PODCAST: Bushera Bashir shares the rise of the Trebene brand and the Paris showcase of her 2016 collection

October 29, 2015 Melanie Hawken

LoA chatted to Bushera Bashir the creative founder of luxury accessory brand, Trebene, who are exciting the fashion world with their beautiful cashmere scarves, at the recent Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in Johannesburg. She shared the exciting journey the brand is currently taking as she launches her 2016 collection globally to much acclaim.

Map Your Assumptions

October 29, 2015 Melanie Hawken

It is April 1992 and Disney is opening their second theme park outside the United States in Paris, after twenty years of running other theme parks. Despite their experience and the meticulous planning that went into this $5b project, the park will have racked up losses of more than $1 billion by 1994. How could things go so wrong?

PODCAST: Lucy Beard's journey from city lawyer to launching an artisanal gin distillery in Cape Town

October 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Leigh Lisk and Lucy Beard, founders of Hope on Hopkins (South Africa) — **Leigh Lisk and Lucy Beard**, founders of Hope on Hopkins (South Africa)

LoA chatted to Lucy Beard, who is the co-founder of Hope on Hopkins together with her husband Leigh Lisk, during a busy day at their exhibition stand at the recent Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in Johannesburg. She shared the roller-coaster ride that is the startup experience, and how becoming an entrepreneur has its challenges, but is well worth the journey from a personal, life-enhancing perspective.

Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: You must be clear about your target market

October 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria) — Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

You must have a clear understanding of the market you want to operate in....

"When you are a small business, you are the visionary, you can easily test creatively and adjust much quicker than larger companies. Take this advantage and do all you can to stand out and serve your customers consistently. People will notice and stay with you as customers, which will lead to faster long-term growth."

- Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria. Nike started out modestly in 1996 selling the clothes she made from the boot of her car and in bazaars. Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is an instantly recognisable brand in Nigeria and has a reputation for being one of the top manufacturers of children's clothing throughout West Africa. Ruff 'n' Tumble successfully caters to the unique fashion sense of today’s youngsters, from new born to age 16, happily mixing indigenous lifestyle trends with an international appeal.

How to Boost your LinkedIn profile

October 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Are you using LinkedIn to its fullest potential? I sure hope so! LinkedIn is my all time favorite social media site. It's the place to see and be seen. So, in order to get the best value from LinkedIn I've compiled a couple of pointers I would love to share with you. Who knows, you may too experience the magic of LinkedIn and see excellent returns on your business growth!

PODCAST: Robyn Britz, co-founder of Zana talks about building her homeware, accessories and furniture brand

October 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Robyn Britz (L), co-founder of ZANA (South Africa) — **Robyn Britz** (L), co-founder of ZANA (South Africa)

LoA got to chat with Robyn Britz earlier this month at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair - she is one half of the creative mother and daughter team behind the Zana brand. Robyn shared the ups and downs of her entrepreneurial journey so far in the competitive world of homeware, accessory, fabric and furniture design, and how Zana is managing to stand out from the crowd.

Quote of the Day

October 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lani Stenvert, founder of Good Dog Designs — **Lani Stenvert**, founder of Good Dog Designs

“Step out of your comfort zone and do what makes you happy”

- Lani Stenvert is the founder of Johannesburg-based graphic design company, Good Dog Designs. She made the tenacious move from design studio employee to graphic design solopreneur and in the process found freedom of expression and a unique design style all of her own. Lani is one of a growing number of successful African solopreneurs in the design industry who are thriving in their own creative spaces and, at the same time, producing innovative and quality design work to be proud of.

Danielle Goldman - The startup story of a serial entrepreneur in South Africa using her vast experience of China to create a new product sourcing agency

October 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Danielle Goldman, founder of Guanxi Connections Ltd. — **Danielle Goldman**, founder of Guanxi Connections Ltd.

Understanding the global marketplace is increasingly more important for African companies and getting access to specialist products is also key. Danielle Goldman, founder of Guanxi Connections Ltd, a digital marketing and design agency in China, and now incorporating a China sourcing agency here in South Africa, is looking to provide a solution and, importantly, bringing local market knowledge with her.

PODCAST: LoA speaks to Anna Richerby, a woman happily reinventing the ancient craft of beadwork

October 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Anna Richerby, founder of Beloved Beadwork (South Africa). Image: Michael Griffin — **Anna Richerby**, founder of Beloved Beadwork (South Africa). Image: Michael Griffin

Founded in 2009, Beloved Beadwork is a company of twelve women passionately committed to the preservation and elaboration of the beadwork tradition. LoA caught up with founder and designer Anna Richerby at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in Johannesburg to learn about this inspiring venture. Listen to our fascinating interview.

Essential Read: From Gomba to the White House: The journey of an African Woman Entrepreneur by Rehmah Kasule

October 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Rehmah Kasule, author and entrepreneur — **Rehmah Kasule**, author and entrepreneur

This book is not just a story; it is a personal and business development tool that will practically teach you how to believe in yourself, learn how to dare to be different, to share, learn, and collaborate with others. It will teach you the power of networking, mentorship, and paying it forward. It will teach you that each one of us can make a difference and that you can achieve anything in life as long as you know who you are, believe in yourself, and have confidence.

Financial Smarts for Women Entrepreneurs: The Dark Side to Compound Interest and why you need to keep your friendly Banker in the loop

October 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

In the latest of a series of guest blogs that look at issues around financial management for women entrepreneurs, this week our focus is on understanding how Compound Interest works, and why it is so important to keep your friendly Banker on side.

