AWARD WINNER: Top South African entrepreneur Margaret Hirsch recognised with prestigious business award this month

November 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Hirsch Group (centre), Annelize Wepener (left) and Cmdr. Tsietsi Mokhele (right) — **Margaret Hirsch**, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Hirsch Group (centre), Annelize Wepener (left) and Cmdr. Tsietsi Mokhele (right)

One of our truly inspirational Lionesses of Africa, Margaret Hirsch, the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Hirsch Group and a champion for womens empowerment, has received the award for the most Influential Woman In Wholesale and Retail for the African Continent. She was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award in her category in the Titans Most Influential Women in Business and Government awards ceremony that took place at the Gallagher Estates Convention Centre in Gauteng on 10 November. This is the 14th top business award won by Margaret over the last four years.

Lynette Hundermark: Strategies to Achieve Success

November 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lynette Hundermark, Managing Director and co-Founder of Useful and Beautiful with fellow keynote speaker Vusi Thembekwayo (far left) — **Lynette Hundermark**, Managing Director and co-Founder of Useful and Beautiful with fellow keynote speaker Vusi Thembekwayo (far left)

On 7 October, one of South Africa’s leading mobile solutions entrepreneurs, Lynette Hundermark, Managing Director and co-Founder of Useful and Beautiful, took to the speaker platform to address delegates at the Achieve Success Summit at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre in Swaziland. The event positions itself as the Region's number one Success Seminar and aims to help attendees to develop a wealth creation attitude by learning the psychology of success, unlocking a real "Can do" attitude, and creating the right strategies to achieve success.

Where are the Cub Lionesses of Africa?

November 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tausi Suedi, Co-Founder & Country Team Leader, Childbirth Survival International — **Tausi Suedi**, Co-Founder & Country Team Leader, Childbirth Survival International

As the times are changing and more women are becoming fearless lionesses in the world, we need to make sure the cubs are following right behind. Today, we have female Presidents, Vice-Presidents, CEOs, Entrepreneurs, and more; women have taken their space to advance gender equality and be part of the many processes where decisions are made for women. I was born on July 26th, a natural lioness, and joining the Lionesses of Africa family is a great way to keep the roar loud and significant. As I traverse different parts of the world, I always ask myself where are the cubs?

Why saying no gives you the freedom you want

November 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Do you flinch every time you hear the word no? Living in a society where we’ve been raised that saying no means being rude certainly does make it difficult to give your opinion and set valuable boundaries. The word “Yes” has been engrained in us from a young age, and from that perspective it seems counter-intuitive that by saying no you give yourself the opportunity to empower yourself and harness a positive change in your life.

Calling all women startups in Mozambique - signup for Startup Weekend Maputo

November 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

If you are a woman startup based in Mozambique, then the Startup Weekend Maputo, sponsored by Standard Bank and powered by Google for Entrepreneurs, is the place to be this weekend from 13 to 15 November, at the Centro Cultural Americano Martin Luther King, Av. Mao Tse Tung 542, Maputo, Mozambique.

Korkor Kugblenu - The startup story of a Ghanaian entrepreneur who is creating natural beauty solutions for sub-Saharan African women

November 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Korkor Kugblenu, founder of The Body Butter Company (Ghana) — **Korkor Kugblenu**, founder of The Body Butter Company (Ghana)

Seeing a gap in the market for products that celebrate naturally beautiful African women’s skin and hair, Ghanaian entrepreneur Korkor Kugblenu created her business venture, The Body Butter Company, that manufactures and retails indigenous 100% natural beauty solutions.

1st Young Lioness Lean In event inspires a new generation of women entrepreneurs

November 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

On Saturday 7th November, Lionesses of Africa held its first Young Lioness Lean In event, aimed at inspiring a new generation of young women entrepreneurs of the future in Africa. This highly motivational event was coordinated with the kind support of Standard Bank and was hosted at the inspirational Standard Bank Incubator in Rosebank, Johannesburg in South Africa.

Essential Read: Smartypants Branding - the ultimate guide for women entrepreneurs to getting recognised, being remembered and making more money in business by Danielle M Miller

November 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

One of the biggest challenges women entrepreneurs face in today’s increasingly crowded digital landscape is how to be distinctive, memorable, and stand out from the crowd. Building on the concepts of Seth Godin, the iconic teachings of Tom Peters, as well as her own experiences as an entrepreneur, Danielle M. Miller guides creative and smart women in applying big brand concepts to their businesses.

Tabitha Karanja recognised by the 2015 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurs for her transformational socio-economic impact in Africa

November 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tabitha Karanja, founder of Keroche Breweries (Kenya) — **Tabitha Karanja**, founder of Keroche Breweries (Kenya)

Marrakech, Morocco: The 9th annual Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, a celebration of successful African entrepreneurs from across the continent, has awarded Tabitha Karanja founder of Keroche Breweries, their 2015 Transformational Business Award. This award is given to a notable business leader who has created significant socio-economic impact in Africa by building a business with revenues greater than USD $50 million.

