Iria Marina, a Mozambican entrepreneur using her skills behind the lens to capture the essence of the subjects she photographs

October 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Iria Marina, founder of Iria Marina Photography (Mozambique) — **Iria Marina**, founder of Iria Marina Photography (Mozambique)

Today, more and more people and businesses are understanding the power of strong images to communicate with audiences. Yet, the challenge is having the creative vision to really tell the stories behind the images and to make an emotional connection with those viewing them. That is where the talented Iria Marina comes in, founder of the photography business that carries her name.

Linda Makatiani, a Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to support all those who are left-handed in her country

September 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Linda Makatiani, founder of Lefty Kenya — **Linda Makatiani**, founder of Lefty Kenya

Have you ever wondered about the challenges experienced by those who are left-handed? Some of the things e take for granted each day, such as the implements we use, can be a real problem for those who use their left hand as their primary task hand. But Kenyan entrepreneur, Linda Makatiani, founder of Lefty Kenya, is on a mission to change all that.

Memuna Williams, the story of an entrepreneur turning a passion for language and the art of translation into a global business

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Memuna Williams, founder of Avantgarde Translations — **Memuna Williams**, founder of Avantgarde Translations

Anyone who has ever been in the position of needing to translate information into different languages will appreciate just how critical it is to have the right specialist support. One company providing truly world-class translation and interpreting services, both globally and here in Africa is Avantgarde Translations.

Amanda Ioannoy, a South African entrepreneur enriching brands through her corporate gifting and event management expertise

August 15, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Amanda Ioannoy (founder) & Varisha Singh, the dynamic duo behind Ambella Corporate and Promotional Gifts (South Africa) — **Amanda Ioannoy** (founder) & Varisha Singh, the dynamic duo behind Ambella Corporate and Promotional Gifts (South Africa)

Being customer centric is the key to business success, and in the case of Amanda Ioannoy’s business, Ambella Corporate and Promotional Gifts in South Africa, she understands how to connect with customers by providing quality gifting and promotional merchandise options that can effectively promote company brands.

Amanda Sibiya - The startup story of a passionate South African entrepreneur on a mission to get the world talking and reading about Africa’s creatives

July 24, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Amanda Sibiya, co-founder of Conté Magazine (South Africa) — **Amanda Sibiya**, co-founder of Conté Magazine (South Africa)

Creatives and their work need to be seen to be appreciated, and often finding the right outlets and platforms to achieve that visibility is tough, particularly in Africa. One entrepreneur, Amanda Sibiya, co-founder of Conté Magazine is looking to change that, by creating a high quality, content rich publication and accompanying exhibition event that aims to put the continent’s creatives on the map.

Damaris Nyabuti - The startup story of a Kenyan PR company that exemplifies the entrepreneurial never-give-up attitude

August 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Damaris Nyabuti, founder of Dharkemmy Corporate Communications — **Damaris Nyabuti**, founder of Dharkemmy Corporate Communications

If there is one word that could best describe PR entrepreneur, Damaris Nyabuti, the founder of Dharkemmy Corporate Communications in Nairobi, Kenya, it is tenacious. Despite all the challenges that have faced her throughout her career, she has remained true to her passion for PR and communications and been determined to realise her vision of starting her own company. She is a force to be reckoned with and understands the power of sheer hard work to make things happen.

Sheila Afari - The startup story of a PR entrepreneur with a passion for promoting proudly African brands

August 13, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sheila Afari, founder of Sheila Afari Public Relations (South Africa)

Africa has a wealth of PR, media and communications talent, and no two companies are the same. In the case of Sheila Afari Public Relations, this proudly African PR entrepreneur is passionate about showcasing the best of African brands to the rest of the world, and is differentiating herself and her company in the marketplace as a result.

Lionesses of Africa celebrates the continent’s most inspiring women entrepreneurs in Media, PR & Communications in August

August 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Every month at Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on a particular industry sector where Africa’s women entrepreneurs are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do. This month (August), we are turning our attention to the women who are changing the PR, media and communications landscape in Africa.

Sibabalwe Sesmani and Zuziwe Mkhwanazi - The startup story of a South African PR company that takes a pioneering approach to industry positioning

July 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Zuziwe Mkhwanazi and Sibabalwe Sesmani, co-founders of Unorthodox PR & Media Group (South Africa) — **Zuziwe Mkhwanazi and Sibabalwe Sesmani**, co-founders of Unorthodox PR & Media Group (South Africa)

The all-woman entrepreneurial team behind South African niche PR company, Unorthodox, live up to their name as they take a unique approach to the corporate public relations, communications and partnerships they undertake. The dynamic duo of Sibabalwe Sesmani and Zuziwe Mkhwanazi work exclusively with corporates and differentiate themselves in the marketplace by dealing with "firsts" in their industry. They strive to create their own genre of public relations, one that specializes in corporates and thought leaders of industries.

Ijeoma Ndekwu - The startup story of a Nigerian PR entrepreneur who was born to be in business

March 10, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ijeoma Ndekwu, founder of Redrick PR, Nigeria — **Ijeoma Ndekwu**, founder of Redrick PR, Nigeria

For Nigerian PR company founder, Ijeoma Ndekwu, becoming an entrepreneur was in her genes. From an early age, she took her inspiration from her successful entrepreneurial father who managed to achieve the freedom of work/life balance in his business, and showed her an alternative and entrepreneurial career path of her own was possible.

Diana Opoti - The start up story of one of Africa's most formidable fashion connectors

February 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Meet Diana Opoti, founder of leading Kenyan fashion consultancy, Diana Opoti PR, a true champion of the continent’s fashion design industry and one of Africa’s most formidable fashion connectors.

Khanyi Dhlomo - The startup story of a South African media mogul turned luxury brand retailer

November 18, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Following her highly successful journey in the world of television, media and magazine publishing, this leading South African entrepreneur has now launched her latest business venture in luxury retailing.