Embrace Meaning

June 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Last weekend we asked you to reach for your inner Steve or Elon a.k.a. ‘war leaders’ (ok, we did say ‘not too much Steve or Elon’ - as these are 100% ’power, drive and complete belief’ that would completely exhaust many of us mere mortals on the best of our days), to keep ourselves and our decision making focused and processes nimble for what looks like difficult times ahead. As troubles rush towards Africa in the form of inflation; lack of staple foods, cooking oils and fertilizers (see here); ongoing droughts in East Africa; western Central Banks raising interest rates and cutting off at the kneecaps the fix of cheap money that has kept the globe hooked (and a rush to higher yielding investments - such as in Africa), it could create recessions, civil unrests, and so on.

The “why” of Your Why. A closer look at meaning and purpose

June 11, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

The topic of purpose and meaning is often an uncomfortable one. One that feels heavy and sometimes feels undone. Do you know your purpose in life? Do I know mine? It’s sounds lofty and unattainable. We look at those who look like they have found theirs’ with envy and sometimes sadness. When will this bolt of enlightenment strike me too?

A consistent voice, a clear purpose, a coherent strategy and a long term view

January 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We woke to find it was Davos week! The gathering of the ‘Great and the Good’ of the finance world under the World Economic Forum banner who meet once a year in Switzerland to discuss, deliberate and invest, is as regular as a one of their famous Cuckoo Clocks. Sadly, at the last moment, and especially for those already in their Ski Jackets, Covid hit again and Davos was postponed until the summer and replaced by a few on-line speeches. All was not lost however, because one who is always at this event, a certain Mr. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the world's largest investment firm with many US$ billions under management, recently published his annual letter to shareholders. In this there is a call to arms for all CEOs:

Harness the power of purpose to your advantage

January 16, 2022 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“More than 19 million US workers — and counting — have quit their jobs since April 2021, a record pace disrupting businesses everywhere.” according to McKinsey (here). What is going on and what can we learn from this to ensure that the same does not happen within our businesses?

Quote of the Day by Agnes Chikukwa Hove

January 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

“Your life has a purpose. Your story is important. Your dreams count.”

Agnes Chikukwa Hove, founder, Sequor Consulting (South Africa)

Quote of the Day Bathabile Mpofu

September 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“I had a lightbulb moment, and I knew what my purpose in life was and I made up my mind to do something about it.”

Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Neo Mkwebane Chatyoka

July 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“My children helped me to find my purpose and passion, and now I am also making a profit.”

Neo Mkwebane Chatyoka, founder, Uhuru Botanicals (United Kingdom / South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Carine Zoe Umutoni

July 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Carine-Zoe Umutoni, Founder, ONYX (Rwanda)

Know your purpose!…

“Knowing your purpose is key as it brings satisfaction to the soul. Fulfill your purpose ladies and shine. This is our time. Nobody can believe in you if you do not believe in yourself. Believing in you is the first step.”

Carine-Zoe Umutoni, Founder, ONYX (Rwanda)

Quote of the Day by Brigette Mashile

March 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“… you are definitely here for a reason. Find it; and do it.”

Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Nercia Celeste Mazive

March 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"What inspired me to open the company is the knowledge that through this business I would have the opportunity to positively impact people's lives…”

Nercia Celeste Mazive, founder of Premier Human Capital Corporation (Mozambique)

The Power of Goal Statement

July 21, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Marta Mulungo

If you are reading this blog post, chances are that you are an adult and as such, there is at least one thing that you desire in life. Human beings are goal orientated and this means that regardless of the level of achievement they are in, there is something else that they desire, it is how we are wired and we cannot get away from it, and it’s a good thing – it took us from the stone age, to the current digital era, it took us from carriages and horses to airplanes and space travel…

Quote of the Day by Yolie Thela

February 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“… I get to do what I love and am accountable to nobody except myself. The power of knowing I wake up and live my purpose driven life that God intended for me.”

- Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Penny Mpanza: Find your sense of purpose

August 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Find your sense of purpose and pursue it....

