Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Mounir Camara: Never give up

May 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea) — Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea)

Never give up....

"Start now. Do not postpone your dream to tomorrow, thinking that you are not experienced enough. The best is always to learn on the ground, and in mining more than anywhere else it is key to spend as much time as possible in the field. Surround yourself with experts, work hard and always remain professional. Most of all, never give up."

- Tiguidanke Camara is a former model turned mining entrepreneur, and the founder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) and Camara Diamond & Gold Trading Network (CDGTN). Tigui is one of the youngest women mining executives and one of the few women mine owners in Africa. A visionary and proactive businesswoman, she uses her entrepreneur background to pursue her objective of creating a conglomerate of natural resources and innovative technology companies. She is passionate about empowering women to take a more active role in the development of Africa's mining industry. Tigui has been featured in numerous high profile magazines, videos, and movies.

Quote of the Day by Dr. Ola Orekunrin

May 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Ola Orekunrin, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria — **Dr. Ola Orekunrin**, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria

"Governments simply must take health seriously if they wish to sustain and advance socioeconomic outcomes. Empirically, high levels of population health go hand-in-hand with high levels of growth and income."

- Dr. Ola Orekunrin is a medical doctor, helicopter pilot and the healthcare entrepreneur founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa’s first Air Ambulance Service. She's dedicated to bringing trauma care to the most remote parts of Western Africa and her company, an air ambulance service based in Lagos, is doing just that. She was motivated to start the company after her younger sister tragically died whilst traveling in Nigeria as a consequence of there being no medical air service available to transport her to hospital. Ola graduated as a medical doctor from the University Of York in the UK and is a member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.

Quote of the Day by Ethel Cofie

May 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"Entrepreneurship is not new to Africans. We are after-all masters of survivalist entrepreneurship What needs to be taught is how to create strong, scalable industry giants…"

- Ethel Cofie is a Ghanaian-born entrepreneur and founder of Edel Technologies. This techpreneur is passionate about technology, female leadership and empowering women entrepreneurs. Ethel is a Mandela Fellow for President Obama’s Young African Leaders initiative(YALI), and has been featured on BBC and CNN for her work in technology and women leadership. She is the founder of Women in Tech Africa and was recently named one of the 'Top 5 Women Impacting I.T. in Africa' by South Africa's Mail & Guardian.

Entrepreneur Advice from Beth Malatji: Keep learning

May 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Beth Malatji, founder of Wealth Ladder Magazine (South Africa) — **Beth Malatji**, founder of Wealth Ladder Magazine (South Africa)

Keep learning....

"Keeping up with what you don't know has the amazing ability to transform what you do know into the next million buck idea. Constant learning is the grease we need to stay competitive."

- Beth Malatji is the founder of Wealth Ladder Magazine in South Africa, a digital publication that provides awareness amongst both the young and old around the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship, self-employment, and of their role in shaping their future and that of their country’s economic development. Beth enjoys building businesses, learning and helping people while connecting with extremely talented individuals.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lee Chisale: We are all unique and gifted

May 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Lee Chisale, founder of Belle Afrique (Malawi) — **Lee Chisale**, founder of Belle Afrique (Malawi)

We are all unique and gifted....

"I believe we are all unique and gifted and can be successful entrepreneurs in our own right. It is important not to lose focus, regardless of the trials you will encounter on your journeys. Use your gift of your uniqueness, invest in it, nourish it, create a win–win environment where your team and your clients are your top priority..."

- Lee Chisale is the founder of Belle Afrique in Malawi, a company that promotes healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments. Lee offers a range of health care treatments, from skin treatments, waxing, GP Consultations and Aesthetic treatments, massage therapy, to name just a few. She is also passionate about training people and improving the quality of service in her industry, offering a series of vocational qualifications in beauty and wellness. As a market leader, Lee aims to further expand Belle Afrique in the future through a franchise model.

Quote of the Day by Monica Musonda

May 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder and CEO of Java Foods, Zambia

"But the real question is what are we as Africans doing? Are we going to be active participants in the growth and development of our continent or are we going to be satisfied with being spectators? As Africans, we need to take advantage of the opportunities, create sustainable development and wealth. We need to lead the way and invest in Africa."

