• Home
  • Blog
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA
Menu

Lionesses of Africa

276 5th Avenue
New York, NY, 10001
(212) 634-4540
The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
  • Events +
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
  • About +
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
  • Connect +
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA

Six Steps to Close the Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be

May 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Consider what unmet goals are gnawing at the back of your mind that are taking up precious headspace. Rather than beat yourself up for not taking action, ask yourself, 'When would now be a good time?' Now right?

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

How Journaling Can Help You Sleep and Reduce Your Anxiety

May 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

If you struggle to fall asleep due to an overactive mind, or perhaps you fall asleep easily but wake up in the night with a mind full of racing thoughts, consider introducing the habit of journaling. Journaling is an incredible tool to get those circling thoughts out of your mind and trap them on the page so you can get out of your own way.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Needing People Is Healthy

April 12, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Many moons ago, a colleague described me as being FIERCELY INDEPENDENT. She was challenging my modus operandi. She was kindly admonishing me. I knew this and I understood this. Yet, in some twisted corner of my mind, I construed her admonishment as a compliment.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Confusion, Frustration and Breakthrough go hand-in-hand

March 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Therefore Frustration = Breakthrough = Excitement!

My coaching business has been a dance of confusion, frustration, and breakthrough. Before I had recognised the pattern, I would throw in the towel and dismiss myself as being out of my depth, not having what it takes, and wholly incapable of closing the gap between where I was and where I needed to be.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

The Miracle of Synchronicity

March 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Our logical mind is an imbecile. Too slow to see what is happening right in front of of it, only to be gobsmacked when it finally catches up by the clues strewn all around it. This is the story of my logical mind this past week.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

5 Keys to Unlocking Resilience

March 9, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

What enables some people to emerge from challenges with their lives recreated, and even strengthened, while others crumble in a crisis? This is such a vital question for anyone who is seeking a rewarding relationship with their career, leadership, loved ones, and life if general. We live in a world where things change at unprecedented speeds; and resilience and flexibility are becoming essential life skills, without which we never be able to live beyond our survival zones, let alone in our comfort zones.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

6 Ways to Optimise Your Well-being

March 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

As I started writing the title to this post, I was merrily typing out the words “6 quick and easy ways to claim back your wellbeing”. As if by intuition, my pointing finger defiantly punched the backspace key. It doesn’t feel quick, and some of it is not easy. Essential, Yes! Very Definitely ‘Yes’. Quick and easy?  Not when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed by never-ending to-do lists and people who seem to think you’re made of some marvellous stretchy substance that can get to everything.  Creating and maintaining optimal well-being is a goal for the vast majority of people I know, and it is vital to recovering and staving off burnout. And yet, universally, in one way or the other, well-being is something we all struggle with most.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

The Inner GPS navigation system built into every person

January 13, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle

As a Transformational Life Coach, I’m in the privileged position of listening to people every day and hearing about what troubles them the most. What I’ve noticed is that when there are feelings of overwhelm and obligation, stress is the order of the day.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Are we mindful, vulnerable, and okay NOT being, OK?

December 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nadia Absalom

I find it difficult at times to encapsulate what I would like to share with you. Then the little voice inside always nudges me and asks, “are you practicing what you are teaching? Are you keeping it REAL? Are you living the highest truest version of yourself?

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Nadia Absalom, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Wild Spaces in Africa

October 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle

As I write this, I’m sitting overlooking a river in a wild space in Africa.  Each year my husband and go on an adventure to a new place and explore an area we haven’t experienced before. Deciding to take a full 23 days off mid-year has become a regular thing for us for the past few years and it’s enriched my life in too many ways to explain.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Smashing the Myth of How Life Works

September 30, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

There’s a common belief that happiness is something you have to look for. I used to believe that too. Eventually after exhausting myself with my affirmations, meditations, journal writing, juicing, fasting, exercising and so on and so on…….. believing that I had to tick all the boxes that the experts told me I had to achieve or else I would be unhappy.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur, Personal Development
Comment

Moving Overwhelm to Well-m

January 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

Do you sometimes feel that, just like your computer, you have too many tabs open? A sense of frazzle - neither here nor there. Too much needing to be done - now! As the year comes to a close, a collective sigh can be felt echoing through our communities. It’s been a tough year or rather couple of years. Change has happened at a fast pace, and many of us have needed to adapt swiftly and move quickly on all fronts - home, work, communities.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Ashika Pillay, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Expression not suppression is the path to peace

December 22, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

At the time of writing this blog, I had recently experienced my 64th birthday. I say experienced because it really wasn’t a celebration. My attention and focus were on making myself available for my niece and her family to enjoy her time in South Africa while celebrating her 50th birthday and the very important task of sifting through her late mother’s belongings (my sister). My sister passed 2.5 years ago and Covid prevented her daughter from attending the memorial service or visiting to complete the difficult task of deciding what to do with her belongings. Therefore, my birthday was just another day and all my energy was around holding space for my family.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur, Personal Development
Comment

Overcome your Recency Bias

December 18, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

As we move through the month of December and begin to wrap up 2022, now is a great time to take a moment to pause and reflect on the year that was. It’s something we can easily skip over in the busyness that typically descends on us this time of year, but I encourage you to create some space for yourself to reflect on what went well, what you achieved, what you want to celebrate, and what you want to release before you begin 2023. 

