Noxolo Peter, a South African foodpreneur bringing a uniquely African take on a Philly CheeseSteak to the country

January 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Noxolo Peter, founder of CheesySteaks (South Africa) — **Noxolo Peter**, founder of CheesySteaks (South Africa)

Finding new food experiences is always exciting, and for entrepreneur Noxolo Peter, her passion for one American food speciality led her to creating a new business and brand, one catering to African tastes. Now, her CheesySteaks brand is converting new fans of the traditional Philly CheeseSteak, but with an African twist.

The Modern Female Entrepreneur: How to steer your life and family towards Success via Entrepreneurship by Saija Mahon

January 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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Over time, author and entrepreneur Saija Mahon has met countless people who want to have freedom in their lives. People who want to live their life the way they design and plan it, a life that is suited to their passions, characteristics and way of living. For one reason or another, though, they’re stuck in the so-called ‘rat race’. Saija’s mission is to show you the way out, and this book is the gateway. She will show you the path and get you on your way.

Stress is a dream stealer – understand why

January 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Stress affects everybody; no one is immune to the effects of stress. In all aspects of life duality exists, and stress is no exception having both positive and negative aspects. On a positive note, stress is necessary for our survival and evolution as human beings – we learn through pain, suffering and stress. Stress is often a catalyst for change, as well as an early warning signal. Stress can also be character building, and can stretch us to achieve what we never believed was possible. Do you view your current stress as positive or negative, beneficial or detrimental?

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference

January 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

As every entrepreneur knows, if you have a team of people working with you in your business, you must deal with their performance, personal issues and attitudes, as much as you must deal with your own! Why this image for a post about attitude? Well, depending on your attitude, you may choose to focus on the heartbreaking results of the 2015 Cape fires – in this case a burnt-out tree in the Silvermine Nature Reserve, or notice the amazing resilience of the fynbos next to it that needs fire to germinate.

Entrepreneur Advice from Juanita van der Merwe - Fail forward!

January 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Juanita van der Merwe, co-founder of Little Green Number (South Africa) — **Juanita van der Merwe**, co-founder of Little Green Number (South Africa)

Make sure to learn from your mistakes....

"Fail forward! Failure is not something to fear, just make sure you learn from your past mistakes and fail forward!"

- Juanita van der Merwe is co-founder of Little Green Number in South Africa, an award winning social business focused on sustainable job creation, via community based micro manufacturing, franchise ownership, producing a quality handbag product that is both funky and unique, yet also saves the environment - one advertising billboard at a time! Juanita's products are 100% handmade, durable and weather resistant. She is proud to be a South African business with an upcycled, innovative product that creates sustainable jobs.

Quote of the Day by Julia Pimsleur

January 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Julia Pimsleur, entrepreneur and author — **Julia Pimsleur**, entrepreneur and author

"We can do anything we want, the trick is, it's usually waiting for us just beyond our comfort zone."

- Julia Pimsleur is the Founder of Little Pim, the leading early language teaching program for young children and author of the best-selling book Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big". Julia has blogged about entrepreneurship for Forbes.com since 2012; has been featured on Today, NBC Weekend Today, and Fox News; and Little Pim was featured in Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

Quote of the Day Amy de Castro

January 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Amy de Castro, founder of Bamboo Revolution — **Amy de Castro**, founder of Bamboo Revolution

"These days, consumers seem to be a lot more conscious about the products that they are spending their money on. They are asking more questions about the source and materials of the products that they are purchasing .... leaning towards quality over quantity, as well as seeking simplified products, without the unnecessary branding and detail."

- Amy de Castro is founder of Bamboo Revolution a Cape Town-based company that crafts unique, bamboo and leather watches, and relies on a business model that is sustainable, and supportive of local industry. For these reasons, Amy was a finalist in the 2014 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, an awards programme that recognises innovative women business owners who’ve thought outside the box and have the one-of-a-kind start-up to prove it.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tsholofelo Tshetlo: Believe in yourself

January 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tsholofelo Tshetlo, founder of Afrophik (South Africa) — **Tsholofelo Tshetlo**, founder of Afrophik (South Africa)

Believe in yourself....

"Believe in yourself, believe in your work, focus on where you want to see your business, no matter the challenges."

- Tsholofelo Tshetlo is the founder of Afrophik in South Africa, a company that manufactures upcycled handbags from various types of leather and paper reclaimed from outdated retail shop catalogues. Tsholofelo's products are are not only eco-friendly, but also unique and most of the manufacturing is done by hand. She is currently working alone, but has a goal to expand her business and train more women.

Quote of the Day by Kofo Akinkugbe

January 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Kofo Akinkugbe, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria) — Kofo Akinkugbe, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria)

"Start with the end in mind and work towards it."

- Kofo Akinkugbe is recognised globally for her entrepreneurial success story and strong business track record. She is founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd a market leader in smart card technology and digital security in Africa. SecureID is a world-class manufacturing facility with the only smart card production plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent. In January 2015 the company commissioned a new state-of-the-art EMV-certified smartcard manufacturing plant – the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company serves 16 countries across Africa and is fully certified by VISA, Verve and MasterCard. In 2012, Kofo won the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Mature Business Award.

