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Bryony Parr, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help you declutter your business and personal lives

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Bryony Parr, founder of Oh So Organised (South Africa)

Bryony Parr, founder of Oh So Organised (South Africa)

It’s true what they say, in order to declutter your mind you also need to declutter your space. And, for all those people who find it difficult to achieve the latter, South African entrepreneur Bryony Parr has the solution, Her company, Oh So Organised, is on a mission to bring a little order in to your work and home living spaces, creating the space for you to think more clearly and live more freely. 

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services
2 Comments

Memuna Williams, the story of an entrepreneur turning a passion for language and the art of translation into a global business

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Memuna Williams, founder of Avantgarde Translations

Memuna Williams, founder of Avantgarde Translations

Anyone who has ever been in the position of needing to translate information into different languages will appreciate just how critical it is to have the right specialist support. One company providing truly world-class translation and interpreting services, both globally and here in Africa is Avantgarde Translations.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services, Media PR & Communications Month, South Africa
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Messaynesh Geberesilassie, an entrepreneur bringing Ethiopia’s beautiful hand-woven cotton and leather goods to South Africa

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Messaynesh Geberesilassie, founder of Mela

Messaynesh Geberesilassie, founder of Mela

Often in business, finding an idea that is unique and that will resonate with customers can be hard. But in the case of Messaynesh Geberesilassie and her business Mela, she is tapping into the traditional handcrafted tradition of her home country to create a unique business opportunity in another marketplace - and she is winning new fans along the way.

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In Startup Story Tags Fashion
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Paula Quinsee, a South African entrepreneur helping people and companies with their relationship issues

September 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Paula Quinsee

Paula Quinsee

Healthy relationships are at the heart of successful personal and workplace environments, but often those relationships need a little specialist help to thrive. Paula Quinsee: Relationship Expert has the insights, personal experience and specialist expertise to provide that help for those that need it.

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In Startup Story
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Lucilla Blankenberg, a South African entrepreneur with a vision for harnessing the power of the media to make a difference

September 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Lucilla Blankenberg, founder of Off the Ground Media (South Africa)

Lucilla Blankenberg, founder of Off the Ground Media (South Africa)

Many small companies recognise that they need media and marketing support, but do not always have the time or money to develop these plans or produce the media to support their businesses. For entrepreneur Lucilla Blankenberg and her company Off the Ground Media, she is not only providing a great solution, but creating a company that makes a difference to the lives of others at the same time through those efforts.

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications
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Susan Granger, a proudly South African accessory manufacturer creating exclusive leather handbags from the heart of Johannesburg

September 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Susan Granger, founder of Nubian Queen on 101 (South Africa)

Susan Granger, founder of Nubian Queen on 101 (South Africa)

Nubian Queen on 101 is a disruptive new name on the leather accessory scene, creating exclusive, world-class, contemporary products that are both investments yet will not break the bank.

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In Startup Story Tags Artisans, Fashion, South Africa
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Manyara Chigunduru, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur with a never give up attitude to business, and a great brand builder

September 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Manyara Chigunduru, Founder & Managing Partner Marianhill Capital (Pvt) Ltd & Marianhill Chartered Accountants (Zimbabwe)

Manyara Chigunduru, Founder & Managing Partner Marianhill Capital (Pvt) Ltd & Marianhill Chartered Accountants (Zimbabwe)

Integrity is everything in the fields of financial advisory services, auditing and accounting, and for the founder of Marianhill Capital (Pvt) Ltd & Marianhill Chartered Accountants, Manyara Chigunduru, she was driven by the desire to build a company with integrity at its foundation.

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In Startup Story Tags Professional Services
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Mthuthukile Msibi, a South African entrepreneur transforming PVC into weather resistant trendy apparel and accessories

September 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Mthuthukile Msibi (L), founder of Rain Dear (South Africa)

Mthuthukile Msibi (L), founder of Rain Dear (South Africa)

How many times looking back in history have great companies and brands been created as a result of necessity. In the case of Mthuthukile Msibi and her company Rain Dear, she saw opportunity in Cape Town’s bad weather, creating a range of rainproof clothing and accessories that is winning fans at home and abroad.

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In Startup Story Tags Fashion
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Charmaine Ngobeni, a South African entrepreneur with a passion for branding and supporting creatives in the industry

September 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Charmaine Ngobeni, co-founder of Conté Creatives (South Africa)

Charmaine Ngobeni, co-founder of Conté Creatives (South Africa)

In the world of branding and design, standing out from the crowd is always a good thing, and Conté Creatives the Agency, the brainchild of South African entrepreneur Charmaine Ngobeni and her business partner Amanda Sibiya, is certainly doing that. Their unique differentiator in the marketplace is not only a great service offering, but also a wonderful creative portfolio magazine showcasing some great work by highly talented designers.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services, Media PR & Communications, South Africa
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Lana de Klerk, a South African entrepreneur turning her passion for marketing into a specialist corporate gifting business

September 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Lana de Klerk, founder of Prestige Marketing (South Africa)

Lana de Klerk, founder of Prestige Marketing (South Africa)

Most entrepreneurs know from experience that the journey to building a business can be tough, with many hurdles to overcome along the way - determination and self-belief are key. In the case of Lana de Klerk and her business, Prestige Marketing, she knows only too well how important these two traits are. She has displayed both over the years to get to where she is today, building a successful business and brand and with great ambitions for the future.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services
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Tariro Makina, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur providing virtual assistant solutions to clients across the world

