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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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Designing Success: Lessons from 20 Years as a Female Tech Entrepreneur by Catherine Connelly

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Catherine Connelly

Book Review

Designing Success by author and entrepreneur Catherine Connelly offers a fresh perspective on achieving true fulfillment and balance in a world where burnout has become the norm. This book is your blueprint for creating an environment that fosters growth and empowers you to succeed on your terms.

Author of the new book, Designing Success, Catherine Connelly began her entrepreneurial journey at fifteen when she cofounded an early social network, which evolved into a thriving portfolio of dating apps serving millions. Despite fierce competition and rapid technological shifts, her team’s intentional approach to growth and strategy led to two sales: $100 million in 2011 and $500 million in 2020. Drawing from her experiences, Catherine shares actionable strategies to help you design a life where you can thrive. You’ll gain practical tools for setting boundaries, automating decisions, and fostering meaningful connections. Learn how to align your life with your core values, create more time for what matters most, and lead with authenticity.

Designing Success is for ambitious dreamers, overworked caregivers, and aspiring leaders. It’s for anyone seeking to break free from the treadmill of constantly adapting to external pressures to build a life tailored to your needs and goals.

Author Quotes

This book is for ambitious dreamers who work hard but want to know what they are working for.

Look internally to find your own definition of success. It doesn’t matter what other people think of it. But don’t keep that definition or the journey of getting there to yourself.

The issue with keeping our values hidden is that, as a society, we cannot work together to achieve our goals. Still, it’s useful to have a measure of success.

About the author

Catherine Connelly is an award-winning entrepreneur, marketing leader, and engaging speaker. Catherine cofounded myYearbook at fifteen and grew it to eventually become The Meet Group, a NASDAQ-listed social dating and livestreaming company connecting millions of active users globally. She led brand strategy and marketing for The Meet Group through mergers, acquisitions, and rebrands. She left The Meet Group after a successful exit. Catherine graduated from Georgetown University and holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner for the Philadelphia Region in 2011. Catherine has been featured on CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, MTV, ABC News, Fox News, CosmoGIRL, BusinessWeek, the San Francisco Chronicle, and CBS.

linkedin.com/in/catherinecookconnelly


Why LoA loves it…

Getting the balance right as an entrepreneur can be a constant juggling game, but it’s possible to navigate a path that works for you and is authentic. In her new book, Designing Success: Lessons from 20 Years as a Female Tech Entrepreneur, author and entrepreneur Catherine Connelly, provides some personal insights and a wealth of experience to help you on your own entrepreneurial and life journey. It’s a fascinating read and one that can help every fellow women entrepreneur to navigate their own successful journey. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, 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


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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 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

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