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Lionesses of Africa

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Tumi Moitse, a South African floral designer with a passion for creating luxury gifting experiences for her clients

August 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Tumi Moitse, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa)

Tumi Moitse, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa)

Who doesn’t like receiving flowers? They cheer us, they brighten our days, they remind us fondly of the people who are giving them as gifts to us. For entrepreneur Tumi Moitse, her love of flowers started at an early age. Today she is taking that passion and creating a luxury floral design and gifting business, BlakSaffron Boutique, that helps her clients to express their feelings through the floral experiences she creates.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services, Retail
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Funeka Bango, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to create great fitting clothes for professional women with curves

August 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Funeka Bango, founder of Pride Journey (South Africa)

Funeka Bango, founder of Pride Journey (South Africa)

Niche South African clothing brand, Pride Journey, designs, produces and sells exclusive ready-to-wear pieces for professional women with curves to ensure a perfect fit and comfort while maintaining a graceful sense of style. 

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In Startup Story Tags Fashion
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Tracy Mulei, a Kenyan logistics entrepreneur providing customers with a new approach to delivery services

August 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Tracy Mulei, founder of Shujaa Delivery (Kenya)

Tracy Mulei, founder of Shujaa Delivery (Kenya)

Finding the gap in a key marketplace is always a positive factor when starting a new business, and for Kenyan entrepreneur Tracy Mulei, founder of Shujaa Delivery, this gap came in the form of specialist courier services. Today her company is bringing a much needed delivery service to Nairobi’s business and consumer community.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services
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Claudia Castellanos Roques, a passionate foodpreneur based in Swaziland creating a taste sensation with her gourmet chilli brand

August 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Claudia Castellanos Roques, co-founder Black Mamba (Swaziland)

Claudia Castellanos Roques, co-founder Black Mamba (Swaziland)

For all those who love the taste of chillis and want to buy products that are organic, fair trade produced in Swaziland, and supporting local farmers and producers, then Black Mamba is a gourmet chilli product brand to watch. 

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In Startup Story Tags Food & Drink, Eswatini, Agri-business
1 Comment

Kristi Kyle, an entrepreneur based in South Africa making a clothing range specifically to cater for tall women

August 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Kristi Kyle, founder of Love Long Length Clothing (South Africa)

Kristi Kyle, founder of Love Long Length Clothing (South Africa)

For all those women out there who are tall and struggle to find great clothes that actually fit, then help is at hand from a great new South African brand, Love Long Length Clothing. 

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In Startup Story Tags South Africa, Fashion
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Jess Binns, a creative entrepreneur in South Africa designing spaces that make people, companies and brands feel good

August 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey (South Africa)

Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey (South Africa)

The environments we spend time in are critical when it comes to influencing the way we feel, interact with others, and experience life and work. For interior designer Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey, this represents a wonderful creative challenge. To design interior spaces that connect with those who use them, and beautiful exterior spaces for those that view them.

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In Startup Story Tags Interior Design, South Africa
Comment

Thuli Dlamini-Teferi, a Swaziland food entrepreneur with the gift of turning local natural ingredients into tasty preserves and hot sauces

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Thuli Dlamini-Teferi, founder of Bobholotsi Flavours (Swaziland)

Thuli Dlamini-Teferi, founder of Bobholotsi Flavours (Swaziland)

There has been a global rise in interest in all things natural and artisan-made when it comes to food products, something that foodpreneur Thuli Dlamini-Teferi is tapping into with her company, Bobholotsi Flavours. She is exciting tastebuds throughout Swaziland with her lovingly handmade and natural range of jams and sauces, all celebrating the wealth of local ingredients on offer.

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In Startup Story Tags Food & Drink, Eswatini
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Annie Sibindi Muronda, a South African entrepreneur building a unique branded uniform manufacturing business in the country

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)

Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)

Finding your niche in the world of entrepreneurship is always the challenge, but for Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments, she has found that niche by manufacturing quality branded uniforms for her clients. 

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In Startup Story Tags Manufacturing, Clothing, South Africa
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Eugénia Langa, a Mozambican entrepreneur making waves in the construction sector with her dedication to high quality procurement and logistics

July 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Eugénia Langa, founder of Nweba (Mozambique)

Eugénia Langa, founder of Nweba (Mozambique)

The construction sector in Africa is traditionally a tough sector to enter, and a complicated one from a procurement and logistics perspective. However, for entrepreneur Eugénia Langa, founder of specialist company Nweba, this is a challenge she is meeting head-on, providing the best procurement and logistics management practices and risk management to her clients.  

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services, Mozambique
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Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, a Mozambican entrepreneur turning her passion for flowers into a contemporary floral design business

July 17, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

The art of flower arranging has a long and beautiful history, but today has been taken to a whole new level as floral gifting and interior decoration has become part of our everyday lives. For Mozambican entrepreneur Mariana Agness Francisco Eria and her floral design business, House Of Agness, this represents a wonderful opportunity to bring her unique floral design aesthetic to her customers.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services, Mozambique, African Luxury
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Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka, a Kenyan entrepreneur taking her flair for creating delicious patisserie and creating a leading food brand in the country

July 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Who doesn’t love a decadent slice of cake, or a platter of beautifully crafted pastries, enjoyed with a cup of coffee or created for a special occasion? Kenyan entrepreneur, Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka, founder of Spez Limited, is building a culinary name for herself in the patisserie world with her deliciously decadent brand “The Missing Slice.”