- Monica Musonda is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods, a food processing company based in Zambia. Monica's vision is to revolutionize the eating habits of the youth market by offering them affordable and nutritious food options made from local products. Monica is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate with over 15 years of experience in legal practice and corporate management, including being corporate counsel at the International Finance Corporation and for Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries Limited.

Lionesses of Africa founder Melanie Hawken talks women’s entrepreneurship with German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Brigitte Zypries

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Melanie Hawken (L) and Brigitte Zypries (R)

Getting critical access to global markets for women entrepreneurs in Africa is often a challenge, so it’s always welcome to get the opportunity to talk about possible solutions with fellow women’s economic empowerment champions visiting the continent. Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken, had the pleasure of meeting with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Brigitte Zypries on 6 May when the Minister visited Cape Town following her speech at the World Economic Forum in South Africa earlier in the week.

Folly or fortune – the youth dividend

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

To be young in Africa today is to carry within you hopeful and delusional optimism about your future as you survey the unemployment lines from a high-rise office that you will occupy. It is despairing to talk about the youth unemployment rates as I watch my sanguine nephews, one in final year of university and the other in matric, discuss their post-learning options. Especially when the OECD UNDP 2016 Africa Economic Outlook Report states that 9 out of 10 working youth between 15-24 years of age are poor or likely to be poor.

My Dreams Recycled by Tiffany Ann Beverlin

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

My Dreams Recycled by Tiffany Ann Beverlin is based on the inspirational true story of how one woman turned the adversity known as divorce into a multi-million dollar business helping other divorcees.

Blantyre’s women entrepreneurs ‘Lean In’ for business success at the second Lioness Lean In Luncheon in Malawi

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

When women entrepreneurs get together in a spirit of collaboration, great things happen. And, that’s the mission of the Lioness Lean In Events held all across the African continent - to get successful women entrepreneurs to network, share their startup stories, inspire one another and to hopefully do business. The second in the series of the highly popular Lioness Lean In Luncheon events in Malawi took place in Blantyre on Thursday 4th May, once again in partnership with Standard Bank.

Lee Chisale, an entrepreneur bringing the world of luxury wellness spas to Malawi

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In Africa, the health and wellness industry is a growing business sector, but in Malawi there was a definite gap for a luxury wellness spa brand in the market. Belle Afrique, the entrepreneurial brainchild of Lee Chisale, is filling that gap with a world class brand and product offering.

Sazia Sousa, a Mozambican techpreneur making her mark in the country’s IT sector

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

**Sazia Sousa, founder of Technoplus (Mozambique)**

Mastering the art of the career pivot is something that Sazia Sousa knows well, having originally studied to be an architect and then making the move into computer engineering. This adventurous move has led to her becoming a key player in this highly competitive field with the creation of her company Technoplus.

VIDEO: Lizl Naude, a South African entrepreneur turning trash into treasure

May 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Source: CGTN Africa | Published on May 5, 2017

Lizl Naude is a South African entrepreneur working to change perceptions about waste. She creates unique pieces of furniture from discarded materials or junk. Her creations also help save the planet at the same time. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more from Cape Town.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tina Byaruhanga: Find that thing that you're good at

May 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tina Byaruhanga, founder of Buzz Events Ltd (Uganda) — **Tina Byaruhanga**, founder of Buzz Events Ltd (Uganda)

Find that thing that you're good at....

"If you don't yet know what it is that you want to pursue, but think you want to start up a business, be yourself and it will come to you. Often times, we tend to want to "start up" what someone else is already doing. Don't just copy a business idea. It may have worked for someone else, but that doesn't mean it will automatically work for you. Each of us is good at something. Most times, you need to just find that thing that you're good at or passionate about, regardless of whether it’s big or small or different. And ask God to bless it and make it originally and uniquely yours."

- Tina Byaruhanga is the founder of Buzz Events Ltd, a youth, culture and experiential marketing agency in Uganda. Tina develops strategies and concepts to bring clients' brands and businesses to life with the aim of building lasting connections with their customers through well-crafted executions in the market-place. She is passionate about youth marketing and publishes a popular youth publication, Buzz Magazine, and also hosts several annual youth events.

Quote of the Day by Carrol Boyes

May 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“Employing people has always been very stressful for me, .... The idea of having someone’s life in my hands was nerve-racking. It was a responsibility I took very seriously and still do to this day.”

