Entrepreneur Advice from Juliana Rotich: Developers need to prioritise function over form

September 22, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Juliana Rotich, co-founder and executive director of Ushahidi — **Juliana Rotich,** co-founder and executive director of Ushahidi

Budding developers and entrepreneurs need to focus on utility over appearance....

“It’s not just about what looks pretty .... Software needs to work for each situation and solve a problem.”

- Juliana Rotich is a Technologist, MIT Media Lab Director's Fellow, TED Senior Fellow and currently serves as Chair of World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Data Driven Development. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Ushahidi Inc, a non-profit tech company, born in Africa, which specializes in developing free and open source software for information collection, interactive mapping and data curation. Ushahidi builds tools for democratizing information, increasing transparency and lowering the barriers for individuals to share their stories. She leads a team that is expanding its global footprint and making crowdsourcing tools available and useful, and catalyzing entrepreneurial initiatives like iHub in Kenya. She also serves on the advisory council of Microsoft 4Afrika and Waabeh Ltd. In 2011 The World Economic Forum named Juliana 'Social Entrepreneur of the Year'.

Quote of the Day

September 22, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"You can be in the non-profit space but think like an entrepreneur, and you can mix that with for-profit partners."

Quote of the Day

September 22, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"If you have a farm, you should plant fruits and cash crops. Cash crops will bring income for the family and fruits are enjoyed by the children. A woman must know she has to till the land for the nation."

- Julian Adyeri Omalla is one of Uganda's top female entrepreneurs. She is founder, chairperson and managing director of Delight Uganda Limited, producing the country's most popular fruit drink sold under the brand name 'Cheers'. Julian has diversified into a range of other business activities, including egg and poultry farming, maize-feed production, a flour mill and bakery, a student hostel for 400, as well as coordinating women’s farmer cooperatives that provide food aid into Sudan. Today, Julian employs over 1,000 Ugandans and exports to countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Zaire.

Essential Read: 'Innovating Women' by Farai Chideya and Vivek Wadhwa explores the role of women in innovation and technology

September 21, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Innovating Women explores the world of women in the technology industry, and other fields of innovation, but told from the unique perspective and first-hand experience of women in the front-line. This extraordinary collection of personal, highly candid interviews and essays from hundreds of technology executives and entrepreneurs, gives an insight into the challenges faced by women in this sector, and how they have achieved success despite the odds.

Essential Read: 'All in Startup' by Diana Kander helps startups find their way

September 21, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Diana Kander, author of 'All in Startup'

All In Start-Up is a lifeline for entrepreneurs who are thinking about launching a new idea, or for those who have already started, but can't seem to generate the traction they were expecting.

6 Steps to Becoming More Productive in your Entrepreneurial Day

September 21, 2014 Melanie Hawken

As women entrepreneurs, how many of us start our working days by making endless action lists, noting all the tasks we are aiming to complete if we are go reach our goals? And, how many of us end the day by looking at those same lists and becoming disheartened by the sheer number of actions still remaining to be done? Where did the time go? How did we manage to seemingly achieve so little? Well, for all of you entrepreneurial list makers out there, here are a few tips to help you become more productive in your daily work-life....

Tabitha Karanje Africa's pioneering woman brewer scoops the AABLA 2104 Business Woman of the Year Award

September 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries in Kenya scooped 'The Business Woman of the Year' category at the East African round of the CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) presented By Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Entrepreneur Advice from Alexa Von Tobel: My biggest money lesson

September 16, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Alexa von Tobel, founder of LearnVest.com, on 'Financial Risk Management for Entrepreneurs' — **Alexa von Tobel**, founder of LearnVest.com, on *'Financial Risk Management for Entrepreneurs'*

Putting every last penny of your personal savings into your startup is a bad idea....

"That is one of the worst things you can do... take so much risk that you can't think clearly. If you are literally blindly desperate because you are worried that if the business does not work your entire family, house, whatever goes under, you're not going to be in a clear, steady position of power. And that's what you need to be in when you're running a business,"

- Alexa von Tobel is the American founder and CEO of LearnVest.com, a leading financial-planning and lifestyle website. Alexa, a certified financial planner, was recently selected as one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs and highlighted in Inc.'s 30 Under 30 list of cool young entrepreneurs. Her company has raised $69 million to date.

