the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech
It’s a fact of life that we don’t always get what we want and it sure isn’t always fair. Being a woman in business and in leadership, you’re bound to have to face more than your fair share of disappointments. Here are some tips on learning to move with the flow of life and not let temporary disappointments become permanent setbacks.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
Competition is a subject I did in marketing at college. We were reviewing the ways companies compete for markets. Direct competition and indirect competition. Direct competition is CocaCola and Pepsi. Indirect would be CocaCola and all banting products. This subject tells us that there’s one market for all these companies, and they must all fight for their attention. Ways of fighting include pricing, ingredients, advertising, location, pairing with other power brands in the industry, and of late going green/healthy. Are you exhausted already? Me too, but read on…
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by Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka
Recently I had the privilege of attending a workshop where I delivered a talk to a group of young learners about career development. This is a topic that is very close to my heart because many people are forced into unwanted careers for many reasons. The bottom line is that there is an enormous need for career guidance in underprivileged schools. This is specifically because advanced institutions have career coaches and counselors to assist learners in aligning their future goals and aspirations with their talents and capabilities from the early stages of their schooling.
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by Kathryn Main, founder of Money Savvy Kids
When I think about failure I truly believe I am an expert on this subject. I have failed in every area of my life many times - personally, financially, and in business. If you want advice on how to handle failure, ask an expert!
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
It’s the height of any fashion season right now. Whether you are a designer, seamstress, wholesaler, model, photographer or PR person in fashion, you are busy from August till January. And all your ‘please order in July for September’ advice has fallen on deaf ears. You are managing those who listened and risk managing those who didn’t. No matter how many no’s you can say, someone always convinces you to ‘pretty please help’; most of the time you help because it is someone you like and want to dress….again.
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by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa
Are you working really hard to build your business? Are you always on the look out for new opportunities to get income? Do you constantly follow up on clients and try and persuade them to buy your product/service? I have a newsflash for you…you’ve been hustling! Yes…you are a hustler!
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
Last week I was in Durban taking part in the KZN Fashion Council’s AFX expo. The main reason I agreed is they said there’s a fashion show and I will be showing. Well duh! Nothing is more exciting to a fashion designer than ‘hey here is a platform, come and show us what you can do’; everything is planned and in place, you much just show up. Thank God! So, I was already 80% into finishing the new range; I completed it and headed down. This range has been in my head for 4 months - I am that person….everything is in my head…writing it down is another mission.
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by Laura Camacho, PhD
Marketing, sales, operations, finances, picking up the children….so many responsibilities for today’s business owner. It often feels overwhelming, which is why we need mentors and coaches to help us make successful choices. One thing that helps you make better choices and be more productive is your thoughtwork.
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by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
You have worked hard to get to where you are and it feels good to be reaching your goals. However, you might not be alone in enjoying your success – many young professionals today feel pressurised to ‘pay back’ and support extended family members who may not be as fortunate.
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by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech
As the year winds down and we’re all tempted to start planning for the next year, it’s important to take a moment to do a bit of a retrospective and to celebrate the successes we have had to date. In fact, it’s an important aspect of our development as leaders, that we are able to celebrate the small wins and reinforce that we are on the path to success, no matter what that looks like in our business or personal lives.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
If you are on earth you have either heard or said the words ‘Why don’t you?’ to someone. If you are a first generation business owner in your family, you hear these words from everyone. Humans are kind, first. We are keen to help. Sometimes even when we are not asked. I cannot begin to tell you how many times people have asked the question “Why don’t you?” to me, believing that whatever they are saying is most definitely the answer to my challenges. Some even have contacts for me to action this idea they have come up with. It’s highly appreciated but most times not what we need. Sometimes we just need to vent - about our businesses!
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I consume books. Especially books that help me understand myself better; books that help me learn from other people’s journeys. Both their successes and their mistakes are invaluable ways to fast-track our own growth. These 7 books incorporate all that … and so much more. Happy reading!
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by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life
During any trip in nature so many things can happen. We have all watched movies of the unforeseen or the accident waiting to happen. We have also witnessed nail gripping stuff of someone who cannot hold their grip in certain circumstances.
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I came across a podcast recently where leadership guru, Simon Sinek, was being interviewed by Tony Robbins. He mentioned a concept I hadn’t heard of before ‘Care-frontation’. In my research, I came across a great definition that characterizes it as follows…
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by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
My response to the question “Are you not too young?” My age often comes up and people are not only shocked but worried about the responsibilities I have acquired. I am 22 years old, married, have a two months old son, and I am a social entrepreneur.
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by Paula Quinsee, Relationship Expert
Spring season has always been associated with decluttering, clearing out, spring cleaning and making space for the new. This gives us wonderful opportunities to take stock of what we have, what's working, what's not working, what is valuable and what has passed it's 'sell by' date. It's not that different when it comes to our relationships.
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by Laura Camacho, PhD
Fortune favors those who give their businesses Full Heart. Women entrepreneurs, more so than our male counterparts, tend to have several projects to manage beside their business. These projects can include children, parents (and other family members), a day job and perhaps running a home.
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I always know where my focus and head space is by the status of the wallpaper on my phone. Not quite what you were expecting to read right? So, a few months ago, I made myself a wallpaper with the word ‘Pause’. This was to remind myself to slow down, be mindful, not rush, not look 5 steps ahead but to just be in the moment and be present with those around me.
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by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life
Having a bird’s eye view brings to mind a very common concept. It shows you with one overall look at what you need to know about any situation. We use this in corporate situations and in our own lives. Most entrepreneurs have to take a couple of steps back from their work to take a good look at what they have created, what they are busy with, or their action plans towards reaching their goals. Access the progress and problems.
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By Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
A few months back I decided to remove myself from social media. Okay, let us say a percentage of me. Or, was it a decision to remove social media from my life? I made a conscious decision to limit my time on it for personal reasons. The biggest reason is social media is LOUD. And most of the time the loudness is so much negativity and pain happening all over the world. So much information filed into my mind on a daily basis, and in some instances I found myself interacting emotionally, it was just not good. One of the reasons our grandmothers have great skin is that they honestly didn’t know as much as we know about everything…and they made it through life!
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