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Your dream, your business, your ambition starts with you

February 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken
the-superhero-in-every-woman.jpg

by Jenny Du Preez, the exclusive coach for Picketfence.life 

As a woman I know what it is like to put the needs of others ahead of my own, to constantly juggle various balls. Never dropping any of them, that would never be an option! At the very heart of this is You, a Super Hero, the one who others depend on. We inspire, protect, love and fight for others.

 

So, we begin with you. Your dream, your business, your ambition starts with “You”. I would like to challenge you to see “You” as a well of water. This well may be full and deep and from this well you quench your thirst, you energize your soul and mobilize your dreams. So how do we keep our well full and deep? How do we keep it from drying up, from becoming a ghostly place of death no one wants to go near?

Like every Super Hero we come into this world with gifts, when we are little our gifts are like the air we breathe, constantly with us, never are they questioned, we play with them, we enjoy them, and we are them.  For many of us, as we grow older they become buried, so deep they become dormant and we begin to fade, little by little. 

Successful dreams and businesses have one thing in common - a “realness” about them.  A place that people can come to quench their thirst; a place that reminds them about who they really are and how they can express that. 

Take a trip back to You - Naked, Unpolished, Raw. Gently peel back the layers of protection, the layers of advice, the layers of fear. 

Incredible drive and energy is required to keep your dream alive, and many of us will be tempted to follow the masses to try and copy “successful” models. You do have all the answers you need. 

Super Heroes have the following in common:

  • a story
  • an alter ego
  • gifts
  • weaknesses
  • a costume

All Super Heroes have a story, but they don’t live in the past. They are fully present in the moment. Super Heroes have an alter ego that allows them to enter spaces that their super hero cannot, only to allow the super hero entrance.  Who do you show the world. Super Heroes have gifts, they are unique. They come from their story, once realized they strengthen them. They can be nothing else but these gifts. These gifts are clues to who they are. 

Screen Shot 2018-02-19 at 3.17.03 PM.jpg

Weaknesses arise when Super Heroes go against their natural make-up and try to be someone else. This is an opportunity for the villain, the opposition to grow stronger. Super Heroes show clear identity in their costumes and in their work - you cannot confuse one Hero with another. 

Pay attention the next time you feel any of these: a feeling of discomfort inside, feeling bound by time, constantly having to bring your attention back to the matter at hand.  Ask yourself: am I being true to myself?

Becoming self-aware takes time, patience, self-love is the first step in the right direction - the direction to You. From this place of You, the answers are at first a whisper and then a little louder. Listen.From this place, our wells can replenish themselves to offer an Oasis, for inspiration to drive us and our business forward, 

Some food for thought.

Who would you be if you were free?

What do you want people to leave with after they have been with you?


Jenny photie2.jpg
Jenny Du Preez has more than 15 years experience in dynamic business environments managing executives working in high deliverable positions. She holds a Bcom degree from Unisa majoring in Industrial Psychology and Business Economics. Jenny completed her ILS life coaching international certification in 2016 and is in the process of completing her master’s qualification. She is passionate about Super Hero and Wellness coaching and inspires, explores, gives voice and empowers others. Find out more www.instagram.com/jen_du_preez/ or email info@picketfence.life or use #Jenny in mail.
In Guest Blog Tags Jenny Du Preez
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
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

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

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Chilli Heaven…Spice up your life and your favourite foods by cooking up some great chilli-based recipes using some of the finest chilli sauces and new Hot Honey from Black Mamba Foods in Eswatini. The comp
Image of the Day / AAKS / Luxury accessories…We just have to share one of our favourite accessories of the year so far, this beautiful hand-woven bag created by award-winning designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi and her AAKS brand in Ghana. We love se
Image of the Day / Vanhu Vamwe

Marvellous macrame…We have always been big fans of the uber-talented Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, co-founder of luxury Zimbabwean accessory brand, Vanhu Vamwe, together with husband Simba Nyawiri. This show-stopping co
Image of the Day / Food Lounge Mz

Glamorous fruit gifting…For all those lovers of great hand-made chocolates, look no further than Food Lounge Mz in Mozambique, founded by Kátia Agy. Previously known as a singer and TV presenter, K&aac
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak 

Eye-catching 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 br
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Summer 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™
Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map
Image of the Day / Bush Princess

Ethical luxury accessories…We think this Mara bag from the creative Charlotte Lefebvre, founder of Bush Princess in Kenya, is perfect for any occasion. Bush Princess is an ethical fashion brand, committed to s
Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

Summer Tote Bag…We love this super stylish woven summer tote bag, perfect for the weekend from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilaka
Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map
Image of the Day / Black Mamba Foods

Chilli Heaven…Spice up your life and your favourite foods by cooking up some great chilli-based recipes using some of the finest chilli sauces and new Hot Honey from Black Mamba Foods in Eswatini. The comp Image of the Day / AAKS / Luxury accessories…We just have to share one of our favourite accessories of the year so far, this beautiful hand-woven bag created by award-winning designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi and her AAKS brand in Ghana. We love se Image of the Day / Vanhu Vamwe

Marvellous macrame…We have always been big fans of the uber-talented Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, co-founder of luxury Zimbabwean accessory brand, Vanhu Vamwe, together with husband Simba Nyawiri. This show-stopping co Image of the Day / Food Lounge Mz

Glamorous fruit gifting…For all those lovers of great hand-made chocolates, look no further than Food Lounge Mz in Mozambique, founded by Kátia Agy. Previously known as a singer and TV presenter, K&aac Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak 

Eye-catching 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 br Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Summer 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™ Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Bush Princess

Ethical luxury accessories…We think this Mara bag from the creative Charlotte Lefebvre, founder of Bush Princess in Kenya, is perfect for any occasion. Bush Princess is an ethical fashion brand, committed to s Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

Summer Tote Bag…We love this super stylish woven summer tote bag, perfect for the weekend from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilaka Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range
Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

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Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
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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

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