Networking with a Festive Flair: Build Stronger Client Relationships during the Holiday Season

December 17, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

The holiday season is almost upon us, and as you’re heading out to your next Christmas cocktail party, think about how this is the perfect time to infuse some festive flair into your client relationships. To be honest, you may even be a little late in using this golden opportunity to strengthen your professional bonds and make a lasting impression. So, grab your Santa hat, pour yourself something sparkling, and let's explore how to network with a festive twist!

What I Learned from Being Fired by Two Clients in One Year

November 19, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

When you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, about working in the digital economy, about monetizing your knowledge, and you want to show other people that they don’t need to be afraid, it can be very tempting to present the whole endeavor as something that’s easy and fun and exciting. Well, it is all those things. But, like any worthwhile pursuit, it does have its dark moments — and in 2018, I had two of them.

The Curse of The Like-Minded

October 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

“We need to get more like-minded people together. Lets put together a group of other people like ourselves, and we can really make an impact.” Unfortunately the last time I had a conversation like this will not be the last time I will have this conversation; and the problem is, I have a problem with this kind of thinking.

Quote of the Day by Juliana Nasasira

August 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Juliana Nasasira, founder of Kwesh — **Juliana Nasasira**, founder of Kwesh

“Being an entrepreneur in a field that I love is a blessing. It allows me the freedom to be creative every day.”

Juliana Nasasira, founder, Kwesh (Uganda)

Quote of the Day by Patricia Vasco

June 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“The greatest satisfaction in being an entrepreneur is the fact that I have the freedom to express all the creativity that is within me.”

Patricia Vasco, founder, Luminara, (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Kofo Akinkugbe: We must be creative

September 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

We must be creative....

"We need to create an environment that would drive creativity. Do not be afraid to test new things. We must be creative, ensuring we are a step ahead of competition."

- Kofo Akinkugbe is founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd. She is a highly respected African business leader who has become a market leader in smart card technology and digital security. SecureID is world-class manufacturing company with the only smart card production plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent. Her company serves 16 countries across Africa and is fully certified by VISA, Verve and MasterCard. In 2012, Kofo won the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Mature Business Award.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: Innovate and create world class products

May 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Innovate and create world class products....

“soleRebels is LIVING PROOF that creating innovative world class products and trading them with the world is THE BEST road to greater shared prosperity for developing nations like ours!”

- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year. soleRebels has been expanding rapidly and today exports to no fewer than 45 countries and is targeting 50 stand alone soleRebels retail stores across the United States by 2018 and 500 worldwide by 2022.