Marcia Mofokeng - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur who is making a name for herself in the male dominated world of aluminium window and door manufacture

February 9, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Marcia Mofokeng, founder of Alurcia Aluminium and Glass (South Africa)

As a woman entrepreneur in South Africa, entering an industry sector which is traditionally the domain of male run companies is never easy, and particularly those in the manufacturing and installation sectors. But Marcia Mofokeng, founder of Alurcia Aluminium and Glass, is proof positive that with a combination of hard work, ambition, sheer determination and great skills, it is possible to achieve anything.

Raksha Mahabeer and Sandhya Singh - The startup story of a South African entrepreneurial duo building a vibrant creative design studio

February 9, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Sandhya Singh and Raksha Mahabeer, founders of SummerTime (South Africa) — **Sandhya Singh and** **Raksha Mahabeer**, founders of SummerTime (South Africa)

In the highly competitive and fast moving world of corporate branding, marketing and graphic design, finding a specialist niche is key. South African creative design studio, SummerTime, is one such company leading the field by providing a powerful combination of passion for the work they do, combined with an innovative approach to solving branding and marketing challenges on behalf of their clients.

Entrepreneur Advice from Shona Macdonald: Get involved with an incubation program

February 9, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Shona Macdonald, founder of Thursdays Lingerie and Swimwear (South Africa) — **Shona Macdonald**, founder of Thursdays Lingerie and Swimwear (South Africa)

Get involved with an incubation program....

"My advice to you as a start-up entrepreneur would be to get involved with an incubation program. I am with the Awethu Project, and on top of increasing my business knowledge and giving me the practical tools to run a successful business, they have opened a lot of doors for me in terms of networking and just being more aware of the business world and opportunities around me. It is also comforting to know that you are not alone, and have a network of support around you."

- Shona Macdonald is the founder of Thursdays Lingerie and Swimwear in South Africa, a company that designs and manufactures lingerie and swimwear for girls C cup and up. Thursdays is not a plus size brand, as they understand that a woman can have big boobs, regardless of the size of her waist. Shona is intent on building a proudly South African brand, and all her operations are conducted locally.

Quote of the Day by Mmabatho Portia Morudi

February 9, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Mmabatho Portia Morudi, founder of The Village Market SA (South Africa) — **Mmabatho Portia Morudi**, founder of The Village Market SA (South Africa)

"Playing small does not serve the world."

- Mmabatho Portia Morudi is the founder of The Village Market SA in South Africa, an emporia of village produce and products. Their offerings range from raw honey, preserves and veggie crates delivered to homes. This passionate bee farmer and creative agri-preneur also manages and sets up bee farms in rural communities to assist farmers with bee pollination to improve their crops and yields.

Meet 22 women entrepreneurs redefining African luxury and exciting the world with Afroluxe brands

February 8, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Africa’s women entrepreneurs and luxury brand builders are turning their attention to the growing global appetite for luxury products that also have a strong back-story. They are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do. These women are putting Africa on the global map with their exquisitely made and proudly Afroluxe products that are winning legions of new fans.

Uche Pedro, Africa's online media diva, nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards 2016

February 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Uche Pedro, founder of BellaNaija.com — **Uche Pedro,** founder of BellaNaija.com

Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) has revealed that Uche Pedro is among this year's nominees for the 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards, the ultimate fan celebration of the best of everything kids love in pop culture. The nominees reflect the entertainment that audiences see, play, listen to and read in droves, from movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World and Pitch Perfect 2, to a host of television shows, music, gaming, books and more.

Mogau Seshoene - The startup story of a young entrepreneur who pivoted from a finance career to teaching women to cook traditional South African cuisine

February 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Mogau Seshoene, founder of The Lazy Makoti (South Africa) — **Mogau Seshoene**, founder of The Lazy Makoti (South Africa)

In the world of entrepreneurship in Africa, some of the most inspirational and exciting businesses are being created by those women who make a brave career pivot and leave the safety of the corporate world to following their entrepreneurial dreams. South African entrepreneur Mogau Seshoene is one such woman. With her company, The Lazy Makoti (love the name!), she is inspiring the country’s kitchens by teaching traditional South African cooking to local women.

Fatima Babakura - The startup story of a young Nigerian entrepreneur creating a new luxury women’s handbag brand on the continent

February 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Fatima Babakura, founder of Timabee (Nigeria) — **Fatima Babakura**, founder of Timabee (Nigeria)

Timabee is a new proudly African, luxury accessory brand on a mission to make luxury accessible and affordable, whilst at the same time celebrating the best craftsmanship combined with the finest leathers. The company’s founder, Fatima Babakura, is passionate about the timeless process of creating the most beautiful accessories, harnessing her country’s tradition of fine craftsman-made products, but in a new contemporary way.

