Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Work hard and work smart!

August 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria) — Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Work hard but work smart....

“Have a clearly defined vision, strategy, commit to it, be persistent, innovative and dynamic. Work hard but work smart. Turn all your challenges into opportunities of growth and see how everything will work out for your good.”

- Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria. Nike started out modestly in 1996 selling the clothes she made from the boot of her car and in bazaars. Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is an instantly recognisable brand in Nigeria and has a reputation for being one of the top manufacturers of children's clothing throughout West Africa. Ruff 'n' Tumble successfully caters to the unique fashion sense of today’s youngsters, from new born to age 16, happily mixing indigenous lifestyle trends with an international appeal.

Entrepreneur Advice from Comfort Mosha: No matter how hard it gets, do not give up

August 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Comfort Mosha, co-founder of ANZA — **Comfort Mosha**, co-founder of ANZA

Don't think of giving up....

"Do not give up, no matter how hard or slow the progress. Remain confident, network with those around you, and stay eager to learn more, to seize the opportunities that come your way, and to reach your initiative and goals."

- Comfort Mosha is a co-founder of ANZA, an architectural magazine and online platform dedicated to exploring people and spaces through in-depth articles, images, scenes, and discussions that go beyond the lines that divide building and sky in East Africa. In addition to the magazine, ANZA hosts events that enable the community to learn from and share experiences that contribute to architecture.

Quote of the Day by Rapelang Rabana

August 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Rapelang Rabana, founder of ReKindle Learning (South Africa) — **Rapelang Rabana**, founder of ReKindle Learning (South Africa)

"Ultimately most businesses won’t ever get external funding and client revenue still remains the best form of funding that you will ever get."

- Rapelang Rabana is a South African technology entrepreneur who is making waves both on the African continent and around the world. She established her reputation in the tech sector as the co-founder of Yeigo Communications, a company that gained international recognition for its pioneering innovations in mobile VoIP and IP communications. Today, Rapelang is the innovative founder behind Rekindle Learning, a company looking to improve education in Africa by turning people’s compulsion to check their phones into an opportunity to learn. Featured on the cover of Forbes Africa magazine before the age of 30, selected as a Fast Company Maverick and named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and Entrepreneur for the World by the World Entrepreneurship Forum - Rapelang is an internationally lauded entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bridget Edwards: Passion is your lifeblood

August 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bridget Edwards, author and emotional change catalyst — **Bridget Edwards**, author and emotional change catalyst

Passion is your lifeblood....

"Your passion will determine how far you’re willing to drive your business endeavours, overcome doubts, fears and obstacles – it’s the fuel required to get you through dark, tough times. Your passion will attract, and keep clients. Your passion will inspire suppliers and others to support you. Your passion will help you excel, going above and beyond service expectations. Your passion is your brand, and start-up lifeblood. Your passion is your vitality, your dream, and your inspiration to succeed."

- Bridget Edwards is a South African entrepreneur, author and emotional change catalyst. She is passionate about helping people overcome their emotional obstacles and personal challenges. She does this through speaking engagements, training (workshops), and private consultations. Bridget has authored two self-help books, Anger gone! How to Easily Defeat Anger, and Stress Gone! How to Identify and Reduce Stress Easily. She continues to write self help programs to assist people in dealing with their personal obstacles.

Entrepreneur Advice from Abai Schulze: Stay focused on the bigger picture

August 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia — **Abai Schulze**, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia

Remember to stay focused on the bigger picture....

"Getting wrapped up in minute details of my work can mean I miss the big picture. When running a start-up business, you wear dozens of different hats, so you have to be prudent in how you allocate your time and focus. This doesn’t mean settling for a mediocre product or strategy but rather determining which details has an impact and which are insignificant."

- Abai Schulze is founder of the creative, new Afro-luxe brand ZAAF who create handcrafted luxury leather handbags and accessories produced by artisans in Ethiopia. Abai, born in a remote village in Ethiopia, has had a truly remarkable life journey. Her journey has taken her from an orphanage in Addis Ababa to the United States where she was raised, and back to Ethiopia. Today, she passionately uses her background in economics and fine arts to create unique and practical expressions of beauty, and to open avenues of opportunity for talented artisans in Ethiopia and the rest of Africa. Her designs draw upon precious cultural relics and allow them renewed expression through fresh, uplifting and modern designs.

