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Essential Read: The Ultimate Survival Guide for Mompreneurs by Stepfanie Cuevas

August 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Stepfanie Cuevas

Stepfanie Cuevas

The Ultimate Survival Guide for Mompreneurs is a must read for all mothers who are balancing building a business and the demands of motherhood. Learn how to manage your time, create schedules, and take care of your children all while discovering way to still grow your own dreams. A short read jam packed with info from fellow mompreneur coach, Stepfanie Cuevas.

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In Essential Tags Books
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Claire Keet, a South African entrepreneur making the world of yoga and fitness a more inspirational design place

August 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Claire Keet, founder of Sentiens (South Africa)

Claire Keet, founder of Sentiens (South Africa)

For those of us who have spent hours in yoga studios, with boring yoga mats tucked under our arms, help is at hand. Claire Keet, founder of Sentiens, is on a mission to create beautiful yet practical yoga mats that will inspire anyone looking for that perfect zen moment as they exercise and meditate.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness
1 Comment

South Africa’s Popcorn Training wins gold at the 2016 Golden Bridge Business Awards

August 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken

South Africa’s Popcorn Training has earned the prestigious Gold Winner status in the 8th annual Golden Bridge Awards® in the Winner Category - Information Technology and Security Innovations: Training and Education - Best Product or Service of the Year fortheir Security Awareness Series “Cyber Heroes”.

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In Award Winner
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Kenya’s women entrepreneurs gather at the Global Women’s Summit to talk about business and innovation

August 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Each year, over 1,000 Global Women’s Summits are being presented by The Women Information Network (WIN) in major cities worldwide. The mission is to strengthen women and families through Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship in order to eradicate illiteracy, poverty and hunger in every nation. This year’s theme is Towards Vision 2020, Women Leading Innovative Transformation. On Wednesday 10 August, the Global Women’s Summit was hosted by Nairobi, Kenya.

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In Events Tags Global Women's Summit 2016
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Angela Livu, a Kenyan entrepreneur providing her customers with luxury, ethically sourced hair products

August 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Angela Livu, founder of Luxury Hair (Kenya)

Angela Livu, founder of Luxury Hair (Kenya)

Having beautiful hair is something many women long for, but often can’t attain. For one Kenyan entrepreneur, Angela Livu, this provided an opportunity to create a business that would provide the solution. Her company, Luxury Hair, is providing discerning women with the highest quality hair products that are 100% ethically sourced and beautiful to look at and wear.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness
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Mignionette Fair, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to improve the quality of written communication

August 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Mignionette Fair, founder of Fair Translation and Editing Services (South Africa)

Mignionette Fair, founder of Fair Translation and Editing Services (South Africa)

In the world of business, the art of storytelling is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a necessity. People connect with brands through stories and therefore companies are becoming more aware of the need to tell those stories in a way that will best connect with consumers. Entrepreneur and language guru, Mignionette Fair, the founder of Fair Translation and Editing Services, has a passion for helping companies to master the art of language to make that all important connection with customers.

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications
1 Comment

Karené Wedekind, a creative photographer on a mission to help businesses succeed through great imagery

August 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Karené Wedekind, founder of Karené Wedekind Photography (South Africa)

Karené Wedekind, founder of Karené Wedekind Photography (South Africa)

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ and in the case of South African entrepreneur, Karené Wedekind, she is capturing eye-catching images that can help businesses to portray themselves and their products in the best possible light.

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications
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Quote of the Day by Janet Nkubana

August 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Janet Nkubana, co-founder of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda) 

Janet Nkubana, co-founder of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda) 

"Once you earn an income you are economically empowered. You are given a voice, you can argue your values, you can argue your point, you can argue your rights.”

- 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.

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In Quote of the Day Tags Joy Ndungutse & Janet Nkubana
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Entrepreneur Advice from Njeri Rionge: You need to have the right people around you to succeed

August 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Njeri Rionge.jpg

Get the right people and experts around you....

“You need to have the right people around you – you can’t do everything yourself. A lot of entrepreneurs think they need to be good at every aspect of the business but this is not the case.”

- Njeri Rionge is one of Africa’s leading entrepreneurs and one of the very few women pioneers in the ICT sector on the African continent. This serial entrepreneur founded numerous companies including co-founding the internet service provider Wananchi Online, one of east Africa’s leading providers of pay-tv, broadband internet and VoIP services. Today she splits her time between strategy consulting, speaking engagements, and investment work, either personally or through one of her portfolio businesses. Her focus is on working with SMEs and entrepreneurs to grow indigenous businesses that can be scaled across Africa.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Njeri Rionge, People Management
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Quote of the Day by Essma Ben Hamida

August 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Essma Ben Hamida, co-founder of Enda Inter-Arabe (Tunisia)

Essma Ben Hamida, co-founder of Enda Inter-Arabe (Tunisia)

"Money empowers women and lets them contribute in decision-making."

- 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.

