Entrepreneur Advice from Djamila da Sousa / Stay calm and innovate

April 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Djamila de Sousa, co-founder, Karingana wa Karingana (Mozambique)

Stay calm and innovate…

“This is a very unique moment in history where no-one has certain answers, as it is new to everyone. It is time to stay calm and think how to innovate in our businesses to stay relevant and to serve society. Now more than ever we have to join forces and support each other.”

Djamila de Sousa, co-founder, Karingana wa Karingana (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Anabela Marcos / Stay focused

April 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Anabela Marcos, founder & ceo, Gestao Profissional (GP) (Angola)

Stay focused…

“Focus on the destination, not the difficulties of the route.”

Anabela Marcos, founder & ceo, Gestao Profissional (GP) (Angola)

Entrepreneur Advice from Annabel Biggar-David: Keep your values

April 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Annabel Biggar-David, founder of Organico (South Africa)

Keep your values….

"Keep your circle small and find your ‘tribe’ that celebrates the magnificent goddess that you and they are. Be a woman other women can trust. Keep your values front and centre as business integrity goes a very long way.”

Annabel Biggar-David, founder of Organico (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Marjorie Atuhurra: Step out of your comfort zone

April 2, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Marjorie Atuhurra, founder of Gejja Women Foundation (Uganda)

You need to step out of your comfort zone….

"You have to leave your comfort zone, and you can find more than you expect. If you stay within your perceived limits it will not work. So don't settle for what you have – instead, set a goal. And I think it's best to go together. I am not going alone, but I'm going with my fellow girls and women.”

Marjorie Atuhurra, founder of Gejja Women Foundation (Uganda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tatenda Ndambakuwa: Shoot high!

April 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tatenda Ndambakuwa, founder of Shiri (Zimbabwe) — **Tatenda Ndambakuwa**, founder of Shiri (Zimbabwe)

Shoot high!…

“Find your passion and seize every opportunity related to it. Do lots of research around the industry you want to break into. Focus on the things you can control and perfect the details. Cultivate a network of trusted mentors and colleagues. Choose the right teammates. Above all shoot high, the most important thing is to get up and keep trying, never give up on something you believe in. PS: Don't forget to shatter glass ceilings!”

Tatenda Ndambakuwa, founder and developer of shiri (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Iris Munguambe: Share your journey

March 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Iris Munguambe, founder of Mariée Boutique Lda (Mozambique) — **Iris Munguambe**, founder of Mariée Boutique Lda (Mozambique)

Share your journey...

“Inspire other people with your story, and share your journey as an entrepreneur. I want to be a good example to other young ladies, telling them how I started at the age of 17 and now 11 years later, I have my own space. We can be more than we can imagine, and we can run the world!”

Iris Munguambe, founder of Mariée Boutique Lda (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Persist… it’s definitely not easy!

March 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Monica's best advice for other African women entrepreneurs....

“Have a vision and passion. Be courageous, focused and disciplined. Lastly, persist… it’s definitely not easy.”

Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tshiamiso Kgomanyane: Don’t let fear hold you back

March 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tshiamiso Kgomanyane, founder of SHE Legal Co. (South Africa) — **Tshiamiso Kgomanyane**, founder of SHE Legal Co. (South Africa)

Don’t let fear hold you back….

“Don't let fear get the better of you. Because in as much as we want to be perfect in everything that we do, the mistakes we make shouldn't make us fearful to try again, they should fuel us to keep going and do better.”

Tshiamiso Kgomanyane, founder of SHE Legal Co. (South Africa)

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 Deborah Hartung: Find a balance between work and life

March 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Find a balance between work and life…

“It’s going to take some time and some planning, but you can definitely make time to find a more healthy balance between work and life. Do it for your health. Do it for your sanity and stress levels – your future self is already thanking you for loving yourself enough to take time out to rest.”

Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: How I find strength in difficult times

March 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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

On finding strength in the difficult times....

“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 'Nike' Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria. Nike started out modestly in 1996 selling the clothes she made from the boot of her car and in bazaars. Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is an instantly recognisable brand in Nigeria and has a reputation for being one of the top manufacturers of children's clothing throughout West Africa. Ruff 'n' Tumble successfully caters to the unique fashion sense of today’s youngsters, from new born to age 16, happily mixing indigenous lifestyle trends with an international appeal.

Entrepreneur Advice from Candice Johnson: Stay grounded and centred

March 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Candice Johnson, founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa) — **Candice Johnson,** founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa)

Stay grounded and centred....

"My advice would be to know that you will go through ups and downs in your business and to let that be okay. Not to get swept away by the difficult times but to keep focused and know that those you can weather. There will be expansion on the other side. Keep going and don't worry too much about making mistakes. There will be many but staying grounded and centred can allow you to see that there is learning in each step of the way and to trust the process. If your heart is in what you are doing, then you will be supported by the universe."

Candice Johnson, founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Eva Muraya: Don’t expect overnight success

March 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Eva Muraya, Founder and CEO of BSD Group (Kenya)

Don’t expect overnight success as an entrepreneur…

“I would apply the principles of the harvest, which is you must dig, clear the land, plant, water the crops… and then hopefully there will be a harvest and sometimes that harvest might be a little bit disappointing. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t go back and sow again.”

Eva Muraya, Founder and CEO of BSD Group (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ursula Pais: You need to find solutions

March 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ursula Pais, founder of KA DA TERRA SUPERMERCADOS, LDA (Mozambique) — **Ursula Pais**, founder of KA DA TERRA SUPERMERCADOS, LDA (Mozambique)

You need to find solutions….

“Your brand must nurture a unique strength … a healthy culture based on your company Values. You must include the value of Entrepreneurship. What does this mean? Creativity and innovation, must be at the core of your business. Problem solving, taking ownership, and responsibility for outcomes – as we tackle the current crisis, we need to have solutions.”

Ursula Pais, founder of Ka Da Terra Supermercados, LDA (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mkamboi Mwakale: Begin with the little you have

March 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mkamboi Mwakale, founder of Saru Organics (Kenya)

Begin with the little you have…

“Do not wait any longer because you have found out the money at hand is not enough. I will tell you that very few people do have 'enough' Capital - the majority of us began with the little we had, just believing and making steps, and before long you will be rewarded for your diligence. So step out and create that dream from the unbelievably humble beginning!”

Mkamboi Mwakale, founder of Saru Organics (Kenya)

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 Diana Opoti: Find your niche and turn it into a business

March 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Diana Opoti, founder of Diana Opoti PR, Kenya — **Diana Opoti**, founder of Diana Opoti PR, Kenya

Find your niche....

"Find a niche. Turn what you like into a business. Passion fuels business."

Diana Opoti, founder of Diana Opoti PR (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Andiswa Silinga: Recognize your weak points

March 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Andiswa Silinga, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa) — **Andiswa Silinga,** co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa)

Recognize your weak points….

“Surround yourself with a team that will compliment your weakest points, collaborate with other entrepreneurs, and avoid working in silos.”

Andiswa Silinga, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Devotha Ntuke Minzi: Mentoring is key

March 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

Mentoring is key....

"You need people to support you in one way or another. It can get very lonely at CEO level. People think you have made it, while you know how much there still is to pursue and solve. I have learned so much from good mentors in my industry."

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bernie de Le Cuona: Stay focused on the important things

March 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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

Stay focused on the important things….

“… before you start doing any of the cool things like marketing or packaging, be damn sure the sales are coming in. Be aware of your financials. You might want to be creative and fun, but unless you know how much money you’ve got, how much you owe and how much you’re making on your products, you’ll never succeed. I know those things every day.”

Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of De Le Cuona