Video: Aissa Dione a visionary entrepreneur weaving magic in Senegal and saving an ancient craft

August 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

It's always a thrill to watch a master craftsman at work! This enthralling video showcases the unique fabric weaving craftsmanship of Aissa DioneTextiles. Aissa Dione, a renowned Senegalese painter and textile designer, founded the company that bears her name, Aissa Dione Tissus back in 1992. Her mission: to revive Senegal's traditional and unique fabric weaving craftsmanship and build a production chain that is truly '100% Made in Senegal'.

PODCAST: LoA speaks to Achenyo Idachaba, founder of eco-preneneur venture MitiMeth in Nigeria

August 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Achenyo Idachaba, founder of MitiMeth, Nigeria — **Achenyo Idachaba**, founder of MitiMeth, Nigeria

Lionesses of Africa had the pleasure of meeting the inspirational Achenyo Idachaba at the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Nominees Sub-Saharan Press Conference in Johannesburg this month. She took time out of her busy schedule to share some of her insights on the challenges for women entrepreneurs in Africa. Listen to our interview.

Entrepreneur Advice from Thokozile Mangwiro - Focusing on a strong vision will pull you through the emotional roller-coaster

August 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Thokozile Mangwiro, founder of Nyla Naturals (South Africa) — **Thokozile Mangwiro**, founder of Nyla Naturals (South Africa)

You need to focus on a strong vision....

"A start-up can be challenging to women who do not have a vision of what they are trying to accomplish. My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is to focus on their vision. Focusing on a strong vision will pull you through the emotional roller-coaster; it will pull you through the fear and doubt that will surely come. A strong vision will lead to the success of your business."

- Thokozile Mangwiro is the founder of Nyla Naturals a South African company that is focused on manufacturing personal hair and skin care products. Their 100% natural cosmetic products use a fusion of natural ingredients with premium oils, such as the Southern African indigenous Marula oil for skin and hair nourishment. Thokozile's mission is to produce products that are natural, nourishing, healing and that pamper hair and skin of all types.

FAIRLADY Women of the Future 2015 Award winners announced in South Africa

August 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Award winners: Boitumelo Ntsoane (L) and Amy de Castro (R) — Award winners: Boitumelo Ntsoane (L) and Amy de Castro (R)

After scouring the country in search of the top and most deserving female entrepreneurs, on 19 August in Johannesburg, popular South African women’s glossy magazine FAIRLADY announced the winners of their inaugural FAIRLADY Women of the Future Awards, in partnership with Santam.

BOOK REVIEW: Million Dollar Women - The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big by Julia Pimsleur

August 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Julia Pimsleur, author of 'Million Dollar Women' — **Julia Pimsleur**, author of 'Million Dollar Women'

American women are starting businesses at nearly twice the rate that men are, but only three percent of female business owners have revenues of over one million dollars. Most women entrepreneurs are stuck at the “mom and pop” level, just getting by, or in many cases, running out of cash. In her book Million Dollar Women, Julia Pimsleur shares her inspiring story of building her own company and raising millions in capital in a guide for women like her who have a great idea and need to find the resources to take it into the big leagues.

3 South African women selected to participate in the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge in Turkey

August 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Margaret Hirsch, Shona McDonald and Wendy Kemp — L-R: Margaret Hirsch, Shona McDonald and Wendy Kemp

Three South African women entrepreneurs who used adversity to create successful businesses are off to the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge which takes place in Turkey. They are Shona McDonald who manufactures wheelchairs for children with special needs, Margaret Hirsch who co-founded one of South Africa's leading appliance store chains, and Wendy Kemp who founded a leading a credit control company.

Entrepreneur Advice from Alana Bond - Be honest about your own strengths and weaknesses

August 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Alana Bond and Lana Lovasic, directors of Simanye Group

It is always good to be honest about your own strengths and weaknesses....

"Failures are to be learned from and not feared. The most important qualities for entrepreneurs are persistence and having a good network of people in similar situations who can brainstorm ideas and troubleshoot problems with you. Also, it is good to plan fully and understand all areas of your business – if financial management is your weakness for example, make sure you have someone in your business who does this well, or else make sure that you learn enough about this area to be able to at least understand what you need to manage your business. It is always good to be honest about your own strengths and weaknesses and to be proactive in managing these."

- Alana Bond is the founder of South African company, Simanye Group, a cluster of entities dedicated to helping businesses, communities and the public sector find effective and sustainable solutions for transformation and economic development in South Africa, Africa and beyond. Alana has implemented her vision of a business to support innovative approaches to create impact and change, fulfilling her dream of becoming a social entrepreneur. Alana is deeply committed to meaningful change in South Africa and is passionate about addressing inequality and the upliftment of everyday people, in a sustainable, commercially-oriented way.

Video: Aissa Dione the revivalist of Senegal's ancient weaving craftsmanship speaks about her company Aissa Dione Fabrics

August 20, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Source: Première Vision | Published on 13 February 2015

Aissa Dione created the eponymous Aissa Dione Fabrics company with the objective of relaunching the textile production chain in Senegal by combining art and industry while encouraging the sustainability and development of traditional skills threatened with extinction.