PODCAST: LoA interviews Julia Pimsleur, the inspirational author of Million Dollar Women

February 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Julia Pimsleur, author of 'Million Dollar Women' — **Julia Pimsleur**, author of 'Million Dollar Women'

Most women entrepreneurs are stuck at the “mom and pop” level, just getting by, or in many cases, running out of cash. In her book Million Dollar Women, Julia Pimsleur shares her inspiring story of building her own company and raising millions in capital in a guide for women like her who have a great idea and need to find the resources to take it into the big leagues. LOA founder Melanie Hawken recently had the pleasure of chatting to Julia and finding out what women entrepreneurs in Africa need to do to become Million Dollar Women. A must listen interview!

Enter now! Entries open for inaugural West Africa Mobile Awards

February 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

The West Africa Mobile Awards (WAMAS), the first truly West African technology awards targeting the leading mobile and tech companies across the region, are now accepting entries. The deadline for entries is the 28th of February and the West Africa Mobile Award Winners 2016 will be revealed over cocktails and canapés at the awards ceremony on April 21st in Lagos, Nigeria.

Shona Macdonald - The startup story of a young South African entrepreneur on a mission to create a new lingerie and swimwear brand for big-boobed girls

February 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Any woman with larger breasts will know how difficult it is to find beautiful and trendy lingerie and swimwear that is both affordable and actually fits properly. Well, South African entrepreneur Shona Macdonald is on a mission to change all that with her exciting new company Thursdays Lingerie and Swimwear.

Craft your future for a life you deserve and want

February 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Are you living the life you want? Are you where you want to be? We are all good at planning, whether it’s our children’s birthday parties, an overseas vacation, a trip to the dentist. Yet when it comes to your life, things change a bit. You don’t search for the perfect life, you craft it.

Mmabatho Portia Morudi - The startup story of a South African woman bee farmer building a growing sustainable business and ecosystem

February 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Many entrepreneurs have an epiphany moment when they decide to create their business ventures, and for South African entrepreneur, Mmabatho (Portia) Morudi, that moment came in the form of bees. Inspired by her grandfather, she moved into the world of bee farming and honey production initially, driven by a passion to use her knowledge and expertise in bee keeping to assist local economic development and food security challenges. Today her business, The Village Market SA, is so much more than the sum of its parts.

Entrepreneur Advice from Irene Ochem: Try to learn from your mistakes

February 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

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

Try to learn from your mistakes....

"When you come across the road blocks, for you surely will, do not turn back; persistence and resilience are key factors for success. And, yes, you can make mistakes, but try to learn from your mistakes."

- Irene Ochem is the founder of African Women Innovation and Enterprise Forum (AWIEF) and the Managing Director of ICO Conferences & Events Limited, a full-service professional conference producing, event management and training company that operates across Africa and globally. Irene holds an MBA from the University of London.

Quote of the Day

February 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

“If you want to reach African kids and do it at scale, it can only be through mobile phones, .... With over three hundred million young Africans on mobile phones, imagine the possibilities if we could reach them and inspire them with really powerful messaging!”

- Anne Githuku-Shongwe is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Afroes Transformational Games - a company that builds mobile game-based learning platforms out of South Africa and Kenya. Anne's vision is to revolutionise learning in Africa with a focus on delivering positive Africa-focused mobile phone entertainment to the youth market across the continent.

4 Steps to successfully setting your goals at the beginning of a New Year

February 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken

I am sure we are all for setting goals at the beginning of each year, even unreasonable goals that are often far-fetched. Sometimes, setting these goals is a well intended exercise, but it will end up being meaningless if not taken seriously. When setting goals, take time to think the process through, and keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day, one where no mistakes have been made yet. So, here are 4 steps to successfully setting your goals at the beginning of each year....

Entrepreneur Smarts: Play Three Games

February 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken

To succeed a new venture needs to play at least two and maybe three very different games at the same time… a short game; a mid game; and a long game. Neil uses real-life case studies to provide insights to help you play all three games well in your own startup.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lizelle Coombs: You are the master of your own destiny

February 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken

You are the master of your own destiny....

"Always remember, YOU are the master of your own destiny and only YOUR passion, commitment and dedication will bring you the rewards YOU desire."

- Lizelle Coombs is passionate about developing and empowering people. As a professional facilitator she works closely with both entrepreneurs and employers in South Africa. As an active networker, she focuses on connecting people, creating opportunities and sharing information whilst also building a network of reliable and trusted entrepreneurial service providers. She is involved in growing business entities, all dedicated to uplift and empower people through various facilitation and engagement methods.

Lucy Worsley - The startup story of a South African experiential marketer putting the shared economy model at the core of her business

February 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lucy Worsley, founder of Empire Experiential Marketing (South Africa) — **Lucy Worsley**, founder of Empire Experiential Marketing (South Africa)

One young South African entrepreneur taking a literal approach to building an empire is Lucy Worsley, the founder of Empire Experiential Marketing. She has captured a gap in the market to bring a fresh, vibrant approach to brand marketing by creating highly focused, custom experiences for the world’s leading brands in Africa.

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

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.