What grass can reveal about your financial mindset

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

I want you to hear David Attenborough’s voice* in your head. Smooth, soft and slowly describing a lioness making her way towards her prey. It goes like this, “she knows that she has this one opportunity today.…..slowly she makes her way forward using the long yellow grasslands to be her cover. The grass is her best support system. As it sways in the wind she catches a glimpse of the gazelle.….the grass protects her from being seen… here she will stay until the moment comes to charge.” Can you imagine this scene? Long, wavy, thick grass is her necessary tool for a day’s work.

When NOW is the perfect time

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, ceo & founder of Isabella – Estética & Cosméticos

Everyone wants immediate and effortless success, but as I started the entrepreneurial journey I realized that some actions needed to take place. I actually had to have a plan to reach where I wanted to be, by setting goals. More than planning to win, I had to understand how badly I wanted my dreams to come true. Also, to understand if I was ready to own a business, because it isn’t just about the money a business can bring to my life, but how driven I am to take action to make it a reality. To be a successful business owner, I have to both serve a higher purpose that is valuable for people, and at the same time, make money, because the more I serve, the more successful I become.

Why You Must Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat

I was inspired to write this article because of a book I am reading (for the second time). The title of the book is ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers. Fear comes up in our lives regularly and contrary to the belief that feeling fearful is a sign of weakness or lack of courage, this book enforces the fact that fear is a very normal emotion. It also offers great tips on how to act in spite of fear, when you are most likely to experience fear and a unique perspective on turning pain into power.

Own your values

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

When we think about the word values – we tend to think of a poster inside corporate companies – ‘we value team work, trust, innovation’ – blah blah! Hopefully these values get brought into company culture and it forms the basis for how decisions are made, what to focus on and how to live the company brand. If they don’t – they live on the wall as a reminder of what they could choose to become.

Creating a compliant cyber secure environment

October 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi, Cyber Law Consultant and MD Orizur Consulting Enterprise

Is there a reason to be concerned about cyber security? Absolutely! In fact, October has been declared a cybersecurity awareness month where campaigns are held to inform the public and businesses about the importance of cybersecurity.

Build A Belief Ladder to Reach Your Goals

October 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

Just because you don’t know how to do something doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

According to the psychological concept of “agency”, which is essentially your belief in your own abilities, you will not achieve more than you think you can. That means if you want to build your business, you have to have the belief that you can do it.

The Strong African Woman Stereotype and Entrepreneurship

October 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Martine Irakoze

African women. Do you feel like you were raised to be strong? Do you feel like being an African woman embodies a perpetual and unique strength? Have you heard words such as “African women are indestructible. African women are tough lionesses.” “Girl, get up! You got this in your heritage!” “Think of your mothers and grandmothers who raised nations through tough history!”

Can a Micro Loan Help My Small Business?

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Are your day-to-day financial needs making it difficult for you to maintain and grow your business operations? This is the problem that small businesses often face when they reach a certain point. There is nothing to be worried about, as there are many options you can choose to manage your financial needs. Micro-loans are considered to be an attractive option for businesses that are going through such kinds of issues.

So what is cx and why does it matter so much to the new age customer

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Today’s customers need a very good reason to give you their money, and it is high time businesses got out there to understand just how customers perceive and experience their brands. Not just at the point of purchase, but holistically. It means embedding a customer-centric perspective into your organisation’s corporate DNA.

Own your Goals

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

I was listening to an interview with Essentialism author, Greg McKeon. He shared an interesting story of how he was in a fancy dress shop looking for a Halloween costume recently. He tried on a Star Wars Storm Trooper outfit and when he was looking in the mirror he remembered a significant childhood memory of him and his older brother as kids. His brother told him ‘You know you have really made it when you can buy your own Storm Trooper outfit’ (he was an avid Star Wars fan). Greg realized that the only reason he had this outfit on was because of the subconscious meaning behind it. But more interestingly, he recognized he didn’t want this outfit. It meant nothing to him, the only reason he had it on was because of his brother.

Digital marketing, the ‘in thing’ for female entrepreneurs

October 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Tatenda Rungisa

Digital marketing is simply using digital ways to connect with different parties. Digital marketing encompasses websites, online brochures, bulk emails and so much more. For female entrepreneurs, digital marketing is advisable as it is more convenient, fast, and reaches larger groups of people rather than the traditional ways of marketing. So, what are the basics to kick off a digital marketing campaign?

It's time to talk honestly about failure

October 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka

I attended a seminar recently with failure as the overarching topic. It’s always refreshing when a group of individuals come together in a safe environment to speak truthfully about their experiences. I realized just how important and necessary these authentic conversations are as a means to dilute the heavy traffic of information that we consume on a daily basis, some of which is not always a true reflection of reality. Failure, unfortunately, is as real as it comes, yet it is one of the least spoken about issues today. People would rather project themselves as pseudo superheroes, adopting phrases like “black don’t crack” than to show the real stories about their everyday struggles.

Mentorship is a relationship

September 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation

Like any other relationship, mentorship requires two individuals who put in the effort. I recently spoke to both a mentor and mentees. They were passionate about the issues they faced. The mentors blamed the mentees, the mentees blamed the mentors. I soon realized that it is easier to see the fault of someone else rather than acknowledging the role you played.

Own your happiness

September 28, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

Dandapani is a Hindu priest, speaker on self-development and an entrepreneur. He lived as a monk for 10 years and then moved to New York City to pass on his teachings to the West. He made a profound statement saying we shouldn’t pursue happiness. What we need to do is create a lifestyle where the bi-product is happiness. For example, when you spend time with people who energize you, you feel happy. On the contrast, when you spend time with people or on work that drains you, then naturally you will tend to feel miserable.

Are you using the 'warm bodies' system in your business?

September 28, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life

Running a business is like constantly getting ready for a holiday trip, a hiking trip, a physical retreat or a tough walk in the bush. You need to be fit! Being part of a fit team is a full-time job! This goes for any size business. So, whether you are starting up or have been doing this for a long time - your team and you need to be fit - all the time.

Pursue your dreams

September 22, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Thozama Ponti

Have you ever wondered what happened to all the dreams you had when you were young. Do you remember those occasions when adults constantly asked you the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Can you still remember some of your answers? Well, whether you can recall them or not, it’s okay.

What to do when your jungle starts to burn?

September 22, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, founder of Picketfence Life

For most citizens of the world, we reeled with shock when the beautiful Amazon forest was burning for more than 60 days. The #Amazonforest is the lungs of our planet our survival pumps! As usual, everybody started pointing fingers and most of us could just watch, capable of doing nothing. A sick feeling of despair as we watched the destruction.

The Things Clients Say

September 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

There is an idea formed by many of us that people who run businesses, or at least render some service to us, are not human like us. For some reason we see them as the ‘lady at the coffee shop’ or the ‘petrol attendant’; we never ever relate to them as people who sleep at night and wake up in the morning. This experience is the same for me. I believe a lot of fashion business people like myself feel like this...no…just me? Ok LOL. I have seen that many clients are not aware of the things they say that could be offensive or just make no sense at all. Most of the time, they say things that benefit themselves.

Maximize Your Failures

September 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

You know failure is part of success, but what is the best way to get the most benefit from those painful and maybe embarrassing mistakes?

Make sure that your shopping trip doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg!

September 7, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

Ever walked into a supermarket intending to buy only a few items, and ended up walking out with bags and bags of goodies, and a good few hundred Rand poorer? Granted, we have to eat, and for that to happen, we have to shop, but is there a way to shop smarter? Here are some shopping hacks that help you to keep your grocery bill in check…

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