What is that Secret Ingredient that is always in your Entrepreneurial Journey?

May 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Matine

I often compare my entrepreneurial journey to all the magic that happens in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of a home, the same way that finding a problem to solve is at the centre of beginning an entrepreneurial journey. The kitchen is where creativity rises, passion flourishes, and hard work comes together to create delicious meals, just as in Ejourneys where innovative ideas, dedication, and perseverance combine to build a thriving venture.

Taking the leap – boldly paving the way to represent world-class brands

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Matine

When I decided that I was turning my gift (cooking) into a business, every social media page I navigated into started showing me how the world of lunchboxes is so advanced in other places beyond Mozambique where we only have one well-referenced brand.

Confidence - learn to trust your instincts and never lose yourself

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile

The other day I was wondering why I am more comfortable to work with a lot of people today; and also why I am able to tackle any type of garment presented to me? In the beginning, in 2014, at age 27 I was more cautious, hesitant, and simply scared. Every enquiry I received, I had to analyze if it was something I had done before. Today my answer to the question, ‘Can you do this?’ is almost automatic. I believe I will be able to deliver on most challenges. That I think is confidence!

Confidence - 5 Tips to increase believing and trusting yourself

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek, Talent Strategist, Leadership & HR Expert and Executive Coach

As an entrepreneur, I’m certain that we can all relate to the emotional roller coaster of ups and downs. One day you are so excited that you have started your business. You are on purpose making a meaningful impact in the world and the next day you feel like you made the wrong choice, especially if the target for the month is behind. The following day, you land a big new client and you feel energized and happy that you’re not working for a boss.

Keep the Faith and Hold your Head High

December 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Sibongile Mtsabe

Better ideas, solutions, and innovations are inside of you. When you were born, you were born to impact others. It is up to you to discover your talents and work on them to grow and be better, day by day.

5 Visibility mistakes women make in the workplace and how to solve them

November 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Naike Moshi

In today’s competitive corporate world, being good at your job isn’t enough. Women often lose out on opportunities because key stakeholders are unaware of the work they do, even though they are star performers and work very hard.

Are Your Beliefs Serving You?

September 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathy Mann

My area of expertise is stress management. However, I don’t focus on the typical lifestyle interventions that many others focus on: deep breathing, exercise and meditation. These certainly work and I incorporate them into my own life as part of my stress management strategies, but this is only part of the picture.

Entrepreneur Advice from Salma Abdulai / Believe in yourselves

September 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Salma Abdulai, co-founder and ceo, AMAATI Company Ltd (Ghana)

Believe in yourselves!…

“The time to start is now, the world is waiting for your innovations to liberate us from some of the most difficult challenges we are facing in Africa. You should believe in yourselves; it will make all the difference.”

Salma Abdulai, co-founder and ceo, AMAATI Company Ltd (Ghana)

Self confidence

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Altina de Jesus Lisboa

It is well known that we do not always have good days, there are those bad days too. Days that seem like nothing is going to work, a pile of work to do, that call to be answered, and a lot of problems to solve. Yes, there are those days, days when we feel like a complete failure, days that arise with the thought of wanting to go back, days that seem like business is not going ahead. For those days: Relax and believe.

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda / Start small and keep learning

January 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder, Java Foods (Zambia)

Start small and keep learning!…

“It will be hard, not all pieces will be in place, but believe in yourself and your passion and START!.”

Monica Musonda, founder, Java Foods (Zambia)

Quote of the Day by Martine Irakoze

August 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Believing in your strong African female heritage can help you brave entrepreneurship fearlessly.”

Martine Irakoze, serial entrepreneur and writer, (Burundi)

Quote of the Day by Annette Cassy

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Believe in yourself! No one will have a vision of your dream better than you.”

Annette Cassy, Founder, Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil (Mozambique)

Quote of the Day by Claire Holden

July 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Positive beliefs, produce positive action, that generate positive results.”

Claire Holden, Empowerment Coach (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Snoekie Mabena-Saleh / Believe in yourself!

July 2, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Snoekie Mabena-Saleh, Founder and Director, S.MAB GROUP (South Africa)

Believe in yourself!…

“Know where to focus based on your capabilities and strengths, hold yourself responsible and accountable in acts in your business. Never fear to ask for assistance from your stakeholders (banks and associations related to your industry). Never be afraid to fail for failure exposes you to learning. Believe in yourself.”

Snoekie Mabena-Saleh, Founder and Director, S.MAB GROUP (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Phillipa Geard / Put aside self-doubt!

May 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Phillipa Geard, founder, RecruitMyMom, (South Africa)

Put aside self-doubt!…

“Every day you have to decide to put aside self-doubt and choose self-belief if you are going to make a success of your business.”

Phillipa Geard, founder, RecruitMyMom, (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Jess Henrich

May 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Believe in yourself, we women are resilient and creative beings - you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Jess Henrich, founder, A Mari Ocean Gin (South Africa)

Own your self-belief

April 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

I took my daughter to a friend’s 5th birthday party. There was a magician there to perform for the kids and afterwards he gave out his business card to the parents. On the front of the card in big bold letters it said ‘The cleverest magician in the world’. What I loved about the card was the boldness of it – yes, he is a magician and is meant to be slapstick and silly. But let’s stop and reflect for a moment.

Entrepreneur Advice from Cidia Chissungo: Believe in yourself

March 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Cidia Chissungo, founder of Gillipe (Mozambique)

Believe in yourself…

“The world prepares women to resist many things but never to follow their own dreams. Yet we have the power to change the world - we simply have to believe in ourselves and also work hard to make those dreams a reality.”

Cidia Chissungo, founder of Gillipe (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Kulani Shiluvane: Hold on to your self-belief

March 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kulani Shiluvane, founder of Shiluvah (South Africa) — **Kulani Shiluvane,** founder of Shiluvah (South Africa)

Hold on to your self-belief…

“In business, like in life, it is important to hold to yourself when there is nothing and no one to hold on to. Ignore the negativity from any and all directions, and rather fuel that fire that got you going in the first place.”

Kulani Shiluvane, founder of Shiluvah (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Adetutu Adekunle: Learn the ropes well

January 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Adetutu Adekunle, founder Bibi’s GrillHouse and Bibi’s Cottage Catering (Nigeria)

Learn the ropes well….

“Believe in yourself. Know you can do it, learn the ropes of your business. You need it to succeed. Be dogged and consistent.”

Adetutu Adekunle, founder of Bibi’s GrillHouse and Bibi’s Cottage Catering (Nigeria)