"We all come to this world with a PURPOSE for our lives; look within yourself first of all and then look around you; you will find what it is that you were brought into this world to do. Then, pursue it with every fibre of your BEING!"

- Penny Mpanza is the founder of Let’s Build Our Country Fund NPC (LBOC Fund) in South Africa. This innovative Non-Profit Company addresses the issue of inequality in South Africa by creating 1,000 educational and career opportunities for South African youth every year. The fund is underpinned by a cutting edge Holistic Learner Development Programme that focuses on academic excellence, as well as critical care areas outside of the class room.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tina Byaruhanga: Find that thing that you're good at

May 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tina Byaruhanga, founder of Buzz Events Ltd (Uganda) — **Tina Byaruhanga**, founder of Buzz Events Ltd (Uganda)

Find that thing that you're good at....

"If you don't yet know what it is that you want to pursue, but think you want to start up a business, be yourself and it will come to you. Often times, we tend to want to "start up" what someone else is already doing. Don't just copy a business idea. It may have worked for someone else, but that doesn't mean it will automatically work for you. Each of us is good at something. Most times, you need to just find that thing that you're good at or passionate about, regardless of whether it’s big or small or different. And ask God to bless it and make it originally and uniquely yours."

- Tina Byaruhanga is the founder of Buzz Events Ltd, a youth, culture and experiential marketing agency in Uganda. Tina develops strategies and concepts to bring clients' brands and businesses to life with the aim of building lasting connections with their customers through well-crafted executions in the market-place. She is passionate about youth marketing and publishes a popular youth publication, Buzz Magazine, and also hosts several annual youth events.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tara Fela-Durotoye: Discover your unique purpose driven mission

April 13, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Discover your unique purpose driven mission....

"Find yourself, your purpose in life. Don’t just get a job, do something that is tied to a purpose. Even if you get a job, let it be tied to a purpose .... I am learning every day that this is not just about making money or turning a profit. There are people who need my call and my assignment and I need desperately to answer to their voices."

- Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian-born lawyer turned Africa's leading beauty and makeup entrepreneur. She started House of Tara at the age of 20, from her living room, whilst an undergraduate at university back in 1998. She's since gone on to launch Nigeria's first ever bridal directory in 1999, and in 2004 she opened the country's leading beauty academy. Today, Tara has over 3,000 reps spread across Nigeria and 14 stores to her name and she is steadfastly dedicated to realising her vision of building a globally respected beauty company of African origin. Tara remains an inspirational role-model and mentor to make-up artists and aspiring beauty business owners across Africa.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lizelle Coombs: You are the master of your own destiny

February 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken

You are the master of your own destiny....

"Always remember, YOU are the master of your own destiny and only YOUR passion, commitment and dedication will bring you the rewards YOU desire."

- Lizelle Coombs is passionate about developing and empowering people. As a professional facilitator she works closely with both entrepreneurs and employers in South Africa. As an active networker, she focuses on connecting people, creating opportunities and sharing information whilst also building a network of reliable and trusted entrepreneurial service providers. She is involved in growing business entities, all dedicated to uplift and empower people through various facilitation and engagement methods.

Entrepreneur Advice from Nozuko Teto - Find out what fulfils your soul

August 4, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Nozuko Teto, opera singer and founder of Adesso Enterprises (South Africa) — Nozuko Teto, opera singer and founder of Adesso Enterprises (South Africa)

It's about finding your purpose and working hard to fulfil it....

"Life has no guarantees, find out what fulfils your soul, have a steadfast source of strength, and work hard to achieve what you feel is your purpose here on earth."

- Nozuko Teto is a gifted South African opera singer who is showing the world’s connoisseurs that she is a musical and entrepreneurial force to be reckoned with. Nozuko has founded Adesso Enterprises through which she markets and manages her performances and concerts. Born in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Nozuko obtained her BMUS (Mus.ED.) degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, graduated with a PGDIP (Opera Performance) from the University of Cape Town, and then moved to Italy in 2011 to perfect her performance skills at the Center for Belcanto in Modena.