Blood, Sweat, and Goals: Finding Your Way as an Entrepreneur by Neva Williamson

January 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In Blood, Sweat, and Goals, Neva Williamson shares the hard lessons learned becoming a full-time entrepreneur and escaping the traditional 9–5 workday. Her passion is helping people who struggle with creating additional income options because of limited connections or access to business loans to get started.

Anna Cole Ojukwu, a Ghanaian design entrepreneur instilling confidence through her bold accessory and clothing collections

January 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Anna Cole Ojukwu, founder of Pernia Couture (Ghana) — **Anna Cole Ojukwu**, founder of Pernia Couture (Ghana)

As the world is increasingly more interested in African design, particularly in the accessory and clothing space, one entrepreneur in Ghana is captivating attention through her label Pernia Couture. Anna Cole Ojukwu is taking the best of African inspiration and turning it into must-have accessories and clothing.

6 Tips for handling stress in the workplace

January 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In today’s world where high powered economic drive and corporate profiteering are the order of the day, the stressful pressures of even the most ordinary job or workplace are probably the biggest source of one’s daily stress. Demanding bosses, impatient clients, and every increasing deadline pressures put most people under enormous pressure. Today’s work stress and pressures are on the increase.

Being consistent is not about being perfect

January 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Being consistent in life both personally and professionally is an aspect that everyone needs to aspire to in order to be successful. Being consistent at work and at home creates room to rectify mistakes and work at your best.

Entrepreneur Advice from Noxolo Peter: It takes time, sweat and tears

January 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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

It takes time, sweat and tears....

"Starting a business is really not easy, it sometimes feels like a bumpy road. But with passion and hard work you eventually get to the end of the road, and that's where your focus should be! One thing most entrepreneurs do not understand is that you do not get to where you want to be overnight, it takes time, sweat, and sometimes tears to get to where you want to be. The one thing I was told when I began this journey was that "Rome wasn't built in a day" and that quote has stuck with me since. I hope it resonates with you. So yes, go ahead and start-up!"

- Noxolo Peter is the founder of CheesySteaks in South Africa, a gourmet food brand that makes Philly cheesesteaks. Noxolo has taken this classic American sandwich and given it her very own spin, infusing her sandwiches with distinctly African flavours. Noxolo has long been passionate about entrepreneurship and in 2014 she was selected to represent South Africa at the Business and Entrepreneurship Envision Global Forum held in the USA.

Quote of the Day by Ethel Cofie

January 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana) — **Ethel Cofie**, founder of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana)

"We don’t celebrate failure enough."

- Ethel Cofie, is a Ghanaian-born entrepreneur and founder of Edel Technologies. This techpreneur is passionate about technology, female leadership and empowering women entrepreneurs. She runs the women in tech group in Ghana and is a founder of the Women in Tech Africa Alliance. In 2014, Ethel was selected to be a President Obama Washington Fellow.

Entrepreneur Advice from Deola Sagoe: Nothing beats CAN-DO spirit

January 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Deola Sagoe, haute couture fashion designer from Nigeria, on 'Entrepreneurial Mindset' — **Deola Sagoe**, haute couture fashion designer from Nigeria, on *'Entrepreneurial Mindset'*

You really need a can-do spirit and to believe in what you're doing....

“I just had this can-do spirit. I was just so convinced that my product was so genuine and would no doubt conquer the world."

- Deola Sagoe, leading lady of African fashion, is a haute couture fashion designer from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989 and became 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 from Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola

January 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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

"Do not be afraid of failure. Live and take risks. If you stay in your safe zone, you won’t learn enough."

- 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 a 2013 Echoing Green Fellow and WeCyclers were a Sustainia100 Company Award winner in 2014.

Entrepreneur Advice from Anna Raimondo - Invest in yourself

January 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Anna Raimondo, founder of SMITH Jewellery — **Anna Raimondo**, founder of SMITH Jewellery

Make sure to continue investing in yourself....

".... you ARE your business. Read books, go on courses, and remember to take a break to find your inspiration. These things will help you get a clearer view of who you are and where you want your business to go."

- Anna Raimondo is a South African jewellery designer who has created a brand personality and a design style that are uniquely hers, and as a result, the SMITH Jewellery brand is truly memorable. After completing her degree in Jewellery Design & Manufacturing from Stellenbosch University, Anna won a scholarship to study luxury design at Richemont's Creative Academy in Milan. Today, she designs and crafts jewellery for women and men in her Cape Town studio.

Kelechi Udoagwu, the Nigerian entrepreneur matching freelance editors and writers with clients to create great content

January 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Kelechi Udoagwu, co-founder of Skrife (Nigeria) — **Kelechi Udoagwu**, co-founder of Skrife (Nigeria)

Creating great content is a part of our everyday lives, whether in the print or broadcast media, or in the ever expanding social media space in Africa. One entrepreneur, Kelechi Udoagwu, co-founder of Skrife, is providing a much-needed platform to bring great writers and specialist content creators together with clients who are looking for engaging content for their businesses.

Samantha Dube, a South African entrepreneur bringing a touch of class to corporate and hospitality events

January 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Dube, founder of Seeds Consulting (South Africa) — **Samantha Dube**, founder of Seeds Consulting (South Africa)

Anyone faced with the tasks organizing events knows just how daunting it can seem, with multiple logistics to deal with and a seemingly unending set of decisions to be made. One South African company is on a mission to make this task so much easier. Seeds Consulting, the brainchild of entrepreneur Samantha Dube, is bringing an end-to-end solution for event coordination, making the job of eventing a pleasure instead of a chore.

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

January 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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

Screen Shot 2017-01-21 at 6.25.38 PM.png

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.