• Home
  • Blog
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA
Menu

Lionesses of Africa

276 5th Avenue
New York, NY, 10001
(212) 634-4540
The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
  • Events +
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
  • About +
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
  • Connect +
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA

So, now you’re at home. How to show up to your online meetings.

March 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Online-Meeting.jpg

by Lori Milner

So, now you’re at home, life has done a 360 and you’re getting used to the ‘new normal’. I want to share some thoughts on how to show up to your meetings as your best self, because this will all come to an end at some point and life will resume back to what it once was. You need to take ownership and accountability for how you conduct yourself over this period, especially when it comes to your online meetings.

Read more
In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Lori Milner, Management Advice, BU Remote Working
Comment

COVID-19 lock down and the law in South Africa. What it means for your business.

March 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Legal.jpg

by Aleshia van der Ploeg LLB. (RAU), Director VDP Legal Consulting (PTY) Ltd

The current worldwide crisis with Covid-19 and the latest announcement by the President regarding the upcoming 21-day lockdown has ALL South Africans in a spin. Everyone has questions regarding the personal impact, the financial impact and especially the legal impact of the impending lockdown.

Read more
In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Aleshia van der Ploeg, Legal, BU Legal Matters
Comment

Do business differently and be a disruptor

March 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Disruptor.jpg

by Jolene Roelofse, Owner of Bludoor Market and Co-founder of Fluence

Given the current status quo globally and the State of Emergency declared this past weekend in South Africa, it is far from Business as Usual for businesses. But it is the ideal time to do business differently, change the course, be a disruptor, and use the current situation to your advantage.

Read more
In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Jolene Roelofse, BU Management Advice
Comment

How does one survive the chaos of the Corona Virus?

March 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Paula-Quinsee.jpg

by Paula Quinsee

With many people going into self-quarantine, being asked to work from home, schools and businesses shutting doors to do their bit to try and contain the impact of the Corona virus, it also brings with it a lot of change, anxiety and fear. If you missed our discussion on the Expresso Breakfast Show, you can view it here.

Read more
In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Paula Quinsee, Stress Management, BU Wellbeing & Mental Health
Comment

What’s at stake for you with Coronavirus? 

March 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1059.png

by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker

Stress researchers define stress to be what happens when something we care about is at stake. This definition allows us to understand our values and motives and to uncover what’s happening beneath the surface when we feel stress or anxiety.

Read more
In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Kathy Mann, Stress Management, BU Wellbeing & Mental Health
Comment

The boundary breakers

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken
boundary breakers.jpg

by Catia Mondlane

We were taught to play safe and within pre-established limitations that brought blockages to our mindset and how we approach things in life. As a result we have those that are scared of taking risks to go after their dreams, especially when this requires breaking established behavioral patterns and unconscious boundaries.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Catia Mondlane, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

Leading from the heart

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken
from-the-heart.jpg

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

Last week, I got an enquiry on my phone about us making a dress for a collection on Thursday - the problem was this message was coming in on a Tuesday. I immediately responded with the message that we unfortunately wouldn’t be able to make a dress by Thursday. This, of course was not a lie. The entire process of making a dress is just not possible in 1 day. Even one week is not enough. So many things can and will go wrong.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Brigette Mashile, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

The first rule of sales. Listen.

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken
ecommerce-sale.jpg

by Clare Appleyard

Many entrepreneurs struggle with sales and often ask what is the secret to making that all important successful sale. Well, it all starts with the first rule of sales - listen!

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Clare Appleyard, Sales
Comment

Women entrepreneurs, stress and chocolate cravings

March 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1049.png

by Hlengiwe Moepe, founder of Marpemed

Have you ever wondered why, when we are stressed (and we know that the entrepreneurial journey can get stressful at times), some of us feel compelled to reach for the chocolate bars for comfort. Here are are a few possible reasons behind those chocolate cravings.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Hlengiwe Moepe, Stress Management
Comment

Reframing stress could extend your life 

March 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1048.png

by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker

Stress is pervasive. We are bombarded with deadlines, challenges at work and relationship conflicts. We are told by popular media that stress kills and indeed many people have developed chronic illnesses triggered by stress, including me.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Kathy Mann, Stress Management
Comment

Can your business survive ‘Speak-Up Culture’?

