Lebo Shange and Thembi Nkosi - The startup story of two South African entrepreneurs on a mission to address feminine health issues in their country

July 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lebo Shange (top) & Thembi Nkosi (bottom), founders of Coincido (South Africa) — **Lebo Shange** (top) & **Thembi Nkosi** (bottom), founders of Coincido (South Africa)

Many women in South Africa are embarrassed to discuss their feminine health issues with others, especially when they need to seek medical attention. Two entrepreneurs with a background working in the pharmaceutical corporate environment have built a business, Coincido, that offers women a solution - easy to use home diagnostic tests that can help protect and better care for their health.

Babette Frances van der Walt - The startup story of a South African artisan bread baker turning passion into profit

June 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Babette van der Walt, founder of Babette’s Bread (South Africa) — **Babette van der Walt**, founder of Babette’s Bread (South Africa)

Many successful entrepreneurs talk about the power of turning a passion into a business. In the case of Babette van der Walt, founder of artisan bread-baking company Babette’s Bread, her passion for the art of bread-baking led her to making the ultimate career pivot in her life.

Emma Tandoh - The startup story of a Ghanaian entrepreneur providing tailor-made online solutions to help SMEs and women-led businesses to develop powerful brands

June 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Emma Tandoh, founder of Outspoken Edge (Ghana) — **Emma Tandoh**, founder of Outspoken Edge (Ghana)

A passion to see women-led business in Africa succeed as global brands led entrepreneur Emma Tandoh to create her company, Outspoken Edge LLC, a specialist in the field of digital marketing and content development in Ghana. Her approach is to get people talking about the brands she helps to build, which in turn contributes to their success.

Sarinah Matema-Morgans - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur harnessing Africa’s exotic ingredients to create a luxury beauty and body care brand

June 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Sarinah Matema-Morgans, founder of Serenity Luxury Body Care (South Africa) — **Sarinah Matema-Morgans**, founder of Serenity Luxury Body Care (South Africa)

Having an appreciation of the need to create high quality skincare products that are tailored to meet the specific needs of African skin, inspired entrepreneur Sarinah Matema-Morgans to create her own brand to meet those needs. Serenity Luxury Body Care is the result of her extensive experience in the beauty and cosmetics industry and her passion to create a proudly African skincare brand.

Abigail Klopper - The startup story of a South African photographer with a passion for confidence building portraiture for women at all stages of their lives

May 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Abigail Klopper, founder of Abigail K Photography (South Africa) — **Abigail Klopper**, founder of Abigail K Photography (South Africa)

Women entrepreneurs who follow their passion and turn it into a business are more likely to find success, as they are driven each day to fulfil their creative ambitions. Abigail K Photography is the passion of Abigail Klopper, a talented photographer who is harnessing the power of her chosen medium to enrich the lives of others.

Tania Reid - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help companies to find solutions to key challenges and business needs

May 23, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Tania Reid, founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa) — **Tania Reid**, founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa)

To meet Tania Reid, founder of ithemba Office Solutions, is to meet a woman entrepreneur who is passionate about finding solutions for her clients’ day-to-day business operations, taking a personalised, tailor-made approach to the services she offers. Her goal is to be a trusted first port-of-call to source essential products and services on behalf of the companies she lists as her clients.

Thanthi Sepeng - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur on a mission to change lives for the better in her country through her work

May 21, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Thanthi Sepeng, founder of Reve Productions (South Africa) — **Thanthi Sepeng**, founder of Reve Productions (South Africa)

Reve Productions is the brainchild of Thanthi Sepeng, one of an exciting new breed of entrepreneurs in South Africa who are finding solutions to key challenges. Her company is geared up to provide clients with a comprehensive, professional and unforgettable service, be it in Event Management, Marketing, Event Logistics Management or CSI Projects.

Joselyne Umutoniwase - The startup story of a Rwandan fashionpreneur with a passion for custom-made fashion clothing and the art of tailoring

May 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Joselyne Umutoniwase, founder of Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd (Rwanda) — **Joselyne Umutoniwase**, founder of Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd (Rwanda)

For many fashion conscious buyers in Africa, there is nothing quite like the experience of having a piece of clothing tailor-made by a professional with an eye for both design and detail. Joselyne Umutoniwase, founder of Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd, is an entrepreneur who understands this need only too well, and has created a successful business providing custom-made clothes to discerning buyers who want the personal creative touch.

Basadi Ohimile - The startup story of an entrepreneur from Botswana with a passion for communication and creativity

May 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Basadi Ohimile, founder of The Concept King (Botswana) — **Basadi Ohimile**, founder of The Concept King (Botswana)

Understanding the power of an integrated communication approach to help businesses to grow and connect with their audiences is something that entrepreneur Basadi Ohimile knows only too well. Her business, The Concept King, is leveraging her own experience and that of her team, to provide an end-to-end communications solution to her clients, both at home and across the continent.

Fulufhelo Ramulifho - The startup story of a South African edupreneur creating high school learner conversations about careers

May 15, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Fulufhelo Ramulifho, founder of Careers For A Powerful You (South Africa) — **Fulufhelo Ramulifho**, founder of Careers For A Powerful You (South Africa)

The critical period of time for young people to open their minds to possibilities and to prepare for their futures is during their schoolyears - but, they need the right kind of support to help them on their journeys. Careers For A Powerful You is the brainchild of South African edupreneur Fulufhelo Ramulifho, a business focused on providing high quality career guidance, coaching and mentoring to help a new generation of young people to fulfil their potential.

