Sarah Munyiva, a Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to help busy people and companies with their cleaning needs

October 30, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Sarah Munyiva, founder of Royal Maids Cleaning Services (Kenya) — **Sarah Munyiva**, founder of Royal Maids Cleaning Services (Kenya)

For both homeowners and business owners alike, the challenge of keeping important living and work spaces clean and tidy is one that Kenya-based Royal Maids Cleaning Services is happy to deal with. Founder and CEO Sarah Munyiva is providing a useful and much-needed service to those requiring hassle-free cleaning solutions in their lives.

Rafiat Kasumu, a social entrepreneur passionate about celebrating the fine weaving craftsmanship of Ghana

October 29, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Rafiat Kasumu, founder of Kente Master (Ghana/USA)

For all those Ghanaian students who have proudly graduated from university or college and worn their official graduation stoles, the chances are they may be wearing the entrepreneurial success story that is Kente Master.

Life in the Driver's Seat: Women With Drive & Beyond by Molly Cantrell-Kraig

October 29, 2016 Melanie Hawken

The road of the entrepreneur is a bumpy one. Full of zigs and zags, detours and dead ends, building something from scratch takes someone with drive. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a friend along the way? ...Someone who had been where you are? Life in the Driver’s Seat: Women With Drive and Beyond is a slim volume filled with bite-sized wisdom you can fit in your pocket, and read whenever you need a bit of encouragement.

Entrepreneur Advice from Jenna Clifford: Perseverance is key

October 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

You need passion, hard work and perseverance...

"Always have a passion for what you are doing or find something else to do. Dream, dream, dream and work hard! Results are only delivered on hours and hours of hard work. Always stay focused and resolute to your beliefs and value system. A belief in your market is imperative. Perseverance is key."

- 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.

Quote of the Day by Susan Mashibe

October 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Susan Mashibe, founder of Via Aviation, Tanzania — **Susan Mashibe**, founder of Via Aviation, Tanzania

"As a successful female entrepreneur, I recognize that I have a responsibility to support those following in my footsteps, and to give back to the community."

- Susan Mashibe is founder and executive director of VIA Aviation, an international fixed-base aircraft services operation and the first company of its kind in Tanzania. Susan is also the first woman in Tanzania to hold both a FAA certified commercial pilot and an aircraft maintenance engineering qualification. This passionate aviator left Tanzania at the tender age of 19 to learn to fly jetliners in the United States, later returning home to help reshape African private air travel. Today, VIA Aviation provides logistical support for corporate, diplomatic and private jets. Her clients include heads of state, monarchs, Fortune 500 executives, celebrities, and military flights. VIA was the first company to offer such services in Tanzania and East Africa as a whole.

Quote of the Day Teta Isibo

October 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken

“Africa is trending, so made in Africa has a certain cache. It’s about building a brand.”

- Teta Isibo is the founder and creative force behind Inzuki Designs a young Rwandan brand specializing in jewelry, accessories and interior decor. Teta's creations are hand-made using local craft skills and materials - she works with numerous local women's cooperatives to create vibrant, quality pieces. With no background in fashion or business, Teta quit her job as an urban planner in Kigali to launch Inzuki, which means 'bees' in the local language. This has grown into a popular Rwandan brand with a boutique located in the Heart of Kigali City. Teta is now targeting international markets including the rest of Africa, Europe, Asia and North America through distributors and an online store.

Quote of the Day by Judith Owigar

October 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Judith Owigar, co-founder and executive director of Akirachix — Judith Owigar, co-founder and executive director of Akirachix

"Innovation is simply finding better ways to do things. Don't stress about tech, use what you have to improve lives – that is real innovation.”

- Judith Owigar is co-founder and executive director of Akirachix, an organisation centred around building, supporting, and inspiring African women in technology. Judith is passionate about all things women and all things tech. She believes that exposure, education and use of technology can increase the quality of life and as such change the world. Apart from Akirachix, Judith is the founder of JuaKali, an online micro jobs site for skilled manual workers. Through the Akirachix activities she seeks to increase the number of women who are creators of technological solutions and in effect change the perception of women in technology.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lucy Kapkirwok: Never give up!

October 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lucy Kapkirwok (L), founder and CEO of Sanpad Products (Kenya) — **Lucy Kapkirwok (L)**, founder and CEO of Sanpad Products (Kenya)

Never give up....

"Never give up, remain focused, seek support from like minded people, and never look back."

- Lucy Kapkirwok is a social entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Sanpad Products in Kenya. SANPAD is a sanitary pad-pant business, an innovative low cost initiative aimed at manufacturing affordable and accessible sanitary pads cum pants to address the needs of women and girls in resource poor settings. Lucy is committed to improving the lives of women and young girls in Africa, especially those from poor communities.

Entrepreneur Advice from Khanyi Dhlomo: Pursue your dreams passionately

October 24, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Don't try to emulate others - follow your own dreams....

"You shouldn’t set out to emulate anyone. Rather be the best you can be. Figure out what your passions are and get training and education to move forward in that field. Pursue your dreams passionately. Aim to be beautiful on the outside and the inside, and that way you’ll make a positive difference in people’s lives."

- Khanyi Dhlomo is the Managing Director of Ndalo Media, which she founded in 2007. She is also the founder of DestinyConnect and the founding editor of Destiny Magazine. Before starting her own media company, Khanyi was editor of True Love magazine for eight years. In 2013, Khanyi ventured in retail and launched Luminance, a high-end fashion and lifestyle department store. Khanyi was named most influential woman in South African Media by The Media Magazine in 2003 and made the 2011 Forbes list of 20 Young Power Women in Africa.