March 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1047.png

by Thembe Khumalo

You’re busy. We get it. You don’t have time to listen to everyone, and frankly some contributions just don’t seem very bright, and you sometimes feel like you just wasted a lot of time and energy on nothing. Then there are the ones who have good ideas but need to be coaxed and cajoled into sharing them - makes you feel like a therapist or a journalist or both! What you really want is for every one on your team to speak up, speak swiftly, speak smartly, so you can make the right decisions promptly and move on to the next big thing. And then after that, you want to keep it moving.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Thembe Khumalo, Management Advice
Comment

Aim to be the best, not the cheapest

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1035.png

by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds

Invest in becoming the best in your industry. Offer the extras that nobody else does. Be the expert that people want to buy from. Focus on quality and not quantity. Price yourself fairly but know your value. 

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Clare Appleyard, Management Advice, Quality
Comment

Celebrating two entrepreneur sisters from Burundi

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Gisele Shabani & Ines Nabitangaro

Gisele Shabani & Ines Nabitangaro

by Martine Irakoze

Life made them both sisters and lionesses. In this article, I will cover the stories of two sisters, Ines & Gisele, both driven by an ingenious flair for entrepreneurship and innovation. Ines is an expert in the beauty products industry and Gisele creates beautiful handmade accessories using beads.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Martine Irakoze, Burundi
Comment

Let your future self show up to you

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1036.png

by Lori Milner

How many times have you set you yourself New Year’s resolutions goals only to fall off the wagon within a few weeks? Mainly this is because you left it up to motivation and willpower which I hate to tell you is not a good strategy for success. Firstly – willpower is like a muscle and it becomes fatigued from overuse.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Success
Comment

7 Lessons I Learnt from Network Marketing

February 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1026.png

by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds

My journey into entrepreneurship started in 2006 with a nervous breakdown (if you want the story, it’s on YouTube) and a subsequent interest in personal development.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Clare Appleyard, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

The reasons I got tired

February 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1025.png

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

During the festive season people talk about how exhausted they feel; that they have been working hard the entire year and need a break. Most people are referring to the period of a year, 12 months of constant working and no rest. These people are mostly in corporate, makes sense! Then there is us; and those other brave souls that do corporate and business! We have been working 24/7 every day of the year, with random rests brought upon us by the flu! Then on a more personal level, there was me last year who was exhausted from 5 years’ worth of work. Constant, continuous, painful work. With doses of stress sessions in between as to whether we would make it. To say I was exhausted is an understatement; I felt depleted.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Entrepreneurial Mindset, Brigette Mashile
Comment

Finding the optimal balance in your cash flow management

February 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1024.png

by Thandekile Moloko

An integral part in the running and growing of a business is finding an optimal balance of managing revenue and expenses. This is one aspect of financial management that cannot be disregarded. In most cases, the management of your revenue and expenses can be the lifeline of the business. It allows for a longer runway to achieve the financial and expansion goals set out for the business.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Thandekile Moloko, Financial Management
Comment

What do business owners want from their accountant? 

February 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1015.png

by Nthabiseng Maidi, Principal Director, MMCP Wealth and MMCP Business Advisory Services

Gone are the days where an accountant will receive paper invoices, receipts, bank statements and delve into processing and producing a trail balance, then the financial reports. There is an old myth that accountants are necessary for compliance purposes and that is not true. With the advancement in technology and the move to digital, some of the work that was previously done by accountants will be obsolete. The WEF of 2019 issued the trends of threatened jobs, and accountants were on the list. Meaning that accountants must rethink their service offering. We are not paper pushers anymore and we do not focus on the past. Our role should be forward looking and providing a service that will grow our clients.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Nthabiseng Maidi
Comment

A Case of Customer Loyalty

February 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1014.png

by Mandisa Makubalo, founder of Unlimited Experiences

A wave has just hit South Africa's banking industry, so who will be left behind? Tyme Bank is the new kid on the block promising to help South Africans achieve their full potential. The bank empowers South Africans to take back control of their money by helping them understand how money really works and giving them a transparent view of their own financial situations. Is this what customers are looking for from banking? What does banking mean for South African consumers? Could it be that Tyme Bank is the answer to the pain points of the South African consumer as far as banking is concerned?

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Customer Management
Comment

What if?

February 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1013.png

by Lori Milner

During the holiday break, we took the kids to do indoor climbing on a rainy day. My son objected from the moment we arrived and cried all the way until we reached the entrance of the venue. When he looked inside and saw how incredible this place was – it had everything from different types of climbing walls to mazes, obstacle courses and trampolines. Now when he saw this, he was running in and didn’t know where to start. Just pure excitement and joy!

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment
← Newer Posts Older Posts →

Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 6.01.32 PM.png
Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 5.34.58 PM.png

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.

* indicates required
Required: Please select your newsletter(s):


LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

About Us  |  Contact Us  | PRIVACY POLICY | terms OF SERVICE  | Community Guidelines  

© 2025 LIONESSES OF AFRICA public benefit corporation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.