Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, a Mozambican agribusiness entrepreneur focused on sustainable fish farming to create jobs

March 23, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, founder, Indico Fish Farm (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie is the founder of Indico Fish Farm. EI in Mozambique, where she is currently setting up her Nile Tilapia Production and Processing Unit. She has a degree in Marine Biology from Eduardo Mondlane University and is currently studying for a Master's degree in Population and Development. Prior to starting her business, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Natural History Museum in the area of marine and aquatic animal collections and also as a Zootechnician at Machado Knowhow in the area of animal production. Her business plan, which focused on Nile Tilapia Production and Processing, was the winner of the Agora Emprega 2023 Program at the national level in Maputo Province.

Mercia Bie, a Mozambican entrepreneur on a mission to bring natural flavours to her customers’ cuisines

December 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Mercia Bie, founder, Sabor Caseiro 2A (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Mercia Bie, founder of Sabor Caseiro 2A in Mozambique is building an agri-processing business where each seasoning tells a story and each dish is an experience. Her mission is to bring natural flavor and authenticity to customers' tables, whether at home or at special events. Mercia’s vision is to create a line of seasonings that not only enhance the flavor of dishes, but also make a nutritional contribution to our lives. The company’s brand values focus on ethics and transparency, appreciation and involvement in human capital, respect and trust in customers.

The Positive Impact of Sustainable Business

October 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Isabel Langa

Sustainable businesses are essential in our communities, balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility. Each choice can have a significant impact on the environment.

Gisela Monteiro, a Mozambican natural cosmetics and artisanal perfume brand builder

August 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Gisela Leonor Monteiro, founder, Sublime Produtos Cosmeticos Naturais (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Gisela Leonor Monteiro is the founder of Sublime Produtos Cosmeticos Naturais in Mozambique, a business dedicated to the production of 100% natural cosmetics and artisanal perfumes. Having completed a hotel and tourism course as a student, she embarked on her entrepreneurship journey when she was 26 years old after taking cooking courses, cooking for events, and providing meals to companies close to her area of residence. She worked in several businesses, including catering, event promotion, culinary training, and clothing sales, always with the dream of becoming a businesswoman. Her entrepreneurial journey kickstarted after participating in business management and financial education courses, undertaking transformational training at IDEIALAB, the FEMTECH training program, FÓRMULA MILIONÁRIA and OFFICINA DE NEGÓCIOS with coach Arcelio Tivane.

Elisa Marcos Ouana, a Mozambican creative entrepreneur turning upcycling into a design brand

June 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Elisa Marcos Ouana, founder, Ariel EcoArte e Serviços, EI (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Elisa Marcos Ouana is the founder of Mozambican upcycled accessory brand, Ariel EcoArte e Serviços, EI. She is also studying for a degree in Environmental Engineering at Eduardo Mondlane University. The daughter of a tailor and passionate about sewing since childhood, at the age of 13 she started her career as an entrepreneur in the sewing sector. She reused the scraps of fabric and capulana that her father discarded and made items for girls (hair ribbons, bows, cat ties, pencil cases, etc.). At the age of 18, she discovered the world of upcycling and made her first backpack out of recycled jeans. Since then, Elisa has had the opportunity to expand her business and register her company. It’s a journey with a lot of learning and improvement. With her business, she aims to reach many more people of all age groups and be able to generate sources of employment for more women.

Mirene Guitiche, a Mozambican creative entrepreneur building a business that celebrates the art of sewing and craftwork

April 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Mirene Guitiche, founder and CEO, Miregui Art (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Mirene Guitiche is the founder and CEO of Miregui Art, a company that has existed since 2020 and is dedicated to creative sewing and crafts in Mozambique. She is an entrepreneur equipped with skills and is very talented, in addition to being a Management student (UEM) in the country.

A Mirene Guitiche tem 23 anos é estudante de Gestão (UEM), é fundadora e CEO da Miregui art, uma empresa existente desde 2020 que se dedica a costura criativa e artesanato. Empreendedora munida de competências e muito talentosa.

As mulheres empreendedoras de Moçambique pretendem criar mais empregos em 2024

April 5, 2024 Melanie Hawken

História de destaque - Lioness Lean In Mozambique, 3 de abril de 2024

O primeiro evento da série anual dos populares Lioness Lean In Webinars de Moçambique para 2024 teve lugar na quarta-feira, 3 de abril. Organizado pela Lionesses of Africa em parceria, mais uma vez, com o Standard Bank, o tema do crescimento e da criação de postos de trabalho esteve bem presente nas mentes das mulheres empreendedoras. Com 140 participantes para iniciar a conversa, incluindo um painel de oradoras composto por 7 empreendedoras altamente experientes da comunidade Lionesses of Africa em Moçambique, o foco foi a partilha de experiências e aprendizagens. Crescênia Matsinhe, Diretora do Setor de Consumo, Indústria e Infraestruturas e Banca Comercial do Standard Bank Mozambique, partilhou a forma como o banco está a apoiar as mulheres empreendedoras e o seu crescimento este ano.

Nuria Arbelo, a unique earring design brand builder in Mozambique

March 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Nuria Arbelo, founder, Brincadeira (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Nuria Arbelo is the founder of Brincadeira, a vibrant earrings brand with an exclusive design located in Maputo, Mozambique. Born in the Canary Islands, Nuria arrived in Mozambique for work in 2018. In 2021, she founded Brincadeira without knowing that, two years later, the brand would lead her to leave her profession as a project manager to become an entrepreneur dedicated to the design of unique earrings.

