Karen Wessels - The startup story of an innovative solution provider to overworked and stressed-out entrepreneurs

February 20, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect — **Karen Wessels**, co-founder of VA Connect

If there is one thing that all women entrepreneurs probably have in common, its that they constantly juggle vast numbers of tasks and priorities, and try to take on too much themselves. Well, one South African entrepreneur, Karen Wessels, the founder of VA Connect has a practical solution - simply hire a Virtual Assistant when you need one.

BOLD Kampala - The startup story of three women entrepreneurs changing the face of fashion retail in Africa

February 18, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi (Top), Janet Mugume (L) and Angel Kalisa (R) , founders of BOLD Kampala — Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi (Top), Janet Mugume (L) and Angel Kalisa (R) , founders of BOLD Kampala

Bold Kampala is the brainchild of three vibrant and talented women entrepreneurs from Uganda who have a vision for raising awareness of, and retailing, African fashion brands. Their BOLD Kampala retail concept is truly world-class and provides affordable space and excellent exposure to buyers to talented African designer fashion brands.

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi - The startup story of a Ghanaian handbag designer turning traditional hand-weaving techniques into luxury must-have accessories

February 16, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS, Ghana — **Akosua Afriyie-Kumi,** founder of AAKS, Ghana

A A K S was founded by talented designer, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, with the goal of introducing the world to the weaving techniques done by the women of Ghana, while also creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa. Handcrafted in Bolgatanga, A A K S creates bags in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of their ancestral counterparts characterised by bright exuberant colours.

Stephanie Cowper - The startup story of a South African techpreneur who has developed an innovative mobile app that helps the visually impaired

February 15, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Meet Stephanie Cowper, who is harnessing the power of mobile technology to making a difference in the world. This South African entrepreneur and the startup team of BeSpecular Ltd. have created an app to help visually impaired people identify objects and situations and lead more independent lives.

Angela Van Herzeele - The startup story of a South African vintage homeware designer who has battled against the odds to realise her dreams

February 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Angela van Herzeele, founder of Angel Rose Trading Company, KZN, South Africa

If there is an example of an African woman entrepreneur who passionately believes in making her business dreams a reality, despite all the challenges that life throws at her, then Angela Heather Van Herzeele is such a woman. Her Angel Rose Trading Company is a testimony to sheer determination, hard work and a great designer’s eye.

Lucy MacGarry - The startup story of a South African art curator turned entrepreneur who is creating wearable art

February 10, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lucy MacGarry the founder of L’Mad Collection creates genuinely wearable art by designing accessories and pieces of clothing made from 100% luxurious silk and printed with unique artworks by highly talented artists. The resulting products are truly unique and breathtakingly beautiful, and good enough to hang on a wall, not just on the body.

Keri Muller - The startup story of a talented designer and artist reinventing old books as objects of beauty

February 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Keri Muller, founder of Simple Intrigue, South Africa — **Keri Muller**, founder of Simple Intrigue, South Africa

Finding design inspiration literally in the pages of old books has given South African artist, designer and entrepreneur, Keri Muller, the opportunity to create incredibly beautiful decor pieces from recycled books. Her company, Simple Intrigue, and the unique products it creates, is a wonderfully refreshing antidote to so much of the bland, mass produced decor swamping the marketplace today.

Victoria Verbaan - The Startup story of a designer, illustrator and entrepreneur creating design products that are truly works of art

February 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Victoria Verbaan, founder and creator of The Smoking Daxi — **Victoria Verbaan**, founder and creator of The Smoking Daxi

Design conscious consumers across Africa and around the globe will love the highly individual and stunningly beautiful handprinted and illustrated designs and products from South African designer and entrepreneur, Victoria Verbaan. Her uniquely named company, Victoria Verbaan and The Smoking Daxi, is one to look out for on the African design scene.

Tumi Frazier - The startup story of a passionate entrepreneur who is inspiring and mentoring women across Africa

February 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tumi Frazier, founder of Tumi Frazier International, South Africa — **Tumi Frazier**, founder of Tumi Frazier International, South Africa

Tumi Frazier, a passionate South African entrepreneur, is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. Through her inspirational leadership, combined with an ambitious vision and an endless source of energy, her company, Tumi Frazier International, is helping to develop thousands of new women leaders in Africa.

Diana Opoti - The start up story of one of Africa's most formidable fashion connectors

February 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Meet Diana Opoti, founder of leading Kenyan fashion consultancy, Diana Opoti PR, a true champion of the continent’s fashion design industry and one of Africa’s most formidable fashion connectors.

Lani Stenvert - The startup story of a creative graphic designer turned happy solopreneur

February 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lani Stenvert, founder of Good Dog Designs, South Africa — **Lani Stenvert**, founder of Good Dog Designs, South Africa

Lani Stenvert, the founder of South African-based start-up, Good Dog Designs, made the tenacious move from design studio employee to graphic design solopreneur. In the process, she found freedom of expression and a unique design style all of her own.

Sebenzile Matsebula – The startup story of an inspirational South African entrepreneur who proves that disability is not a barrier to success

February 4, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sebenzile Matsebula, founder of Motswako Office Systems, South Africa — **Sebenzile Matsebula**, founder of Motswako Office Systems, South Africa

Sebenzile Matsebula, the founder of Motswako Office Systems, is proof positive that if you have the ambition, are prepared to work exceptionally hard, and demonstrate to others that you are an entrepreneur first and foremost and successful at what you do, then disability is not a barrier to success.

Jenna Clifford - The startup story of a world-renowned South African jewellery designer and entrepreneur

February 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Jenna Clifford, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs, South Africa — **Jenna Clifford**, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs, South Africa

Jenna is an inspirational example to women entrepreneurs across Africa that despite significant challenges in personal and business life, with many setbacks and considerable personal heartache along the way, it is possible to find business success.

Karin Rae Matthee - The startup story of the creative designer behind Dear Rae Jewellery

January 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Karin Rae Matthee, founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, South Africa — **Karin Rae Matthee**, founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, South Africa

In the world of jewellery design in South Africa, Karen Rae Matthee is a young entrepreneur with a vision, a unique design and creative aesthetic, and a deep commitment to skills development and upliftment in her community.

Ego Iwegbu-Daley - The start up story of the never-say-die entrepreneur behind Miss Salon London nail boutique

January 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

The start up story of a serial entrepreneur who has created a unique business in South Africa by elevating the nailbar to a world-class boutique and luxury girls club experience.

Ethel Cofie - The startup story of a pioneering Ghanaian tech entrepreneur

January 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Consultancy, Ghana — Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Consultancy, Ghana

Ethel Cofie is an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the highly competitive and traditionally male dominated tech industry on the African continent. Through her own business building efforts, and as a successful network builder for pan-African women in tech, she is helping to change the face of the industry, breaking down barriers to entry along the way.

Monica Umwari and Maria Mayanja – The start up story of a unique Rwandan eco-brand that is creating trendy accessories from upcycled waste

January 15, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Monica Umwari, co-founder of Angaza, Rwanda — **Monica Umwari**, co-founder of Angaza, Rwanda

Two young Rwandan eco-preneurs are showing the world that great design combined with a passion for finding environmentally friendly ways of dealing with the country’s non-biodegradable waste, can create something beautiful. Monica Umwari and Maria Mayanja have founded a young and funky eco-brand, Angaza, producing fashionable and highly desirable accessories made from upcycled waste products.

Dr Jennifer Riria – The start up story of an inspiring entrepreneur who has transformed the lives of millions of Kenyan women

January 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding — **Dr. Jennifer Riria**, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding

If there is one woman that is proof positive of the power of individual entrepreneurs to make a difference, it is Dr Jennifer Riria. She has singlehandedly transformed the microfinance industry in Kenya in order to tangibly improve the lives of women. Because of her efforts, hundreds of thousands of Kenyan women now have access to finance, previously not available to them.

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