Valerie Nyamwaya, a Kenyan fashionpreneur putting local designers on the global map

July 29, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Valerie Nyamwaya, founder of Afrivazi Limited (Kenya) — **Valerie Nyamwaya**, founder of Afrivazi Limited (Kenya)

Kenya is fast becoming a rising star of African fashion, with new talented designers emerging every day. Afrivazi is a company helping those designers reach discerning customers looking to support proudly ‘Made in Kenya’ brand names, and its founder Valerie Nyamwaya, is an entrepreneur on a mission to make it happen.

Michelle Ntalami, a Kenyan haircare entrepreneur making natural products for the African woman

July 28, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Michelle Ntalami, founder of Marini Naturals (Kenya)

Marini Naturals is a proudly Kenyan natural haircare brand, designed to celebrate women’s natural kinks and curls. Founded by entrepreneur Michelle Ntalami, the vision for the brand is to create a range of haircare products that take their inspiration and ingredients from nature, but which help beauty conscious women to really showcase their beautiful and naturally curly hair.

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara - The Guinean woman entrepreneur breaking barriers in African mining

July 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea) — Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea)

Africa’s mining sector is focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the continent. Local communities depend on these natural resources for their futures and this requires new ways of thinking, not to mention a new approach to ensuring diversity in the sector. One woman entrepreneur is leading the way - Tiguidanke Mounir Camara is the founder of the woman-mine owned TIGUI MINING GROUP (TMG) and is carving a new and exciting pathway for women in Africa’s mining sector.

Amanda Sibiya - The startup story of a passionate South African entrepreneur on a mission to get the world talking and reading about Africa’s creatives

July 24, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Amanda Sibiya, co-founder of Conté Magazine (South Africa) — **Amanda Sibiya**, co-founder of Conté Magazine (South Africa)

Creatives and their work need to be seen to be appreciated, and often finding the right outlets and platforms to achieve that visibility is tough, particularly in Africa. One entrepreneur, Amanda Sibiya, co-founder of Conté Magazine is looking to change that, by creating a high quality, content rich publication and accompanying exhibition event that aims to put the continent’s creatives on the map.

Mary Njoki - The startup story of a tenacious Kenyan entrepreneur helping the continent’s brands become newsmakers

July 23, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Mary Njoki, founder of Glass House PR (Kenya) — **Mary Njoki**, founder of Glass House PR (Kenya)

The world of public relations and brand positioning is a highly competitive one, particularly on the African continent, but Mary Njoki, the founder of successful Kenyan PR firm Glass House PR, is determined to be an industry leader by building a foundation of innovation and creativity.

Robertinah Nzula - The startup story of a Kenyan entrepreneur transforming the image of the modelling and talent industry

July 22, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Robertinah Nzula, founder of The Tianar Models (Kenya) — **Robertinah Nzula**, founder of The Tianar Models (Kenya)

Changing perceptions and creating opportunities are objectives at the heart of The Tianar Models, an organisation created by Robertinah Nzula, a Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to make a difference to the lives of others. She is not only changing an industry sector for the better, but she is empowering young people to follow their unique career and life paths.

Thiitu Karega - The startup story of a natural beauty entrepreneur who is celebrating Africa’s bounty of natural ingredients

July 21, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Thiitu Karega, founder Binti Naturals (Kenya) — **Thiitu Karega**, founder Binti Naturals (Kenya)

Many women entrepreneurs in Africa are inspired to create businesses as a way of not only fulfilling personal ambitions and goals, but also of creating solutions or products that can help others. Binti Naturals is one such company that is looking to make its mark on the African beauty scene and provide natural beauty solutions for women who want an organic alternative.

Stella Langat - The startup story of four Kenyan women entrepreneurs pooling their skills and expertise to build a company that creates beautiful lingerie for larger breasted women

July 17, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Stella Langat, co-founder of Double Dee's (Kenya) — **Stella Langat**, co-founder of Double Dee's (Kenya)

Many women in Africa struggle to find well made, proper fitting, beautiful lingerie that has been specifically designed and crafted for larger bust sizes. But now, one Kenyan company is providing a solution in the country. Double Dee's is designing and retailing a beautiful new range of lingerie for women with larger breasts, and as a result, making a name for itself in the marketplace.

Kendi Sapepa - The startup story of a South African fashion brand builder with a love of bespoke design and red-carpet event glamour

July 15, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Kendi Sapepa, founder of Barbara McKenzie (South Africa) — **Kendi Sapepa**, founder of Barbara McKenzie (South Africa)

Every fashion designer dreams of one day having their designs worn by the stars and photographed at red-carpet events, and for Johannesburg-based clothing brand builder, that dream is already starting to come true. Kendi Sapepa may be in the early days of creating a brand to be reckoned with, but already her designs have graced the red carpet of the prestigious SAFTAs, the South African Fashion and Television Awards. This is a brand to watch in the future.