Mapeka Polane, creates one of a kind cakes and children's party experiences in Lesotho

October 22, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Mapeka Polane, founder of Spegelicious Cakery And Party Rentals (Lesotho) — **Mapeka Polane**, founder of Spegelicious Cakery And Party Rentals (Lesotho)

Children’s birthday parties are synonymous with special cakes and in Lesotho, one company, Spegelicious Cakery And Party Rentals, created by entrepreneur Mapeka Polane, is making a name for itself by creating fun celebratory cakes to remember.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola: Build a great team for your start-up

October 21, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, founder of WeCyclers, Nigeria — **Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola**, founder of WeCyclers, Nigeria

The easiest way to get funding is to build a great team....

"You will be surprised at how quickly your idea will take off when you have a solid group of people that are equally passionate about it. Also, like our parents say, two or more heads are better than one. The diversity as well as the expanded network will amplify your chances of funding the venture."

- 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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Nkemdilim Begho: It takes sacrifice and hard work

October 20, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Nkemdilim Begho,  founder & Managing Director, Future Software Resources Limited (Nigeria) — Nkemdilim Begho, founder & Managing Director, Future Software Resources Limited (Nigeria)

It takes sacrifice and hard work....

"Be prepared to sacrifice, and to work harder than you’ve ever thought possible, Be prepared to work around the clock, to be laughed at and called a dreamer, and to be told several times that your ideas will not work."

- Nkemdilim Begho is founder and Managing Director of Future Software Resources Limited, an IT solutions provider focused on online solutions, e-learning and IT security. As one of a few Nigerian women in the industry, her success is founded on a passion for driving innovative thinking, building a globally recognized technology brand and setting trends in the Nigerian Technology space.

Quote of the Day by Deola Sagoe

October 20, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Deola Sagoe, founder of Deola (Nigeria) — **Deola Sagoe**, founder of Deola (Nigeria)

"...unless you love who you are and what makes you, 'you', you’re going to have a difficult time getting anyone to like you or value you."

- Deola Sagoe is the founder of Deola and the leading lady of African haute couture fashion from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989, becoming the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004. Her globally appealing style has earned her an enviable clientèle that ranges from Africa's first ladies, to society girls like Lydia Hearst, top model Alek Wek, and famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

Quote of the Day by Swaady Martin

October 19, 2016 Melanie Hawken

“Africa is too often viewed as a place of low quality goods and lack of refinement”

Swaady Martin, founder of Yswara

Entrepreneur Advice from Njeri Rionge: You need grit and determination to succeed as an entrepreneur

October 19, 2016 Melanie Hawken

You need grit and determination to succeed....

“Every single entrepreneur must have a backbone, if you don’t have the backbone and capacity to sustain and to be agile enough to organize your ideas and your business growth, then you’re probably not made up for business or entrepreneurship.”

- 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. She has co-founded internet service provider Wananchi Online, Ignite Consulting, Insite Limited, Business Lounge, and Njeri Rionge Business Consulting Inc. These days Njeri describes herself as a global citizen cross-pollinating her business interests in Africa, North America and Europe. She 'telecommutes' and regularly travels between her offices in Nairobi and Toronto.

Entrepreneur Advice from Angela Dick: Here's how to grow your business

October 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Angela Dick, founder and ceo of Transman, South Africa — **Angela Dick**, founder and ceo of Transman, South Africa

Top advice on how to grow your business....

"Think long-term and keep a steady focus. Take a hard look at your product and service offering and how it is performing in the market. Make sure you find ways of differentiating that product or service so that it is unique."

- Angela Dick is founder and CEO of Transman, the largest privately owned, temporary employment service provider in South Africa. Since the company’s inception in 1983, Angela and her team have been responsible for finding employment for and recruiting and placing between 7,000 to 10,000 temporary and contract staff daily into the workplace, with a focus on previously disadvantaged individuals. She has driven her company’s revenue from R85 000 in 1983 to R640 million today. Angela was the inaugural winner of the Business Woman of the Year Entrepreneurial category in 2006.

Quote of the Day by Nkemdilim Begho

October 17, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Nkemdilim Begho, founder and managing director of Future Software Resources, Nigeria — **Nkemdilim Begho**, founder and managing director of Future Software Resources, Nigeria

"Failure is necessary for any learning curve. Failure makes you stronger, bolder, and less scared of taking risks."

Entrepreneur Advice from Rapelang Rabana: Don’t try to be like others

October 17, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Rapelang Rabana, founder of Rekindle Learning (South Africa) — **Rapelang Rabana**, founder of Rekindle Learning (South Africa)

Learn to trust your intuition....

"... learn to trust your intuition and pursue the areas that interest you most. Software and technology is all about creating something from your imagination. Don’t try to be like others. Use your own unique perspective of the world to generate ideas and don’t be afraid to pursue those. You must be able to come up with an idea and trust yourself enough to pursue it."

- 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. Rapelang is a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum, was chosen by Forbes as one of Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs, and listed on the ‘O Power List’ by The Oprah Magazine.

Powering a new era of women’s entrepreneurship at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Opening Speaker: Funeka Montjane, Chief Executive Personal & Business Banking South Africa, Standard Bank — Opening Speaker: **Funeka Montjane**, Chief Executive Personal & Business Banking South Africa, Standard Bank

What an event, what a gathering of inspirational women entrepreneurs, what an amazing time to be a woman entrepreneur in Africa! 280+ delegates; 35 inspirational speakers from across Africa. Catchup on some of the highlights of the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016.

3 Amazing Lioness Lean In Events in one week this October