September 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Tariro Makina, founder of Twenty47 Virtual Assistant (Zimbabwe)

Tariro Makina, founder of Twenty47 Virtual Assistant (Zimbabwe)

For many small to medium sized businesses, getting ahead can be challenging when you don’t have the resources in-house at your disposal. Recognising this challenge, Zimbabwean entrepreneur Tariro Makina, was keen to find a solution, and her business today, Twenty47 Virtual Assistant, is helping clients to streamline their business processes by providing a range of virtual business solutions.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services, Virtual Assistant
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Julie Cassidy, a South African entrepreneur with a passion for creating high quality HR and accounting solutions for small businesses

September 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Julie Cassidy, co-founder of ProFlex People (South Africa)

Julie Cassidy, co-founder of ProFlex People (South Africa)

They say that a business is only as good as its people, and for South African entrepreneur Julie Cassidy and her company ProFlex People, those words were the inspiration needed to create an innovative and highly flexible resourcing solution tailor-made for small businesses.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services
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Mumbi Muturi-Muli, a Kenyan entrepreneur harvesting Africa’s natural ingredients to create a new hair and body product range

September 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Mumbi Muturi-Muli, founder of Harvest of Sunshine (Kenya)

Mumbi Muturi-Muli, founder of Harvest of Sunshine (Kenya)

The world is becoming much more attuned to the health and wellbeing benefits of natural ingredients that are harnessed from the local environment and transformed into world-class products. With her proudly African brand, Harvest of Sunshine, Kenyan entrepreneur Mumbi Muturi-Muli is embracing the best of the continent’s raw materials and creating a company that puts local and natural at the heart of its ethos.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness
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Fatuma Abdullah, a Kenyan born entrepreneur and passionate advocate of entrenching a positive image of the African child amongst children

September 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Fatuma Abdullah, founder of Akiki Dolls (South Africa)

Fatuma Abdullah, founder of Akiki Dolls (South Africa)

Many companies are inspired by a dream or a vision to make a difference in some way. For company founder, Fatuma Abdullah, the visionary behind Akiki Distributors, aka Akiki Dolls, that dream came in the form of storytelling and creating dolls that embodied her vision of a new normal in Africa.

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In Startup Story Tags Manufacturing
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Mimi Shodeinde, a Nigerian entrepreneur pushing the boundaries of the furniture and design world globally

September 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs (UK)

Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs (UK)

Many global consumers have a traditional concept of African design, but creative entrepreneur, Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs, is looking to change all that with her contemporary design outlook. She is demonstrating that African design is not only exciting in a minimal context, particularly when it comes to furniture design, but can also celebrate the best of tradition and technological innovation.

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In Startup Story Tags Design, United Kingdom, African Luxury
Comment

Alison Barnard, a South African entrepreneur bringing creativity and flair to the world of eventing

September 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Alison Barnard, founder of African Kaleidoscope Events (South Africa)

Alison Barnard, founder of African Kaleidoscope Events (South Africa)

For many companies and organisations, planning events can be a challenge and often a headache. But for event planner Alison Barnard and her company African Kaleidoscope Events, she embraces that challenge with enthusiasm, a great eye for detail, and an established track record of high quality event delivery. She is on a mission to bring events to life for her growing list of clients. 

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services
Comment

Heather Cresswell and Savannah Sefor, two entrepreneurs on a mission to ignite the hearts and minds of employees

September 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Heather Cresswell & Savannah Sefor, founders of Firebrand (South Africa)

Heather Cresswell & Savannah Sefor, founders of Firebrand (South Africa)

Firebrand is a South African business that lives up to its name when it comes to employee engagement, literally firing up their minds and imaginations and getting them to work differently. The company is the brainchild of business partners Heather Cresswell and Savannah Sefor who have been co-facilitating personal development programmes for years, but who are now taking their work to the next level through their company Firebrand.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services
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Saloni Kantaria, a Kenyan entrepreneur bringing the world of high tech fitness to Nairobi’s residents

August 31, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Saloni Kantaria, founder of Reform Cycling and Strength Studio (Kenya)

Saloni Kantaria, founder of Reform Cycling and Strength Studio (Kenya)

The current global trend for fitness is now being seen in Africa, and in Kenya, one athlete turned entrepreneur, Saloni Kantaria, founder of Reform Cycling and Strength Studio in Nairobi, is bringing something fresh to the exercise scene.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness
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Ntshantsha Tafeni-Majombozi, a South African natural skincare entrepreneur focused on promoting the country’s indigenous ingredients

August 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Ntshantsha Tafeni-Majombozi, founder of Yivani Naturals (South Africa)

Ntshantsha Tafeni-Majombozi, founder of Yivani Naturals (South Africa)

There is a growing interest in skincare products that have a natural provenance with ingredients sourced from the African continent, and South African entrepreneur Ntshantsha Tafeni-Majombozi, is tapping into that interest with her brand Yivani Naturals.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness
Comment

Sinoneliso Xaba, a South African entrepreneur bringing African print textiles and design to the attention of the world

August 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Sinoneliso Xaba, founder of Egoli Textile Designs (South Africa)

Sinoneliso Xaba, founder of Egoli Textile Designs (South Africa)

Often, indigenous design can remain a best kept secret to the country it is found in, but thanks to passionate South African entrepreneur, Sinoneliso Xaba and her company Egoli Textile Designs, that is about to change. She is on a mission to bring the continent’s most innovative African print textiles to the global marketplace, and to win a legion of new fans along the way.

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In Startup Story Tags Design, Artisans
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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