Essential Read: 'It’s Not Rocket Science' by Mary Spio

May 31, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Mary Spio, author, deep space engineer, Internet entrepreneur, Game Changer.... — **Mary Spio**, author, deep space engineer, Internet entrepreneur, Game Changer....

Once a shoeless African child, I have had the opportunity to sell technology to companies such as Boeing, to sit at the table with leaders of some of the world’s biggest companies and even to change the movie industry. Who does that? Game Changers do that! Game Changers are the ones who are bold enough and brash enough to believe we can achieve our dreams and change the world in the process.

How to save time and energy by harnessing the support of a VA

May 31, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Guest Post by: Karen Wessels, co-founder and COO of VA Connect

Even a superhero needs an assistant, and in the world of entrepreneurship, that is certainly the case. Having that key person by your side to assist you as part of your support team will free you up to do the more important things when it comes to growing your business.

Television Interview: Dr. Christel Coetzee co-founder of ADVIT Animal Nutrition talks about her entrepreneurial journey

May 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Watch Dr Christel Coetzee's interview on the kykNET TV programme 'Winslyn' where she talks about her company ADVIT Animal Nutrition and her entrepreneurial journey.

Video: Melanie Hawken founder of Lionesses of Africa talks about her online platform for women entrepreneurs

May 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Source: GIBS Business School Gordon Institute of Business Science | Published on May 27, 2015

Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief, LIONESSES OF AFRICA talks about her online platform that showcases and brings Africa's women entrepreneurs together.

Entrepreneur Advice from Eunice Cofie: You've got to believe in yourself

May 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Eunice Cofie, founder and CEO of Nuekie, Ghana — **Eunice Cofie**, founder and CEO of Nuekie, Ghana

Starting a business is not easy, but you need to believe in yourself....

"Starting a business is not easy. I think the hardest thing for me in the beginning was believing in myself and my abilities. I would tell women who want to start a company to believe in themselves and their business idea. When you believe in yourself you can work wonders."

- Eunice Cofie is the founder, President and Chief Cosmetic Chemist of Nuekie, an innovative health and beauty company that combines traditional African medicine and modern science to develop products and services to meet the unique needs of people of colour. Eunice harnesses her passion for science to make a difference to people’s lives and, at the same, building a new global health and beauty powerhouse. Eunice is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry/molecular biology.

Essential Read: 'Your Moment' by Tumi Frazier

May 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tumi Frazier, author of 'Your Moment' — **Tumi Frazier**, author of 'Your Moment'

In her book, Your Moment, international keynote speaker and life coach, Tumi Frazier, shares her insights and advice on how women can seize their own personal moment and build the positive mindset and self-confidence needed to achieve key goals and ambitions.

Ethel Cofie - The startup story of a woman helping to change the face of the tech sector in Africa

May 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies (Ghana) — **Ethel Cofie**, founder of Edel Technologies (Ghana)

If there is a stand-out dynamic woman techpreneur in Africa who is challenging the industry status quo and helping other women to spearhead a new and innovative era in the sector on the continent, then it is Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies in Ghana.

Tigui Traoré - The startup story of a visionary Guinean fashionpreneur elevating Afrochic to a whole new level

May 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tigui Traoré (L), founder of Cocostyle (Guinea) — **Tigui Traoré (L)**, founder of Cocostyle (Guinea)

A creative explosion of colour, textures and designs, inspired by deep African roots but acknowledging European fashion trends, is at the heart of Tigui Traoré’s inspirational Cocostyle fashion and events brand from Guinea.

The Bold Kampala World Tour Wows the Fashion Crowd in Kigali

May 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi (Top), Janet Mugume (L) and Angel Kalisa (R) , founders of BOLD Kampala — Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi (Top), Janet Mugume (L) and Angel Kalisa (R) , founders of BOLD Kampala

Kigali, Rwanda, 16 May 2015 - The creative team at African fashion retailer, Bold Kampala, continued their hugely successful world tour, with Kigali being the latest destination for these innovative fashionistas. Here, the Bold Kampala tour teamed up with local Kigali favourite, House of Tayo, providing the perfect venue for local fashion buyers to check out some of the very best African creations.

