Often, the most difficult part of any entrepreneurial journey is finding a niche to slot into, and differentiating yourself from the market place. In the case of Raheel Muhammad, founder of HM Holdings and its consulting arm, HM Consulting, she saw the opportunity to use her many years’ of experience in franchise management and designing operations manuals in order to help SMEs to thrive.
Read moreGreen Mat Designs is the inspiration of young South African entrepreneur, Yolanda Ndhlovu, who is passionate about going ‘green’ and thinking more about taking an environmentally friendly approach to design. Her jewellery, fashion and interior decor pieces reflect her love of recycling, particularly for vintage beads and clothing.
Read moreThere is nothing more evocative of a country than its cuisine, and one woman entrepreneur from the Democratic Republic of Congo is taking the essence of her country and bottling it in jars for a European audience. Bomanga Ngoi Longango and her company Evelea, are capturing the flavours of African vegetables such as cassava leaves, amaranth leaves, and other traditional vegetables in ready to eat form, preserved in jars.
Read moreSeeing a gap in the market for products that celebrate naturally beautiful African women’s skin and hair, Ghanaian entrepreneur Korkor Kugblenu created her business venture, The Body Butter Company, that manufactures and retails indigenous 100% natural beauty solutions.
Read moreThere is something very evocative about the world of perfumery, taking its inspiration from nature and creating a scent that makes the wearer experience a particular sense of wellbeing and confidence. South Africa now has a second perfumier to celebrate, Agata Karolina, founder of House of Gozdawa in Cape Town, who is creating something really special and unique to Africa.
Read moreLoA had the opportunity to chat with Helen Andrews, the creative founder of White Rabbit Days, at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in October. Her unique jewellery design company uses laser cutting techniques to craft astonishingly beautiful pieces from a range of materials from leather to brass.
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Taking a more holistic approach to helping women achieve greater emotional and physical wellbeing, Suret Louw’s entrepreneurial venture, Alive Image and Lifestyle Company, is dedicated to finding that elusive work/life balance.
Read moreLoA chatted to Lucy Beard, who is the co-founder of Hope on Hopkins together with her husband Leigh Lisk, during a busy day at their exhibition stand at the recent Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in Johannesburg. She shared the roller-coaster ride that is the startup experience, and how becoming an entrepreneur has its challenges, but is well worth the journey from a personal, life-enhancing perspective.
Read moreUnderstanding the global marketplace is increasingly more important for African companies and getting access to specialist products is also key. Danielle Goldman, founder of Guanxi Connections Ltd, a digital marketing and design agency in China, and now incorporating a China sourcing agency here in South Africa, is looking to provide a solution and, importantly, bringing local market knowledge with her.
Read moreAfroluxe brands are making quite a name for themselves on the global fashion scene right now, and South African entrepreneur, Lilian Muhammed, is looking to put her LONDRÉ TAN brand in the spotlight with her luxury fashion accessories, all proudly produced in her home country.
Read moreThe tech sector has a wealth of exciting opportunies for entrepreneurs to make a difference and Lorraine Steyn, founder of Khanyisa Real Systems, is one such entrepreneur who has built a highly regarded and successful business, underpinned with a strong sense of wanting to do good in the world.
Read moreIt takes a highly innovative approach combined with a passion for making a difference, to find the necessary and urgent solutions to providing high quality, private primary healthcare to millions of employed medically uninsured South African. Entrepreneur Chantal Du Chenne has the solution and her new company, mHealthCo, is about to make huge waves in this space.
Read moreFollowing one’s passion is the hallmark of many successful entrepreneurs in Africa, and Masego Mohajane is building her company, M-Squared Medical, on that same foundation. She is passionate about her business and committed to building a brand and company that can really make a difference in the industry and community.
Read moreSuzana Moreira is one of three Sub-Saharan Finalists of the 2015 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards will be joining 17 other inspirational women entrepreneurs selected from over 1700 applications from more than 100 countries in Paris this month to hear the announcement of this year’s Laureates. The Laureates will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on October 15, 2015 in France. In this video she speaks about her experience as an entrepreneur.
Read moreIn Nigeria’s rapidly growing fashion retail marketplace, Olatorera Oniru and her soon to be launched new online retail platform are on a mission to contribute to the growth of local manufacturing in the areas of fashion and health & beauty in the country.
Read moreThere is something about young women entrepreneurs in Africa who not only are on a mission to promote the art and design culture they love, but who also see it as a vehicle for positive change. Linda Mukangoga and Candy Basomingera, the founders of haute | baso in Rwanda, are creating contemporary design products that celebrate the craftsmanship of local and regional artisans from their country. The result is dynamic, vibrant and uniquely beautiful.
Read morePeople with a passion for what they do often make the most successful entrepreneurs, and in the case of Lezel de Vos and her company Fox Ingredients, her interest in the flavours and essences that go into making wonderful tasting and visually appealing food products is what took her into business.
Read moreThere is a growing global interest in African design, textiles and products, and talented Nigerian interior designer and lifestyle brand creator, Eva Sonaike, is taking the world by storm on the back of this trend. Her aim is to position the 'African' aesthetic in the global textiles and interior industry as part of her bigger brand-building picture.
Read moreIn the competitive world of global accessory and handbag design, one Nigerian designer is making the world sit up and take notice, with her unique take on beautiful, bespoke, handcrafted pieces that celebrate the art of craftsmanship combined with a uniquely African touch. Femi Olayebi is talent personified and her great eye for design together with a deep appreciation for African culture and textiles, has allowed her to create handbags and accessories that have a great story to tell and a wonderful visual appeal.
Read moreThere are some natural born entrepreneurs who see a problem, challenge or need, and have a burning desire to find the solution - Karen Wessels is one such entrepreneur. Her latest venture SnappSales has found a solution for all those companies who need to create quality sales leads, but whose salespeople hate cold-calling. She has found an innovative and highly efficient way of appointment setting, harnessing the power of conversation and the talents of a great team of people.
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