Swaady Martin nominated an Emerging Leader by Aspen Institute France

December 17, 2014 Melanie Hawken

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A big LoA community congratulations to Swaady Martin-Leke, founder of Yswara the African luxury tea brand, who was recently nominated an Emerging Leader by the Aspen Institute France under the patronage of President François Hollande. Félicitations Swaady!

Entrepreneur Advice from Maira Koutsoudakis: Find yourself a mentor

December 16, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Maira Koutsoudakis, founder of Life group of companies — **Maira Koutsoudakis**, founder of Life group of companies

Top business tip for women entrepreneurs....

"Find a mentor, someone you admire and trust."

- Maira Koutsoudakis is an internationally acclaimed interior architect and founder and CEO of the Life group of companies and Life Interiors, Architecture and Strategic Design. Maria’s garnered international acclaim for her firm’s multi-award winning work in the areas of luxury resort, boutique hotel, exclusive residential, restaurant projects and product design.

Swaady Martin: The importance of African luxury

December 16, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Swaady Martin-Leke, founder of Yswara — **Swaady Martin-Leke**, founder of Yswara

Source: City Press | by Sue Grant-Marshall | December 16, 2014

Swaady Martin-Leke wants to preserve and celebrate Africa’s rich culture and history. She tells Sue Grant-Marshall why tea is a good place to start.

Read the full article here.

Quote of the Day

December 15, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Chetna Vijay Sinha, founder of Mann Deshi Foundation, India — **Chetna Vijay Sinha**, founder of Mann Deshi Foundation, India

"The best way to create a woman entrepreneur is to help her stay in education, through high school and beyond. She receives an education and she delays getting married and having a family, giving her greater control over her life."

- Chetna Vijay Sinha is founder of Mann Deshi Foundation of India and Mann Deshi Mahila Bank which is India's first rural cooperative bank she founded in 1997. Its client base and membership is 100 per cent composed of semi-literate or illiterate poor rural women with an average annual income of less than USD 1.5 per day. The number of direct beneficiaries stands at 209,000. Chetna was recognised by the Schwab Foundation as a Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2014.

Anne Githuku-Shongwe - The startup story of a social techpreneur aiming to revolutionise education in Africa

December 13, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Anne Githuku-Shongwe, founder & CEO of AFROES Transformational Games

Anne is literally a game-changer in every sense of the word, empowering young people in Africa to learn, engage, and challenge existing perceptions of the continent through mobile gaming.

Entrepreneur Advice from Jenna Clifford: You need to stay the course

December 12, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Jenna Clifford, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs, South Africa — **Jenna Clifford**, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs, South Africa

You must keep on trying....

"Try, try and try again. Once you’ve picked something that you’ve isolated as your passion, it must be all-encompassing. You have to stick to it. You will be met with challenges, good and bad, but the thing is to stay the course."

- Jenna Clifford is a world-renowned jewellery designer, known for her unique designs and superlative craftsmanship. Established in 1992, her company has steadily grown its clientele and improved its profile to institute itself as a powerful force in the jewellery industry. Her bold and dramatic designs are sought after by some of the most recognised business icons and celebrities from around the world. Today, Jenna Clifford Designs employs around 70 people, including some of the finest jewellery artisans and craftsmen in South Africa.

Quote of the Day

December 12, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Sue Liang, founder of Asulia Foods — **Sue Liang**, founder of Asulia Foods

"Empower, celebrate, and support women in business and build a strong network for change worldwide. By empowering a woman you're supporting her, her family and her community. Working as a team, we can make this world a better place for women every where!"

- Sue Liang is the founder of Asulia Foods. With Asulia, she combines her love of vegetables and food with her commitment to helping girls around the world. When she’s not creating new recipes, you can find her on her yoga mat or putting hot sauce on almost everything she eats! She lives in Boston, USA.