Ally Angula: My Republik - where the Citizen defines the look

November 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken

My Republik, a brand under the Leap Holdings umbrella is Namibia’s first commercial clothing brand that is not only retailed in a branded outlet but also designed, developed, cut, trimmed and stitched in Namibia. My Republik was founded with the goal of offering the modern man and woman the best fitting clothes for any occasion, be it in the office or a day out in town. It aims to produce the best quality clothing that is in a class ready to compete on platforms in Namibia, in Africa and beyond.

Agata Karolina - the startup story of a South African based epicene perfume house creating exquisite small batch perfumes

November 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Agata Karolina, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa) — **Agata Karolina**, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa)

There is something very evocative about the world of perfumery, taking its inspiration from nature and creating a scent that makes the wearer experience a particular sense of wellbeing and confidence. South Africa now has a second perfumier to celebrate, Agata Karolina, founder of House of Gozdawa in Cape Town, who is creating something really special and unique to Africa.

Make Something Beautiful

November 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken

It is the early 1980’s and computer monitors have a uniform monotonous green text running across them. But someone has studied calligraphy at college, and dreams of bringing beauty and elegance to computers….

This November, Lionesses of Africa celebrates Africa’s creative food and drink entrepreneurs and brand builders

November 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Every month at Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on a particular industry sector where Africa’s women entrepreneurs are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do. This November we are turning our attention to the women who are changing the face of the food and drink industry in Africa, and creating new products, building new brands, and launching exciting food and drink retail concepts in the process.

PODCAST: LoA speaks to the inspirational Rehmah Kasule of Uganda, author, entrepreneur and powerful advocate for the upliftment of women and children in Africa

November 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Rehmah Kasule, author, entrepreneur and women's empowerment activist — **Rehmah Kasule**, author, entrepreneur and women's empowerment activist

Listen to LoA’s interview with Rehmah Kasule as she speaks about her new book, From Gomba to the White House: The journey of an African Woman Entrepreneur. She shares some of the highlights of her entepreneurial journey and gives some great advice to other women entrepreneurs who are hoping to follow in her footsteps on the continent.

You are invited: The AMPION Venture Bus stops in Windhoek, Johannesburg and Cape Town

November 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

The Ampion Venture Bus, a seven day startups bootcamp fostering entrepreneurship across Africa, is on its way in Southern Africa. Starting in Windhoek on November 13th, the AMPION Venture Bus supports 40 young tech entrepreneurs to build an agriculture startup in seven days. You are invited to the opening day with keynotes, workshops and a mini-maker faire at FabLab Namibia in Windhoek on November 13th from 12am

Financial Smarts for Women Entrepreneurs: So what should I have in my armoury from the Bank and should I shop around?

November 5, 2015 Melanie Hawken

In the latest of a series of fascinating and insightful guest blogs that look at issues around financial management for women entrepreneurs, this week our focus is on understanding what exactly you need in your financial armoury and the benefits of shopping around for the right source of banking support.

Entrepreneur Advice from Malmsey Rangaka: Women must trust they have what it takes

November 4, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Malmsey Rangaka, co-founder and CEO of M’hudi Wines — Malmsey Rangaka, co-founder and CEO of M’hudi Wines

Women must trust they have what it takes to start their own businesses....

"We are actually better suited for business than men. Our natural way of working is inclusive, orderly and emotional. All this clenched teeth aggression of the men simply makes them less effective. So it is incumbent on us to get into business. We do it better. But be prepared for the brickbats though."

- Malmsey Rangaka is co-founder and CEO of M’hudi Wines, a family wine farm located in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The M’hudi wine brands are sold not only in South Africa but also the US, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Nigeria. M’hudi was founded in 1999 by Malmsey and her husband, and is said to be the first black-owned wine tourism farm in South Africa.

PODCAST: White Rabbit Days founder Helen Andrews talks laser cutting to create beautiful jewellery

November 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Helen Andrews, founder of White Rabbit Days (South Africa) — **Helen Andrews**, founder of White Rabbit Days (South Africa)

LoA had the opportunity to chat with Helen Andrews, the creative founder of White Rabbit Days, at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in October. Her unique jewellery design company uses laser cutting techniques to craft astonishingly beautiful pieces from a range of materials from leather to brass.

Suret Louw - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help women find better balance in their lives

November 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Suret Louw, founder of Alive Image and Lifestyle Company

Startup Story

Taking a more holistic approach to helping women achieve greater emotional and physical wellbeing, Suret Louw’s entrepreneurial venture, Alive Image and Lifestyle Company, is dedicated to finding that elusive work/life balance.

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