Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Surround yourself with positive energy

March 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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Being an entrepreneur is hard, so it's important to surround yourself with lots of positive energy....

“Having peace around you, positive energy, people who are positive, who are doers and want to achieve. I love that energy so that it further energises me.”

Adenike Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Katy Valentine: Get help

March 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Katy Valentine, founder of Katy Valentine Collection (South Africa) — Katy Valentine, founder of Katy Valentine Collection (South Africa)

My biggest piece of advice…

“… have a business plan from the very beginning and get help when and where you need it. I am not so good at running my accounts, so I have an accountant to help me keep everything in order. It’s relieved a lot of pressure and I think it’s incredibly important to make sure that every aspect of your business is running smoothly, especially the areas you struggle with.”

Katy Valentine, founder of Katy Valentine Collection (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Olivia Onyemaobi: Just start something!

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Olivia Onyemaobi, founder of Pad-Up Creations (Nigeria) — Olivia Onyemaobi, founder of Pad-Up Creations (Nigeria)

Just start something!…

“To every woman out there, just start something! Do not wait until you have all you need, no one gets all their needs met in the early days. If I hadn’t started the campaign against sexual abuse, I wouldn't have discovered that there is such a need for sanitary pads in Nigeria. You can start, no matter how small, and surely you will grow bigger.”

Olivia Onyemaobi, founder of Pad-Up Creations (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Patricia Majule: Be patient

March 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania) — Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania)

Be patient….

“Being a woman is an added advantage for you to be successful as an entrepreneur in Africa, because we are naturally strong and can endure hardworking tasks. The only thing you need to add is to be patient with your business as it takes 5 to 10 years to grow a brand. So to be successful one needs to be consistent with the idea and the business for it to grow; avoid procrastination; put God first in everything you do; and do not give up.”

Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania)

Entrepreneur Advice from Abai Schulze: Think big, but start small

March 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia) — Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia)

Think big, but start small....

"Find something that you are truly passionate about and build a vision for it – think big, but start small. Surround yourself with people who can challenge you and hold you accountable for your actions and progress."

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Discover your 'why'

February 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Discover your 'why'....

“Before going into a business, you must discover the reason for going into the business. You need to ask yourself the following questions; why do I have to do this, why am I here, what is my purpose and what is it that I want to achieve in this business?”

Adenike Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bernie de Le Cuona: You can grow and fund your business through sales

February 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of de Le Cuona — Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of de Le Cuona

You can grow and fund your business through sales….

“(My business) was totally self-funded. I never even used an overdraft. It was literally selling something, investing the money from that in something else and selling that.”

Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of De Le Cuona

Entrepreneur Advice from Tayo Bello: You must have passion for what you do

February 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tayo Bello, founder of Bello Creations (Nigeria)

My best advice…

"To have the passion for what you do and make sure you have a business adviser and mentors in place to guide you through the journey."

Tayo Bello, founder of Bello Creations (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Don’t think you will always be a small business

February 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia)

To survive over the long term, bigger is better…

“The reality is that to be a profitable, well-run business, it’s all about scale. I’ve never had an ambition to be a small business. I tell my staff they shouldn’t think like an SME. Don’t think you will always be a small business because then you will always be a small business.”

Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Andra Massamba: Stay strong and focused

February 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Andra Massamba, founder of Uabalika (Mozambique)

Stay strong and focused…

“… never give up, however difficult and long the path is, never give up! I have Faith, Strength and Focus, and that is all, and it’s enough to achieve everything I want in life.”

Andra Massamba, founder of Uabalika (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Evangelia Kalaitzi: Entrepreneurship grows you as a person

February 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Evangelia Kalaitzi, founder of HealthyWise & Evangelia Nina K Brand (South Africa)

Entrepreneurship grows you as a person…

"Entrepreneurship and having my own business has brought tears, laughter and experience into my life. It has also brought new people, as well as the opportunity to unleash a greater part of me and grow me as an individual.”