Macy’s Commemorates 10 Years of Rwanda Path to Peace Initiative with Gahaya Links

October 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Willa Shalit, co-founder of Rwanda Path to Peace, Janet Nkubana, co-founder of Gahaya Links, and Terry J. Lundgren, Macy's chairman and CEO, attend Macy's 10th anniversary celebration of Rwanda Path to Peace at Macy's Herald Square in New York City.… — Willa Shalit, co-founder of Rwanda Path to Peace, Janet Nkubana, co-founder of Gahaya Links, and Terry J. Lundgren, Macy's chairman and CEO, attend Macy's 10th anniversary celebration of Rwanda Path to Peace at Macy's Herald Square in New York City. (Photo: Business Wire)

If there is one women-led, African social entreprise that springs to mind when we speak about the power of collaboration, it has to be Gahaya Links in Rwanda. The brainchild of sisters Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, this for-profit Rwandan handicraft company founded on the simple principle of women economic empowerment through fair-trade, is this month celebrating a decade-long partnership with the prestigious Macy’s retail group in the US, called the Rwanda Path to Peace initiative.

Lilian Muhammed - The startup story of a South African Afroluxe fashion accessory brand builder with a passion for making local and buying local

October 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lilian Muhammed, founder of LONDRÉ TAN (South Africa) — **Lilian Muhammed**, founder of LONDRÉ TAN (South Africa)

Afroluxe brands are making quite a name for themselves on the global fashion scene right now, and South African entrepreneur, Lilian Muhammed, is looking to put her LONDRÉ TAN brand in the spotlight with her luxury fashion accessories, all proudly produced in her home country.

PODCAST: Chinwe Ohajuruka shares what winning the Cartier Women's Award means to her

October 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Chinwe Ohajuruka founder of Comprehensive Design Services at the 2015 Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Ceremony — **Chinwe Ohajuruka** founder of Comprehensive Design Services at the 2015 Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Ceremony

Chinwe Ohajuruka, 52, lives in the United States and is of Nigerian heritage. Her 3 degrees in architecture and 3 accreditations in green building led to the creation of Comprehensive Design Services, a company that provides “comprehensive solutions to complex problems”, as Chinwe explains. She received her Cartier Women's Award in Paris on 15 October 2015 and in this interview she describes what it means to her personally and for her business moving forward.

Celebrating success! South African Opera Singer and Entrepreneur, Nozuko Teto, wows audiences at the 64th Wexford Opera Festival in Ireland

October 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Nozuko Teto (Palmyra) and Jeff Gwaltney (SimonPerez)

As always, the annual Wexford Opera Festival in Ireland is a much anticipated event for opera lovers around the world, and this year was no exception. The event opened with the Frederick Delius opera, Koanga, featuring the talented South African opera singer and entrepreneur, Nozuko Teto in the role of Palmyra. She is receiving rave reviews for her wonderful performance.

PODCAST: Linda Gieskes Mwamba talks about building her indie, natural, and African haircare brand, Suki Suki Naturals

October 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Linda Gieskes Mwamba, founder of Suki Suki Naturals. Image by Michael Griffin — **Linda Gieskes Mwamba**, founder of Suki Suki Naturals. Image by Michael Griffin

Meet Linda Gieskes Mwamba the founder of Suki Suki Naturals, an Indie, Natural, and African Hair Care Brand. Linda is the first natural African hair care brand to be invited to exhibit at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair‬ in Johannesburg. LoA caught up with her at this event in October 2015 and chatted with her about her exciting new haircare brand. Listen to our interview.

Create an Emeritus Board

October 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Successful ventures will need an exceptional management team. But your startup has a young team without a lot of experience or a track record that will impress people. What can you do? Create an "Emeritus Board" of advisors. Ask some of the best and brightest people in your field to join an advisory board for your company.

Lorraine Steyn - The startup story of a South African techpreneur realising a vision for the building of an innovation focused software development company

October 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lorraine Steyn, founder of Khanyisa Real Systems (South Africa) — **Lorraine Steyn**, founder of Khanyisa Real Systems (South Africa)

The tech sector has a wealth of exciting opportunies for entrepreneurs to make a difference and Lorraine Steyn, founder of Khanyisa Real Systems, is one such entrepreneur who has built a highly regarded and successful business, underpinned with a strong sense of wanting to do good in the world.

Entrepreneur Advice from Pam Golding: There is no secret formula to success

October 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

There is no secret formula for entrepreneurs to follow....

“There is no secret formula to success … if you are determined, have integrity and passion, show that you care, remain honest and true to yourself and surround yourself with people that you take care to nurture it will lead to success.”

- Pam Golding is one of Africa's most successful women entrepreneurs and an icon of the real estate industry. She founded Pam Golding Properties in South Africa in 1976 with no start-up capital and just a single sales assistant. The company now has over 300 offices in Africa as well as international offices in the UK, Germany, France and Mauritius. It is one of South Africa’s largest independent property trading companies with 2010 turnover of US$1.7 billion. Pam is now retired from active management, but remains the Life President of the company she founded.

Bilikiss Adebiyi: 'It’s money lying in the streets' - Meet the woman transforming recycling in Lagos

October 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Bilikiss Adebiyi, co-founder of WeCyclers (Nigeria) — Bilikiss Adebiyi, co-founder of WeCyclers (Nigeria)

Source: The Guardian | by Athlyn Cathcart-Keays | 21 October 2015

Wecyclers began life as a student project – but Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola has since built it into a social enterprise that tackles the Nigerian capital’s waste crisis and empowers low-income communities to turn trash into cash.