Essential Read: Elegant Entrepreneur: The Female Founders Guide to Starting & Growing Your First Company by Danielle Tate

February 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Danielle Tate, author and entrepreneur — **Danielle Tate**, author and entrepreneur

“As a young female founder I noticed that there were very few business guides offered step-by-step advice to smart but inexperienced women. I wrote this book to fill a void—this is a fully-encompassing resource on how to build a business and become an entrepreneur from a woman's point of view.” - Danielle Tate, author and entrepreneur, founder of MissNowMrs.

Flying Doctors Nigeria, founded by Ola Orekunrin, wins Consumersng Award

February 13, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Flying Doctors Nigeria, founded by Dr. Ola Orekunrin, have been recognised by this year's Consumersng Awards for being one of the top 20 brands in Nigeria adopting high tech innovations in delivering services to people. Flying Doctors Nigeria, a medical emergency service that specializes in air ambulances, and other remote site medical solutions services, won the health start-ups category.

Valentine's Day celebrated in true #WomanMadeinAfrica style

February 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Every lioness needs a little love in their lives, and also to share a little love, so this Valentine's Day weekend, we are celebrating the power of romance and suggesting a few fabulous gift ideas, created by the talented women entrepreneurs and artisans in the Lionesses of Africa community. From the smallest of gifts in the form of handmade confectionery, to the extravagant gestures of love expressed in jewellery, our fabulous women entrepreneurs have something for everyone.

Is Ankara the new black?

February 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Photo Credit: www.myinnerfashionista.com

On a recent Saturday morning in Brooklyn, New York, women and a few men jostled to select from rows of racks of brightly coloured clothes designed in African print. There was barely any elbow room as people squeezed past each other; and the shop assistants could barely keep the racks stocked fast enough. The long lines at the checkout registers were evidence people were spending lots of money. This was the scene at a recent pop-up store hosted by online store Zuvaa.com, which brands itself as ‘A Global Marketplace for African Design’.

Anthea Ambursley - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur passionate about the hospitality industry and empowering women to start businesses

February 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Anthea Ambursley, founder of Anansi (South Africa) — **Anthea Ambursley**, founder of Anansi (South Africa)

The most successful businesses tend to be led by entrepreneurs who are not only passionate about what they do, but those that have a vision of how to empower others to follow in their footsteps. Anansi is one such multi-faceted company, and the brainchild of its talented founder, Anthea Ambursley, who is passing on her wisdom and experience through a number of platforms in her business.

Quote of the Day by Juliana Rotich

February 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Juliana Rotich, technologist and social entrepreneur (Kenya) — **Juliana Rotich,** technologist and social entrepreneur (Kenya)

"Passion makes you approach a task with childlike pleasure and zeal - it ensures that you give it your all."

- Juliana Rotich is a Technologist, MIT Media Lab Director's Fellow, TED Senior Fellow and currently serves as Chair of World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Data Driven Development. She is co-founder of Ushahidi Inc, a non-profit tech company, born in Africa, which specializes in developing free and open source software for information collection, interactive mapping and data curation. Ushahidi builds tools for democratizing information, increasing transparency and lowering the barriers for individuals to share their stories. She leads a team that is expanding its global footprint and making crowdsourcing tools available and useful, and catalyzing entrepreneurial initiatives like iHub in Kenya. In 2011 The World Economic Forum named Juliana 'Social Entrepreneur of the Year'.

Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye - The startup story of a Nigerian entrepreneur on a mission to mentor others in Africa

February 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye, founder of IMentorAfrica (Nigeria) — **Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye**, founder of IMentorAfrica (Nigeria)

IMentorAfrica is the brainchild of Nigerian entrepreneur Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye, and is a company focused on helping entrepreneurs find mentors in their key areas of expertise and interest. Her online solution provides instant access to both experienced mentors and information, and brings an entrepreneurial network together.

Emily Pienaar - The startup story of a South African perfumier, inspired by traditional French perfume-making but celebrating Africa’s unique flora

February 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Emily Pienaar, founder of Rose en Bos (South Africa) — **Emily Pienaar**, founder of Rose en Bos (South Africa)

Perfume is very evocative of time and place and a very personal experience for the wearer. In the case of South African perfume house, Rose en Bos, founded by entrepreneur Emily Pienaar, the inspiration comes from the spectacular and world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom. To wear these perfumes is to be transported to this beautiful, unspoilt and unique part of the world.

Quote of the Day by Jenna Clifford

February 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Jenna Clifford, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs (South Africa) — **Jenna Clifford**, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs (South Africa)

"I have often also relied on my gut instinct to guide me in business, the times I haven’t, have been unfortunate.”

- Jenna Clifford is a world-renowned jewellery designer, known for her unique designs and superlative craftsmanship. Established in 1992, her company has steadily grown its clientele and improved its profile to institute itself as a powerful force in the jewellery industry. Her bold and dramatic designs are sought after by some of the most recognised business icons and celebrities from around the world. Today, Jenna Clifford Designs employs around 70 people, including some of the finest jewellery artisans and craftsmen in South Africa.

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.