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Juliana Rotich - The startup story of an innovative social techpreneur

December 1, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Juliana Rotich, co-founder of Ushahidi, Kenya

Juliana Rotich, co-founder of Ushahidi, Kenya

The world, and in particular Africa, needs more women social techpreneurs like Juliana Rotich who can identify a major challenge or need and develop effective, accessible technologies and software to provide a solution.

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In Startup Story Tags Juliana Rotich, Technology, Kenya
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Aissa Dione – The startup story of an inspirational African textile revivalist who has captivated the world’s leading interior design brands

December 1, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Aissa Dione, founder of Aissa Dione Tissus, Senegal

Aissa Dione, founder of Aissa Dione Tissus, Senegal

Senegalese entrepreneur and textile designer, Aissa Dione, has made it her lifelong mission to revive her country’s ailing textile industry, and in the process, create products that are highly desirable the world over.

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In Startup Story Tags Aissa Dione, #ChooseArtisan, Artisans, African Luxury, Senegal
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Nkemdilim Begho – The startup story of a leading Nigerian technology services entrepreneur

November 30, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Future Software Resources, Nigeria

Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Future Software Resources, Nigeria

A leading Nigerian techpreneur building a powerful business focusing on online solutions, e-learning and IT security, and taking Africa’s tech sector by storm.  

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In Startup Story Tags Nkemdilim Begho, Women in Tech, Technology, Nigeria
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Quote of the Day

November 29, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"You have to remember that even if you have a good idea, people could still say no 100 times."

- Susan Coelius Keplinger, is is a San Francisco entrepreneur and the co-founder of Triggit, an online advertising technology company building technologies around ad buying on the real time display advertising exchanges.

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In Quote of the Day
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Lydie Hakizimana – The startup story of a textbook entrepreneur with an incredible vision for improving children’s literacy in Rwanda

November 29, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Lydia Hakizimana, co-founder and managing director of Drakkar Limited

Lydia Hakizimana, co-founder and managing director of Drakkar Limited

If there is one woman that is living proof of the power of women entrepreneurs to make a real difference in the world, it is Lydie Hakizimana co-founder of Drakkar Limited in Rwanda.

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In Startup Story Tags Lydie Hakizimana, Africa's Women Edupreneurs, Edupreneur, Rwanda
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Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao - The startup story of a passionate African natural beauty product entrepreneur

November 27, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao, founder of Malee Natural Science

Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao, founder of Malee Natural Science

This is the story of one woman’s journey to create a unique, luxury, natural beauty and skincare brand that has a uniquely African story and essence.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness Month, United Kingdom, Beauty & Wellness, Natural Wellness
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Video: Dr. Jennifer Riria talks women's empowerment with CNBC Africa

November 26, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: CNBC Africa | Published on 26 November 2014

CNBC Africa's profiles Dr. Jennifer Riria, CEO of Kenya Women Holding, who works tirelessly to empower women in her native Kenya by giving them small loans to start businesses. 

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In Videos Tags Jennifer Riria, 100 Lionesses
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Divine Ndhlukula - Top businesswoman shares secrets of success

November 26, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Divine Ndhlukula, founder and managing director of Securico

Divine Ndhlukula, founder and managing director of Securico

Source: The Zimbabwean | by Nelson Sibanda | November 11, 2014

Dynamic Zimbabwean entrepreneur, Divine Ndhlukula has been honoured by the United Nations for her success in business. She was runner-up in this year's UNCTAD’s Empretec Women in Business Awards and received her award from Tarja Halonen, the former President of Finland at a ceremony held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. Here, she shares some of the secrets to her success.

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In Lionesses Tags Divine Ndhlukula
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Monica Musonda - The startup story of a tenacious food manufacturer that is looking to bring better nutrition to Zambia

November 26, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Monica Musonda, founder and ceo of Java Foods, Zambia

Monica Musonda, founder and ceo of Java Foods, Zambia

This inspirational and award-winning entrepreneur is a testimony to hard work, perseverance and a can-do attitude to building a major food brand, Java Foods, and also improving the nutrition of a country and a continent.

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In Startup Story, Lionesses Tags Monica Musonda, Food & Drink Month
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Quote of the Day

November 25, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies, Ghana

Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies, Ghana

“Don’t be afraid of criticism, research shows that in cases of men and women with the same type ‘A’ personalities, a man will always be seen as a go-getter and ambitious and the woman will be seen as bitchy and loud; understand it and move on.”

- Ethel Cofie, is a Ghanaian-born entrepreneur and founder of Edel Technologies. This techpreneur is passionate about technology, female leadership and empowering women entrepreneurs. She runs the  women in tech group in Ghana and is a founder of the Women in Tech Africa Alliance. In 2014, Ethel was selected to be a President Obama Washington Fellow.

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In Quote of the Day Tags Ethel Cofie
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Bisola Edun - The startup story of an innovative and talented female clothing designer from Nigeria

November 24, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Bisola Edun, founder of Tae Afrika (Nigeria)

Bisola Edun, founder of Tae Afrika (Nigeria)

This is the story of a fashion designer who is building a major fashion brand for Africa, and bringing her unique vision, wow factor approach, and design philosophy to her clothing label.

