the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Marilize Jacobs
According to a 2024 PwC study, 73% of executives mistakenly use Public Relations (PR) and Reputation Management interchangeably. A confusion that costs companies an average of $2.4M per crisis in lost revenue and recovery. The difference? Hard data tells the story: PR succeeds when visibility climbs (e.g. media mentions rise by 40%). Reputation management succeeds when risk drops (e.g. negative search results fall by 65%).
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by Margaret Hirsch
If there’s one quality that has kept me moving forward, through decades of business, changing economies, and personal growth, it’s curiosity. Not certainty. Not having all the answers. Not even a flawless plan. Just the simple willingness to ask, “What if?”
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by Margaret Hirsch
As International Women’s Day has just passed, this one is for the ladies and its simple: you are enough. Too often, women doubt themselves, questioning whether they are good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. Society, pressure, and expectations can weigh us down, making us feel like we must constantly prove our worth. But today, I want to shift that mindset.
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by Marilize Jacobs
Colour therapy in branding is the strategic use of colours to evoke emotions, influence perceptions, and shape consumer behavior through your marketing and brand identity. It is rooted in colour psychology, which studies how different colour hues (shades) affect human emotions, decisions and associations.
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by Margaret Hirsch
In business, success isn’t just about having the best products or the biggest advertising budget—it’s about building genuine relationships. People buy from those they know, like, and trust. That’s why, for the past 46 years, Hirsch's Homestore has been more than just a brand; we’ve been a family, a community, and a trusted partner in homes across the country.
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by Thembe Khumalo
We’ve probably transcended the “Africa is not a country” conversation by now. At least I hope we have. We now know that each country and region in Africa is rich with unique languages, symbols, and traditions, which form the foundation of effective PR campaigns. When communicating across the diverse cultural landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa therefore, it's essential to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach will not resonate.
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by Thembe Khumalo
Over the past seven years, we've loved working with nonprofits across various critical impact areas; from human rights and gender equality to environmental and civil protection. One thing we've consistently noticed is that while these organisations are passionate and dedicated, many don't fully grasp the transformative power of a well-crafted brand strategy. The truth is strategic branding and communication aren't just for commercial businesses — they're vital tools that can amplify a nonprofit's impact and help fulfill its mission more effectively.
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by Bella Ikeme
In the fast-paced business world, where strategies evolve and markets transform, the significance of brand marketing cannot be overstated. A recent study by the Marketing Science Institute underlines the profound impact of effective marketing governance on overall business performance, emphasising the strategic importance of the board's oversight on marketing matters. The study revealed that boards with at least one marketing-experienced director witnessed a three-percentage point increase in total shareholder return. Their "outside-in" perspective complements the internal operational focus of typical board members. The invaluable "been there, done that" perspective these directors offer on rebranding initiatives, strategic partnerships, and customer insights adds a layer of depth to board discussions.
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by Marilize Jacobs
Imagine stepping into an office that instantly calms your nerves, or presenting your brand in a way that speaks volumes without saying a word. This is the subtle, yet powerful impact of color psychology or chroma-preneurship, a concept not widely recognised in traditional vocabulary, representing the ingenious application of colour psychology to entrepreneurial endeavours.
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by Lori Milner
Consider a positive brand experience that stands out for you. It could be purchasing a product online and receiving your delivery ahead of schedule. How about a restaurant that created an amazing experience from start to finish? What experiences have you told friends about and done free PR because you were left with a lasting impression and impact?
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Arashnee Ramjuguth, founder, Refresha Trading Enteprises (South Africa)
Startup Story
Arashnee Ramjuguth is the Founder of Refresha Trading Enteprises based in Durban, South Africa. The business is focused on providing clean purified drinking water to the community of South Africa. Refresha Trading Enterprises is a LEVEL 1 BBBEE owned custom bottled water company offering a range of products and services. Arashnee’s mission is to ensure clean, purified drinking water is affordable and accessible to the South African people. Her business aspires to be the go-to place to create an impactful branded bottled water experience by helping its clients to grow their personal brand or businesses through branding water products.
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by Blessed Agyemang
In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of supply chain management, the power of a purposeful, impactful, and strong personal or business brand cannot be underestimated. Just as an efficient and agile supply chain is essential for business success, a well-crafted brand identity is the cornerstone of recognition, credibility, and influence. Whether you're an individual professional or a business entity within the supply chain industry, it has become of utmost importance and benefit to master the art of building a powerful brand that stands out and commands attention. I will touch on a few points.
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by Kathryn Main
As a small business owner, you bring an incredible amount of value to your business. To get a company up and running to the point where it is profitable is no easy feat. A business is something that requires you to devote a lot of attention and dedication to its success. Because it is so time consuming, you might get so busy running your business that you forget about yourself and the value that you can and do bring to the table. As your business grows and evolves, so should you. It's impossible to be a master of every aspect of business, so you will need to identify what aspects of your business you are least familiar with.
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by Cindy Maléombho-Codo
A Brand Audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a company's brand and how it is perceived by its target audience. It involves a systematic review of all the brand elements, including its visual identity, messaging, products, services, customer experience, and market positioning. The purpose of this specific audit is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a brand, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop a strategy to enhance its overall effectiveness and competitiveness.
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by Kathryn Main
What is branding, exactly? Contrary to popular belief, branding is far more than just a logo. Your customers’ first impression of your company is formed through your brand. Therefore, your brand experience should be encapsulated and epitomised in your branding. This can be achieved through various elements such as…
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by Kathryn Main
When it comes to naming your business, is your first thought to use your name, child’s name, initials, or joining your nieces’ names? I ask this because 70% of young people I mentor want to use one of the previous ideas to name their business. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that, but does it convey the correct message to your potential customers and talk to what your business does?
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by Cindy Maléombho-Codo
A website is essential for any business or organization in today's digital world. It's an easy way to reach a wide audience, build brand recognition, and establish credibility. But what do you need to create a successful website? This article will provide an overview of the components that should be included to ensure a successful online presence.
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by Cindy Maléombho-Codo
A rebrand can be a powerful tool for your business. It can help you change your image, connect with new customers, and tap into new markets. But why exactly should a company consider a rebrand? This article will explore why a rebrand can be a valuable asset for your business. You may be thinking your business is doing just fine, but if you're not seeing the growth you want, it might be time for a rebrand.
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Monica Kabui, founder and managing director, TreeAgama (Kenya)
Startup Story
Monica Kabui is the founder and managing director of TreeAgama in Kenya. She is a marketing specialist and an expert in brand building and training. Her business focuses on using marketing as a tool to empower businesses to be the best version of themselves and as a tool to solve business challenges innovatively. TreeAgama is homegrown in Kenya and has been in operation since it launched in 2013 and now has 5 employees. Monica's experience spans 12 years working in three different advertising and marketing agencies and her last stint was design department head leading experiential marketing agencies in the country. TreeAgama is passionate about building brands.
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by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila
An image reflects the business. It is a mirror through which customers will see your business. A mirror provides a visual image which would be visualized in customers eyes. It is an identity to differentiate your business from all other businesses. The differentiation will enable your business to be reckoned with. Therefore, your business image places your business in a great competitive advantage through visual identification which could be easily differentiated from other businesses.
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