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Next Stop Angola for the Bold Kampala World Tour

May 31, 2015 Melanie Hawken

One of LoA's favourite 'fashionista' startups, Bold Kampala, are living up to their name, as they are about to embark on the next leg of their hugely successful world tour, taking their concept store to Luanda in Angola during the month of June.

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In Events Tags Fashion
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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.

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In Essential Tags Books
Comment

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.

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In Guest Blog Tags Karen Wessels
Comment

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.

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In The Big Interview Tags Dr. Christel Coetzee
Comment

Spark's SHE Programme accelerates women led social ventures impacting women and girls

May 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Spark South Africa is on a mission - to search across the country for female startup founders who have launched a venture that exists to improve the lives of women and girls. The SHE programme believes that women are the best levers for change in South Africa, and it recognises that female founders need help if they are to succeed. And, they need that help now. 

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In Features Tags Social Impact
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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.

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In Videos, LoA Making News Tags Melanie Hawken
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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.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Beauty & Wellness
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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. 

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In Essential Tags Books, Tumi Frazier
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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.

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In Startup Story Tags Ethel Cofie, Women in Tech, Ghana
1 Comment

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.

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In Startup Story Tags Fashion, Guinea
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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.

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In Events Tags Fashion
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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.

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In Startup Story Tags Jewellery Designers Month, Jewellery Design, Artisans, South Africa
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Award Winning Woman: Schwab Foundation selects Amina Slaoui from Morocco as 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee for MENA

May 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Amina Slaoui, founder of Groupe AMH (Morocco)

Amina Slaoui, founder of Groupe AMH (Morocco)

Dead Sea, Jordan, 22 May 2015 – Amina Slaoui, the inspirational founder of Groupe AMH in Morocco has been named one of three social entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa to be recognized by the Schwab Foundation as  a 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awardees for MENA.

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In Award Winner Tags Social Entrepreneur
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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.

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In LoA Making News, Opinion
Comment

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.

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In Videos Tags Emerging Women Entrepreneurs
Comment

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.

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In Guest Blog Tags Karen Wessels
Comment

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.

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In Quote of the Day
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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.

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In Startup Story Tags #ChooseArtisan, Jewellery Design, Artisans, Zimbabwe
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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.

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In Lionesses Tags Deola Sagoe
Comment

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. 

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In Essential Tags Books
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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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