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In Startup Story Tags Fashion, Nigeria
1 Comment

Tabitha Karanja on humble beginnings, challenges, success and family

November 24, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Tabitha Karanja, founder and ceo of Keroche Breweries, Kenya

Tabitha Karanja, founder and ceo of Keroche Breweries, Kenya

Source: Capital FM Kenya | published on November 23, 2014 | written by Margaret Wahito

The Founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries Limited Tabitha Karanja is one woman whom I can say has gone to ‘hell and back’ to be where she is now. She has had to withstand a myriad of challenges for her business to be worth the billions of shillings it is worth at the moment....

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In Lionesses Tags Tabitha Karanja
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Quote of the Day

November 23, 2014 Melanie Hawken

“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

- Madeleine Albright, is a Czech-born American politician and diplomat. In 1993, Albright became a U.S. representative of the United Nations, and three years later she was appointed as the United States secretary of the state, the first ever female to hold the position, under the Clinton administration. She held the distinguished position for several years before leaving in 2001 to pursue other projects.

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In Quote of the Day Tags Quotes
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Entrepreneur Advice from Sibongile Sambo: Positive attitude has been key to my success

November 23, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Positive attitude is key to success in business.....

"You need to have a good attitude. Running a business is never easy. You will meet people that will try to run you down. You will have cases where you will want to loose your temper. Always having a good attitude will help grow with your business."

- 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.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Sibongile Sambo
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Linda Cronje - The start up story of a South African quail egg entrepreneur

November 23, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Linda Cronje, founder of Tweeter Quail Products

Linda Cronje, founder of Tweeter Quail Products

The story of one woman’s vision to make quail eggs an everyday healthy food item of choice, whilst at the same time, helping others to build their own successful businesses in her company’s supply chain.

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In Startup Story Tags Agri-business
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Quote of the Day

November 22, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"... women just make it work. We juggle a crazy amount of things and we make it work. So much of launching your own startup is dealing with all the things that come at you from all these angles and you have to make it work. Women already do that every day. I don’t think women should be intimated by it, I think they should think they are at an advantage."

- Cynthia Breazeal is an inspirational American entrepreneur, MIT Professor, and founder and CEO of Jibo Inc., the maker of the world’s first family robot. Jibo is a new personal robot to be sold commercially in 2015. Cynthia is best known for her work in robotics where she is recognized as a pioneer of Social Robotics and Human Robot Interaction.

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In Quote of the Day
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Tanya du Bois - The startup story of a South African natural beauty product entrepreneur

November 21, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Tanya du Bois, founder of Naturals Beauty

Tanya du Bois, founder of Naturals Beauty

An inspiring story of a women entrepreneur dedicated to creating natural and organic skincare products for those with highly sensitive skin.

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In Startup Story Tags Natural Wellness, Beauty & Wellness Month, South Africa
1 Comment

Entrepreneur Advice from Danae Ringelmann: Be Your Authentic Self

November 21, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Danae Ringelmann co-founder of Indiegogo on 'Leadership for Entrepreneurs'

Danae Ringelmann co-founder of Indiegogo on 'Leadership for Entrepreneurs'

People are more likely to follow you as a leader if you are your authentic self....

“Don’t be afraid to be you and own it. If you think being a leader is about having some agenda, it’s not. Being a leader is actually being completely with who you are and speaking from that place, giving feedback, sharing opinions from that place. That’s why people follow you .... It doesn’t come from any title or position … a true leader is someone who is wholeheartedly willing to be their authentic self.”

- Danae Ringelmann co-founded Indiegogo in 2007 with a mission to democratize fundraising and has since helped to propel the company into the world’s largest crowdfunding platform. Today, this inspiring American woman entrepreneur leads Indiegogo's industry development efforts, while steering the company’s employee culture and values initiatives. Danae was listed as one of Fortune Magazine's 40 under 40, as well as SF Business Times' 40 under 40 in 2014. ELLE Magazine named Danae to its Woman in Tech Power List in 2014; while Fast Company included her in its Top 50 Women Innovators in Technology in 2011.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Danae Ringelmann, Leadership
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Brenda Wilkinson - The startup story of an award-winning olive oil producer

November 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Brenda Wilkinson and her daughter, the amazing women behind Rio Largo olive oil company

Brenda Wilkinson and her daughter, the amazing women behind Rio Largo olive oil company

An award winning olive oil producer with a talent for innovative packaging, combined with a passion for supporting women-owned businesses.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags Agri-business, Food & Drink, South Africa
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African And African-Diaspora Startups Sought For Accelerator

November 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Not every startup in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond has what it takes to become a successful multinational business. But with a $2-trillion economy, Africa is home to some of the world’s most disruptive technology, with new startups and early-stage entrepreneurial activity that have caught the eye of Ghanian and Zimbabwean business partners Ethel Cofie and Dave Chakombera. They have created Africa Twenty 10, a startup accelerator they said will bridge the gap between great ideas, talent and the global market.

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In Social Impact Tags Ethel Cofie
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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 / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa
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 / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa 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

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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