Lisa Ackroyd - The startup story of a South African hand-crafted leather accessory brand builder

March 18, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lisa Ackroyd, founder of Colony, South Africa — **Lisa Ackroyd**, founder of Colony, South Africa

There is something wonderfully evocative about wandering through Lisa Ackroyd’s incredible Johannesburg-based Colony store and studio, and seeing at first-hand the most beautiful and meticulously hand-crafted leather accessories being made. The sights, sounds and smells of leather being hand-worked by Lisa and her dedicated team of craftspeople, all of whom have been trained by her, are truly memorable.

Sarien Lategan - The startup story of an adventurous South African turning a passion for travel and navigation into a thriving business

March 15, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sarien Lategan, founder of Travelling Tortoise — **Sarien Lategan**, founder of Travelling Tortoise

They say the ethos of a business can often be found in its name, and that can certainly be said of South African entrepreneur, Sarien Lategan’s company, Travelling Tortoise. It conjures up images of leisurely and languorous journeys to interesting destinations at a pace which allows for the discovery of new and wonderful things. Sarien’s love of Africa and a passion for encouraging more people from around the world to discover the continent’s unique beauty, is at the heart of her business.

Ommo Clark - The startup story of a Nigerian techpreneur on a mission to create truly indigenous software and locally developed apps

March 14, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ommo Clark, founder of iBez, Nigeria — **Ommo Clark**, founder of iBez, Nigeria

If there is one thing that women in tech love to do, it is to shake up the industry and to genuinely create things that are both entrepreneurial and innovative. Nigerian techpreneur, Ommo Clark, is one such industry game-changer, building a software house, iBez, that creates not only proprietary software products that help to solve local challenges, but also develops and showcases local tech talent.

Always Me by Anne Li - The startup story of a company bringing the best of contemporary African design to baby and maternity products

March 13, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Nkemdilim Begho, Ashim Egunjobi & Ijeome Nwoke, founders of 'Always Me by Anne Li', Nigeria — **Nkemdilim Begho, Ashim Egunjobi & Ijeome Nwoke**, founders of 'Always Me by Anne Li', Nigeria

Seeing the truly adorable and uniquely African baby and maternity products created by multi-talented Nigerian serial entrepreneurs, Nkemdilim Begho, Ashim Egunjob and Ijeome Nwoke, for their new company brand, Always Me by Anne Li, definitely brings out those ‘Aaah’ moments in life. The exquisitely handmade and beautifully designed products are absolute must-haves for any design conscious parent!

FEAT. sock company - The startup story of two South African sock-loving entrepreneurs who turned their design passion into a business

March 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Alison Stewart and Chelsey Wilson, founders of FEAT. sock co, Cape Town — **Alison Stewart and Chelsey Wilson**, founders of FEAT. sock co, Cape Town

If you have ever spent time looking at people’s sock wearing habits, for the most part, they are boring and conventional. However, for two highly creative young South African designers and entrepreneurs, Alison Stewart and Chelsey Wilson, brightening up people’s daily footwear with beautiful, lovingly made, and ultimately fun socks, is a real passion and they have dedicated their business to making customers’ sock dreams come true!

Ijeoma Ndekwu - The startup story of a Nigerian PR entrepreneur who was born to be in business

March 10, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ijeoma Ndekwu, founder of Redrick PR, Nigeria — **Ijeoma Ndekwu**, founder of Redrick PR, Nigeria

For Nigerian PR company founder, Ijeoma Ndekwu, becoming an entrepreneur was in her genes. From an early age, she took her inspiration from her successful entrepreneurial father who managed to achieve the freedom of work/life balance in his business, and showed her an alternative and entrepreneurial career path of her own was possible.

Dr Christel Coetzee - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur leading the market in world-class animal nutrition

March 7, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Christel Coetzee, founder and technical director, ADVIT Animal Nutrition, South Africa — **Dr. Christel Coetzee**, founder and technical director, ADVIT Animal Nutrition, South Africa

When it comes to understanding animal nutrition needs, South African entrepreneur, Dr Christel Coetzee, and her specialist team at ADVIT Animal Nutrition, are an encyclopaedia of knowledge. Each day, the company’s leading experts and world-class facilities, produce a wide range of specialist animal feeds for all sorts of animals, from domestic pets and horses, through to food-producing farm animals such as pigs, poultry, cattle and sheep.

Vanhu Vamwe - The startup story of a unique accessory designer whose African heritage is woven into the very fabric of her handbags

March 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, founder Vanhu Vamwe — **Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri**, founder Vanhu Vamwe

Fashion journalist turned highly successful global accessory designer, Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, understands the power of story-telling in African culture. She is drawing on that inspiration to create highly sculptural, extraordinarily beautiful handbags that are deeply rooted in her African heritage, yet have a fresh, contemporary look. These are unique accessories to treasure.

