"It is not footwear we are producing - it's a kind of art," explained Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, who founded soleRebels in 2005 in the neighbourhood where she grew up, after realising skilled residents lacked job opportunities.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Essma Ben Hamida
Essma Ben Hamida, co-founder of Enda Inter-Arabe (Tunisia)
“I discovered I can’t change the world, but let’s start with my country.”
- Essma Ben Hamida is a Tunisian born development activist, co-founder and Executive Director of Enda Inter-Arabe in Tunisia, and President of the Sanabel Microfinance network of Arab countries. Essma launched Enda in 1995 as the first microcredit institution in Tunisia. Today, with a staff of 1300 working out of 79 branches, Enda serves 270,000 micro-entrepreneurs (70% are women) with a US$150 million loan portfolio and a repayment rate above 99%. Essma was selected Social Entrepreneur of the year for the MENA region in 2010 by the prestigious Schwab Foundation.
Read moreAbigail Klopper - The startup story of a South African photographer with a passion for confidence building portraiture for women at all stages of their lives
Abigail Klopper, founder of Abigail K Photography (South Africa)
Women entrepreneurs who follow their passion and turn it into a business are more likely to find success, as they are driven each day to fulfil their creative ambitions. Abigail K Photography is the passion of Abigail Klopper, a talented photographer who is harnessing the power of her chosen medium to enrich the lives of others.
Read moreTania Reid - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help companies to find solutions to key challenges and business needs
Tania Reid, founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa)
To meet Tania Reid, founder of ithemba Office Solutions, is to meet a woman entrepreneur who is passionate about finding solutions for her clients’ day-to-day business operations, taking a personalised, tailor-made approach to the services she offers. Her goal is to be a trusted first port-of-call to source essential products and services on behalf of the companies she lists as her clients.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Self development makes you know yourself
Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)
Self development makes you know yourself....
“Be focused and clear in your mind about what you want to do. If you set out to do something, complete it. Don’t procrastinate. It is also important that you develop yourself. Finish your degree and then you start a whole way of learning. Self development makes you know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses.”
- Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria. Nike started out modestly in 1996 selling the clothes she made from the boot of her car and in bazaars. Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is an instantly recognisable brand in Nigeria and has a reputation for being one of the top manufacturers of children's clothing throughout West Africa. Ruff 'n' Tumble successfully caters to the unique fashion sense of today’s youngsters, from new born to age 16, happily mixing indigenous lifestyle trends with an international appeal.
Read moreKuli Kuli Foods founder Lisa Curtis masters the art of pitching on CNBC
Lisa Curtis, founder and ceo Kuli Kuli Foods
There is a definite art to pitching your company, products and brand to potential investors, and it is an art that Kuli Kuli Foods founder and ceo, Lisa Curtis, seems to have mastered. She has just appeared on CNBC's Power Pitch programme, winning new fans in the process. CNBC's Power Pitch is similar to Shark Tank where entrepreneurs get the opportunity to pitch their company to a panel of three investors. After the pitch, the investors have to decide... are they in or are they out? In the case of Kuli Kuli Foods, they were definitely in!
Read moreJohannesburg’s women entrepreneurs gather for another inspirational #LionessLeanIn
Speakers L-R: Karen Wessels, Melanie Hawken, Lori Milner, Jacqueline Rogers, Jayshree Naidoo, Lilian Muhammed
One of the highlights on the monthly event calendar at Lionesses of Africa are the Lioness Lean In Breakfast events, which take place in different cities and venues, bringing together some of the most inspirational women entrepreneurs to share their experiences and startup stories. The latest event took place on Thursday 19th May, once again powered by Standard Bank and hosted at their inspirational SB Business Incubator in Rosebank, Johannesburg. And, what a great event it was!
Read moreThanthi Sepeng - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur on a mission to change lives for the better in her country through her work
Thanthi Sepeng, founder of Reve Productions (South Africa)
Reve Productions is the brainchild of Thanthi Sepeng, one of an exciting new breed of entrepreneurs in South Africa who are finding solutions to key challenges. Her company is geared up to provide clients with a comprehensive, professional and unforgettable service, be it in Event Management, Marketing, Event Logistics Management or CSI Projects.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Janet Nkubana: My top advice to any woman starting up a business
Top advice for women starting up?....
"They should know what they are best at rather than seeing what others are doing. They need to know who their competitors and clients are, and give their customers good value for their money."
- Janet Nkubana, co-founded Gahaya Links Cooperatives with her sister Joy Ndungutse shortly after the Rwandan genocide ended in 1994. These inspiring sisters had a vision to turn ancient basket weaving skills into a source of livelihood for thousands of rural women. Many of the women, like Janet and Joy themselves, were returning refugees or survivors of the genocide. The women started weaving baskets in exchange for food. Initially bringing together about twenty women, the sisters taught them how to weave and how to enhance their weaving skills with new design techniques. Today, Gahaya Links manages a network of over 4,000 weavers across the country, organised into around 52 cooperatives that help provide much needed income and stability. The sisters have successfully opened the business to international markets, partnering with the likes of Macy’s, Walmart, Oprah Magazine, and Kate Spade. Today, Gahaya Links "Peace Baskets” are sold and admired the world over.
Read moreJoselyne Umutoniwase - The startup story of a Rwandan fashionpreneur with a passion for custom-made fashion clothing and the art of tailoring
Joselyne Umutoniwase, founder of Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd (Rwanda)
For many fashion conscious buyers in Africa, there is nothing quite like the experience of having a piece of clothing tailor-made by a professional with an eye for both design and detail. Joselyne Umutoniwase, founder of Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd, is an entrepreneur who understands this need only too well, and has created a successful business providing custom-made clothes to discerning buyers who want the personal creative touch.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Elsie Kanza
Elsie Kanza, Head of Africa, World Economic Forum
"I strongly believe that the 21st century will be Africa’s century, that its young population has the potential to build a world where they are not only materially better off but also where things are fairer, more sustainable and more tolerant than at any other time in history."