Garbage in, Money Out: My Stroll With Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola

September 16, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, founder & CEO of Wecyclers — **Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola**, founder & CEO of Wecyclers

Source: Huffington Post | by Ebenezar Wikina | 16 September 2014

When you think of garbage collectors, what comes to mind? Unfortunate poor illiterate men and women who are not certified enough for more 'honourable' jobs right? Yeah. This stroll is for you.

Quote of the Day

September 15, 2014 Melanie Hawken

“Most people don't realize that leadership is fundamentally about service, about a dying to self and loving others into their true potential. It isn't about us personally. It isn't about what we can get, or consume. It isn't about elevating ourselves above others. It isn't about ego. Leadership is about lowering ourselves such that the people who work with us, and our organizations can thrive in ways that create value (economic and social).”

- Binta Niambi Brown is an American corporate lawyer and Mossavar-Rahmani senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School who regularly advises early stage technology, media and entertainment companies. She is also a human rights advocate and nascent angel investor and regularly works on technology and internet IPOs and transactions. She also advises senior management and corporate boards of media, technology, telecom, and entertainment companies on corporate governance matters.

Entrepreneur Advice from Rachel Sklar: Pay attention to what you are doing wrong

September 13, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Rachel Sklar, New York-based writer and social entrepreneur, on 'Leadership for Entrepreneurs' — **Rachel Sklar**, New York-based writer and social entrepreneur, on *'Leadership for Entrepreneurs'*

If you want to keep learning and evolving as a leader - then pay attention to what you are doing wrong....

“There’s a lot of talk about being a born leader … having natural leadership. I think that’s a myth. My experience is that if you are not paying attention to the things you’re doing wrong, then you’re not evolving and learning. I would say that leadership is something that is learned. It can be learned and should be learned. Leadership is something you’re always honing and learning and reflecting to see ways you could have been better at it. Anyone who thinks they’re a natural leader is probably horrible to work with.”

- Rachel Sklar is a writer and social entrepreneur based in New York. She is the co-founder of Change The Ratio, which increases visibility and opportunity for women in tech & new media, and TheLi.st. A former lawyer who writes about media, politics, culture & technology, she was a founding editor at Mediaite and the Huffington Post. Rachel was named to the Silicon Alley 100 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, FastCompany’s “League of Extraordinary Women,” and listed on Forbes’ “Women Changing The World”.

Entrepreneur Advice from Kathryn Finney: You don't have to have all the answers

September 12, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Trust your instincts to lead....

“Most people think leaders are some sort of ‘all-knowing-beings,’ but in reality we often don't know the answers. The difference is that leaders trust their instincts to lead them to an answer.”

- Kathryn Finney is an American entrepreneur and the founder and managing director of digitalundivided (DID), a social enterprise that develops programs that increase the participation of urban communities, especially women, in the digital space. DID’s programs have reached over 4 million people. In 2013, Kathryn received the Champions of Change Award from The White House for her working in increasing inclusiveness in tech. She was also named one of AOL’s Top Women in Money and Black Enterprise’s “40 Stars Under 40″.

Entrepreneur Advice from Laura Vanderkam: Rejuvenate your work energy levels

September 10, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Laura Vanderkam, internationally recognised author, on 'Lifestyle Management for Entrepreneurs' — **Laura Vanderkam,** internationally recognised author, on *'Lifestyle Management for Entrepreneurs'*

You need to find ways to rejuvenate yourself and your work energy levels....

“You need to hit Monday ready to go ... To do that, you need weekends that rejuvenate you, rather than exhaust or disappoint you. Cross-training makes you a better athlete, and likewise, exercise, volunteer work, and spiritual activities make you a better worker.”

- Laura Vanderkam is a internationally recognized writer who questions the status quo and helps her readers rediscover their true passions and beliefs in pursuit of more meaningful lives. She is the author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think. She blogs at www.lauravanderkam.com.