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In Quote of the Day Tags Essma Ben Hamida
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Meet 41 Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs Putting the Country on the Global Business Map

August 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Nigeria is the leading economy in Africa right now and an exciting place to be a woman entrepreneur. So, throughout the month of August at Lionesses of Africa, we are showcasing some of the inspirational women entrepreneurs who are changing the face of business in the country and getting the world to sit up and take notice of the products they are creating and the business empires they are building. Each of these businesswomen, in their own unique way, is flying the flag for Nigeria, either at home or around the world.

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In Features Tags Nigeria
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Quote of the Day by Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola

August 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, founder and ceo of WeCyclers

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, founder and ceo of WeCyclers

"To improve innovation in Africa, we need to invest more in education. You cannot innovate when you do not have a good education."

- Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is a Nigerian entrepreneur and innovator, and founder and CEO of WeCyclers. This Lagos-based company is focused on giving low-income communities in developing countries a chance to capture value from waste and clean up their neighborhoods through an incentive-based recycling program. Bilikiss holds an MBA from MIT and a Masters degree from Vanderbilt University. She is also a 2013 Echoing Green Fellow.

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In Quote of the Day Tags Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola
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Quote of the Day from Rapelang Rabana

August 9, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Rapelang Rabana, founder of Rekindle Learning, South Africa

Rapelang Rabana, founder of Rekindle Learning, South Africa

"There will never be enough jobs for all the young people today – more and more of us must become entrepreneurs."

- Rapelang Rabana is a South African technology entrepreneur and founder of Rekindle Learning, a company looking to improve education in Africa by turning people’s compulsion to check their phones into an opportunity to learn. She previously co-founded Yeigo Communications a company that provided services that took advantage of the internet, mobile and cloud computing technologies to tackle the cost of communication in South Africa. In 2008, a European company acquired a majority stake in Yeigo, enabling the group to provide the full range of telecommunications services.

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In Quote of the Day Tags Rapelang Rabana
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Quote of the Day by Ethel Cofie

August 8, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana)

Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana)

“Access to the internet is critical – the internet is no longer a luxury; it’s important for development,”

- 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.

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In Quote of the Day Tags Ethel Cofie
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Entrepreneur Smarts: Learn from other Ecosystems

August 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

How well do you understand the ecosystem in which you are working?  What will happen next in this space?  How will the forces shaping it affect your venture?

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In Guest Blog Tags Neil Hinrichsen
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Essential Read: Entrepreneurship is a Mindset not a Storefront by Yolanda Conley Shields

August 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Yolanda Conley Shields

Yolanda Conley Shields

In her new book, "Entrepreneurship is a Mindset not a Store Front”, Yolanda Conley Shields, shows just how to create the type of mindset that shapes your understanding of how to stay focused in business. She gives practical advice and information on what it takes to keep you moving on your business journey, and how to stayinnovative in order to create great ideas, seize new opportunities and facilitate change that makes breakthroughs. 

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In Essential Tags Books
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The Global Women’s Summit brings Johannesburg’s women together in the spirit of innovative transformation

August 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Each year, over 1000 Global Women’s Summits are being presented by The Women Information Network (WIN) in major cities worldwide. The mission is to strengthen women and families through Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship in order to eradicate illiteracy, poverty and hunger in every nation. This year’s theme is Towards Vision 2020, Women Leading Innovative Transformation. On Friday 5 August, the Global Women’s Summit was hosted by Johannesburg, South Africa.

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In Events Tags Melanie Hawken
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Hanita Muthray, a South African entrepreneur making her mark in the spa and wellness industry

August 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Nish & Hanita Muthray, founder of Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort (South Africa)

Nish & Hanita Muthray, founder of Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort (South Africa)

Many entrepreneurs find themselves pivoting along their career journeys, often by finding a passion that can translate into a business. Hanita Muthray’s entrepreneurial journey took such a turn, making the move from physiotherapy and joining the family business. Today,  her experience and passion for wellness has found a new mission through the creation of a successful company, Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort, that creates a unique spa and wellness experience for individuals and corporates alike.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness
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Christine Khasinah Odero - A Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to connect and inspire mums in her country

August 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Christine Khasinah Odero, founder of Supamamas (Kenya)

Christine Khasinah Odero, founder of Supamamas (Kenya)

Every mum and mum-to-be knows how important it is to learn as much as possible about being a parent and caring for those precious little ones. Seeing a gap in the market for a focused online and event platform that would bring the best information, networking and support for mums in Kenya, led to entrepreneur Christine Khasinah Odero creating Supamamas, a destination of choice for discerning mums.

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications
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Quote of the Day by Hend El Sherbini

August 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Dr. Hend El Sherbini, founder & CEO of Integrated Diagnostics Holding (Egypt)

Dr. Hend El Sherbini, founder & CEO of Integrated Diagnostics Holding (Egypt)

"If you’re like a man in business, then they call you aggressive. It’s not like this in Egypt alone. It’s like this all the time."

- Dr. Hend El Sherbini is a professor of clinical pathology and the founder and CEO of Integrated Diagnostics Holding, the largest private sector healthcare diagnostics service provider in Egypt. She built her company from one lab founded by her mother into a company with 4,000 employees, 290 branches and four medical diagnostic labs across the Middle East. In May 2015, Hend led Integrated Diagnostics Holdings to an IPO on the London Stock Exchange that put its value at $700 million.

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In Quote of the Day
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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