Entrepreneur Advice from Maria Auma - Stick to your code of ethics

August 20, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Maria Auma, founder of Blue Luxury Investments (Uganda) — **Maria Auma**, founder of Blue Luxury Investments (Uganda)

Here's my entrepreneurial code of ethics....

"It's hard for a fellow entrepreneur to give only one piece of advice. But I will compress my codes of ethics into one succinct paragraph. Never ever give up. If ever you find yourself on your knees, that is the perfect time to begin again. Never waste time. Once it's gone it's gone. Know your priorities and treat your family and friends well. Respect the people who work for you, they are human beings. And lastly, dream big and then do it - that way you will inspire other women."

- Maria Auma is the founder of Blue Luxury Investments in Uganda, a privately-held, female-owned company that offers a wide range of investment management solutions to economically viable projects throughout Africa. Maria's focus is to empower African entrepreneurs seeking seed or mid-level funding because she believes in entrepreneurship and in Africa. Her services are tailored around raising capital, managing funds, monitoring and evaluating projects, and securing stakeholder partnerships.

PODCAST: LoA speaks to Chinwe Ohajuruka, founder of Comprehensive Design Services in Nigeria, about green building solutions

August 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Podcast: Listen to LoA's interview with Chinwe Ohajuruka, founder Comprehensive Design Services, Nigeria. Recorded at the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards finalists press conference in Johannesburg on 28 July 2015.

Quote of the Day

August 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

ALARA, a new luxury retail concept store, Victoria Island, Lagos founded by Reni Folawiyo

“Sub-Saharan Africa will be the big story by 2040, .... It’s going to be a bumpy road getting there, but in another 30 years it could be the biggest, fastest, strongest, and most attractive region for retail in the world.”

- A.T. Kearney, global strategy and management consulting firm - The 2015 Global Retail Development Index

Entrepreneur Advice from Yolanda Methvin - Continue to work towards self-actualisation

August 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Yolanda Methvin, LithaFlora African Botanicals (South Africa) — **Yolanda Methvin**, LithaFlora African Botanicals (South Africa)

Continue to work towards self-actualisation....

"Do not be afraid to cross-collaborate, toward getting your goals achieved. One must seek out continued education opportunities. One must seek out opportunities to share existing knowledge achieved via life and other career experience. And one must continue to work toward self-actualisation. We can only achieve that which, we've already become internally. “See. Believe. Achieve”, that's my motto."

- Yolanda Methvin is the founder of LithaFlora African Botanicals, a South African functional health and wellness lifestyle brand and business. Yolanda lives, loves and works in Cape Town, South Africa, home of Table Mountain and the closest urban neighbor to the Fynbos Biome, located within the larger, Cape Floral Kingdom; the only floral kingdom situated entirely within one country. She uses these natural wonders to create unique herbal treatments and products that promise to please your mind, body and soul.

Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards announce Sub-Saharan finalists

August 16, 2015 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Thato Kgatlhanye, Chinwe Ohajuruka and Suzana Moreira — L-R: Thato Kgatlhanye, Chinwe Ohajuruka and Suzana Moreira

On 28 July at the Four Seasons Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards announced the selection of the 2015 finalists for Sub-Saharan Africa. The three finalists for Sub-Saharan Africa are Chinwe Ohajuruka, the founder of Comprehensive Design Services, Nigeria; Suzana Moreira, the founder of moWoza, Mozambique; and Thato Kgatlhanye, the founder of Rethaka, the creator of Repurpose Schoolbags, South Africa.

VIDEO: Dr. Victoria Kisyombe - Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment in Tanzania

August 14, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Source: Bank of America | Published on 10 July 2015

Bank of America Retail Products and Underwriting Executive Titi Cole and Dr. Victoria Kisyombe, Managing Director of Selfina share reflections on the importance of mentoring and women’s economic empowerment.

Entrepreneur Advice from Suzie Wokabi - You've got to roll with the punches!

August 14, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Suzie Wokabi, founder of Suzie Beauty Ltd. (Kenya) — **Suzie Wokabi**, founder of Suzie Beauty Ltd. (Kenya)

My top advice to any aspiring woman entrepreneur....

".... they MUST be very passionate in whatever they are trying to start. It must be a field they love entirely and that they know something about. Also, patience, perseverence and rolling with the punches are a must."

- Suzie Wokabi is the founder of Suzie Beauty Ltd. in Kenya. Suzie studied an International Relations degree in the United States and worked in New York within the fashion and beauty industries from 2001 until 2007. When she returned to her hometown of Nairobi, Suzie decided to pursue her passion and launch her own authentic, affordable, high-quality African make-up brand. This revolutionary line is Kenya’s first make-up and beauty brand and a global trailblazer in creating a bespoke product for the African woman, by an African woman. The hallmark of Suzie Beauty products is affordable, great quality, tailor-made for the unique needs of women living in the African climate.

The top 5 habits of successful entrepreneurs

August 14, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Have you ever wondered what distinguishes those successful entrepreneurs from everyone else who perhaps has an entrepreneurial idea or dream and aspires to be one, but never actually makes the transition to embarking on that entrepreneurial journey and making the dream a reality? Well, there is no point in having an idea and not putting it into action. Perhaps what is required is a change in approach and the adoption of some of those habits displayed by other successful entrepreneurs.