100 LIONESSES: Leading South African entrepreneur Margaret Hirsch wins global inspirational women’s leadership award

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Margaret Hirsch, co-founder & COO of Hirsch Group (South Africa) — **Margaret Hirsch**, co-founder & COO of Hirsch Group (South Africa)

Margaret Hirsch, COO of the Hirsch Group and a champion for Women’s Empowerment, was recently conferred with the prestigious Global Inspirational Women Leadership Award and the United States Congressional Commendation Award by the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD). The CELD is a leading human capacity, gender empowerment and development-based organisation that sees itself as a catalyst and thought leader in developing the theory and practice of leadership, social, educational and economic empowerment particularly in Africa.

GE Africa Innovation Centre & Lionesses of Africa Launch an Open Innovation Challenge

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Calling all women entrepreneurs in South Africa. Here’s your chance to collaborate with GE as they Innovate, Imagine and Invent – In Africa; For Africa.

Advice from one MomPreneur to another

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

The idea of being an entrepreneur and a mom at the same time may cause goose bumps in some women, let alone if the business is a start-up or is having some bumpy and rough times in its growth phase. To many women such businesses do not need additional disturbances from family members, be it a husband, children or even relatives, but would rather attend to all business issues 24/7 and 365 days a year without a break.

VIDEO: Highlights of the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Watch the highlights showreel of The Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 held in 12 October at the Inanda Club, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Essential Read: Dare to Be - 14 Fearless Women Who Gave Wings to Their Dreams by Rinku Paul and Puja Singhal

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Authors Rinku Paul (L) and Puja Singhal (R)

Have you ever considered quitting your high-paying corporate job to strike out on your own, only to be told by your inner voice-and a host of naysayers that it’s a silly dream? If yes, then this book is for you.

Celebrating women in contemporary design and artisan crafts

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

It's that time of year again, when Johannesburg, South Africa, is abuzz with talk about contemporary design and all things handmade. On a gorgeous summer's day, crowds flocked to the rooftop of the Hyde Park Shopping Mall to experience the uniqueness of the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair, taking place from 14 to 16 October. This event is all about meeting passionate and highly talented craftspeople who are showcasing their world-class products, shopping (and lots of it!), and of course sampling the wonderful handcrafted beers, wines and foods.

Entrepreneur Advice from Swaady Martin: Building a luxury brand from scratch is not for the faint hearted

October 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Swaady Martin, founder of YSWARA — **Swaady Martin**, founder of YSWARA

What does it take to make it as a high-end luxury producer and brand?....

"First of all, you need to truly understand the industry. There is a big difference between aspiring to the luxury industry and actually understanding it. It is a very specific industry like any other. As an entrepreneur, you need to be able to create a compelling vision and passionately own the vision. Define the road map to execution and relentlessly drive the energy, talent and values necessary to ensure success. You need to become an execution machine. Building a venture from scratch is not for the faint hearted, you need to be courageous, tenacious and resilient. Never take no for an answer and be solution-oriented, constantly. You need to be passionate promoter for the development of global African luxury."

- Swaady Martin-Leke, an Ivorian entrepreneur, is founder of YSWARA, a growing African luxury brand. YSWARA creates elegant, high-end products using the continent’s natural resources, all produced by African artisans. Products include gourmet tea, chocolates and home and accessories collections such as homeware, spoons, home fragrances and artisan jewellery. Swaady aims to capture a true spirit of African luxury by reviving Africa’s endangered cultural heritage and unique ancestral craftsmanship. YSWARA is present in 4 countries -- South Africa, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and France -- with 15 different direct and indirect retail points.

Quote of the Day by Anne Githuku-Shongwe

October 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

“I learned through working with the UN that the greatest return on investment comes not from ‘fixing’ a problem but from shaping new mindsets amongst youth, .... I wanted to help forge mindsets that are not limited by current circumstances, but can re-imagine and re-create new possibilities.”

- Anne Githuku-Shongwe is the newly-appointed Representative for UN Women's South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), which is responsible for women's empowerment and gender equality in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia, as well as South Africa, where the office is based. Anne is an award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of youth-development digital innovation organization Afroes Transformational Games. She has a Masters’ degree in International Development from The American University; a postgraduate certificate in Social Innovation from the University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business, and a certificate in The Art of Large Scale Systems Change for Social Entrepreneurship from Harvard University. Anne also brings to her role 20 years of experience as a senior international development professional with the United Nations Development Programme, during which she pioneered innovative and successful approaches to combating HIV and AIDS, as well as Public Sector Capacity Development.