Ola Orekunrin - The inspirational startup story of a young woman doctor who pioneered West Africa's first air ambulance service

December 10, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Ola Orekunrin, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria — **Dr. Ola Orekunrin**, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria

There are certain people you come across in life that are truly inspirational on a number of levels, but medical doctor, pilot and healthcare entrepreneur, Ola Orekunrin is certainly one of those.

Entrepreneur Advice from Deola Sagoe: Do you have the right motives for starting up?

December 10, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Deola Sagoe, founder of Deola — **Deola Sagoe**, founder of Deola

Check your motives are right before you start your entrepreneurial journey....

“A lot of people’s motive of coming to fashion business is not clear. If you are passionate about the industry and you feel you have something to offer or to showcase, no matter how challenging it is, you will stick to it. A whole lot of them come around because of the glamour forgetting that it is a business."

- Deola Sagoe, founder of Deola is the leading lady of African haute couture fashion from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989 and became the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004. Her globally appealing style has earned her an enviable clientèle that ranges from Africa's first ladies, to society girls like Lydia Hearst, top model Alek Wek, and famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

Video: Uche Pedro is featured on Diamond Woman's Nigerian Women of Vision

December 9, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: Diamond Woman's Nigerian Women of Vision | Published on November 30, 2014

This video features Bella Naija's founder Uche Pedro who has recently been named as one of the ’30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa in 2014′ by Forbes. She is the Managing Director of BellaNaija and Creative Director of BellaNaija.com, an online company that develops and manages exciting online media content aimed at Pan-African and Nigerian audiences.

Entrepreneur Advice from Ayomide Condotti: Be good at what you do and good things will find you

December 9, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Ayomide Condotti, founder of Africholidays Travel, Nigeria — **Ayomide Condotti,** founder of Africholidays Travel, Nigeria

"I believe that if you are good at what you do, good things will find you. Have integrity and make sure that the quality of your work speaks for itself. Find your passion and do what you love. Always remain focused and do not be distracted by the noise. Spirituality is also very important to my success – my spirituality is what keeps me going and grounded."

- Ayomide Condotti is founder of Africholidays Travel in Nigeria. This former banker and investment manager is a lady whose determination, hard-work and passion for the travel industry sets her apart from her competitors. Africholidays Travel works closely with its clients to tailor holiday packages that are not just about destinations, but rather provides clients with holiday experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: For entrepreneurs to flourish there needs to be a clear and enforceable regime of intellectual property protection

December 9, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels, Ethiopia — **Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu**, founder of soleRebels, Ethiopia

Source: AllAfrica.com | by Tsadenna Gebru | December 7, 2014

When Bethelhem Tilahun, co-founder of global brand soleRebels, spoke at a recent entrepreneurship conference she highlighted the challenges entrepreneurs face when protecting their intellectual property in Africa.

Read the article here.

Entrepreneur Advice from Monif Clarke: Ask a lot of questions if you want to be a good leader

December 8, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Monif Clarke, founder of Monif C. Plus Sizes on 'Leadership for Entrepreneurs' — **Monif Clarke**, founder of Monif C. Plus Sizes on *'Leadership for Entrepreneurs'*

It's up to you to ask your employees questions about what areas they think need improving in order to make their jobs easier and help your company to keep growing....

“Leadership is asking a lot of questions. I've learned that between customers, employees and all our stakeholders, my number one job is asking [my team] a lot of questions so I can serve them. They are on the front lines dealing with customers or wearing our products and while I am steering the ship, they are the engine and the propellers. I have to be responsive to what they need and often people are too busy or bogged down to even articulate what they need.”

- Monif Clarke is an American entrepreneur who is founder and CEO of Monif C. Plus Sizes a business she conceived in 2005 out of sheer frustration with the lack of choices in the plus size fashion market. She has gone on to fantastic success and has been awarded “Best Plus Size Fashion Designer” by Full Figure Fashion Week, “Best Plus Size Clothing Store” by City Search, “Best Store For Plus Size Evening Wear” by Time Out New York and was featured in the October issue of Essence Magazine’s “Leaders Of The New School”. Her signature Monif C. collection is quintessentially the wardrobe for the young, contemporary, sexy plus size woman and she is the designer of choice for curvy celebrities like Jill Scott.

