There is a growing global interest in African design, textiles and products, and talented Nigerian interior designer and lifestyle brand creator, Eva Sonaike, is taking the world by storm on the back of this trend. Her aim is to position the 'African' aesthetic in the global textiles and interior industry as part of her bigger brand-building picture.
Read moreBest advice for women considering a start-up business....
"Start at the bottom. You need 100% passion, 100% guts and a total belief in your vision and your determination to succeed. Be prepared to put in crazy work hours and all kinds of sacrifices, but most important... NEVER GIVE UP."
- Bev Missing is the founder of South African body and bath product brand RAIN. Back in 1999 Bev saw a gap in the market to start making soap as it was labour intensive and all the lovely soaps at that stage were imported. Bev started the project in her garage hoping to help solve unemployment in her hometown of Ladybrand, and to make a difference in the lives of the poor and jobless. Today, RAIN has eight stores across South Africa, two unique wellness spa's, and two stores in New York. Bev has recently signed contracts to open a further 70 Rain stores in the USA and Canada and then 40 in the UK and Ireland.
Read moreIn many organizations, the excuse for not having women in senior management teams or women in the pipeline of people they interview for available positions is that cannot find qualified women for these positions. In addition, a large number of technology events usually have very few women speakers and the explanation is the same, they cannot find women in the area to invite to speak. Women in Tech Africa is solving this problem.
Read moreIn the competitive world of global accessory and handbag design, one Nigerian designer is making the world sit up and take notice, with her unique take on beautiful, bespoke, handcrafted pieces that celebrate the art of craftsmanship combined with a uniquely African touch. Femi Olayebi is talent personified and her great eye for design together with a deep appreciation for African culture and textiles, has allowed her to create handbags and accessories that have a great story to tell and a wonderful visual appeal.
Read moreIn the past, many of the strongest global brands were afforded a luxury that is in short supply these days: time. The results of the latest Global Brand Survey demonstrate that being seen as part of the local culture is a significant driver of purchase intent for both global and local brands. However, while consumers have usually grown up with the local brand, the global brand is often less familiar because it has not been around as long.
Read moreGo ahead and start - don't fear failure....
"If you are thinking of starting a business, just go ahead and start the business. If you fail, so what! Just do it. As for money and investment, if you have an idea that is worthwhile and viable, then the money and investment will be the least of your problems. Just do the business and the money will come."
- Ego Iwegbu-Daley is founder of Miss Salon London nail boutiques in London and South Africa. Her unique nail boutique concept creates an environment where music, movies, friends, conversation, a glass of wine, and of course incredibly beautiful nails, all combine in the ultimate pampering experience.
Read moreIf you are a young South African woman entrepreneur with a vision to build a great new business, but to do it your way, then make your way to the Effeminacy Women’s Breakfast Event on the morning of Saturday 26 September at the OPEN Collaborative City Workspaces in Maboneng, Johannesburg - it is free of charge, it is powerful and but spaces are limited, so book now.
Read moreThe challenge for any young woman fashion designer just starting out is finding effective ways of getting their brands and their clothes out into the marketplace and connecting with customers. South African entrepreneur, Thandiwe Makhanya, and her company A.T.L Events and Promotions, which specialises in creating, managing and executing brand awareness events, campaigns as well as promotions, has found a solution.
Read more'Two Minutes to Make the Sale' is Book Two of the 'If You Build It, They Will Come' series. Book One was the introduction, setting a firm foundation for anyone wanting to embark on the path to becoming an entrepreneur, and using the power of online to achieve success. Tori Torres tells the story of how she made the transition from Stay at Home Mom, to becoming a best seling author and entrepreneur.
Read moreIn the second of a series of guest blogs that look at issues around financial management issues for entrepreneurs, this week we get to grips with FX Forwards. We get a better understanding of what it could mean for all those women entrepreneurs trying to balance their import and export ambitions with good foreign exchange risk management.
Read moreThere are some natural born entrepreneurs who see a problem, challenge or need, and have a burning desire to find the solution - Karen Wessels is one such entrepreneur. Her latest venture SnappSales has found a solution for all those companies who need to create quality sales leads, but whose salespeople hate cold-calling. She has found an innovative and highly efficient way of appointment setting, harnessing the power of conversation and the talents of a great team of people.
Read moreThe E4Impact Foundation was launched in Milan, Italy this month with the aim of supporting impact entrepreneurship in Africa through a leading Pan-African university alliance for the training and coaching of a new generation of impact entrepreneurs, with a focus on woman entrepreneurs.
Read moreThis month saw the much-anticipated launch of a wonderful new online platform, created as a destination for all organizations that serve women and girls. It is an online community where they can share stories, ideas, best practices and materials with each other, with the goal of strengthening a global community focused on enabling women and girls to thrive. WomenStrong International’s new online platform can be found at www.womenstrong.org.
Read moreThere are some people you meet in life that really embody the idea of being a Changemaker and who genuinely understand the power of giving and positively touching the lives of others. Penny Mpanza is just that person, an inspirational social entrepreneur who passionately believes that real and lasting change will be driven by a new generation of young people who are well educated and have the tools to find the solutions to the challenges facing Africa today.
Read moreThey say that great minds think alike, and in the case of Sophie Umazi Mvurya and Brigit Wasike, this is certainly a meeting of the minds. These two highly talented and passionate fashionpreneurs have a dynamic vision, to not only capture the fashion market in Kenya, but to take their unique House of Tahzi brand and transform it into a major global lifestyle name.
Read moreSource: Al Jazeera | 14 September 2015
An iron will and a good eye have helped designer Deola Sagoe lead the Nigerian fashion industry on to the global stage. As part of the 'My Nigeria 'series on Al Jazeera, Deola Sagoe takes us into her fashion world and how she sees Nigeria.
Read moreOne of Kenya’s best known tech investors Ory Okolloh has thrown cold water on the push for entrepreneurship and innovation on the continent. “You can’t entrepreneur around bad leadership, we can’t entrepreneur around bad policy,” Okolloh said, criticizing what she called the “fetishization” of entrepreneurship and neglect of fundamental problems hampering African countries.
Read more“It’s important to remember no-one owes you anything, so don’t expect anyone to do favours for you – take ownership of our life!”
- Sebenzile Matsebula is the founder and Executive Director of Motswako Office Solutions, one of South Africa’s leading office automation and document management solution providers. Sebenzile is also an internationally recognized disability rights activist. She previously worked as the Director of the Office on the Status of Disabled People (OSDP) in the Presidency of Thabo Mbeki for 8 years. In 2009, she was appointed to the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council, which is mandated to advise the government on Black Economic Empowerment in order to remedy the economic legacy of Apartheid.
Read moreYou need to believe in yourself and your capabilities....
"There will always be reasons as to why you shouldn't start a business; focusing on the cons and on the negatives for most ideas is a sure way to ensure failure. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that not only are you in a positive headspace, but also that you believe in yourself and your capabilities, all the way through the journey."
- Nobesuthu Ndlovu is the co-founder of Burgundy Fly fashion retail brand in South Africa. Stemming from Nobesuthu's passion for fashion and the arts, the business was formed to solve two problems: the lack of commercialisation of top South African designer wear and a lack of accessibility of local designer wear for the South African market.
Read moreI have a confession to make, and I think you may feel the same way – I love being an entrepreneur! It’s such an incredible experience. And, at the same time, the hardest thing I’ve ever done. So what happens when the weight of being an entrepreneur, mom and partner becomes too much to bear? How do you stay motivated?
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