Mary-Anne Grobler - The startup story of a trend-setting jewellery business with an eye for natural raw materials

May 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter, of Matter of Fakt (South Africa) — **Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter**, of Matter of Fakt (South Africa)

South Africa is renowned for its precious and semi-precious stones and for one of the country’s up-and-coming jewellery design brands, Matter of Fakt, these wonderful raw materials provide all the inspiration needed to create unique contemporary pieces.

It’s a Great Time to be a Millennial Woman Entrepreneur in Africa

May 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Source: Hai Afrika | by Melanie Hawken | 21 May 2015

After years of global economic pressure and lots of business uncertainty in the marketplace, there are signs of a new wave of optimism amongst entrepreneurs, Interestingly, this charge is being led by millennials who want to do things differently.

Video: Pietie Coetzee-Turner sporting legend and founder of PC15 talks about her entrepreneurial journey

May 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Watch Pietie Coetzee-Turner, field hockey legend and now entrepreneur, interviewed on the kykNET TV programme 'Winslyn' where she talks about her startup PC15 and her entrepreneurial journey.

4 Steps to learning the art of delegation

May 20, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Guest Post by: Karen Wessels, co-founder and COO of VA Connect

What is one of the many traits of a highly successful business person? Having the power to let go! That’s right, I know that delegating is an art and it is a skill that you need to develop and hone.

Quote of the Day

May 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Merel Van Der Woude, Creative Director at Butterfly Works — **Merel Van Der Woude**, Creative Director at Butterfly Works

“Since the population in Africa is very young, it is mostly the youth that are affected by unemployment. I believe that it is crucial for self-esteem and identity development to be able to generate your own income. I do feel that the informal sector is also important, even though it is hard to measure – it is where many young people create their own businesses and use their creativity to find opportunities.”

- Merel Van Der Woude is the Creative Director at Butterfly Works, a creative and strategic partner in social innovation projects in Africa. Butterfly Works have co-created and implemented educational and communication projects in over 22 emerging economies worldwide. Over the years they have worked for NGOs, companies, governments and embassies. Merel has been a speaker and workshop facilitator and trainer for a wide range of events around innovation, education and human centred design.

Rachel Phiri - The startup story of a Zimbabwean jewellery designer with an independent creative spirit

May 18, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Rachel Phiri, founder of Silverbox Jewellery (Zimbabwe) — **Rachel Phiri**, founder of Silverbox Jewellery (Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwean jewellery designer, Rachel Phiri, founded her company Silverbox Jewellery based on a passion for beautiful accessories and an inbuilt creativity that was looking for an outlet. The result is a jewellery business being built across two countries in Africa, and involving the family and their talents in its growth and development.

Deola Sagoe receives world-wide acclaim for her 2015 Spring/Summer collection tagged ‘Wings By Deola’

May 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Deola Sagoe, founder and designer, Deola (Nigeria) — **Deola Sagoe**, founder and designer, Deola (Nigeria)

Breathtaking was the word used to describe the latest designs created and launched by Africa’s Queen of Haute Couture, Deola Sagoe, who was showcasing her Spring/Summer 2015 Collection tagged “Wings By Deola”, at the prestigious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York this month.

Essential Read: 'Mumpreneur' by Annabel Karmel

May 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Annabel Karmel, author of 'Mumpreneur' — **Annabel Karmel**, author of 'Mumpreneur'

In her new book, Mumpreneur, the UK’s leading children’s cookery author, Annabel Karmel, shares her insights and experience in building a successful brand and business empire, from the perspective of a full-time Mum of three children.

Asma Dukanda - The startup story of a unique baby clothing entrepreneur celebrating traditional South African textile design

May 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Asma Dukanda, founder of Mokopu (South Africa) — **Asma Dukanda**, founder of Mokopu (South Africa)

The African marketplace for beautifully designed and crafted baby and children’s wear and toy products is continually growing, and with it are emerging some wonderful new design talents in this space. South African entrepreneur, Asma Dukanda, is just such a talent, creating a great new niche for herself and her clothing and products, all of which celebrate the best of the country’s traditional fabric design culture.