Julian Omalla - The startup story of a woman who against all odds became one of Uganda’s biggest business success stories

December 7, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Julian 'Mama Cheers' Omalla, founder of Delight Limited, Uganda — **Julian 'Mama Cheers' Omalla**, founder of Delight Limited, Uganda

This inspirational woman entrepreneur from Uganda shows the power of grit and determination to succeed in business, despite the many hurdles encountered, to build a highly respected, multi-million dollar drinks and foodstuff empire in Africa.

Deola Sagoe - Talks about the business side of fashion

December 7, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Deola Sagoe, founder of haute couture fashion house, Deola — **Deola Sagoe**, founder of haute couture fashion house, Deola

Source: This Day Live | December 7, 2014

The Business Side of Fashion (BSoF) forum in Nigeria brings together successful fashion designers every year to serve as an inspiration to the upcoming ones. This year's Forum featured Deola Sagoe who shared with the participants some of her hard earned business knowledge of the industry.

Read the article here.

Video: Lorna Rutto a visionary young social entrepreneur

December 6, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Video published: April 11, 2014

Lorna Rutto is the founder of EcoPost in Kenya and an inspiring and passionate eco-preneur who has garnered numerous international awards for her social entrepreneurship business. In this video she discusses her passion for conservation and what inspired her to launch her venture.

Quote of the Day

December 6, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Nelia Annandale, founder of Keedo Kids, South Africa — **Nelia Annandale**, founder of Keedo Kids, South Africa

"To empower the women of South Africa has always been a very important passion for me. In my company I have often seen women grow from shy and uneducated, into confident individuals that take responsibility of their own lives and jobs. These women are often the main breadwinners of their immediate and extended families."

- Nelia Annandale is founder of Keedo Kids a company she launched in 1993 to manufacture designer children’s clothing in a socially responsible and ethical manner. Nelia blends imagination, comfort and style with vibrant colour and exceptional quality, and the brand has grown to be one of the leading children’s clothing manufacturers in South Africa and now exports to 16 countries across the globe. It took a life-threatening skiing accident for South African born Nelia Annandale to overcome her fear of starting a business. Although she had a happy life and was set in a good routine with her husband and two year old twins, the near fatal accident forced her to take stock of her life - Keedo Kids emerged from that new focus.

Entrepreneur Advice from Janet Rhys: You need to raise your game to get your product export ready

December 6, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Janet Rhys, co-founder of Charlotte Rhys, South Africa — **Janet Rhys**, co-founder of Charlotte Rhys, South Africa

You need to raise your game when expanding into international markets...

“...when you start competing internationally on a global playing field, you need to make a step-change. Customers are more discerning, particularly in the luxury goods sector. For us, getting export ready was largely about getting the quality spot-on.”

- Janet Rhys is co-founder and managing partner of Charlotte Rhys, a South African company started in 1999 that produces a sophisticated brand of luxurious bath, body and lifestyle products. The Charlotte Rhys brand has expanded from a single product 14 years back to over 100 luxury products, comparable to, or better than, the best international luxury brands. Today, Janet's company supplies leading hotels across the world and is firmly entrenched as a premier luxury brand.

Quote of the Day

December 5, 2014 Melanie Hawken

"Female entrepreneurs are critical to building a stronger economy and a healthier global society. They will spend more of the money they've earned on their families and education, and they are a force for good in society, whether it is in the U.S. or around the world."

- Penny Pritzker has been serving in Washington as the United States Secretary of Commerce since 2013. She is, however, probably best known as one of America's leading women entrepreneurs, a Chicago billionaire who's founded five companies that have created thousands of jobs. These include PSP Capital Partners and Pritzker Realty Group. She is also heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune.