The environmental issues confronting Africa today are well documented. The issue is pressing, but where will the solutions come from? In Africa, many of the innovations to solve Africa's most pressing environmental problems are emerging from women. Specifically, from young women entrepreneurs who are successfully linking sustainable business to environmental consciousness and concern for societal well-being. This is the basis for a new wave of women-led ecopreneurship taking root in Africa, resulting in a new generation of women-led startups with environmental consciousness at their core.
Read moreShikha Vincent - The startup story of a Kenyan entrepreneur who has founded a business based on her passions for jewellery design, travel and conservation
Shikha Vincent, founder of SHIKHAZURI (Kenya)
Many women entrepreneurs in Africa are inspired to start their businesses because of a personal passion, and in the case of Kenyan entrepreneur Shikha Vincent, her jewellery design company SHIKHAZURI, was motivated by just such passions. Her fascination with ethnic and tribal jewellery from across the African continent, combined with her desire to support wildlife conservation in her country, resulted in the creation of a jewellery brand with a strong backstory and purpose which is resonating with customers at home and abroad.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Olajumoke Adenowo
Olajumoke Adenowo, founder of AD Consulting (Nigeria)
"African entrepreneurs must be the alternative government and take up the task of human capacity development....We must see our staff, not just as resources for the business, but as human beings whose potentials we are to discover, develop, and deploy."
- Olajumoke Adenowo, founder of AD Consulting, is a Nigerian Architect, Speaker, Radio Host, Philantropist and Author. CNN has described her as “Africa’s Starchitect”. She has been featured in the World’s foremost Architectural Journal; Architectural Record and has spoken on several platforms including the Global Women’s Forum and Harvard Business School (African Business Club). Olajumoke also hosts a Syndicated Radio show on Leadership called “Voice of Change”.
Read moreFidelis Wanjiku - The startup story of a Kenyan marketing specialist creating winning solutions for her clients and their businesses
Fidelis Wanjiku, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya)
Any successful business knows the importance of strong marketing campaigns to get key messages to customers and connect them to brands and services. One Kenyan company, Round Square Marketing Limited, founded by entrepreneur Fidelis Wanjiku, is demonstrating a powerful track record in creating campaigns and solutions that delivers to its clients.
Read moreMeet 25 inspirational women entrepreneurs who are helping to put Kenya on the global business map
Last year, when President Barack Obama and the United States partnered with the Government of Kenya to host the sixth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit, it marked a new global interest in the country and its inspirational entrepreneurs. The event had an overarching focus on generating new investments in entrepreneurs in the country, particularly women and young entrepreneurs.
Read more100 Lionesses: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu talks disruptive change at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels
Ethiopian entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu addressed the 2016 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York last month, invited to speak in a session aimed at highlighting those global game-changers who have demonstrated their ability to change mindsets.
Read moreEssential Read: Secrets of A Socialprenista: The Pink Print - The Top 8 Mistakes Women Entrepreneurs Make That Keep Them Broke, Stuck, and Struggling in Their Business by Andrieka J. Austin
Andrieka J. Austin, author and entrepreneur
If you ever wondered why so many women entrepreneurs encounter the same challenges and keep making the same mistakes that ultimately hold them back, then author, entrepreneur and self-styled ‘socialprenista, Andrieka J. Austin may have the answer. Her new book Secrets of A Socialprenista: The Pink Print - Top 8 Mistakes Women Entrepreneurs Make That Keep Them Broke, Stuck, and Struggling in Their Business, is the woman entrepreneur’s guide to the most important key for getting things done.
Read moreYvonne Manyiki - The startup story of a creative entrepreneur with a passion for designing handmade jewellery with a modern, African flair
Yvonne Manyiki, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa)
A love of traditional beadwork, combined with a passion for creating unique colourful and eye-catching pieces, led South African entrepreneur Yvonne Manyiki to startup her company Dimzique Enterprise, and tap into the market for affordable yet elegant costume jewellery. The country’s markets and festivals provide a wealth of customers who appreciate her fine beadwork and her wonderful creative eye for design.
Read moreCalling all women entrepreneurs in Maputo!
The Seedstars World Competition is coming to Mozambique and the women startup entrepreneurs of Maputo are invited to apply to pitch their startup businesses at this exciting event. The deadline for applications for women entrepreneurs in Maputo has been extended to Sunday 10th July at 12pm - so get those applications in now!
Read moreQuote of the Day by Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins, founder and CEO of Wonderbag
"It’s critically important to have somebody you can trust to guide you from a mentorship perspective in those starting years."
- Sarah Collins is the founder and CEO of Wonderbag, a simple non electric slow cooker which works in mud huts in Africa to Manhattan apartments. Voted one of the most powerful women entrepreneurs of the year by Fortune Magazine, in 2013, Sarah grew up in rural, apartheid-era South Africa. Determined to change the status quo, especially for women in Africa, she created the Wonderbag in 2008. She has sold over 1 million Wonderbags in over 40 countries, making an impact on the daily lives of women across the world.
