Entrepreneur Advice from Samantha Rice: There comes a time when you just need to jump in

February 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Rice, founder of Creative Compass (South Africa) — **Samantha Rice**, founder of Creative Compass (South Africa)

There comes a time when you just need to jump in…

“It never feels as though it is the right time to take the leap - sometimes you cannot prepare any more, you just need to jump into the deep end and learn how to swim.”

Samantha Rice, the founder of Creative Compass, is a South African creative media expert with a passion for helping her clients to realize their business visions. She is a qualified journalist who has specialized in communication design and brand development. Samantha has traveled through the editorial space, as well as the advertising agency side, and has worked across many communication platforms. She has a passion for carving out the creative course for businesses. Read Samantha’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lunice Johnston: Be disciplined and professional

February 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Lunice Johnston, founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa) — **Lunice Johnston,** founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa)

Be disciplined and professional…

“Be disciplined - wake-up every morning with a purpose… dress up, take your handbag and physically go to a workspace, even if it's at a dining room table. Don’t ever fall into a habit of working in your PJs. Allow yourself enough me-time, as you will certainly bear the fruits. Be professional - your personal brand is of utmost importance in building your business.”

- Lunice Johnston is the founder of Lunice Johnston Communications, a South African communications professional with a passion for guiding her clients on their own business journeys in the public domain. Her company specialises in media relations, PR, reputation management, crisis communication, stakeholder management, social media management and training.Read Lunice’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Chule Gobodo: Give yourself permission to fail

February 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Chule Gobodo, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa) — **Chule Gobodo**, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa)

Give yourself permission to fail…

“Just start. Even if you fail big that's okay, give yourself permission to fail. If you don't you won't take risks and push your boundaries. Love yourself and make sure you nourish yourself and your relationships. Your family and friends are stakeholders, giving you the space to build.”

- Chule Gobodo is the co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives, a South African film-maker connecting consumers and brands through visual storytelling. Her company is the only youth, female black owned boutique creative story agency in South Africa, specializing in using storytelling as a brand activism tool. This graduate of motion picture studies is constantly on the look out for the perfect story that is able to best create a connection between her client and their customers. Read Chule’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lindiwe Mafavuneh: Anything is possible

February 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana) — **Lindiwe Mafavuneh**, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)

Anything is possible…

“Passion plus Purpose will be your fuel for a long time, so let the vision move you to your end goal. Have faith and stay focused and remember to always keep your eyes on your desired outcome. The start-up journey is not for the faint hearted, have grit and believe anything is possible.”

- Lindiwe Mafavuneh is founder of LCM Capital, a Botswana based entrepreneur on a mission to help companies to manage their risk and maximize their investments. Lindiwe’s company focuses on alternative investments, risk management solutions and advisory services and she is on a mission to help companies to manage their risk and maximize their investments. Read Lindiwe’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mimi Kalinda: Let’s have women support one another

February 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mimi Kalinda, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa) — **Mimi Kalinda**, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa)

Let’s have women support one another…

“… we have to look at precedent - history has a lot to teach us and role models abound if only we take the time to look back at who came before us. We need to stand firm as African female entrepreneurs and form a support base for each other. If we stand together, support and celebrate each other’s achievements, we will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. We also have to have a commitment to hard work and excellence.”

- Mimi Kalinda is the founder of Africommunications Group, a South African entrepreneur empowering fellow Africans through the power of storytelling. She has created a pan-African public relations and communications agency based in Johannesburg, South Africa servicing local and global clients with a complete and culturally attuned communications services offering. Her clients include private, public and non-profit sector organisatyions in the African market, with a focus on Francophone and Anglophone Africa. Read Mimi’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Sonia Paiva: Your diligence will be rewarded

February 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sonia Paiva, founder of Woman Farmer Foundation & Eswatini Kitchen (Swaziland) — **Sonia Paiva**, founder of Woman Farmer Foundation & Eswatini Kitchen (Swaziland)

Your diligence will be rewarded…

“Start, start and start. You may find your self starting many times but continue starting. This is called diligence. ‘The soul of the diligent is richly supplied’ - Proverbs 13 v 4.”

Sonia Paiva is the founder of Woman Farmer Foundation & Eswatini Kitchen, a Swaziland serial entrepreneur making an impact in the agribusiness and food processing sectors in her country. Eswatini Kitchen produces a range of gourmet foods using only natural products without any colorants, or preservatives, such as Jams, Sauces, Pickles, Honey, and Marmalades. Most of these products oversees. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Sonia spent time in the corporate world, in the motor industry in particular, running the well known Carson Motors in the city of Manzini, before moving to the NGO world and the food industry sector.Read Sonia’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Eugénia Langa: You can achieve what you want

February 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Eugénia Langa, founder of Nweba (Mozambique) — **Eugénia Langa**, founder of Nweba (Mozambique)

You can achieve what you want…

“Find your passion and make it your day-to-day. No dream is impossible to realize. With faith, determination and persistence, anyone can achieve what they want.”

