Entrepreneur Advice from Mara Cancune / Invest in yourself

July 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mara Cancune, Founder, CharbanúRH - Consultoria e Capacitação (Mozambique)

Invest in yourself!…

“All women must follow their instincts, no person is able to decide the course of our lives other than us. We must invest in ourselves, make that internal investment. We must change our ways of being, acting, thinking and, yes, it will change our lives.”

Mara Cancune, Founder, CharbanúRH - Consultoria e Capacitação (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Carine Zoe Umutoni

July 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Carine-Zoe Umutoni, Founder, ONYX (Rwanda)

Know your purpose!…

“Knowing your purpose is key as it brings satisfaction to the soul. Fulfill your purpose ladies and shine. This is our time. Nobody can believe in you if you do not believe in yourself. Believing in you is the first step.”

Carine-Zoe Umutoni, Founder, ONYX (Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bukky Asehinde / Be consistent

July 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bukky Asehinde, Founder, Bellafricana (Nigeria)

Be consistent!…

“Don’t be in a rush to “make it” - the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Being consistent gives room for growth and gets you to the successful end goal.”

Bukky Asehinde, Founder, Bellafricana (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Eunice Andrade / Believe in your dreams

July 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Eunice Andrade, Founder, Fabrazilbyeunice (Mozambique)

Believe in your dreams!…

“Believe in your dreams and never give up. Go ahead and face the challenges and you will have success.”

Eunice Andrade, Founder, Fabrazilbyeunice (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Cátia Mondlane / Stay loyal to your vision

July 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Cátia Mondlane, Founder, Isabella - Estética & Cosméticos (Mozambique)

Stay loyal to your vision…

“Unfortunately staying loyal to ones’ vision regardless of the tough times is a quality held by few and it is already time for people to understand that there is no such thing as an easy business”

Cátia Mondlane, Founder, Isabella - Estética & Cosméticos (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Linda Khumbanyiwa / Don’t be afraid to ask for advice

July 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Linda Khumbanyiwa, Founder, Lynne Kayenne Studio (Malawi)

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice…

“Start where you are and start with what you have. Also do not be afraid to ask for advice because every successful business was a start-up at one point and it's only by sharing our knowledge and stories that we can flourish.”

Linda Khumbanyiwa, Founder, Lynne Kayenne Studio (Malawi)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mariana Agness Francisco Eria / Invest in your skills development

July 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder, The House of Agness (Mozambique)

Invest in your skills development...

“Be curious and invest in your own skills development and that of your team. Your brand is only as good as the people behind it.”

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder, The House of Agness (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ijeoma Ndekwu / Be consistent

July 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ijeoma Ndekwu, Founder, Redrick PR (Nigeria)

Be consistent…

“Start with what you can adequately manage to ensure the optimum delivery in client or consumer experience; and be consistent.”

Ijeoma Ndekwu, Founder, Redrick PR (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bernadette Umunyana / Get good investment advice

July 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bernadette Umunyana, founder, Dokmai (Rwanda)

Get good investment advice!…

“Be careful when considering long-term loans for investments. The interest rates are high and the benefit margins are small.”

Bernadette Umunyana, founder, Dokmai (Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Amanda Aminah Masire / Stay in your own field

July 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Amanda Aminah Masire, founder, Greenhouse Technologies (Botswana)

Stay in your own field!…

“Be focused, stay in your own field. Don’t run away from your problems, don’t hide them under the carpet, they will grow - ask for help if you need it.”

Amanda Aminah Masire, founder, Greenhouse Technologies (Botswana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Amália Ngoca / Start with what you have!

July 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Amália Ngoca, founder, Malita Investimentos (Mozambique)

Start with what you have!…

“Women do not be afraid of challenges, and just start with what little you have - by just starting you won’t want to stop because you will enjoy what you do.”

Amália Ngoca, founder, Malita Investimentos (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Sophia Richter / Do not give up!

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sophia Richter, founder, Section Thirty-Five Legal and Business Solutions (South Africa)

Do not give up!…

“It is not an easy journey, and can be a very lonely one at times, however do not give up. It is all SO worth it at the end.”

Sophia Richter, founder, Section Thirty-Five Legal and Business Solutions (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Gisele Shabani / Execute your plan, step by step

July 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 17.44.36.jpg

Execute your plan, step by step!…

“Do not be scared to take risks to start your own enterprise. Business comes from an idea, but you must take the next step which is execution of the plan, step-by-step. From there, prepare to be confident, work hard, and communicate your passion with an open mind.”

Gisele Shabani, founder, Giselle Q Accessories (Burundi)

Entrepreneur Advice from Farida Yahya / Work hard and work smart!

July 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals (Nigeria)

Work hard and work smart!…

“Work hard and smart enough to have those doors open for you. When you do succeed, look back and lift up others - mentorship and support is crucial for female founders.”

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Emily Kandanga / Step into your greatness!

July 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Emily Kandanga, co-founder, Sweat Fitness (Namibia)

Step into your greatness!…

“Free yourself from all those excuses that are keeping you from stepping into your greatness, fear tends to paralyze more than inspire.”

Emily Kandanga, co-founder, Sweat Fitness (Namibia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Deyzes Pereira / Challenge yourself

July 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Deyzes Pereira, founder, Startups Consulting (Mozambique)

Challenge yourself!…

“The human being has the ability to develop various skills, so don't just stay in your comfort zone for one skill! Explore, investigate, be curious, experiment, and above all challenge yourself!”

Deyzes Pereira, founder, Startups Consulting (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ngozi Opara / What’s your why?

July 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ngozi Opara, Founder, Heat Free Hair (Nigeria)

What’s your why?…

“You should figure out your “why?” first. It’s probably the most important aspect of your business because, as you scale, things get tougher and tougher and your reason for beginning your entrepreneurial journey is something you will always come back to.”

Ngozi Opara, Founder, Heat Free Hair (Nigeria)

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 Thiitu Karega / Start small, but start now!

June 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Thiitu Karega, founder, Binti Naturals, (Kenya)

Start small but start now!…

“There is never going to be a perfect time to go after your goals. Start small but start now. I fail more times than I’m willing to admit but at least I’ve tried.”

Thiitu Karega, founder, Binti Naturals, (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Eunice Cofie / Have a teachable spirit!

June 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Eunice Cofie, founder, Nuekie, (Ghana/US)

Have a teachable spirit!…

“Having a teachable spirit is important, because you don't know everything. You have to be willing to allow others to teach you what you don't know so that you can be successful.”

Eunice Cofie, founder, Nuekie, (Ghana/US)