Quote of the Day by Tabitha Karanja

August 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries, Kenya — Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries, Kenya

"I have always been driven by the need to prove that African women have what it takes to get things done and at the right time.”

- Tabitha Karanja is founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries. She is one of Kenya's leading entrepreneurs, a remarkable trailblazer and an example of a woman made good against all the odds. Tabitha chose to venture where none before her had dared. She took on an 87-year-old business monopoly and entered an industry with a deeply entrenched male gender stereotype. Tabitha broke the mould to become Kenya’s first home-grown beer and alcoholic drink manufacturer. Today, her company's state-of-the-art factory produces 10,000 bottles of gin and ready-to-drink vodka, as well as 15,000 bottles of beer per hour.

Quote of the Day by Ethel Cofie

July 31, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, founder and CEO of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana) — **Ethel Cofie**, founder and CEO of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana)

“Just because you have failed at something does not make you a failure.”

- Ethel Cofie is a leading tech entrepreneur from Ghana and the founder and CEO of Edel Technology Consulting, a company that provides IT and software services as an enabler and catalyst for businesses to achieve their goals. Ethel is the founder of Women in Tech Africa, initiator of the 1st Pan African woman in tech meetup and was shortlisted for the UN GEM Tech Award for work supporting women in ICT. She has been featured by the BBC and CNN for her work in technology and promoting women's leadership. Ethel sits on numerous boards and is also a President Obama Washington Fellow for Leadership (YALI).

Entrepreneur Advice from Bronwyn Kilroe: Follow your bliss

July 31, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bronwyn Kilroe, founder of Laughter Sessions (South Africa) — **Bronwyn Kilroe**, founder of Laughter Sessions (South Africa)

Follow your bliss....

"Follow your Bliss. Find the thing that makes your Heart Sing and jump in! If you would do what makes you feel good, you will be who you were born to be. There is no better way to achieve financial abundance than to do the things that you love, things that are fun for you and that make you feel good."

- Bronwyn Kilroe is the founder of Laughter Sessions, a South African staff skills training company focusing on Stress Management, Health Promotion and Happiness Development. Bronwyn is passionate about showing companies that incorporating more fun and laughter into the workplace not only boosts staff morale but also increases productivity and performance levels. She is a Certified Laughter Coach and was personallytrained by the ‘Founder of Laughter Sessions’ Doctor Madan Kataria, from India.

Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs ‘lean in’ to share, inspire and connect in Maputo

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Maputo was the place to be for women entrepreneurs in the month of July as not one, but two Lioness Lean In events were hosted in the city. This enhanced level of activity was an acknowledgement of the fact that Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs are making really positive waves as they continue to build successful and sustainable businesses.

Essential Read: Smartwoman by Sylvia Walker

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

While some women seem to excel at making their money work for them, others battle from pay day to pay day. With the release of her new book, Smartwoman, South African financial planning guru, Sylvia Walker, provides an insight into what these ‘smartwomen’ know and shows what we can learn from them.

Thuli Dlamini-Teferi, a Swaziland food entrepreneur with the gift of turning local natural ingredients into tasty preserves and hot sauces

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Thuli Dlamini-Teferi, founder of Bobholotsi Flavours (Swaziland) — **Thuli Dlamini-Teferi**, founder of Bobholotsi Flavours (Swaziland)

There has been a global rise in interest in all things natural and artisan-made when it comes to food products, something that foodpreneur Thuli Dlamini-Teferi is tapping into with her company, Bobholotsi Flavours. She is exciting tastebuds throughout Swaziland with her lovingly handmade and natural range of jams and sauces, all celebrating the wealth of local ingredients on offer.

Annie Sibindi Muronda, a South African entrepreneur building a unique branded uniform manufacturing business in the country

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa) — **Annie Muronda**, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)

Finding your niche in the world of entrepreneurship is always the challenge, but for Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments, she has found that niche by manufacturing quality branded uniforms for her clients.

Own your Ask

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

If there’s something you want, something you really want, such as a raise, a bigger opportunity, more responsibility, a chance to prove yourself, constructive feedback, or even a little extra help around the house, do you ask for it? Many of us don’t.

5 Quick Sales Tips for the Busy Entrepreneur

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

I saw an interesting post on Instagram today. A survey asking entrepreneurs what is the one thing they want to accomplish today and the most common point out of the 4 given was, you guessed it, getting new clients. It seems like as entrepreneurs we really understand how to build a business, what product or service the market needs, how to use social media and to speak passionately about our business. Yet there seems to be a lack of focus when it comes to sales.