Evangelia Kalaitzi, founder of HealthyWise & Evangelia Nina K Brand (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Suzie Wokabi: You must be patient and persistent

February 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Suzie Wokabi, founder of SuzieBeauty, Kenya — Suzie Wokabi, founder of SuzieBeauty, Kenya

Patience and persistence are key....

"I have learnt to be patient. It took a long time to undertake research and develop the product range. I have also learnt to never say die. I have met people who thought I was crazy to imagine a project like this, but the passion I have keeps me going. I have never stopped believing in my dreams."

Suzie Wokabi, founder of SuzieBeauty, Kenya

Entrepreneur Advice from Tania Reid: Be coachable

February 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tania Reid, founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa) — Tania Reid, founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa)

Be coachable....

"Speak to other women in your industry, speak to industry experts, and find mentors who have knowledge on all aspects of business. Ask your family to be honest about your business idea and not worry too much about hurting your feelings. Be coachable. Know how to pitch your business in 1 minute and stop making excuses about your 'small' business, all empires started off small."

Tania Reid founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Jacoline Wentzel: Start making things happen

February 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Start making things happen…

“Your dream will always just stay a dream if you do not start "doing". Put your phone down, stop living in that dream world of Instagram and Pinterest (don't get me wrong, I love them too!) and start making things happen around you.”

Jacoline Wentzel, founder of The Spa Warehouse (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from : You need to be hands-on

February 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Wunmi Amokeodo, founder of Design for Love (Nigeria) — Wunmi Amokeodo, founder of Design for Love (Nigeria)

You need to be hands-on....

"Research your business and don’t be too afraid to be hands-on. You need to get dirty to get gold. Gold is not found on the surface. If you are not ready to dig and scratch and find, you are not ready to go big."

Wunmi Amokeodo, is the founder of Design for Love (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Marlese Wallis: Just create!

February 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Marlese Wallis, founder of Mies Body Products (South Africa) — Marlese Wallis, founder of Mies Body Products (South Africa)

Just create!...

"When it comes to the business side of things (admin, finances, bank accounts, accountants, social media, marketing), try to get all of that in place from the beginning because it is truly the spine of your business. When it comes to creativity.... there are no boundaries! Don't hesitate, don't imitate, just create!"

Marlese Wallis, founder of Mies Body Products (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Networking really can help you

February 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder & CEO of Java Foods, Zambia — Monica Musonda, founder & CEO of Java Foods, Zambia

Networking is vital....

“It can get you through all the right doors. You need to learn to make new connections all the time. They can help a new business in one way or the other. Be careful of people coming into your inner circle just trying to bring you down. Know who your friends are. Take advice from the right people too.”

Monica Musonda, founder and CEO of Java Foods (Zambia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Rose Sibisi: Know what your passion and purpose is

January 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Rose Sibisi — Rose Sibisi

Know what your passion and purpose is....

"The first question to be able to ask yourself and have an answer to is: 'What is my purpose?' For as long as you are alive, you were created for a purpose to better the lives of others – it’s not about you. Women were created to 'birth' life and that is not restricted to human life. It means women have the creative and multiplying power to push boundaries with strength, resilience and focus in any area of business, communities and any sphere of influence they are assigned to. So – for you to get to the next level - know what your passion and purpose is and never give up!"

Rose Sibisi, creator and host of StylewithRoseS (Zambia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Carrie Leaver: Keep organized

January 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa) — Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

Keep organized....

"Do your homework and plan your startup journey in bite sizes; many small steps keep one motivated. Talk to strangers and connect; the true magic happens in the connections you make with others. Write things down; ideas, dates, deadlines, everything! We need to keep organized and cannot afford to forget a thing."

Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: You must have a never-say-die attitude

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (Ethiopia) — Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

You must have a never-say-die attitude....

"There will be many times every single day while you are creating or running your business where it will be easy to stop rather than continue. But do just that — continue. And as you continue, focus on making your product or service the absolute best and then delivering that product or service inside the most amazing experience for your customers. Do that and repeat relentlessly, but always with a smile."

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels & Garden of Coffee (Ethiopia)