ESSENTIAL VIEWING: Melanie Hawken talks about women's entrepreneurship in Africa on SABC News

October 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Female entrepreneurs from across Africa will meet in Johannesburg this week. The conference, hosted by Lionesses of Africa, will bring together 280 women entrepreneurs to share their stories of success and inspire each other. To tell us more, we are joined by Melanie Hawken, Founder and CEO of Lionesses of Africa.

Entrepreneur Advice from Margaret Hirsch: There is nothing you cannot do

October 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Margaret Hirsch, co-founder & COO of Hirsch's Homestores (South Africa)

There is nothing you cannot do....

"You have to know that there is absolutely nothing you cannot do. You have endless potential, and opportunities present themselves all the time. You have to grab every one that comes your way. You have to wake up every day and say 'Thank you God for sparing me for this day'."

- 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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bryony Parr: Don't be afraid

October 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Bryony Parr, founder of Oh So Organised (South Africa) — **Bryony Parr**, founder of Oh So Organised (South Africa)

Don't be afraid....

"Network! join as many groups as you can! Understand your business or product as well as you can so that when you talk about your business you are confident! Talk about your business to anyone and everyone. Don't be AFRAID!"

- Bryony Parr is the founder of Oh So Organised in South Africa, a company that offers a professional organising service to get your home or office space clean and organised. This professional organiser finds it truly rewarding to de-clutter and organise a space whether it be as small as a closet or a whole house or office. Bryony believes a tidy workspace is a tidy mind and and organised home is a happy heart.

100 LIONESSES: 'Life is a balancing act' Margaret Hirsch

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

As women we have to balance a lot - our work, our home, our husband’s, our children, our finances. We have to be courageous and have a sense of our own self worth and not allow people to take advantage of us. How often do we actually do this, just because we want to be liked? Too often.

Inspirational women entrepreneurs from across the African continent prepare to gather in Johannesburg for the first Lionesses of Africa Conference on 12 October

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lionesses of Africa, the network that looks to support and empower women entrepreneurs from across the African continent, is preparing to mark the 2 year anniversary of its launch with an inaugural Conference on 12 October in Johannesburg, South Africa. This special event, held at an equally special venue in beautiful surroundings (The Inanda Polo Club) aims to bring together around 200 women entrepreneurs from all corners of the continent to share their business building stories, to inspire others with their success, to discuss some of the big issues and challenges facing women entrepreneurs on the continent, and to network.

Bryony Parr, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help you declutter your business and personal lives

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

It’s true what they say, in order to declutter your mind you also need to declutter your space. And, for all those people who find it difficult to achieve the latter, South African entrepreneur Bryony Parr has the solution, Her company, Oh So Organised, is on a mission to bring a little order in to your work and home living spaces, creating the space for you to think more clearly and live more freely.

ENTREPRENEUR SMARTS: Scan the Horizon

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

It is essential for every entrepreneur to keep “scanning the horizon” - seeing what is new in technology, business, and society as a whole.

Memuna Williams, the story of an entrepreneur turning a passion for language and the art of translation into a global business

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Memuna Williams, founder of Avantgarde Translations — **Memuna Williams**, founder of Avantgarde Translations

Anyone who has ever been in the position of needing to translate information into different languages will appreciate just how critical it is to have the right specialist support. One company providing truly world-class translation and interpreting services, both globally and here in Africa is Avantgarde Translations.

Essential Read: Simple Success Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs, curated by Suzanne Doyle-Ingram

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Simple Success Strategies For Women Entrepreneurs, curated by publisher Suzanne Doyle-Ingram and co-authored with 11 exceptional and inspiring women in business who know what success looks like, has become an instant bestseller. Today, women are starting and growing businesses more now than ever. Their businesses are bolstering the economy, providing jobs and supporting their families. Successful women realize that they have the ability to help other women grow and prosper as well – there is more than enough opportunity for everyone.

Messaynesh Geberesilassie, an entrepreneur bringing Ethiopia’s beautiful hand-woven cotton and leather goods to South Africa

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Messaynesh Geberesilassie, founder of Mela — **Messaynesh Geberesilassie**, founder of Mela

Often in business, finding an idea that is unique and that will resonate with customers can be hard. But in the case of Messaynesh Geberesilassie and her business Mela, she is tapping into the traditional handcrafted tradition of her home country to create a unique business opportunity in another marketplace - and she is winning new fans along the way.

The Eaglepreneur: How to differentiate yourself

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Ever wondered why an eagle is such a unique bird when it comes to the flock of the air? An eagle was created in a very unique way which makes it one of the most used examples when it comes to entrepreneurship and leadership. An eagle has some fascinating characteristics, which when applied in our everyday lives as business women, we find ourselves soaring in high places which we never thought we would venture into.