- Elsie Kanza has been the Head of Africa at the World Economic Forum since 2014 and is a Member of the Executive Committee of World Economic Forum. She is also an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow; a Global Leader nominee of the World Economic Forum; and a Rising Talents nominee of the Program of the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Basadi Ohimile: Implement your dreams
Basadi Ohimile, founder of The Concept King (Botswana)
Implement your dreams....
"As much as the lion is the King of the jungle, a lioness raises and builds the cohesiveness of the family. Rise the innate lioness in you and start building - the hustles will come - allow them to be the curve-balls that will help you to build your entrepreneurial journey. Extend your hands and hold on to other like minded people as you and go forward to implement your dreams."
- Basadi Ohimile is the founder of The Concept King in Botswana, a creative company specialising in communication and advertising services in its broad spectrum. After completing her studies and graduating in South Africa, Basadi was confronted by the all too common reality of not being able to find a job. She decided to take the entrepreneurial approach and opened her first venture in South Africa in 2014, subsequently also launching in Botswana.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Ethel Cofie
"I think the belief that Africa is rising must move from the mere rhetoric to actual practical achievements. Africa cannot be rising if we cannot produce enough electricity for businesses to grow, amongst other things. So it is nice to say Africa is Rising or Ghana is Rising. But the rhetoric must be backed solidly."
- Ethel Cofie is a Ghanaian-born entrepreneur and founder of Edel Technologies. This techpreneur is passionate about technology, female leadership and empowering women entrepreneurs. Ethel is a Mandela Fellow for President Obama’s Young African Leaders initiative(YALI), and has beenfeatured in BBC and CNN for work in technology and women leadership. She is the founder of Women in Tech Ghana, initiator of the 1st Pan African woman in tech meetup and was shortlisted for the UN GEM Tech Award for her work supporting women in ICT.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Margaret Hirsch
"I believe stress is fear and I honestly am not afraid of anything. There has never been a challenge that I had to face that I haven’t been able to get sorted.”
- Margaret Hirsch is one half of a dynamic husband and wife duo that founded Hirsch's Homestores. Back in 1979, as a secretary, together with her husband Allan, then an appliance repair man, they unwittingly became entrepreneurs who went on to build an appliance, electronics and furnishing retail empire. Today, Hirsch's Homestores is the largest independently owned appliance and electronics business in Southern Africa, with seventeen branches and concept stores spread throughout South Africa.
Read moreBasadi Ohimile - The startup story of an entrepreneur from Botswana with a passion for communication and creativity
Basadi Ohimile, founder of The Concept King (Botswana)
Understanding the power of an integrated communication approach to help businesses to grow and connect with their audiences is something that entrepreneur Basadi Ohimile knows only too well. Her business, The Concept King, is leveraging her own experience and that of her team, to provide an end-to-end communications solution to her clients, both at home and across the continent.
Read more100 LIONESSES: Ethel Cofie's Edel Technology Consulting is nominated for IT Consulting Firm of The Year
Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Technology Consulting, Ghana
EDEL Technology Consulting, founded by Ethel Cofie has been nominated in this year’s Ghana Telecom Award now re-branded Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA), in the category “IT consulting firm of the year”. This follows hot on the heels of being judged one of the '100 Most Globally Competitive Startups in Ghana', compiled by one of the country’s reputed media rating establishments, Avance Media, together with The African Network of Entrepreneurs (TANOE) and Joy Business.
Read moreLionesses set to ‘lean in’ for greater business success in Johannesburg
The latest in the series of inspirational monthly Lioness Lean In Breakfast events is set to take place this week on Thursday 19th May, once again powered by Standard Bank and hosted at their inspirational SB Business Incubator in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The Lioness Lean In Breakfast events are proving to be a huge hit with women entrepreneurs who come from across the country to listen to successful women business brand builders share their stories, to inspire one another, and to network and connect for business success.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Baitse Phejane: Start small and network
Baitse Phejane, founder of Akili Communications (South Africa)
Start small and network....
"Do what you are good at and passionate about; understand the value you want to add; start small and network."
- Baitse Phejane is the founder of Akili Communications in South Africa, a full service communications and enterprise development company offering high-end solutions to the SME market. Baitse screens and segments SMEs and assists them to gain access to opportunities and markets. Prior to launching her own business Baitse was a Business Analyst for a large banking group in South Africa.
Read moreMeet the 5 winners of the Africa Top Women Innovators Challenge 2016
Africa’s future lies in the hands of its youthful population. But, while the region’s start-up businesses are gaining confidence and scale with a growing number of innovations achieving recognition beyond the region’s borders, much more must be done to create an enabling environment that allows entrepreneurs to flourish. This is especially the case for women entrepreneurs, whose potential is far from being optimized. This was the reason for a World Economic Forum challenge to find Africa’s top women Innovators. The criteria for the challenge required entrants’ companies to be less than three years old, be earning revenue for at least a year, and have proven innovation and positive social impact.
Read moreFulufhelo Ramulifho - The startup story of a South African edupreneur creating high school learner conversations about careers
Fulufhelo Ramulifho, founder of Careers For A Powerful You (South Africa)
The critical period of time for young people to open their minds to possibilities and to prepare for their futures is during their schoolyears - but, they need the right kind of support to help them on their journeys. Careers For A Powerful You is the brainchild of South African edupreneur Fulufhelo Ramulifho, a business focused on providing high quality career guidance, coaching and mentoring to help a new generation of young people to fulfil their potential.
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