Decoding Market Success: A Guide to Choosing Winning Products

January 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

In the heart of the entrepreneurial wilderness, discovering the ideal product that not only survives but thrives in the market is a journey akin to an epic quest. Picture this: I once sold an array of products - soaps, lotions, oils, and facial masks - all coexisting in a bustling marketplace, each one vying for attention, much like lionesses hunting for the juiciest prey. However, faced with tough decisions, I strategically shifted my focus to a single product: the powerful Moringa soap.

Elicha Fernandes Valdez, an entrepreneur in Mozambique turning her passion for Macramé into a business

December 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Elicha Fernandes Valdez, founder, MacramêbyElicha (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Elicha Fernandes Valdez is originally from Cape Verde and has lived in Maputo, Mozambique for 3 years with her family. Graduated in Medicine, she found in Macramé a way to redefine herself, express her creativity and occupy her time, adding quality and beauty to her days. About 2 years ago she created the brand MacramêbyElicha and today shares her art with the world through his Instagram and Facebook pages.

Stélia Dgedge, a Mozambican entrepreneur creating access to clean drinking water

October 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Stélia Dgedge, founder, Khuwana Water Filters Lda (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Stélia Dgedge is the founder of Khuwana Water Filters Lda, a Mozambican company dedicated to the production and sale of ceramic-based water purifying filters. She has a degree in Financial and Insurance Management from ISCTEM. Since very early on, she has always been interested in topics related to preservation, sustainability, and the environment. About five years ago Stélia was invited to be part of the Finance Department of a startup that operates in the Renewable Energy sector. It was a unique opportunity for her to demonstrate once again the knowledge obtained at the associated University and her professional experience, as she came from a company with over twenty years in the market and was well positioned in it. She discovered her purpose - a mixture of three words, “Entrepreneurship, Impact, and Sustainability”.

How to keep your business resilient through change and uncertainty

July 9, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

The key to keeping your business resilient through change and uncertainty is to have a flexible business plan. This means creating a plan that can adapt to changing circumstances, whether it's a sudden shift in the market, unexpected challenges, or new opportunities. Start by identifying the core values and goals of your business. These should remain consistent even as your strategies change.

Be a good seller and improve your conversion rate

July 2, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Josefa Masinga

Do you know how to be a good seller? There are those who believe that sales talent is something people are born with. It may be that some personalities really have an advantage when it comes to selling, but anyone with the right direction and a willingness to learn can figure out how to be a good salesperson. The art of selling is based on many techniques ranging from good communication to follow-up after the sale has been closed. At each stage of this process, you can learn more and develop to increase your results.

Seja um bom vendedor e melhorar a taxa de conversão

July 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

por Josefa Masinga

Você sabe como ser um bom vendedor? Há quem acredite que o talento para vendas nasça com as pessoas. Pode ser que algumas personalidades realmente tenham vantagem na hora de vender, mas qualquer pessoa com o direcionamento correto e vontade de aprender pode descobrir como ser um bom vendedor. A arte de vender é baseada em muitas técnicas que vão desde a comunicação e a vestuário, até o acompanhamento depois que a venda já foi fechada. Em cada etapa desse processo, é possível aprender mais e se desenvolver para aumentar os seus resultados.

How digital marketing can boost your sales right now

July 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Digital marketing is like being a master chef in the kitchen, except instead of cooking up delicious meals, you're cooking up sales. The ingredients? Search engines, social media, email, and mobile apps. The recipe? A well-executed digital marketing strategy that can help you reach a wider audience, generate leads, and convert them into paying customers. Just like a chef needs to know the basics of cooking, you need to understand the basics of digital marketing to boost your sales.

Monetizing Your Skills to Become an Entrepreneur

June 24, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Are you tired of working for someone else and ready to make it big with your skills? Well, hold on to your hats, because it's time to get excited! The first step is to take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and assess your strengths, weaknesses, experiences, and achievements. Then, ask yourself, "How can I sell this to the world?"

The Distinction Between Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship

June 18, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Let's talk about being your own boss. Self-employment is when you're the captain of your own ship. You're in charge of everything - from marketing to finance to administration. It's like being a one-person show, except you're the whole cast and crew. And hey, it's not just for lone wolves! You can have a small team to help you out.

The upside of mistakes: how failing forward helps you serve customers better

June 10, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone knows how to use them to their advantage. When it comes to customer service, failing forward can actually help you serve your customers better. Failing forward means taking risks and making mistakes but learning from those mistakes and using them as opportunities for growth. It's about embracing the learning process and not being afraid to try new things.

Dirce Abdala, a passionate foodpreneur in Mozambique building an exciting dried fruit business that is exciting tastebuds

July 21, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Dirce Abdala, founder of D-Fruit (Mozambique)

Being inspired by Mozambique’s wonderful array of fresh fruit led to the creation of an added-value enterprise, D-Fruit, founded by Dirce Abdala. Today she is extending the value of the fruit by producing healthy snacks that celebrate the raw ingredients but in a convenient, eat at any time, form.

O Medo de Vencer. The Fear of Winning.

January 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Nereyda Ah Hoy, writer, author and founder of Indika platform and digital magazine

Falhar é um dos maiores medos do Ser Humano. Mas já pensou que há pessoas que têm medo é de VENCER?

Failure is one of the greatest fears of the Human Being. But have you ever thought that there are people who are afraid of WINS? The fear of winning is not only a reality, but it is also one of the biggest obstacles to people's success.

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