As a service provider you are a specialist with a particular skill or resource. As an entrepreneur, you spot an opportunity to use your skill to solve a problem. There are countless articles on how to be a successful entrepreneur – often listing things like reading, waking up early, and exercising. While these activities may help you be more alert, they are by no means the key. You could do all these thing to prepare for a marathon. You could do all these activities and still not excel. Simply because none of these create structure to support your business model.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Juliana Rotich
Juliana Rotich, co-founder and executive director of Ushahidi
"I am guided each day by these three questions: ‘What are you fixing?’ ‘What are you making?’ and ‘Who are you helping?'"
- Juliana Rotich is a technologist, strategic advisor, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. She is Executive Director of BRCK.org, a not for profit affiliate of BRCK Inc. for deploying reliable technology for the edges of society, and advocating for internet access and literacy. Juliana co-founded Ushahidi Inc., a non-profit tech company, which specializes in developing free and open source software for changing how information flows in the world. She is passionate about driving partnerships for tackling social problems through connectivity and appropriate technology.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Karen Wessels
Karen Wessels, co-founder and COO of VA Connect
"Every entrepreneur I've met has been dynamic, energetic and just so passionate about what they do, you can't help but be affected by all this drive and ambition."
- Karen Wessels is the co-founder and COO of VA Connect, a South African virtual assistant platform that provides outsourced administrative support; and is also the co-founder of SnappSales, a company that generates quality sales leads for its clients. Prior to establishing both her companies, Karen spent over 10 years in different sales, marketing & admin support roles. This experience has equipped her with the invaluable skills required to run her two successful business ventures.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Kelechi Udoagwu: Think it and you will become it
Kelechi Udoagwu, co-founder of Skrife
Think it and you will become it....
"My advice to other women looking to start-up is that they should visualize their perfect future everyday. Think it and you will become it. I believe that when you have a clear picture in your mind of who you want to become, the universe will work with you to make it happen."
- Kelechi Udoagwu, is the co-founder of Skrife, an online platform that helps entrepreneurs, brands, digital agencies and startups communicate and create quality written content by leveraging an exclusive community of freelance writers and editors. Kelechi, a passionate wordsmith, has experience working with hubs like MEST, CcHUB and The S Factory (Startup Chile) and organisations like ALU, Elance (now Upwork), True Africa and Bella Naija, to mention a few. She is passionate about creating relatable content that raises real emotions in people.
Read moreShining a spotlight on Ghana’s Women Entrepreneurs
This year we will be launching our new series of special feature articles which focus on leading women entrepreneurs building great businesses and brands in each country across the African continent. The month of February sees us highlighting Ghana, a country which is seeing some real women entrepreneur game-changers who are making their mark with their business ventures, not just at home, but across the African continent and the world.
Read moreCarrie Leaver, a South African social entrepreneur on a mission to make a difference in the country she loves
Carrie Leaver, founder of Social Agents Impact Consulting (South Africa)
To make positive change happen in society, it requires highly committed, passionate and skilled people to find the necessary solutions to key problems and challenges. One South African social entrepreneur, Carrie Leaver, and the founder of Social Agents Impact Consulting, is now on a mission to help other social entrepreneurs to realize their goals in society.
Read moreFilipa Carreira, the Mozambican entrepreneur empowering girls by helping them to manage their menstrual hygiene with dignity
Filipa Carreira, founder of Wamina (Mozambique)
Ensuring that Mozambique’s young women are given the opportunity to truly fulfill their potential without being held back due to lack of education on menstrual hygiene management, was the inspiration behind Wamina. This social entrepreneurship venture, the brainchild of Filipa Carreira, is making a real difference to the lives of the country’s young women.
Read moreBlood, Sweat, and Goals: Finding Your Way as an Entrepreneur by Neva Williamson
Neva Williamson
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.
Read moreAnna Cole Ojukwu, a Ghanaian design entrepreneur instilling confidence through her bold accessory and clothing collections
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.
Read more6 Tips for handling stress in the workplace
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.
Read moreBeing consistent is not about being perfect
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.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Noxolo Peter: It takes time, sweat and tears
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Ethel Cofie
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.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Deola Sagoe: Nothing beats CAN-DO spirit
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day from Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola
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.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Anna Raimondo - Invest in yourself
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.
Read moreKelechi Udoagwu, the Nigerian entrepreneur matching freelance editors and writers with clients to create great content
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.
Read moreSamantha Dube, a South African entrepreneur bringing a touch of class to corporate and hospitality events
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.
Read moreNoxolo Peter, a South African foodpreneur bringing a uniquely African take on a Philly CheeseSteak to the country
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.
Read moreThe Modern Female Entrepreneur: How to steer your life and family towards Success via Entrepreneurship by Saija Mahon
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.
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