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In Startup Story Tags Kenya, Food & Drink
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Pesika Odera, Winnie Ochieng and Doreen Okal, three Kenyan entrepreneurs creating a beautiful natural soap brand 

July 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Winnie Ochieng, Pesika Odera, and Doreen Okal

Winnie Ochieng, Pesika Odera, and Doreen Okal

Many entrepreneurs are driven not only by passion, but also a desire to make a difference, particularly when it comes to creating employment opportunities in local communities. In the case of the Kenyan natural soap manufacturing company, Wipedo Ltd, its three women founders are not only creating world class natural soap products, but also creating employment for others, extending the value chain of this unique and proudly Kenyan brand. 

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness, Kenya
1 Comment

Lindiwe Mafavuneh, a Botswana based entrepreneur on a mission to help companies to manage their risk and maximize their investments

July 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)

Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)

Every company and organization needs to manage its risk profile whilst at the same time maximizing its ability to drive business success, but it’s a fine balancing act. For many, specilalist help and advice is needed to get that balance right, and that’s where LCM Capital has found its niche, thanks to founder Lindiwe Mafavuneh. 

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In Startup Story Tags Botswana, Finance
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Yolie Thela, a South African entrepreneur creating unique baby clothing that celebrates her love of African prints

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby (South Africa)

Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby (South Africa)

The global market for beautifully made, colorful and fun baby clothes that are loved by babies and moms alike is growing, and particularly in Africa. Tapping into that growing market opportunity is South African entrepreneur, Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby, with her proudly South African prints brightening up the wardrobes of babies across the country and the continent.

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In Startup Story Tags Children's Clothing, South Africa, Fashion
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Adèle Cutten, the startup story of a passionate South African craftswoman taking her love of natural yarns to a whole new level

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Adèle Cutten, founder of Adèle’s Mohair (South Africa)

Adèle Cutten, founder of Adèle’s Mohair (South Africa)

Successful businesses are often inspired by the passion of their founders, and in the case of Adèle Cutten, founder of Adèle’s Mohair, it was a passion for transforming sought-after natural fibres like Mohair, Wool, Silk and Alpaca, into beautiful yarns. Today, her company produces a wide range of yarns with interesting colours and textures, together with beautifully crafted end-products, all the while adding value to the lives of the people involved in the process.

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In Startup Story Tags Agri-business, Fashion
Comment

Mimi Kalinda, a South African entrepreneur empowering fellow Africans through the power of storytelling

June 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Mimi Kalinda, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa)

Mimi Kalinda, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa)

Shaping the African continent’s positive narrative and opening up the minds of others around the globe to see its full potential, requires making connections with people at a human level. And, there is no better way of achieving this than through the sharing of stories and experiences. Entrepreneur Mimi Kalinda and her company Africommunications Group are both on a mission to harness the power of storytelling to change perceptions of this amazing continent.

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications
Comment

Chule Gobodo, a South African film-maker connecting consumers and brands through visual storytelling

June 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Chule Gobodo, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa)

Chule Gobodo, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa)

They say everyone has a unique story to tell, but often people, businesses and brands find it hard to get that story told in a way that is engaging. But one woman entrepreneur is on a mission to change all that. Chule Gobodo, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives, is showing clients how to powerfully connect their brands with their consumers using storytelling through film.

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications
Comment

Shamila Ramjawan, a South African entrepreneur finding solutions to affordable menstrual management for girls

June 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Shamila Ramjawan, co-founder of Famram Solutions (South Africa)

Shamila Ramjawan, co-founder of Famram Solutions (South Africa)

Famram Solutions is a high impact business helping girls and women globally to enjoy life, restore dignity, whilst offering an affordable solution to health care, especially menstruation matters and women’s health.

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In Startup Story Tags Social Entrepreneur
Comment

Lunice Johnston, a South African communications professional with a passion for guiding her clients on their own business journeys in the public domain

June 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Lunice Johnston, founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa)

Lunice Johnston, founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa)

Navigating the often over saturated world of business messaging and communications can present a challenge to companies and organisations, both large and small. But Lunice Johnston, founder of the specialist communications company that bears her name, has the solutions and 25 years of experience to match. 

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications
Comment

Miyoba Buumba, a Zambian entrepreneur taking her passion for African design and turning it into a distinctive homeware and accessories brand

June 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Miyoba Buumba, founder of Mwabonwa Designs (Zambia)

Miyoba Buumba, founder of Mwabonwa Designs (Zambia)

Often a business idea stems from a personal passion, and in the case of Miyoba Buumba, founder of Mwabonwa Designs in Zambia, that passion came from her interest in proudly African design. Today, her brand is a reflection of her own design inspiration and her love of African style and culture.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags Children's Clothing, Zambia, Fashion
Comment
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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 / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
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 / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
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 / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found 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 / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th 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

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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