Read moreDawn Beech, Rachel Staddon and Rose Chaplin - the startup story of three tenacious South African entrepreneurs providing a virtual assistant service to busy people
Dawn Beech, Rose Chaplin & Rachel Staddon, founders Virtual Concierge Services (South Africa)
We all have increasingly busy lives and there never seems to be enough time to do all the things that need to be done each day, balancing work and family life at the same time as building businesses and corporate careers. But, three South African women entrepreneurs have joined forces to provide a solution. Their company, Virtual Concierge Services, offers a range of services to tackle all those tiresome tasks that take up so much valuable time.
Read morePheliswa Nomdatya - the startup story of a South African social entrepreneur and her two co-founders who are bringing financial education training to empower the low-income population
Pheliswa Nomdatya, co-founder of Ndima Yam NPC (South Africa)
Recognising that those with low incomes need access to financial education in order to better manage their finances and, as a result, experience greater financial freedom, was the inspiration behind the creation of Ndima Yam NPC. This South African NPO was formed to make a difference in the lives of the country’s communities by creating greater financial literacy amongst its neediest citizens.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Tinyiko Mareane & Boitumelo Mogoai: Fight for your dreams
Tinyiko Mareane & Boitumelo Mogoai, founders of Nik Muffins (South Africa)
Fight for your dreams....
"Do not give up no matter what. Fight for your dreams. When people can't do something, they want to tell you that you can't. Don't let them. You made a promise to yourself to succeed, so be a woman of your word to yourself."
- Tinyiko Mareane & Boitumelo Mogoai are the founders of Nik Muffins in South Africa, a social enterprise that sells muffins and customised cupcakes and cakes and uses the portion of profits to assist girls in Soweto by teaching them life skills, giving them access to mentorship, and providing them with information resources they are typically unable to access.
Read moreMarang Marekimane - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur with a passion for helping small businesses to become sustainable
Marang Marekimane, founder of Business In Theory (South Africa)
Talk to any entrepreneurs and the chances are they will tell you that one of the biggest challenges is creating businesses and brands that are sustainable and can exist for the long haul. South African entrepreneur, Marang Marekimane, has recognised this challenge and her company Business In Theory is poised to help others to get their systems and processes in place to create solid, sustainable businesses that can go the distance.
Read moreAleshia van der Ploeg - The startup story of a legal expert turned entrepreneur with a passion for helping SMEs and startups
Aleshia van der Ploeg, founder of VDP Legal Consulting (South Africa)
Making the move from the world of working in law firms as an employee to an entrepreneurial life as a legal consulting firm is one that Aleshia van der Ploeg knows only too well when. Today her company, VDP Legal Consulting, provides her with the opportunity to live her working life on her own terms whilst fulfilling her passion for providing expert legal advice to those SMEs and startups who need it.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Nelly Tuikong
Nelly Tuikong, founder of Pauline Cosmetics (Kenya)
"I started the business with only $400 to produce product samples and bootstrapped my way to where we are today"
- Nelly Tuikong is the founder of one of Kenya's first homegrown cosmetics brands, Pauline Cosmetics. Nelly provides practical solutions to women's beauty and lifestyle. Her brand not only delivers great quality and beautifully packaged products, but also creates unique, fun and interactive ways to learn makeup techniques and product knowledge so that women can become their own makeup expert and artist. Nelly's products are available all over Kenya and East Africa.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Nkem Onwudiwe: Don't be afraid to ask for help
Don't be afraid to ask for help....
"I’ve learned that you cannot do everything yourself. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help, learn to trust others and delegate. I’ve also learned to set goals, both personal and professional, and to regularly evaluate progress."
- Nkem Onwudiwe is the founder of HER Network in Nigeria, a platform that seeks to bridge and connect women all over the world. Nkem's vision is to bridge the gap, one city at a time, by creating events & networking opportunities where women build real connections, share real stories and bond over honest conversations which in its own unique way, encourages and empowers the next woman.
Read more100 Lionesses: Alldens Lane Founder and CEO, Ruka Sanusi, leads delegation of Ghanaian and Nigerian businesswomen on inspirational fact-finding tour to Johannesburg
Ruka Sanusi, founder & CEO of Alldens Lane (Ghana)
This week, emerging female business owners from Ghana and Nigeria got the chance to experience a week of instructive and inspiring life and business lessons, when one of Africa’s leading business advisory and consulting firm founders, Ruka Sanusi, CEO of Alldens Lane, led the group on a fact-finding tour to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Read moreBronwyn Kilroe - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur and coach who is teaching the world how to laugh to beat stress and find happiness
Bronwyn Kilroe, founder of Laughter Sessions (South Africa)
We probably all know those corporate environments which exude stress the moment you walk into them. Well, one South African entrepreneur, Bronwyn Kilroe, founder of Laughter Sessions, has created a highly successful business that reminds companies and organisations about the power of fun and laughter to create positive and productive working environments.
Read moreEssential Read: Shut Up and Do the Work - The entrepreneur's guide to creating massive success by Stephanie Synclair
Stephanie Synclair
Shut Up and Do the Work is the ultimate guide for experienced entrepreneurs, new entrepreneurs and those with dreams and ambitions of entrepreneurship, who know without a doubt that they were born to do more, be more and have more, yet they can't seem to grab it. In this book, entrepreneur, business coach and speaker, Stephanie Synclair shares her recipe for creating massive success, by making a fundamental shift in mindset first.
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