Ngozi Opara - The startup story of an entrepreneur in Nigeria on a mission to create a movement inspiring women to embrace their natural hair textures

May 9, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Heat Free Hair is the story of a woman with a passion for natural hair combined with the entrepreneurial drive to start a business providing natural hair extensions, plus a movement to educate and inform women on how to care for their natural hair.

Beth Malatji - The startup story of a South African publishing entrepreneur passionate about creating great magazine content for others in business

May 9, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Beth Malatji, founder of Wealth Ladder Magazine (South Africa) — **Beth Malatji**, founder of Wealth Ladder Magazine (South Africa)

As part of their day-to day business development, entrepreneurs need access to great information, insight and advice, and Wealth Ladder Magazine looks to provide all those things and more. Entrepreneur Beth Malatji is creating not just an informative and engaging published resource but she is also creating networking events that bring entrepreneurs together.

Baitse Phejane - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur with a passion for problem solving and the development of other entrepreneurs

May 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Baitse Phejane, founder of Akili Communications (South Africa) — **Baitse Phejane**, founder of Akili Communications (South Africa)

Understanding the power of scalable business is critical for entrepreneurs who are looking to grow successful enterprises of the future. South African entrepreneur Baitse Phejane, founder of Akili Communications, is looking to provide help and guidance in this regard, and her company is poised to develop entrepreneurs who have a passion for what they do, but need assistance in scaling those ideas.

BusaBuntu Roaring - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and a love of film, television and theatre to reach her audiences

May 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken

BusaBuntu Roaring, founder of BusaBuntu Pictures (South Africa) — **BusaBuntu Roaring**, founder of BusaBuntu Pictures (South Africa)

Africa has always had a strong tradition of storytelling, but today stories need to harness the power of all types of media, both traditional and digital, to reach and connect with every type of audience. The talented South African media entrepreneur, BusaBuntu Roaring, founder of BusaBuntu Pictures, knows and understands this dynamic all too well and is leveraging her extensive knowledge and experience of all aspects of the media to tell powerful stories that resonate.

Charlotte Steenekamp - The startup story of a passionately committed South African entrepreneur creating a pure, organic, botanical skincare revolution in Africa

May 1, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Charlotte Steenekamp, founder of Africa Grace Botanical Skincare (South Africa) — **Charlotte Steenekamp**, founder of Africa Grace Botanical Skincare (South Africa)

Today, more and more consumers are making ethical and responsible decisions about the products they purchase, their sustainable footprint, and their community backstory. As a result, the marketplace for pure, organic and sustainable products, particularly in sectors such as beauty and skincare, is growing. Africa Grace Botanical Skincare, the brainchild of entrepreneur Charlotte Steenekamp, is a great example of a socially and environmentally responsible company and brand being created in Africa that is making a difference.

Leslie Okoye - The startup story of a Nigerian entrepreneur dedicated to redefining traditional notions of beauty through a holistic approach to skincare

April 29, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Leslie Okoye, founder of L’Okoye Cosmetics Inc. — **Leslie Okoye**, founder of L’Okoye Cosmetics Inc.

A personal mission to find a simplified skin care regime for women of African descent, led to entrepreneur Leslie Okoye launching her own line of holistic skincare products specifically created for women of colour. Today, her company, L’Okoye Cosmetics Inc. and her CookieSkin specialist skincare range, is providing a way for women to build confidence in their skin and to create flawless complexions.

Jacqueline Rogers - The startup story of a South African fashionpreneur on a mission to make maternity wear both chic and comfortable for mums-to-be

April 28, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Jacqueline Rogers, founder of Label of Love (South Africa) — **Jacqueline Rogers**, founder of Label of Love (South Africa)

Tenacity, determination and passion are all unique attributes that to towards describing entrepreneur Jacqueline Rogers, the founder of the exciting maternity wear company, Label of Love. She is genuinely on a mission to create the most beautiful clothes that make any mum-to-be feel special during this important time in their lives, whilst at the same time designing each garment to be comfortable, practical and long-lasting. Her brand is winning fans in large numbers who have been on the look out for maternity chic wardrobes that make them feel and look great.

Thabisa Mjo - The startup story of a talented creative entrepreneur with an eye on building an exciting new lifestyle brand in Africa

April 19, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash.T Design Studio (South Africa) — **Thabisa Mjo**, founder of Mash.T Design Studio (South Africa)

Interior design company, Mash.T Design Studio, is on a mission - to create beautiful spaces. Inspired by its creative founder, Thabisa Mjo, the company prides itself by continuously providing its clients with highly creative solutions to their spatial challenges. The company is constantly working to solidify its status as a design company synonymous with cutting edge, inspired design.

Nana and Afua Dabanka - The startup story of a luxury footwear label, proudly made in Ghana, and inspired by a powerful Ashanti heritage

April 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Nana & Afua Dabanka, founders of MONAA (Ghana) — **Nana & Afua Dabanka**, founders of MONAA (Ghana)

In the world of design, particularly luxury footwear, there is something truly inspirational about working with the finest leathers, fabrics and decorative elements that are reflective of a country’s design aesthetic. Nana and Afua Dabanka, the creative duo behind the incredibly beautiful MONAA brand, are taking the world by storm with their luxury footwear label that takes its inspiration from their proud Ashanti heritage.

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