Guest Post by: Karen Wessels, co-founder and COO of VA Connect
Hiring a Virtual Assistant is so hot right now it’s trending! But before we get into the nitty-gritty of this, let’s first define what a Virtual Assistant is.
Read moreDEF.I.NI.TION Africa - The startup story of three talented fashion entrepreneurs redefining the value of 'African'
Nahida and Nadia Bhegani & Olga Mugyenyi, founders of DEF.I.NI.TION Africa, Uganda
Meet Ugandan sisters, Nahida and Nadia Bhegani who together with their childhood friend, Olga Mugyenyi are the founders of fashion sensation, DEF.I.NI.TION Africa. Their youthful energy promises an alternative approach to fashion, where everyday Ugandan life inspires each of their new designs. Their aim: to have products that are 100% African made, that redefine the market place, and importantly redefine the perception of 'African' fashion.
Read moreGayathrie Schatz - The startup story of an entrepreneur toymaker bringing children's imagination to life
Gayathrie Schatz, founder of The Little Bo Baby Company
How often in life do you experience one of those truly wonderful ‘aah’ moments, when you see a beautiful handmade product that is not only exquisitely produced, but is truly unique and manages to touch the soul? Well, South African children’s handmade toy entrepreneur, Gayathrie Schatz, is creating such an experience with her aptly named business, The Little Bo Baby Company.
Read moreTabitha Karanja set to unveil ultra-modern new Keroche Breweries beer bottling plant in March
Keroche Breweries, founded by leading Kenyan entrepreneur Tabitha Karanja, is all set to launch its new, ultra-modern and automated beer bottling plant in March. The Naivasha-based bottling plant will commence full operations end March producing over 30 beer brands, increasing Keroche Brwereries annual beer production from 10m litres to 100m litres. The investment in the new plant has been estimated at 2.5 Billion Kenyan Shillings.
Read moreJesslynn Schlamm - The startup story of an entrepreneur passionately creating sustainable skincare products with a conscience
Jesslynn Schlamm, founder of Lulu & Marula, South Africa
Frustrated by not being able to find skincare products that ticked all the boxes in terms of health, wellbeing, sustainability and eco-friendly production with a minimal impact on the environment, South African entrepreneur, Jesslynn Schlamm, was inspired to create her own from her small kitchen. Today, her Lulu & Marula skincare range is testimony to that original passion and dedication.
Read moreVideo: Njeri Rionge on empowering daring entrepreneurialism in Africa
Source: Cadillac Dare Greatly Series | Published on February 22, 2015
Njeri Rionge was a hairdresser with an entrepreneurial streak. She dared to trust her instincts and in doing so helped bring low cost internet to East Africa, and built its biggest internet service provider. In the video below Njeri is featured in Cadillac's 'We Dare Greatly' series - celebrating daring changemakers, whose passion and vision have reshaped their industries, our lives and our future. She discusses what it means to #DareGreatly and how to empower daring entrepreneurialism in Africa.
Read moreKatherine-Mary Pichulik - The startup story of a South African accessories designer who transforms everyday materials into something precious
Katherine-Mary Pichulik, founder of Pichulik, South Africa
For Katherine-Mary Pichulik, a hugely talented and creative South African entrepreneur and jewellery accessory designer, the inspiration for her work comes from the alchemy of transforming everyday materials through craft, touch and design, and elevating them into something precious and covetable.
Read moreJuliana Nasasira - The startup story of a talented young woman realising her lifelong dream to build a fashion brand
Juliana Nasasira, founder of Kwesh
Many of us day-dream of fulfilling our lifelong ambitions and entrepreneurial dreams one day, but talented Ugandan designer, Juliana Nasasira, went from a career in property management to becoming a global fashion brand builder in the making. She is a testimony to the power of passion, drive and a real can-do attitude.
Read moreKaren Wessels - The startup story of an innovative solution provider to overworked and stressed-out entrepreneurs
Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect
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: LoA interviews Dr. Harnet Bokrezion on Africa as a vibrant marketplace for women entrepreneurs
Video: 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 - The startup story of three women entrepreneurs changing the face of fashion retail in Africa
Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi (Top), Janet Mugume (L) and Angel Kalisa (R) , founders of BOLD Kampala
Bold 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 moreQuote of the Day
Andrea Bohmert, partner at Knife Capital
“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: Victoria Kisyombe speaks on Leadership: How to turn loss into strength
Video 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 moreQuote of the Day
Rania Anderson, founder of The Way Women Work and author of UNDETERRED
"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 moreAkosua Afriyie-Kumi - The startup story of a Ghanaian handbag designer turning traditional hand-weaving techniques into luxury must-have accessories
Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS, Ghana
A 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 moreStephanie Cowper - The startup story of a South African techpreneur who has developed an innovative mobile app that helps the visually impaired
Meet 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 moreInterview with Rania H. Anderson author of the new book UNDETERRED: The Six Success Habits of Women in Emerging Economies
LoA 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 moreKenya'S Jennifer Riria wins EY Entrepreneur Award
Dr. Jennifer Riria (Right) with her EY Award in the master category for the Kenyan region
Source: 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 moreVideo: Dr. Jennifer Riria wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Source: 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 moreDates announced for 6th Annual Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair 2015
Calling 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.
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