Irene Ochem - The startup story of a Nigerian event entrepreneur with a passion for fostering women’s entrepreneurship in Africa

February 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Irene Ochem, founder of ICO Conferences & Events Limited — **Irene Ochem**, founder of ICO Conferences & Events Limited

Building a genuinely pan-African brand can be a challenge, but it is one that entrepreneur Irene Ochem is more than ready for, as her company, ICO Conferences & Events Limited, is building a great reputation for organising successful and high profile events across the continent. She is also creating a great network for women decision-makers and opinion-formers to come together and help to foster the empowerment of African women.

Quote of the Day by Sibongile Sambo

February 1, 2016 Melanie Hawken

“I have a philosophy that I’m where I am today because somebody invested in me. It’s my opportunity now to invest in other people.”

- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.

Candice Johnson - The startup story of a luxury knitwear designer celebrating traditional South African skills, luxurious raw materials, and local talents

January 31, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Candice Johnson, founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa) — **Candice Johnson,** founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa)

In a world which is increasingly turning its attention to all things hand-crafted, and companies using ethically sourced materials that support local craftsmanship, Candice Johnson is one entrepreneur turning her passion for luxury, handcrafted knitwear, into a thriving business, aptly named Miss Knitwear.

Meet 8 women building Africa's trendiest baby and children's clothing brands

January 31, 2016 Melanie Hawken

If you’re in the market for trendy, quality-assured clothing and accessory products for your children, be sure to look out for these amazing female entrepreneurs and their equally impressive clothing lines. With a unified ethos focused on bolstering African design, production and employment, you’re guaranteed to have your little one strutting around the playground in some pretty slick and ethical threads.

VIDEO: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of South African aviation - shares her entrepreneurial journey with CNN

January 31, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Sibongile Sambo, Founder & CEO of SRS Aviation (South Africa) — **Sibongile Sambo**, Founder & CEO of SRS Aviation (South Africa)

Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. This week, CNN’s African Start-Up featured this pioneering woman entrepreneur whose love for flying has paved the way to a successful private aviation business.

The 50 best pieces of advice we featured in 2015 from some of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs

January 30, 2016 Melanie Hawken

We have all been there at some point in our entrepreneurial lives. That pivotal point when we need sound advice or reassurance from another woman entrepreneur who has been there, done it, got the T Shirt, and experienced all the business challenges and hurdles, emerging with the essential wisdom and experience we need to share. Learn, be inspired, and take comfort from those women who have blazed an entrepreneurial trail before you.

Entrepreneur Advice from Damilola Solesi: You need to maximise every opportunity when you startup

January 29, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Damilola Solesi, founder of SMIDS Animation Studios, Nigeria — **Damilola Solesi**, founder of SMIDS Animation Studios, Nigeria

You need to go after every opportunity....

"As an entrepreneur, you need to be clever and go after every opportunity that presents itself to be able to grow, particularly when you are in a new and highly capitalised industry. At the beginning, it was hard to get people to put funds in an industry that had not been fully established."

- Damilola Solesi is founder, CEO and creative director of SMIDS Animation Studios Nigeria a company she founded in 2010. Smids animation studios is based in Lagos and creates 3D computer animation, 3D content production, motion graphics and visual effects. Damilola is also the pioneer of TechDivaz (now Women R.I.S.E), an initiative she started at the Co-Creation Hub. TechDivaz is a platform where women are inspired to expand their interests in technology through collaboration, networking, training, mentorship and funding to help them play a stronger role in growing the technology startup scene in Nigeria and Africa.

Mireille Karera - The startup story of a Rwandan entrepreneur providing bespoke consulting and coaching services to clients around the world

January 28, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates — **Mireille Karera**, founder of KORA Associates

Many entrepreneurs take a personal passion and turn it into a business. In the case of Mireille Karera, she had a passion to see people grow and progress in their lives in practical ways, and that led her to set up her company, KORA Associates, that encourages, coaches and advises individuals, businesses and communities in achieving their goals, visions and dreams.

Quote of the Day by Lydie Hakizimana

January 28, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lydie Hakizimana, co-founder and Managing Director of Drakkar Limited — Lydie Hakizimana, co-founder and Managing Director of Drakkar Limited

“There are still many problems (in Rwanda), but I now see them as opportunities where entrepreneurs like me can thrive and rebuild the country,”

- Lydie Hakizimana is co-founder and Managing Director of Drakkar Limited, a specialist reseller and distributor of educational textbooks. It all started back in 2006 when this avid bookworm decided to follow her passion and opened a small bookshop. Before long, her entrepreneurial instincts had her developing relationships with numerous publishing companies. Eventually, she struck a deal that was to be the making of her company with UK publisher, Pearson Education. Drakkar rapidly evolved into a leading educational textbooks reseller in Rwanda, becoming an important enabler of her country's vision for building a knowledge-based economy. Today, Lydie manages 45 employees and thirty part-time distributors covering the five provinces of Rwanda. Lydie has also added exclusive distributor deals with Longman, Heinemann and Penguin to her Pearson contract.

