Quote of the Day

September 29, 2015 Melanie Hawken

“Across the world, it has become a global agenda that women must be empowered economically. It makes good economic sense because women have a natural instinct to do certain things. If you empower a woman, she tends to invest her earnings into the household, into the education of her children, and they go out to contribute to their communities, the nation and the African continent. So, why not give women the same opportunities men have?"

- Irene Ochem is the Founder and CEO of ICO Conferences & Events Limited the organisers of amongst other high profile events, the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum. Irene had a long career of over 10 years with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Italy, where she held various positions in administration management. Subsequently, she was Research Administration Manager at University of Cape Town, South Africa and worked as an International Consultant for United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and African Union Commission (AUC) in Ethiopia. More recently, she was a Conference Producer and Programme Director with a leading South African-based conference and event management company where she has produced Africa’s largest power and utilities conferences and exhibitions.

Entrepreneur Advice from Amanta Hooman - Keep moving forward

September 29, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Amanta Hooman, founder of Flavour Union (South Africa) — **Amanta Hooman**, founder of Flavour Union (South Africa)

Keep on moving forward....

"Never give up. It is always slower than expected in the start-up phase. That's ok. Keep on moving."

- Amanta Hooman is a young South African woman entrepreneur who is producing a wonderful new range of truffle-based gourmet products under her new label Flavour Union. She is working with the most committed and passionate individuals within their fields to deliver a burst of flavour that shouts “Africa” ...combined with the heritage of the European food-diamond, the truffle.

E4Impact launches new business ideas competition open to women in Uganda

September 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Last month, we shared information from E4Impact in Italy about their exciting MBA in Impact Entrepreneurship here in Africa. Today, they are announcing a great new Business Idea Competition (BIC) to be held in Kampala, Uganda.

Bandwidth Barn in Cape Town, South Africa is interviewing entrepreneurs for its next series of programmes

September 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

The Bandwidth Barn in Cape Town, one of the best incubators in South Africa, is busy interviewing candidates for their next series of programmes. Make sure to apply!

Lezel de Vos - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur who saw an opportunity to supply key ingredients to the food industry

September 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lezel de Vos, founder of Fox Ingredients (South Africa) — **Lezel de Vos**, founder of Fox Ingredients (South Africa)

People with a passion for what they do often make the most successful entrepreneurs, and in the case of Lezel de Vos and her company Fox Ingredients, her interest in the flavours and essences that go into making wonderful tasting and visually appealing food products is what took her into business.

Video: Yodit Eklund talks about her uniquely African beach wear and surf brand, BANTU WAX

September 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Bantu Wax, founded by Yodit Eklund, is an African surf brand that breaks the clichés of blonde, blue-eyed surf babes with images from Africa's own surf culture.

Quote of the Day

September 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

"Our economy needs more women entrepreneurs to take the plunge. To break down these age-old barriers, women entrepreneurs need all the encouragement and support they can get,"

- Robyn Farrell is executive head of 1st for Women, a South African insurance company that caters specifically for the needs of women. Over the years, 1st for Women has become an advocate for women, and its social arm, the 1st for Women Insurance Foundation, has raised over R30 million for South African women in need.

BOOK REVIEW: No Fear Allowed: A Story of Guts, Perseverance, and Making an IMPACT by Laura Herring

September 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Laura Herring author of 'No Fear Allowed' — **Laura Herring** author of 'No Fear Allowed'

For all those women entrepreneurs who, at some point during their journeys to building their businesses and brands, have woken up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, scared as to what to do next in business or in life, and frozen by the fear of failure, then No Fear Allowed is the book for you.

The art of juggling and multi-tasking for women entrepreneurs

September 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

How do you keep all the balls in the air, whilst building a company and brand? As women we are often referred to as master jugglers. Somewhere in our lifetime we have learnt the art of juggling many tasks at once, whilst at the same time producing excellent results. Being able to multi-task means not missing out on opportunities. Most entrepreneurs share the same traits of being courageous, persistent and having great vision. Pair this with juggling several tasks at once and you know you have a winning combination!

FINANCIAL SMARTS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Foreign Exchange - having a plan and sticking to it

September 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

In the third of a fascinating series of guest blogs simplifying issues around financial management for all those women entrepreneurs who are looking to import and export in their business, this week the focus is on the importance of having a foreign exchange plan and sticking to it.

Women Pioneering the Development of Africa’s Contemporary Artisanal Crafts

September 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Artisanal craft has often been seen as the lowly cousin to more high profile creative disciplines such as design, sculpture and art, with the artisans themselves tending to be consigned to the background. This perception is now changing as the artisan sector undergoes a global resurgence. The high profile support of initiatives such as the recently launched #ChooseArtisan campaign are helping to keep the momentum going.

Eva Sonaike - The startup story of an interior and lifestyle brand creator bringing luxury design with a vibrant West-African aesthetic to the UK

September 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Eva Sonaike, founder of Eva Sonaike — **Eva Sonaike**, founder of Eva Sonaike

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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bev Missing: Give 100% and never give up!

September 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Bev Missing, founder and ceo of Rain — **Bev Missing**, founder and ceo of Rain

Best 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.

Women in Tech Africa fix a problem!

September 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

In 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.

Femi Olayebi - The startup story of a Nigerian bespoke luxury handbag designer who has created a whole world of bags to global acclaim

September 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Femi Olayebi, founder of My World of Bags and the Femi Handbags brand (Nigeria)

In 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.

How to successfully build a uniquely African yet global brand

September 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

In 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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Ego Iwegbu-Daley: If you fail, so what!

September 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Go 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.

The Effeminacy Women’s Breakfast Event is now open for bookings to all women entrepreneurs in Johannesburg!

September 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

If 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.

Calling all young South African fashion designers looking for a new platform to promote their brands

September 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Thandiwe Makhanya, founder of A.T.L Events and Promotions (South Africa) — **Thandiwe Makhanya**, founder of A.T.L Events and Promotions (South Africa)

The 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.

BOOK REVIEW: Two Minutes To Make The Sale - by Tori Torres

September 20, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tori Torres, author and founder of PoshLife — **Tori Torres**, author and founder of PoshLife

'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.