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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

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Dear Entrepreneur: Start Where You Are by Shemia A Williams

March 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Shemia A. Williams

Book Review

In her new step-by-step workbook, Dear Entrepreneur: Start Where You Are, Shemia A Williams is your guide to building a solid foundation for your brand or business, whether you're starting for the first time or catching up. It is a book that combines actionable insights with heartfelt advice—designed to guide entrepreneurs toward success and purpose.


Shemia A Williams, author of Dear Entrepreneur: Start Where You Are, says as an entrepreneur, “You’re not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not too far behind. You’re not too broke. You’re not too shy. You’re not too inexperienced. If you’ve already started and you feel like you need to start over. Do it. Reset. If you’ve started before and it didn’t work out, go to the head of the class. You’re already ahead of the pack. If you’re tired of starting over and you’re ready to make real progress…one step at a time, let’s get to work! If you haven’t started but want to get through the rookie stage more gracefully, this is a great place to start. BUT…If this is going to work, you have to be willing to start. Why not start where you are?

Author Quotes

Perhaps you are the rookie entrepreneur who is just about to start. You want to start strong and learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before you. Or maybe you are what I like to call the experienced rookie. You have entrepreneurial experience and you’ve learned quite a bit along the way. You still, however, need help course correcting, pivoting or rebuilding.

You will be guided through some important considerations that will help you to start where you are, know where you are going, and avoid some of the rookie mistakes that a lot of entrepreneurs make on repeat.

If you are thinking that this will be an easy, overnight process, let me save you some major disappointment in advance. IT WON’T…..Any successful entrepreneur will tell you  that this is part of the journey - especially if you are willing to play the long game.

About the author

Shemia A. Williams is an empowerment enthusiast, entrepreneur, coach and speaker. She is the founder of Borderless Creative Group, headquartered in the Bahamas but serving people worldwide. BCG is an agency that provides brand strategy, design, support and coaching for creatives, experts, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs. She’s most passionate about topics related to personal branding, entrepreneurship, digital skills building, and personal development. Known for her engaging, interactive workshops and practical frameworks, she's collaborated with various government agencies, non-profit organizations, churches, and individuals to provide tools to help millennials and early Gen Z's activate, elevate, and thrive. Shemia is the author of Dear Entrepreneur, a book series that combines actionable insights with heartfelt advice—designed to guide entrepreneurs toward success and purpose—and Arise: Devotions to Embrace Your Season of New Beginnings. When she's not coaching, training, or designing, Shemia enjoys leading worship at her local church in The Bahamas, mentoring budding entrepreneurs in high school, and exploring new ideas in social innovation, education, and collaboration.

www.bigboldborderless.com


Why LoA loves it…

Every successful business is built on a solid foundation, one with the right building blocks in place to ensure it can withstand all the challenges, hurdles and growing pains along the way. But creating that strong foundation takes work, learning, and planning. In her book, Dear Entrepreneur, Shemia A Williams helps guide entrepreneurs to build their businesses and brands by laying firm foundations that are set up for future growth. This is a practical, advice-filled book that is a good read for all those embarking on their entrepreneur journeys. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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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
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
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Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
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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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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 / 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
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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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Nature inspired haircare… Banish dry hair with the Afrobotanics Hemp Seed Oil moisturising conditioner created by Ntombenhle Khathwane, a South African entrepreneur and advocate for natural hair and body produc
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 / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho
Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka
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 / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…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™ fa
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
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 / 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 / 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 / Afrobotanics

Nature inspired haircare… Banish dry hair with the Afrobotanics Hemp Seed Oil moisturising conditioner created by Ntombenhle Khathwane, a South African entrepreneur and advocate for natural hair and body produc 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 / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka 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 / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…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™ fa Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
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Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country

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