journey. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace

Lioness Radio Show: AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
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
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
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
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Kwesh

Relaxed style…We love these stylish yet relaxed Kwanza pants and matching tops from Juliana Nasasira, the Ugandan fashion designer and founder of Kwesh. Juliana launched Kwesh in 2012, a fashion brand focused on creat
Image of the Day / Dvyn Treat Batamba’s

Premium Coffee Experience…We love a great cup of coffee in a morning at Lionesses of Africa, and so we are fans of Dvyn Treat Batamba’s great coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia
Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.
Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind
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 / The Joinery

Mini Box Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fabric con
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 / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f
Image of the Day / Marabou Essentials

African print accessories…We love the celebration of African printed cloth in these handmade fashion accessories created by South African brand Marabou Essentials, founded by Fentse Mokale. This passion-f
Image of the Day / Oryx Desert Salt

Sustainable salt and pepper…At Lionesses of Africa, we are passionate about supporting  sustainable brands, and a great example is Oryx Desert Salt, founded by Samantha Skyring in South Africa. This growing
Image of the Day / Kwesh

Relaxed style…We love these stylish yet relaxed Kwanza pants and matching tops from Juliana Nasasira, the Ugandan fashion designer and founder of Kwesh. Juliana launched Kwesh in 2012, a fashion brand focused on creat Image of the Day / Dvyn Treat Batamba’s

Premium Coffee Experience…We love a great cup of coffee in a morning at Lionesses of Africa, and so we are fans of Dvyn Treat Batamba’s great coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind 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 / The Joinery

Mini Box Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fabric con 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 / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Marabou Essentials

African print accessories…We love the celebration of African printed cloth in these handmade fashion accessories created by South African brand Marabou Essentials, founded by Fentse Mokale. This passion-f Image of the Day / Oryx Desert Salt

Sustainable salt and pepper…At Lionesses of Africa, we are passionate about supporting  sustainable brands, and a great example is Oryx Desert Salt, founded by Samantha Skyring in South Africa. This growing

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

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Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
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Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga
Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga
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Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs

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