Build your business to be more than a one-hit wonder

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

We all know them…those pop stars who made it big…BUT with only one song. Right Said Fred, Los Del Rio, Vanilla Ice, and a few others. They blazed onto the stage with fire, only to vanish into thin air. Wikipedia describes it as: ”A one-hit wonder is any entity that achieves mainstream popularity and success for a very short period of time, often for only one piece of work, and becomes known among the general public solely for that momentary success”. It got me thinking of the kind of business I want to establish. Do I want a long-lasting, sustainable business that will go on long after I have gone, or am I building a fleeting one-hit wonder?

Quote of the Day by Eugénia Langa

July 28, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Eugénia Langa, founder of Nweba (Mozambique) — **Eugénia Langa**, founder of Nweba (Mozambique)

"No dream is impossible to realize. With faith, determination and persistence, anyone can achieve what they want."

- Eugénia Langa is the founder of Nweba, the first Mozambican company dedicated to Procurement and Logistics for Construction. Her main service areas cover Project Management, Contract Management, Material Supply or Service Provision, Permits Consulting, Logistics, and Procurement Training. From a young age Eugénia was enthralled by the idea of seeing man form structures larger than himself on the basis of using calculation and science. This fascination with science led her to study Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University. She went on to work in the construction sector for 10 years before launching Nweba (which means means Persistence in Zulu) in 2015.

Entrepreneur Advice from Susan Granger: Get up and start up!

July 28, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Susan Granger, founder of Nubian Queen on 101 (South Africa) — **Susan Granger**, founder of Nubian Queen on 101 (South Africa)

Get up and start up!...

"Don't waste time thinking about your dream or talking about it. Get up and start up - if you fail once, try again, because tomorrow is a different day."

- Susan Granger is the founder of Nubian Queen on 101, a niche, quality, and exclusive boutique store, specialising in top-end, genuine leather handbags and accessories, all made in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa. Susan is a fashionista, image consultant, blogger, and disruptor, seeking to bring her clients an exclusive range of contemporary products that bridge the gap between High Street and Luxury Brands.

Quote of the Day by Rapelang Rabana

July 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"You have got to build expertise in your field, you have got to be world-class in your knowledge, do the hard work, deliver it, manifest in it. If you don’t have the money or funding, build expertise, it is not enough to be okay... be world-class in what you do."

Entrepreneur Advice from Nkem Onwudiwe: You cannot do everything yourself

July 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nkem Onwudiwe, founder of Her Network (Nigeria) — Nkem Onwudiwe, founder of Her Network (Nigeria)

You cannot do everything yourself....

"I’ve learned that you cannot do everything yourself. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help, learn to trust others and delegate. I’ve also learned to set goals, both personal and professional, and to regularly evaluate progress."

- Nkem Onwudiwe is the founder of Her Network, a platform in Nigeria created to encourage women of all races, ages and sizes to help one another grow. This bold and ambitious PR & Communications entrepreneur leverages her skills and extensive network for spreading messages to the public via traditional and new media. Nkem is passionate about creating exciting events where women can come together, have real meaningful conversations, promote their businesses, sell their brands and build relationships with other women - bridging the gap between women and women.

Entrepreneur Advice from Thanthi Sepeng: Resilience is most important

July 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Thanthi Sepeng, founder of Reve Productions (South Africa) — **Thanthi Sepeng**, founder of Reve Productions (South Africa)

Resilience is most important....

"Resilience is the most important attribute you will ever need, so that you don't give up on your dreams and goals - no matter how difficult and challenging it may get. Don't make the mistake of entrusting anyone with your dream as you are the only one who will be committed into making it a reality. Surround yourself with people more knowledgeable and experienced so that you can learn from them. Get a mentor and always strive to inspire, influence and impact, as well as lead others to reach their highest potential so that they too can realize their dreams."

- Thanthi Sepeng is the founder of Reve Productions in South Africa, a company that provides a range of Catering Services, Event Management, and Marketing in terms of Branding Collateral and CSI Projects. Thanti studied Business Communications, majoring in Marketing, Public Relations and Communication science and after time spent working in the corporate world set out on her own path as an entrepreneur as she believes this allows her to bring change to the lives of those around her.