the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Karen Wessels, founder of VA Connect and SnappSales
Life loves throwing us curveballs at the best of times. It’s going to happen and it will continue happening. So, the question is, how do we best manage this? As entrepreneurs we are solution-based thinkers. This means that we are continuously seeking solutions as opposed to looking straight into the problem. It could take years of figuring out, adapting, changing, making sure that your process and flow work for you.
Read more
by Hlengiwe Moepe, founder of Marpemed
As an entrepreneur, are you fully aware of the importance of good nutrition, and avoiding becoming overweight or obese? Your food choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall health.
Read more
by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources Practitioner and co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions
Women have been known for being nurturers by nature, and it is only with the emancipation and empowerment that women have started taking on roles traditionally thought to be for men, and also undertaking entrepreneurial activities. However, it is wise to note that there is still a need for women to balance their nurturing roles in the family, as well as their roles in the workplace and in their businesses.
Read more
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
In the 4 years that Roka Roko has been in existence, I have hired 6 people and lost all of them, each for different reasons. I have learned how tough it is to find the right person to hire and keep them. A lot of us say hiring is growth and give it a status, making it sound fancy and grand. Well, it is the same as the fashion industry, nothing fancy but really challenging.
Read more
by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
In our ‘always on’, technology obsessed world, we have started to lose the human element in our communication with others. People sitting in an open plan office, across from each other would prefer to send an email than to walk over and discuss the project, issue, fill in the blank. Firstly, the amount of time wasted in countless email trails, could be solved in less than 5 minutes of face-face time.
Read more
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
Last night, as I am yet again worrying instead of sleeping as per ‘normal human behavior’, I started scolding myself for worrying so much. And in turn helping the anxiety exist within me… and possibly assisting hypertension to revel! It is midnight or just after midnight, and yes as per ‘Brigette normal behavior’, I am awake. I am in bed counting all the orders I have for this week; and the how much it will cost to make them and whether I have all those deposits, etc. In my process of worry a voice says ‘worry about what you do have, and not what you do not have.’
Read more
by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
Failure is a natural part of life and the journey to success – whatever that may mean to you. In my workshops on personal branding, I teach people that when you do make a mistake, the first step is to own it and then use that as an opportunity to exceed expectations. Be solutions orientated and always find a way to make a plan. If the situation is out of your control, then manage your client’s expectations and be as transparent as possible. We are human which means we are fallible. People are more forgiving when they are part of the solution and also when you don’t try play the blame game.
Read more
by Phindile Ndlovu, founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
We are urged so many times to support our local brands, to support small businesses, and even support black female owned businesses. We are encouraged to support those who are from disadvantaged groupings, who have stepped out and took the risk of starting businesses. I concede - starting a business coming from a disadvantaged position is hard and you need a good support system. When that business does not go well that month, that means the bills will not be paid and the family will struggle to have food on the table. So yes, we need to support, local, small and black owned businesses.
Read more
by Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka, founder of MR Consulting
A year ago I became a new mom. No one could have adequately prepared me for what motherhood had in store for me. I found out about my pregnancy two days after my wedding day and my life has been a complete rollercoaster ever since.
Read more
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
I’m sitting on the couch watching yet another episode of FRIENDS, which I have seen before and I’m laughing like it’s the first time. I have 2 deadlines for today, 1 for tomorrow, 1 for Wednesday and 3 more for Saturday. But I am sitting on this couch for this 30 minutes, for me. I have just finished forcing myself to finish a whole sandwich and a cup of coffee; energy is necessary. My lovely phone is buzzing and beeping away right next to me and I am ignoring it, totally. Just for 30 minutes.
Read more
by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life
If you are not willing to go through the difficult processes then you might end up missing out on something beautiful. A most glorious picture or a natural wonder that you have been traveling miles for.
Read more
by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa
The other day a friend and I were having a WhatsApp conversation, and we were specifically sending each other voice notes. It was a rainy day here in Cape Town and I was sitting behind my desk working. I assumed she was at her flat where she still lives in Johannesburg. As we were catching up she started venting on how difficult the road of entrepreneurship is.
Read more
by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
Gone are the days where cellphones were limited to phone-calls and messaging. Gone are the days where communication was slow and restricted by borders. Globalization, a cliché that remains relevant, has changed the way we do things. We talk, brand ourselves and trade differently. Ultimately business has changed.
Read more
by Tania Reid, Chief Experience Officer of Ithemba Office Solutions
Last year, I was approached by an investment fund with an opportunity. The brief from their client was to find a majority woman-owned stationery company that they could invest in. After hearing my pitch at an event, they were sufficiently impressed to put Ithemba forward for this fantastic opportunity. 'That is the power of a good sales pitch' but that is a discussion for another day.
Read more
by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life
Have you ever been on a trip with a backpack? Maybe across continents or on a short student holiday, even a great big one through the jungle or Africa? You will understand the day that you start off to ensure that you have packed your backpack just right? Right?
Read more
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
I have written many pieces on the issue with operational capital…in simpler language, money. Others call it petty cash, pocket money, or disposable income. This is money every business or person should have to spend on unforeseen circumstances. This is a tricky thing because you are already trying to juggle what you have amongst the expenses you have; now I need extra cash for ‘in case’! Well…ok then.
Read more
by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
In our technologically driven world, we become more and more dependent on technology for everything. My go-to app for driving is Waze. Even if I know the route, I refer to it to view the quickest way by traffic flow, anything to scrape even those precious 5 minutes off the commute. Now have you ever scrolled ahead on the screen to look and see where its taking you. You then get a screen that looks something like this…with a big Re-centre message.
Read more
by Karen Wessels, founder of VA Connect and SnappSales
I remember like it was yesterday, starting out in business and taking on clients and suppliers that in your gut just didn’t feel right. We’ve all been guilty of this. We feel that when we are a start-up or new to the entrepreneurial world that we should take on any client to gain the much needed experience and exposure. And who is going to say no to that additional income, right?
Read more
by Laura Camacho, PhD
There’s art and science in business communication, don’t you think? You need to affirm and appreciate people AND you need them to change certain behaviors. One behavior change might be buying your product and another might be answering the office phone a certain way.
Read more
by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
In a recent workshop I trained on personal branding, the topic of saying yes to please other people came up. And more so around the debate of wanting to show up as a credible and reliable brand but also knowing your boundaries and limitations. My advice I shared was about managing people’s expectations. If someone asks us to do something, we feel this compulsion to want to solve it for them today or under an unrealistic deadline in order to appear ‘super’ efficient and not want to let them down.
Read more