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Look for a Good Feeling

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

I feel so happy sharing this blog with you. For a while I have been involved with the 3 Principle community on a global scale and have been involved in getting the 3P Africa interest going. I wrote this blog post for the 3P Africa website, which will be published very soon but I couldn’t wait to share it with you. I would love to hear from you with a message of what you got from this blog. As a part-time writer, I’m still exploring my voice and wondering how things are ‘heard’ by those that read my blog post. So please let me know at sharon@sharoncastle.co.za – I truly love receiving your messages and read every one.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur, Personal Development
Comment

Breathe

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Deep, slow, rhythmic breathing is a powerful tool when it comes to stress, anxiety and overwhelm. And I get it. Your life is complex, and you have demands being batted at you from all corners of the universe, figuratively, and now thanks to the internet, literally as well. [Thank you Internet]

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

How am I?

August 7, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

It’s Monday morning, it’s been a rough weekend with a sick child, school activities, and your diary for the week ahead looks messy to say the least. As you walk to your favourite coffee spot and muster up the energy to face reality, you bump into someone you know, as you place your order for your regular latte. “How are you doing?” you ask as you patiently wait to pay. You listen somewhat (in)attentively and exchange niceties, as you both wait to get on your way. While by this point in the day, you may have some semblance of an idea of how your friend is, have you checked in on how you are?

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Ashika Pillay, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Create your underlying theme

June 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Determining what our purpose is in life can be one of the hardest questions that we as humans are compelled to answer. It is the guiding light we seek to help us create value that is meaningful to us far beyond the remuneration, adoration and adulation we may enjoy from our worldly pursuits. Our purpose is also where we are challenged the most.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Four Thousand Weeks

January 30, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“I have become to myself a land of trouble and inordinate sweat.”

St Augustine in his confessions (here) wrote: “Assuredly I labour here and I labour within myself; I have become to myself a land of trouble and inordinate sweat.”

I labour within myself.

We’ve all seen them - the surveys that ask just how busy we are, how much time we have for a walk in the Park or a chat with our neighbour. The results are all depressingly similar - as the years move on so we become busier and busier. Running at full speed is never enough and as we fall exhausted into bed after yet another day spent at 100mph we have that nagging thought that perhaps we just didn’t achieve all we set out to do when we bounded out of bed that morning.

Read more
In Team Lioness Tags Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment

Embracing the Present

January 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Edna Reis

We constantly trap ourselves in the past or future and forget to live in the present. But the thing is: we have to learn to let go, we need to release the things we no longer need, things that have hurt us, things we will no longer experience. We all know this; we all have read books or came across a quote about it. Psychology has been showing us the facts on the dangers of being stuck in the past and the future.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Edna Reis, Mindful Entrepreneur
Comment
Older Posts →

This is your opportunity as a woman tech (co)founder in Africa to win up to $100,000 in equity-free grants, mentorship and visibility to accelerate your business growth.

Applications close at midnight CAT on 30 September 2025. APPLY HERE.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace

Lioness Radio Show: AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Melvin’s Tea

Memorable afternoon cuppa…We are big tea drinkers at Lionesses of Africa, so we love the wonderful Melvin’s Tea brand of flavoured teas for all occasions created by Flora Mutahi, founder of Melvin M
Image of the Day / Naturals Beauty

All Natural Skincare…If you want to get closer to nature with your skincare, then look no further than Naturals Beauty, a South African company born out of a love and curiosity for natural beauty and body pr
Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f
Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

If you want to capture the essence of summer all year long, then the Palm Picnic Basket from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilakati in eSw
Image of the Day / The Wren Design

Sustainability with Style…Calling all eco and design-conscious consumers who love products that are both sustainable and beautiful, check out this Paper Back Pack from The Wren Design, founded by Wendren Set
Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Mini Box Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fabric con
Image of the Day / Taeillo

Stylish seating…We love these stylish statement stools created by Jumoke Dada, an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Taeillo, an e-commerce furniture and lifestyle brand based in Lagos Nigeria and Nairobi
Image of the Day / KONA

Afro-Indian Accessories…We love brands that create jobs and impact, and these handcrafted accessories from KONA, a unique fashion and lifestyle company in Uganda, founded by Bhavya Kalsi and Nimisha Kalipurayath, do ju
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Melvin’s Tea

Memorable afternoon cuppa…We are big tea drinkers at Lionesses of Africa, so we love the wonderful Melvin’s Tea brand of flavoured teas for all occasions created by Flora Mutahi, founder of Melvin M Image of the Day / Naturals Beauty

All Natural Skincare…If you want to get closer to nature with your skincare, then look no further than Naturals Beauty, a South African company born out of a love and curiosity for natural beauty and body pr Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

If you want to capture the essence of summer all year long, then the Palm Picnic Basket from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilakati in eSw Image of the Day / The Wren Design

Sustainability with Style…Calling all eco and design-conscious consumers who love products that are both sustainable and beautiful, check out this Paper Back Pack from The Wren Design, founded by Wendren Set Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma Image of the Day / The Joinery

Mini Box Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fabric con Image of the Day / Taeillo

Stylish seating…We love these stylish statement stools created by Jumoke Dada, an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Taeillo, an e-commerce furniture and lifestyle brand based in Lagos Nigeria and Nairobi Image of the Day / KONA

Afro-Indian Accessories…We love brands that create jobs and impact, and these handcrafted accessories from KONA, a unique fashion and lifestyle company in Uganda, founded by Bhavya Kalsi and Nimisha Kalipurayath, do ju

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity

Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 6.01.32 PM.png
Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 5.34.58 PM.png

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.

* indicates required
Required: Please select your newsletter(s):


LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul

About Us  |  Contact Us  | PRIVACY POLICY | terms OF SERVICE  | Community Guidelines  

© 2025 LIONESSES OF AFRICA public benefit corporation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.