Entrepreneur Advice from Sibongile Sambo: Want to be a successful entrepreneur? Then you must do these two things

September 9, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Two key things you must do to be successful as an entrepreneur.....

"One, you need to persevere on the business you’re running. Two, you need to network; you can’t stay in isolation. You need to network at conferences at the same level. This also gives you an opportunity to give input to other people and stay abreast of politics."

- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.

Entrepreneur Advice from Minda Zetlin: Want to beat procrastination? Here's how

September 3, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Minda Zetlin, author, speaker, and journalist on 'Productivity for Entrepreneurs' — **Minda Zetlin**, author, speaker, and journalist on *'Productivity for Entrepreneurs'*

Here's how entrepreneurs can avoid procrastination when tackling that big project....

"Procrastination often happens when you feel flummoxed and overwhelmed. Breaking the project into manageable chunks, as well as getting help and advice, will get you over the hump."

- Minda Zetlin is an American author, speaker, and journalist whose work has appeared in publications from Inc. to New York Magazine to Computerworld. She is the author or co-author of several books, most recently The Geek Gap: Why Business and Technology Professionals Don’t Understand Each Other and Why They Need Each Other to Survive. She is the president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Check out Minda’s blog Marriage & Other Adventures about life, love, long-term relationships, and relocating to the Pacific Northwest.

Pam Golding - The startup story of an inspirational woman who became the icon of the property world in Africa and beyond

September 1, 2014 Melanie Hawken

This iconic woman opened the doors to her property business in the 1970's and went on to become one of the most admired and respected female entrepreneurs in the world.

Video: Deola Sagoe the Queen of African Design

September 1, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: ARISE Entertainment 360, hosted by Lola Ogunnaike, published on Feb 14, 2014

Nigerian fashion pioneer Deola Sagoe celebrated 25 years in the business with a solo exhibition at the 2014 New York Fashion Show. ARISE Entertainment 360, hosted by Lola Ogunnaike sat down with her moments before the festivities began.

Quote of the Day

August 31, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"If you talk about economic development, it is odd that we, the producers, the creators of employment, do not have access to credit and do not get the kind of tax breaks the traders get."

- Aïssa Dione, a renowned Senegalese painter and textile designer, founded the company that bears her name, Aissa Dione Tissus back in 1992. Her mission: to revive Senegal's traditional and unique fabric weaving craftsmanship and build a production chain that is truly '100% Made in Senegal'. Her approach is to combine unique design, know-how and artisan craftsmanship to transform African grown cotton into a valuable product. She has succeeded in this, building a high-end fabric brand underpinned by centuries old cotton processing and weaving skills. Today, Aissa has more than 100 employees whose traditional handwoven fabrics are delivered to the absolute top-end interior design brands across Africa, Europe and the United States. Aissa's designs and fabrics grace major design salons and brands such as Hermés, Fendi, Christian Liaigre and Peter Marino.

Behind every great social media platform stands millions of great women. And, boy do we women love our smartphones!

“It’s not just about what looks pretty .... Software needs to work for each situation and solve a problem.”

"You can be in the non-profit space but think like an entrepreneur, and you can mix that with for-profit partners."

"If you have a farm, you should plant fruits and cash crops. Cash crops will bring income for the family and fruits are enjoyed by the children. A woman must know she has to till the land for the nation."

“Most people think leaders are some sort of ‘all-knowing-beings,’ but in reality we often don't know the answers. The difference is that leaders trust their instincts to lead them to an answer.”

“You need to hit Monday ready to go ... To do that, you need weekends that rejuvenate you, rather than exhaust or disappoint you. Cross-training makes you a better athlete, and likewise, exercise, volunteer work, and spiritual activities make you a better worker.”

"One, you need to persevere on the business you’re running. Two, you need to network; you can’t stay in isolation. You need to network at conferences at the same level. This also gives you an opportunity to give input to other people and stay abreast of politics."

"Procrastination often happens when you feel flummoxed and overwhelmed. Breaking the project into manageable chunks, as well as getting help and advice, will get you over the hump."

"If you talk about economic development, it is odd that we, the producers, the creators of employment, do not have access to credit and do not get the kind of tax breaks the traders get."

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