Shikha Vincent - The startup story of a Kenyan entrepreneur who has founded a business based on her passions for jewellery design, travel and conservation

July 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Shikha Vincent, founder of SHIKHAZURI (Kenya) — **Shikha Vincent**, founder of SHIKHAZURI (Kenya)

Many women entrepreneurs in Africa are inspired to start their businesses because of a personal passion, and in the case of Kenyan entrepreneur Shikha Vincent, her jewellery design company SHIKHAZURI, was motivated by just such passions. Her fascination with ethnic and tribal jewellery from across the African continent, combined with her desire to support wildlife conservation in her country, resulted in the creation of a jewellery brand with a strong backstory and purpose which is resonating with customers at home and abroad.

Fidelis Wanjiku - The startup story of a Kenyan marketing specialist creating winning solutions for her clients and their businesses

July 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Fidelis Wanjiku, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya) — **Fidelis Wanjiku**, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya)

Any successful business knows the importance of strong marketing campaigns to get key messages to customers and connect them to brands and services. One Kenyan company, Round Square Marketing Limited, founded by entrepreneur Fidelis Wanjiku, is demonstrating a powerful track record in creating campaigns and solutions that delivers to its clients.

Yvonne Manyiki - The startup story of a creative entrepreneur with a passion for designing handmade jewellery with a modern, African flair

July 8, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Yvonne Manyiki, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa) — **Yvonne Manyiki**, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa)

A love of traditional beadwork, combined with a passion for creating unique colourful and eye-catching pieces, led South African entrepreneur Yvonne Manyiki to startup her company Dimzique Enterprise, and tap into the market for affordable yet elegant costume jewellery. The country’s markets and festivals provide a wealth of customers who appreciate her fine beadwork and her wonderful creative eye for design.

Dawn Beech, Rachel Staddon and Rose Chaplin - the startup story of three tenacious South African entrepreneurs providing a virtual assistant service to busy people

July 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Dawn Beech, Rose Chaplin & Rachel Staddon, founders Virtual Concierge Services (South Africa) — **Dawn Beech, Rose Chaplin &** **Rachel Staddon**, founders Virtual Concierge Services (South Africa)

We all have increasingly busy lives and there never seems to be enough time to do all the things that need to be done each day, balancing work and family life at the same time as building businesses and corporate careers. But, three South African women entrepreneurs have joined forces to provide a solution. Their company, Virtual Concierge Services, offers a range of services to tackle all those tiresome tasks that take up so much valuable time.

Marang Marekimane - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur with a passion for helping small businesses to become sustainable

July 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Marang Marekimane, founder of Business In Theory (South Africa) — **Marang Marekimane**, founder of Business In Theory (South Africa)

Talk to any entrepreneurs and the chances are they will tell you that one of the biggest challenges is creating businesses and brands that are sustainable and can exist for the long haul. South African entrepreneur, Marang Marekimane, has recognised this challenge and her company Business In Theory is poised to help others to get their systems and processes in place to create solid, sustainable businesses that can go the distance.

Aleshia van der Ploeg - The startup story of a legal expert turned entrepreneur with a passion for helping SMEs and startups

July 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Aleshia van der Ploeg, founder of VDP Legal Consulting (South Africa) — **Aleshia van der Ploeg**, founder of VDP Legal Consulting (South Africa)

Making the move from the world of working in law firms as an employee to an entrepreneurial life as a legal consulting firm is one that Aleshia van der Ploeg knows only too well when. Today her company, VDP Legal Consulting, provides her with the opportunity to live her working life on her own terms whilst fulfilling her passion for providing expert legal advice to those SMEs and startups who need it.

Bronwyn Kilroe - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur and coach who is teaching the world how to laugh to beat stress and find happiness

July 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Bronwyn Kilroe, founder of Laughter Sessions (South Africa) — **Bronwyn Kilroe**, founder of Laughter Sessions (South Africa)

We probably all know those corporate environments which exude stress the moment you walk into them. Well, one South African entrepreneur, Bronwyn Kilroe, founder of Laughter Sessions, has created a highly successful business that reminds companies and organisations about the power of fun and laughter to create positive and productive working environments.

Tinyiko Mareane and Boitumelo Mogoai - The startup story of a South African social enterprise uplifting the lives of young girls by creating a business that bakes for change

July 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Tinyiko Mareane & Boitumelo Mogoai, founders of Nik Muffins (South Africa) — **Tinyiko Mareane & Boitumelo Mogoai**, founders of Nik Muffins (South Africa)

Recognising a need in society to help young girls to learn essential life skills and get access to inspirational mentors, was the catalyst for two South African entrepreneurs to create their social enterprise, Nik Muffins, to make a difference. Tinyiko Mareane and Boitumelo Mogoai are turning a passion for baking into a means of raising funds to build a sustainable and effective social enterprise with a big impact.

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.

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