- Carrol Boyes is an iconic South African designer who has built a global brand. She founded Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd in 1991 combining her artistic flair and talent in sculpture with her jewellery experience to create an extensive range of distinctive homeware, giftware, flatware and table top products. Today, her company designs and manufactures a meticulously crafted product range of well over 1000 items and sells over a million items every year. Products are always imbued with Carrol's trademark artistic flair and finesse. The brand is available through her 35 branded shops in South Africa and in over 30 other countries around the world.

Entrepreneur Advice from Kelebogile Makhafola: Focus on what defines your values

May 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Kelebogile Makhafola, founder of Maruapula Brand (South Africa)

Focus on what defines your values....

"Focus. Establish a thread that defines your values, one that crosses every contact point of your value chain. Have this notion in your mind, constantly. Learn to draw significance in all you do from this 'thread'. What this thread does is define your DNA; it teaches people how to treat you and sets you apart from all others. With this focus you're able to define the journey you want to go on."

Kelebogile Makhafola is the founder of Maruapula Brand, a South African brand strategy agency. Kelebogile graduated from University of the Witwatersrand with a honours degree in Fine Arts and saw prospects in merging art with her interest in brands. She went on to complete her second honours at VEGA, school of Branding, doing her post graduate studies in Brand Leadership. She launched her own business where she now uses these platorms as tools to help develop brands in South Africa.

Quote of the Day by Lydie Hakizimana

May 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“Reading skills build the foundation for all future learning, and it is proven that people who can read enjoy better health, make more money, and serve their communities more effectively,”

- Lydie Hakizimana is co-founder and Managing Director of Drakkar Limited, a specialist reseller and distributor of educational textbooks. It all started back in 2006 when this avid bookworm decided to follow her passion and opened a small bookshop. Before long, her entrepreneurial instincts had her developing relationships with numerous publishing companies. Eventually, she struck a deal that was to be the making of her company with UK publisher, Pearson Education. Drakkar rapidly evolved into a leading educational textbooks reseller in Rwanda, becoming an important enabler of her country's vision for building a knowledge-based economy. Today, Lydie manages 45 employees and thirty part-time distributors covering the five provinces of Rwanda. Lydie has also added exclusive distributor deals with Longman, Heinemann and Penguin to her Pearson contract.

Quote of the Day by Salma Abdulai

May 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Salma Abdulai, founder of Unique Quality Product Enterprise (Ghana)

"Believe in yourself, if you believe in yourself you can even change the whole world – that is the business philosophy I have."

- Salma Abdulai is the founder of Unique Quality Product Enterprise in Ghana, a company that processes and markets fonio, a nutritious and climate resistant indigenous cereal. Driven by a desire to tackle malnutrition and transform rural women’s lives, 31-year-old Salma, from the impoverished, drought-prone North Ghana, launched Unique Quality Product Enterprise to process Fonio, a sustainable indigenous crop with extraordinary health benefits. She started her business with 10 landless women and to date, the business has supported 500 farmers – 350 women and 150 men. In recognition of her remarkable social impact, Salma Abdulai was named Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards 2017 Laureate for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tania Shedden: Be your own biggest fan

May 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tania Shedden, founder of Sweet Social Studio (South Africa) — **Tania Shedden**, founder of Sweet Social Studio (South Africa)

Be your own biggest fan....

"Just do it, believe in yourself and in what you offer. You should be your own biggest fan, if you don't believe in yourself nobody else will. Failing is also part of growing, learn from experience and try again. Positivity and doing what you love creates that natural spark that lights the fire within to succeed."

- Tania Shedden is the founder of Sweet Social Studio, a South African social media agency that helps its clients connect to modern day consumers in a meaningful way on social media. Tania is a Marketing Communications and Social Media Specialist who loves getting her clients' story out there on social media, allowing them to promote their own unique voice and giving their customers the opportunity to interact and contribute to the brand.

Kelebogile Makhafola, a South African brand strategist on a mission to help organizations find their unique value propositions

April 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Kelebogile Makhafola, founder of Maruapula Brand (South Africa)

For any business, large or small, one of the biggest challenges can be developing and communicating a unique brand essence, one that engages and connects with customers and employees alike. Maruapula Brand, founded by entrepreneur Kelebogile Makhafola, is helping those businesses through this brand maze.