- Eugénia Langa is the founder of Nweba, the first Mozambican company dedicated to Procurement and Logistics for Construction. Her main service areas cover Project Management, Contract Management, Material Supply or Service Provision, Permits Consulting, Logistics, and Procurement Training. From a young age Eugénia was enthralled by the idea of seeing man form structures larger than himself on the basis of using calculation and science. This fascination with science led her to study Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University. She went on to work in the construction sector for 10 years before launching Nweba (which means Persistence in Zulu) in 2015.Read Eugénia's startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Annie Muronda: Set processes around money

February 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa) — **Annie Muronda**, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)

Set processes around money…

“Measure your processes, you can't improve what you don't measure and you cant price your product or service appropriately without it. Set processes around money, i.e. how money is received and paid; the better you manage money, the more money you get to manage. Finally get professional help. You can't do it alone, there are areas where you are weak or simply don't have time to do. Get help so that you can focus on growing the business.”

- Annie Muronda is the founder of Rufaro Garments, a manufacturer and supplier of branded uniforms and marketing materials to schools and corporates in South Africa and the wider SADC region. Annie custom designs innovative uniform distribution strategies that deliver tailor made experiences for her clients.Read Annie’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Jess Binns: Keep moving forward

February 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey (South Africa) — **Jess Binns**, founder of Hector & Bailey (South Africa)

Keep moving forward…

“There will be good days and there will be bad days. Try and stay in the moment, accept each day and keep moving towards your goal.”

- Jess Binns is the founder of Hector & Bailey in South Africa, a niche Interior & Exterior Design business. She established Hector & Bailey back in 2009 in the UK before moving over to Durban, South Africa where the company has continued to expand. Jess is currently breaking ground with other African countries, such as Mozambique, designing interior spaces that connect with those who use them, and beautiful exterior spaces for those that view them.Read Jess’s startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Kristi Kyle: Find a mentor in your industry

February 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Kristi Kyle, founder of Love Long Length Clothing (South Africa) — **Kristi Kyle**, founder of Love Long Length Clothing (South Africa)

Find a mentor in your industry…

“Find yourself a great business mentor in the same type of industry – this will save you from making unnecessary mistakes. Schedule a meeting, grab a notebook and take as many pointers as you possibly can in whatever time they can give you!”

- Kristi Kyle is the founder of Love Long Length Clothing, a clothing brand producing a range of clothing for tall women in South Africa. Kristi has established the first business in South Africa to exclusively cater to tall women, manufacturing locally and supporting local women machinists. The quality of her garments is comparable to any high end brand in the market.

Entrepreneur Advice from Claudia Castellanos Roques: Believe you can do it

February 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Claudia Castellanos Roques, co-founder Black Mamba (Swaziland) — **Claudia Castellanos Roques**, co-founder Black Mamba (Swaziland)

Believe you can do it…

“Be tenacious, resilient, and persevere. Prepare yourself, thoroughly. Study as much as you can - as a woman, I believe you must be twice as prepared and knowledgeable as a man. And preparation gives you confidence, and you must believe you can do it and you will do it. As an entrepreneur you will face so many people who will try to deter you and tell you that you won't make it, but believing in yourself and being knowledgeable about what you do will help you overcome the many obstacles in the way.”

- Claudia Castellanos Roques is the co-founder of Black Mamba, a fair trade brand of gourmet chilli products from the Kingdom of Swaziland made with organically grown ingredients and no artificial flavours or preservatives. The range includes chilli sauces, pestos, and chutneys. Black Mamba partners with a local NGO called Guba that trains small farmers in organic farming. Black Mamba then buys at negotiated prices all the organic produce grown by these farmers to manufacture their products. Products are currently exported to South Africa, the UK, Germany and Australia.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tracey Gilmore: Overcome your doubts

February 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Overcome your doubts…

“When I feel self-doubt creeping in I consciously try to remain open and in the moment and if that doesn’t work I practice self-talk and reflect on positive past experiences that made me feel comforted and secure. It is these feelings that help brace my vulnerabilities.”

- Tracey Gilmore is the co-founder of The Clothing Bank, a high impact social enterprise on a mission to upskill and empower unemployed people in South Africa. Her work enables other women to not only learn the craft of entrepreneurship, but also to grow in self esteem and confidence. Tracey started her career in Deloitte, PWC and SAP before moving to Woolworths in the position of Head of Finance in South Africa. She is a chartered accountant and has been widely recognized as an outstanding business leader and social entrepreneur in South Africa.

Entrepreneur Advice from Emma Maame Efua Tandoh: Keep at it every day

January 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana) — **Emma Maame Efua Tandoh**, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana)

Keep at it every day…

“You will make some mistakes, but heck, start, go ahead and begin that dream and keep at it every day. Play up your strengths and use them to your advantage and whatever you feel you're not good at, hire someone who is great at it and keep going.”

