Imagine the confusion that the platypus caused for scientists - a mammal that lays eggs, has the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver and otter feet. How to classify it? The same confusion cripples many startup products.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye
Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye, founder of IMentorAfrica (Nigeria)
"As a social entrepreneur, my greatest reward is in seeing people become happier, better and more successful because of my service."
- Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye is the founder of IMentorAfrica in Nigeria, a virtual platform for Africans to LinkUp and share the gift of “Mentorship”. This Nigerian-based Social entrepreneur and Human Resources and Business Strategist is on a mission to ensure that anyone who is willing and able to Mentor, or anyone who has a need to be Mentored, can find a platform to make it a reality.
Read moreSandra Idossou - The startup story of a Rwandan media company committed to promoting service excellence
Sandra Idossou, founder of The ServiceMag (Rwanda)
Good customer service is so critical to success in all aspects of entrepreneurial life, and therefore the concept and ethos behind Sandra Idossou’s company, The ServiceMag, couldn’t have come at a better time in Africa. She is passionately committed to helping companies and organisations to improve their customer centricity and, as a result, helping to make the continent more customer focused in its entrepreneurial approach.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Marcia Mofokeng
Marcia Mofokeng, founder of Alurcia Aluminium and Glass (South Africa)
"They did it, I'm doing it, you can do it, you will do it!"
- Marcia Mofokeng is the founder of Alurcia Aluminium and Glass in South Africa, a manufacturer and installer of customised aluminium windows and doors to both residential and commercial customers. After completing both the New Venture Creation and Metal Engineering learnership programmes offered by Wispeco, Marcia started out in business in 2011. Marcia went on to win grant funding from the SAB Kickstart competition and this provided the help she needed to get all the equipment and tools required to operate her business.
Read moreMeet 20 African women EcoWarriors building companies and community projects to save the planet
The world is facing more environmental challenges today than ever before, and Africa is feeling the harsh impact of many of these problems, from environmental degradation and deforestation, to shrinking water supplies, threats to biodiversity, lack of affordable green housing, and waste management issues. Innovative and effective solutions are needed and increasing attention is now being paid to the role that women entrepreneurs are playing on the continent in helping to provide possible solutions to many of these environmental problems, whilst at the same time creating jobs and opportunities for communities to thrive.
Read moreEssential Read: Elegant Entrepreneur: The Female Founders Guide to Starting & Growing Your First Company by Danielle Tate
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.
Read moreFlying Doctors Nigeria, founded by Ola Orekunrin, wins Consumersng Award
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.
Read moreValentine's Day celebrated in true #WomanMadeinAfrica style
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.
Read moreIs Ankara the new black?
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’.
Read moreBalungile Sokhulu - The startup story of a fashion designer turned passionate social entrepreneur empowering disadvantaged South Africans with skills
Balungile Sokhulu, founder of Goshem City of Refuge Shelter (South Africa)
Take one talented young fashion designer with a great eye for detail and a creative flair, and combine it with a passion for making a difference in society, and you have a wonderful South African social entrepreneur, Balungile Sokhulu, founder of Goshem City of Refuge Shelter. She is transforming recycled paper into accessories that are real works of art, and creating much-needed opportunities for youth with disabilities and women. She is a real game-changer.
Read moreAnthea Ambursley - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur passionate about the hospitality industry and empowering women to start businesses
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Juliana Rotich
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'.
Read moreAyoronke Tosin-Yeye - The startup story of a Nigerian entrepreneur on a mission to mentor others in Africa
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.
Read moreEmily Pienaar - The startup story of a South African perfumier, inspired by traditional French perfume-making but celebrating Africa’s unique flora
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Jenna Clifford
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.
Read moreMarcia 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
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.
Read moreRaksha Mahabeer and Sandhya Singh - The startup story of a South African entrepreneurial duo building a vibrant creative design studio
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.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Shona Macdonald: Get involved with an incubation program
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Mmabatho Portia Morudi
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.
Read moreMeet 22 women entrepreneurs redefining African luxury and exciting the world with Afroluxe brands
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.
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