Be your authentic self in business

January 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

According to Janet L. Stephenson “Authenticity requires a certain measure of vulnerability, transparency, and integrity.” But, what does it mean to be your authentic self? And, why is this so important in the business world?

Entrepreneur Advice from Wendy Ackerman: Expect to work very hard

January 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Wendy Ackerman, co-founder and Executive Director of Pick n Pay — **Wendy Ackerman**, co-founder and Executive Director of Pick n Pay

You are entitled to nothing.... expect to work hard....

"I’m afraid there are no short cuts, you’ve just jolly well got to work - that’s all there is to it."

- Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick n Pay Stores. Together with husband Raymond Ackerman she helped build up one of South Africa’s pre-eminent FMCG retailers, consisting of over 450 stores including 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. Operations are in food, clothing, and general merchandise sectors as well as financial services. The company operates throughout South Africa, southern Africa and Australia and employs around 49,000 people. Today, much of Wendy's boundless energy is devoted to her family's philanthropic endeavours and her personal work for the underprivileged.

Entrepreneur Advice from Gabriella von Ille - No questions are stupid questions

January 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Gabriella von Ille, founder of Lifa Communications (South Africa) — **Gabriella von Ille**, founder of Lifa Communications (South Africa)

No questions are stupid questions....

"Never be afraid to ask for help and to give the same help in return. No questions are stupid questions. It is not a competition, and not knowing everything is not a weakness. Working together helps you get more out of being an entrepreneur."

- Gabriella von Ille is the founder of Lifa Communications in South Africa, a boutique consultancy firm focused on Africa and Natural Resources. Lifa specializes in PR & Strategic Communication, Digital Design and Marketing & Branding. Gabriella has a double degree in Political Science and Communications from Sweden and the US.

Quote of the Day by Mame Khary Diene

January 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken

“I want to show young people that it is possible to succeed in Africa, it is not necessary to take boats, there is hope, but yes, you have to work hard.”

- Mame Khary Diene is the founder and CEO of the Bioessence Laboratories, a Senegalese natural beauty brand founded in Dakar in 2007. Bioessence Laboratories produces a range of "luxury" age-defying shea butter skin care products that are marketed around the world. Mame has a Masters of Information Systems degree from the University and was awarded a Cartier Women's Initiative Award in 2008; and the United Nations IFAD award for Diaspora Entrepreneurship in 2015.

Entrepreneur Advice from Kynaro Kinnear - You will find a way to be successful

January 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Kynaro Kinnear, founder of K2 PR and Events (South Africa) — **Kynaro Kinnear**, founder of K2 PR and Events (South Africa)

You will find a way to be successful....

"My advice to women wanting to start up a business is to ‘go for it’. Women are the strongest species in all ways - lionesses hunt, human females work, we look after the children, run a household and still have energy to go to a soccer match - if we can give birth to life, than we can do anything, no matter how difficult or challenging it may look. So take a breath and jump in because you will find a way to be successful."

- Kynaro Kinnear is the founder of K2 PR and Events, an event management and PR company in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kynaro is passionate about helping people, and today her company is centred around helping people, whether it be to help plan a wedding or help an NGO to launch a campaign.

Quote of the Day by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi

January 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken

“African heritage plays a huge role in my work. It’s time for African fashion to really shine and show our culture.”

- Akosua Afriyie-Kumi is a Ghanaian designer and founder of the Accra-based label AAKS who create uniquely hand-crafted bags in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of ancient traditions characterised by bright exuberant colours. Akosua started the company with the goal of introducing the world to her favourite weaving techniques done by the women of Ghana while also creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa.

Essential Read: Success is a Journey for Startups by Olivia ‘Moy” Fung

January 24, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Olivia ‘Moy’ Fung, author and founder of You Inspire Me Women — **Olivia ‘Moy’ Fung**, author and founder of You Inspire Me Women

In Success is a Journey for Startups, author Olivia ‘Moy’ Fung has taken her personal experiences of being an entrepreneur and created a practical self-analysis handbook. It helps any startup entrepreneur to identify underlying setbacks, realise their talents and passions, and learn how to monetize them to build a successful business. The book also provides a source of inspiration from someone who has been there, got the T-Shirt, overcome all the hurdles and obstacles in life and business, and emerged as an entrepreneurial success story.