- Emma Maame Efua Tandoh is the founder of Love Ankara in Ghana, a brand that is re-defining what authentic African fabric stands for. Emma is passionate about building a footwear and accessories brand that seeks to promote authentic African prints, empower women and preserve local textile industries. Love Ankara shoes and accessories are worn by powerful, outspoken, daring and empowered women the world over.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tumi Moitse: Have a clear vision

January 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Tumi Moitse, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa) — **Tumi Moitse**, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa)

Have a clear vision…

“Have a clear vision about what solutions your brand has to achieve and be clear of your target market. Learn the industry that you would like to tap into carefully, backed up with detailed market research. Align yourself with female orientated incubation programmes to build your confidence.”

- Tumi Moitse is the founder of BlakSaffron Boutique, an online flower and gifting boutique store in South Africa specialising in luxury gifting experiences. Tumi offers modern fresh and long lasting flower gift boxes, beautifully designed with love. She aims to create an effortless experience for clients looking for a statement gifting experience.

Entrepreneur Advice from Ntediseng Mwale: Do what you know and love

January 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Ntediseng Mwale, founder of Excellere Foods (South Africa) — **Ntediseng Mwale**, founder of Excellere Foods (South Africa)

Do what you know and love…

“Your business has to be something which is second nature to you. It gives you the tenacity to weather the inevitable storms.”

- Ntediseng Mwale (Chef Teddy) is the founder of Excellere Foods in South Africa, a company specialising in catering and confectionery. This passionate chef has plans to open a culinary institute to train youngsters to become chefs and is also in the process of commercializing her frozen, healthy dessert range which will be exported to various countries.

Entrepreneur Advice from Nkatha Gitonga: Entrepreneurship is best learnt by doing

January 23, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Entrepreneurship is best learnt by doing…

“You could always use more experience, more savings, better skills, but nothing teaches you entrepreneurship like actually having to ideate, test product-market fit, refine a value proposition, and run a startup.”

- Nkatha Gitonga is the founder of Yakutti, an online platform that curates uniquely elegant jewelry crafted by ethical, eco-conscious jewelry designers and brands that are contributing in significant ways to their local communities and industries. On Yakutti, you will find brands that are working with conservation organizations in Dar es Salaam and designing with upcycled metal in Nairobi; brands that are creating training and employment opportunities for local artisans.

Entrepreneur Advice from Daisy Mogne: Always stay focused and motivated

January 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Daisy Mogne, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique) — **Daisy Mogne**, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique)

Always stay focused and motivated…

“You will find many barriers along the way, but as long as you push through, you will always be one step closer to your goals and dreams. I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it. Never lose hope and faith in yourself and your passion.”

- Daisy Mogne is the founder of Studio Daisy Mogne in Mozambique, a company that offers professional Make-up and Hair Styling, providing clients with the best service and experience possible. Starting her business was a way for Daisy to do what she is passionate about, and also a way to bring other girls on board into the business to demonstrate their creative side and skills as well. Her ultimate goal is to establish a technical beauty school in Mozambique where she can share all her knowledge and inspire other people.

Entrepreneur Advice from Dounia Tamri-Loeper: Passion drives success

January 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home — **Dounia Tamri-Loeper**, founder of Dounia Home

Passion drives success…

“Do what you are passionate about, because at the end of the day it's the passion that drives us to success. It's the passion that keeps us going even during tough times. The journey of an entrepreneur is hard but so worth it! You can truly do anything you set your mind to. It's okay if you don't have it all figured out, just start and the path will get clearer as you go.”

- Dounia Tamri-Loeper is the founder of Dounia Home, a company that produces modern Moroccan lighting. She is focused on operating ethically and helps empower the Moroccan artisan community behind her products. Dounia Home creates beautiful, statement lighting pieces that not only celebrate the centuries-old techniques and designs that are uniquely Moroccan, but also elevates them to a whole new level.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee: Make it happen

January 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee, founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd (Mauritius) — **Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee**, founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd (Mauritius)

Make it happen…

“Entrepreneurship for me is an art of hustling. If you want to make things happen, then you have to go out and make it happen. Nobody will do it for you, except you. Be patient, things won't happen overnight. It didn't happen for me at least. Stay focused and never give up.”

- Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee is the founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd in Mauritius, a company that provides vehicle branding, exhibition booth design, supermarket POS display, and billboard printing. Lalita takes pride in her company’s high quality printing output and fast delivery and after six years of local operations she is now planning on expanding her business in sub-Saharan Africa.

Entrepreneur Advice from Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy: Be proud of what you’ve achieved

January 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy, founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius) — **Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy,** founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius)

Be proud of what you’ve achieved…

"As a woman, I feel that we often tend to belittle our achievements. I no longer want to give in to that trend. We must learn to be proud of ourselves. Let's pat our own backs!"

- Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy is the founder of The Talent Factory, a boutique Public Relations consultancy in Mauritius. Marie-Noelle leads a consultancy business that specializes in crafting tailor-made Public Relations & Communication solutions for businesses, SMEs, and start-ups. Before launching her company she worked in the media industry for over 10 years at La Sentinelle, one of the most important media groups on the Island. As Chief Editor, she managed various publications and editorial teams and also created Essentielle, a glossy women's magazine.