If there is one thing that all women entrepreneurs probably have in common, its that they constantly juggle vast numbers of tasks and priorities, and try to take on too much themselves. Well, one South African entrepreneur, Karen Wessels, the founder of VA Connect has a practical solution - simply hire a Virtual Assistant when you need one.
Read moreVideo: Lionesses of Africa | Published February 19, 2015
LoA spoke to Dr. Harnet Bokrezion about her online blog and coaching business that supports Africans in the Diaspora and on the continent in pursuing their business ambitions in Africa faster and more confidently. She gave some wonderful insights into some of the most vibrant African marketplaces for women entrepreneurs to startup new companies, and do great business with existing ones.
Read moreBold Kampala is the brainchild of three vibrant and talented women entrepreneurs from Uganda who have a vision for raising awareness of, and retailing, African fashion brands. Their BOLD Kampala retail concept is truly world-class and provides affordable space and excellent exposure to buyers to talented African designer fashion brands.
Read more“Incubators and accelerators are an important element in providing support. Incubator programmes such as the Bandwidth Barn, 88mph, BizSpark or the iHub in Kenya as well as our own Grindstone accelerator can all tell of great success stories where value was clearly added, .... When there is a match between what the incubator or accelerator can offer and the need of the entrepreneur, magic can happen."
- Andrea Bohmert is partner at Knife Capital, a Southern African growth equity fund manager and advisor focusing on innovation-driven ventures. Andrea has a successful track record in the corporate sector, as entrepreneur as well as investor. She headed up Corporate Strategy for Siemens Southern Africa followed by managing a software sales team for Dimension Data. Starting her own businesses led her into the investment space where she raised the R350m Hass Plattner Ventures Africa Fund. She is passionate about developing the startup ecosystem and is involved in numerous business incubation initiatives.
Read moreVideo source: The Washington Post PostTV | August 15, 2014
Victoria Kisyombe, founder of SELFINA, a pioneering micro-credit organization for women in Tanzania, talks to the Post's Lillian Cunningham about what motivated her work and how she turned personal loss into strength.
Read more"What we know that's really interesting is that women entrepreneurs in Africa are more confident than their western counterparts, in fact they are the most confident of all women entrepreneurs globally. That is a really important message for women to be reminded of."
- Rania H. Anderson is the Founder and President of The Way Women Work, an entrepreneur, executive business coach and an angel investor. Throughout her professional life, Rania has been observing, researching, connecting with and guiding the way women work. As a leading authority on business women in developing and emerging markets Rania works with business women globally and established The Way Women Work as career and business advice site for women in developing and emerging markets. Rania is author of UNDETERRED: The Six Success Habits of Women in Emerging Economies.
Read moreA A K S was founded by talented designer, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, with the goal of introducing the world to the weaving techniques done by the women of Ghana, while also creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa. Handcrafted in Bolgatanga, A A K S creates bags in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of their ancestral counterparts characterised by bright exuberant colours.
Read moreMeet Stephanie Cowper, who is harnessing the power of mobile technology to making a difference in the world. This South African entrepreneur and the startup team of BeSpecular Ltd. have created an app to help visually impaired people identify objects and situations and lead more independent lives.
Read moreLoA had the great pleasure of chatting with Rania Habiby Anderson, the inspirational author and leading expert on the professional advancement of business women in developing and emerging economies, who was speaking from her home in Kansas in the USA.
Read moreSource: CNBC Africe | by Elayne Wangalwa | 12 February 2015
The award was won in the master category for the Kenyan region. The internationally acclaimed entrepreneur awards being held in Monte Carlo, Monaco saw Riria represent East Africa alongside other regional master category winners from more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries across the globe.
Read moreSource: CNBC Africa | 12 February 2015
Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding, has won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Master Category for the Kenyan region. Joining CNBC Africa for more is the winner herself Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding.
Read moreCalling all South African designers and artisan food and wine makers - the 6th annual Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair will take place a little earlier this year on 9-11 October 2015. The venue will still be on the fabulous rooftop of Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Read more"It was that 'a-ha moment.' If a woman could have a cow like I had, she could have an asset that could generate income, then we could go around the problem of not being able to access financing."
- Victoria Kisyombe founded SELFINA in 2002 and pioneered micro-credit in Tanzania through micro-leasing with a focus on widows and young girls. Victoria helped women overcome many of the traditional stumbling blocks that made it difficult for them to own land and assets. SELFINA has gone on to economically empower more than 25,000 women with a total credit worth 25 billion Tanzanian Shillings (approximately $16 million US dollars). Over 200,000 lives have been impacted through the benefits accrued.
Read moreIf there is an example of an African woman entrepreneur who passionately believes in making her business dreams a reality, despite all the challenges that life throws at her, then Angela Heather Van Herzeele is such a woman. Her Angel Rose Trading Company is a testimony to sheer determination, hard work and a great designer’s eye.
Read moreHouse of Tara International in partnership with First City Monument Bank has launched a new women economic empowerment initiative in Nigeria known as the ‘Beauty Business on the Go’ (BBOG). The initiative is aimed at empowering women to become entrepreneurs, setting them on a path to realise their aspirations and dreams. With this wonderful new initiative Tara aims to recruit and empower 5,000 women to become beauty representatives.
Read moreVideo: Joburg Today Television | Published on February 3, 2105
This month, top South African business television programme, Leading Opinion, invited Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa into the studio to discuss the rise of African women entrepreneurship and its socio-economic impact on the continent.
Read moreLucy MacGarry the founder of L’Mad Collection creates genuinely wearable art by designing accessories and pieces of clothing made from 100% luxurious silk and printed with unique artworks by highly talented artists. The resulting products are truly unique and breathtakingly beautiful, and good enough to hang on a wall, not just on the body.
Read moreFinding design inspiration literally in the pages of old books has given South African artist, designer and entrepreneur, Keri Muller, the opportunity to create incredibly beautiful decor pieces from recycled books. Her company, Simple Intrigue, and the unique products it creates, is a wonderfully refreshing antidote to so much of the bland, mass produced decor swamping the marketplace today.
Read moreDesign conscious consumers across Africa and around the globe will love the highly individual and stunningly beautiful handprinted and illustrated designs and products from South African designer and entrepreneur, Victoria Verbaan. Her uniquely named company, Victoria Verbaan and The Smoking Daxi, is one to look out for on the African design scene.
Read moreTumi Frazier, a passionate South African entrepreneur, is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. Through her inspirational leadership, combined with an ambitious vision and an endless source of energy, her company, Tumi Frazier International, is helping to develop thousands of new women leaders in Africa.
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