InstaHealth - The startup story of a health-tech company providing vital access to health information at the swipe of a smartphone screen

March 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Brenda Katwesigye, co-founder InstaHealth, Uganda — **Brenda Katwesigye,** co-founder InstaHealth, Uganda

Brenda Katwesigye is a tech entrepreneur with a passion for making a difference in Uganda’s health sector by harnessing her considerable telecommunications skills. Her company, InstaHealth, has developed a new mobile app which instantly connects users to health centres, medical specialists and ambulance services, using simple technology that ordinary people in Uganda can use. Together with her co-Founder, Elizabeth Kasujja, these are two African woman entrepreneurs finding innovative solutions to everyday challenges by using the power of technology.

ANZA - The startup story of a Tanzanian magazine publisher passionately showcasing East African architecture

February 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Comfort Badaru, Comfort Mosha, Anitah Hakika, founders of ANZA Magazine, Tanzania — **Comfort Badaru, Comfort Mosha, Anitah Hakika**, founders of ANZA Magazine, Tanzania

A passion for architecture and a love of East African cityscapes led three young women, all highly creative and ambitious architectural students, to come together with a fourth male colleague to create an online platform and magazine dedicated to showcasing East African architecture and cityscapes. ANZA Magazine is a beautiful and highly aesthetic publication and online platform and forms the backbone of their entrepreneurial venture together.

DUBARUBA - The startup story of two women taking the best of African design to Europe

February 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Adiam Emnay & Anne-Sophie Wass, founders of DUBARUBA — **Adiam Emnay & Anne-Sophie Wass**, founders of DUBARUBA

The concept behind Dubaruba is a wonderful one, showcasing the work of some of Africa’s most talented designers and brands to a discerning European marketplace and who are often not widely known outside their own countries. Founded by two passionate and dedicated women entrepreneurs, Aidam Emnay, originally from Eritrea, and her business partner, Anne-Sophie Wass, Dubaruba celebrates the finest in contemporary African design and products.

DEF.I.NI.TION Africa - The startup story of three talented fashion entrepreneurs redefining the value of 'African'

February 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Nahida and Nadia Bhegani & Olga Mugyenyi, founders of DEF.I.NI.TION Africa, Uganda — Nahida and Nadia Bhegani & Olga Mugyenyi, founders of DEF.I.NI.TION Africa, Uganda

Meet Ugandan sisters, Nahida and Nadia Bhegani who together with their childhood friend, Olga Mugyenyi are the founders of fashion sensation, DEF.I.NI.TION Africa. Their youthful energy promises an alternative approach to fashion, where everyday Ugandan life inspires each of their new designs. Their aim: to have products that are 100% African made, that redefine the market place, and importantly redefine the perception of 'African' fashion.

Gayathrie Schatz - The startup story of an entrepreneur toymaker bringing children's imagination to life

February 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Gayathrie Schatz, founder of The Little Bo Baby Company — **Gayathrie Schatz**, founder of The Little Bo Baby Company

How often in life do you experience one of those truly wonderful ‘aah’ moments, when you see a beautiful handmade product that is not only exquisitely produced, but is truly unique and manages to touch the soul? Well, South African children’s handmade toy entrepreneur, Gayathrie Schatz, is creating such an experience with her aptly named business, The Little Bo Baby Company.

Jesslynn Schlamm - The startup story of an entrepreneur passionately creating sustainable skincare products with a conscience

February 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Jesslynn Schlamm, founder of Lulu & Marula, South Africa — **Jesslynn Schlamm**, founder of Lulu & Marula, South Africa

Frustrated by not being able to find skincare products that ticked all the boxes in terms of health, wellbeing, sustainability and eco-friendly production with a minimal impact on the environment, South African entrepreneur, Jesslynn Schlamm, was inspired to create her own from her small kitchen. Today, her Lulu & Marula skincare range is testimony to that original passion and dedication.

Katherine-Mary Pichulik - The startup story of a South African accessories designer who transforms everyday materials into something precious

February 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Katherine-Mary Pichulik, founder of Pichulik, South Africa — **Katherine-Mary Pichulik**, founder of Pichulik, South Africa

For Katherine-Mary Pichulik, a hugely talented and creative South African entrepreneur and jewellery accessory designer, the inspiration for her work comes from the alchemy of transforming everyday materials through craft, touch and design, and elevating them into something precious and covetable.

Juliana Nasasira - The startup story of a talented young woman realising her lifelong dream to build a fashion brand

February 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Juliana Nasasira, founder of Kwesh — **Juliana Nasasira**, founder of Kwesh

Many of us day-dream of fulfilling our lifelong ambitions and entrepreneurial dreams one day, but talented Ugandan designer, Juliana Nasasira, went from a career in property management to becoming a global fashion brand builder in the making. She is a testimony to the power of passion, drive and a real can-do attitude.

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.

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