Fée Halsted's Ardmore Ceramics exhibits its vibrant and unique ceramic art in Miami

January 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Fée Halsted, founder of Ardmore Ceramics — **Fée Halsted**, founder of Ardmore Ceramics

Fée Halsted flew to Miami this week for the opening of Pascoe and Company's Ardmore Ceramics Exhibition hosted by the Ocean Reef Art League. The exhibition has received a great response with tremendous enthusiasm for Ardmore and its artists. The new Pascoe and Company Gallery offers the largest selection of Ardmore in the United States.

Wacy Zacarias, a Mozambican entrepreneur on a mission to put African textiles on the global map

January 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Wacy Zacarias, founder of Karingana Wa Karingana Textiles (Mozambique) — **Wacy Zacarias**, founder of Karingana Wa Karingana Textiles (Mozambique)

A passion to see more textiles designed by Africans, produced by Africans, and consumed by the world, led Mozambican entrepreneur Wacy Zacarias to launch her exciting company, Karingana Wa Karingana Textiles.

Tsholofelo Tshetlo, a South African entrepreneur with a talent for transforming trash into beautiful accessories and decorative items

January 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Unearthing the beautiful in things that others discard is a real creative gift, and one that entrepreneur Tsholofelo Tshetlo, founder of Afrophik, has in large quantities. Her unique eye for possibilities and detail has resulted in some of the most inventive ‘must-have’ accessories and decor items on the market.

Essential Read: All In: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Think Bigger, Build Sustainable Businesses, and Change the World by Stephanie Breedlove

January 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Stephanie Breedlove, entrepreneur & author — **Stephanie Breedlove**, entrepreneur & author

Stephanie Breedlove took a leap of faith, left the corporate world, and answered the call of entrepreneurship. Over the next few years she built a thriving business while simultaneously raising two young children, eventually selling her start-up for more than $50 million. In All In: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Think Bigger, Build Sustainable Businesses, and Change the World, Breedlove tells you how she did it.

#BizTrends2017: Top five mobile trends to help you plan for 2017

January 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

This is not another "year of the mobile" trends piece - that ship sailed five years ago. If you do not have a mobile presence then you really should not be playing in the digital space, because now in 2017, it is not a matter of digital vs mobile or marketing vs digital - your consumer is connected, whether you like it or not, and is partaking in an omnichannel world.

Why not swap business services to grow?

January 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Have you thought about swapping business services to grow your business? Some people call it bartering, trading or exchanging – it’s all the same thing. If you’re like me, you’re good at what you know and terrible at everything else. When you’ve got a limited budget or you’re keeping your costs as low as possible, you tend to do more for yourself than you should.

8 Ways to ensure 2017 is a success

January 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

As the New Year kicks in, it's important to take time to reflect on the past year and all it has held. This includes both the highs and the lows, and an assessment of how far we have come (so we know how much further still to go). The reason why this is important is so that we can plan better for 2017. As they say "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” By reflecting on both the highs and lows, we can gain valuable insights and feedback for ourselves to help guide us going forward. Here's why....

What are your New Year’s Sales Resolutions?

January 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

A new year is upon us and like most entrepreneurs I’m really excited for what it has in store for us. A new start, a fresh beginning for many startups. Let’s be resolved to make this the best entrepreneurial year yet! What are your New Year’s Sales resolutions? Have you spent time working out a strategy, putting an action plan in motion, formulating ideas on how you’re going to grow your business this year?

Entrepreneur Advice from Abai Schulze: Execution is the stuff of success

January 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia — **Abai Schulze**, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia

Execution is the stuff of success...

"I would advise them to double-down on execution. Move with good data but, by all means, move and move quickly. Execution is the stuff of success – passion is just one of the ingredients."

- Abai Schulze is founder of the creative, new Afro-luxe brand ZAAF who create handcrafted luxury leather handbags and accessories produced by artisans in Ethiopia. Abai, born in a remote village in Ethiopia, has had a truly remarkable life journey. Her journey has taken her from an orphanage in Addis Ababa to the United States where she was raised, and back to Ethiopia. Today, she passionately uses her background in economics and fine arts to create unique and practical expressions of beauty, and to open avenues of opportunity for talented artisans in Ethiopia and the rest of Africa. Her designs draw upon precious cultural relics and allow them renewed expression through fresh, uplifting and modern designs.

Quote of the Day by Jennifer Riria

January 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group Chief Executive of Kenya Women Holding — **Dr. Jennifer Riria**, Group Chief Executive of **Kenya Women Holding**

"Women disproportionately face financial access barriers that prevent them from participating in the economy and from improving their lives."

- Dr. Jennifer Riria is the Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding and one of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs who has always been on a mission to transform the lives of women and their families in her native Kenya. She is distinguished as a microfinance banker and practitioner, researcher and gender specialist. She has served in many leadership roles for which she has been recognized locally and internationally. In 2013 she was awarded the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the year, East Africa 2013, and subsequently, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014, at which point she was admitted to EY’s Global Hall of Fame.