Sisterhood Superpower: How collaboration can fuel an African woman’s entrepreneurial dreams

July 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, Founder & CEO, ZER Consulting Africa

"Our legacy is more than just our business. When we empower others, especially our fellow women, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate sphere."

Africa is alive with audacious dreams, bustling tech hubs, and villages brimming with innovation. And guess who's increasingly at the forefront, turning those visions into reality and disrupting industries? African women entrepreneurs! But here’s the honest truth: even the most brilliant idea, the most meticulously crafted strategy, can feel like a marathon without the right gear and running buddy.

My Word for 2025: Collaboration

December 29, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

As we approach the new year, I find myself reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the past and the opportunities that lie ahead. Each year, I choose a guiding word that encapsulates my focus and intention for the months to come. For 2025, my word is collaboration.

How Women-Owned Businesses Can Collaborate as Opposed to Competing

June 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Tsitsi Mutendi

In the dynamic world of business, competition often takes center stage. However, for women entrepreneurs, collaboration can be a powerful strategy to foster growth, innovation, and resilience. By working together, women-owned businesses can pool resources, share expertise, and open new avenues for success. This article explores the benefits of collaboration and offers practical strategies for women entrepreneurs to build and sustain collaborative efforts.

Collaboration

October 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

Collaboration is the name of the game! The old African saying “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together,” it is so true, in business as well. I see so many startups who go really fast and then fail.

Let’s Collaborate - what’s the worst that could happen?

August 14, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Totally shocked at the news that we won’t see the incredible, inspirational, the one, the only Serena at Wimbledon again, let alone in other Tennis Tournaments around the globe after the US Open, given her announcement of her impending retirement, or as she says (here): “Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”. What a career, what an inspiration - 23 major singles titles; four Olympic gold medals; 319 weeks at No 1 in the world rankings; to say nothing of the drive to follow their dreams she gave to millions off the court, that they too could break glass ceilings and follow their passions - no matter the obstacles.

How Creatives Can Turn Any Negotiations Into Collaborations

September 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Robyn Keet

As a big-hearted Creative, I would run from negotiations. It’s made me feel uneasy and uncomfortable. To avoid this feeling I would take what was offered to me as “fair” instead of facing the throw-down that negotiations can bring. All I want to do was to create and deliver great work. Sound familiar?

Quote of the Day by Bella Ikeme

January 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

“It is my desire that partnership and collaborations are made between our home-grown African brands and more established foreign brands”

Bella Ikeme, founder, ASPIRE Luxury Magazine (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Thabisa Mjo

March 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“When we don't view each other as competition, but rather as potential partners, I think we have the ability to create beautiful compelling work that benefits us all.”

Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash.T Design Studio (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Dr Levashni Naidoo

February 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Reach out for a hand of support when the path seems daunting and be equally ready to reach out your hand to steady that of another on their journey. Growth is collaborative.”

Dr Levashni Naidoo, founder of The Dermatology Room (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Raksha Mahabeer: Embrace collaboration

December 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Raksha Mahabeer (R) is the co-founder of SummerTime (South Africa) — Raksha Mahabeer (R) is the co-founder of SummerTime (South Africa)

Embrace collaboration....

"Embrace a stance of collaboration instead of competition. As women, we’ve got so much of work to do on this continent. Let’s work together, to learn new things, to welcome new entries into the market, to compliment and complement each other’s product and service offerings, and to hold each other up. Together, we can achieve so much more!"

- Raksha Mahabeer is a co-founder of SummerTime in South Africa, a vibrant creative design studio that specialises in fresh graphic design, comprehensive brand development and innovative marketing support services for both SMEs and corporate clients. Raksha is a connector, a communicator, a purpose-driven, inspired inspirer! She prides herself in partnering with SME’s in establishing new South African brands with a view to creating jobs in South Africa.

Entrepreneur Advice from Megan Richards: Collaboration is powerful

July 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Megan Richards, founder of The Authentic Girl (South Africa) — **Megan Richards**, founder of The Authentic Girl (South Africa)

Collaboration is powerful....

"Just start! So many times we delay projects for fear of being judged or not having a perfect product. When I started blogging, I didn't have a perfect product but I learnt as I moved along. I am a firm believer in supporting other women entrepreneurs, there's so much power when women collaborate!"

- Megan Richards is the founder of The Authentic Girl in South Africa, a lifestyle blog that aims to inspire women through 3 lifestyle products namely fashion, beauty, food and wine. Megan started the blog in 2014 as a platform to share the things she loves. She is currently furthering her studies in Industrial Psychology.

Quote of the Day by Melanie Finch Keshwar and Ann Finch

June 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Melanie Finch Keshwar and Ann Finch, co-founders of The Chocolatiers (South Africa) — **Melanie Finch Keshwar and Ann Finch**, co-founders of The Chocolatiers (South Africa)

"Make friends with your competitors, there's enough space for everyone; its wonderful to be able to sit and discuss the industry as a whole with people who are in it."

- Melanie Finch Keshwar and Ann Finch are the co-founders of The Chocolatiers, an artisanal chocolatier company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. This mother and daughter team are passionate champions of slow food, and their approach is steeped in tradition, taking their time to hand make every chocolate with love and to perfection. The Chocolatiers ethos lies in our value of both people and planet and they believe in delivering to their customers chocolate for connoisseurs.

Entrepreneur Advice from Gabriella von Ille - No questions are stupid questions

January 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Gabriella von Ille, founder of Lifa Communications (South Africa) — **Gabriella von Ille**, founder of Lifa Communications (South Africa)

No questions are stupid questions....

"Never be afraid to ask for help and to give the same help in return. No questions are stupid questions. It is not a competition, and not knowing everything is not a weakness. Working together helps you get more out of being an entrepreneur."

- Gabriella von Ille is the founder of Lifa Communications in South Africa, a boutique consultancy firm focused on Africa and Natural Resources. Lifa specializes in PR & Strategic Communication, Digital Design and Marketing & Branding. Gabriella has a double degree in Political Science and Communications from Sweden and the US.