Passion will carry you through....
"If you plan to go into business, choose something that you are absolutely passionate about. The passion will carry you through when the going gets tough. I still get joy from sitting behind the machine and making a special piece as I do designing the special pieces."
- Narcissi Madisha is the founder of Kameo Kids in South Africa, a company that manufactures and sells girls wear, from ages 2-12 years. All of Narcissi's clothing items are produced locally in South Africa. Inspired by her own daughter, Narcissi is passionate about creating stylish, comfortable and unique children's fashion. She has a strong business and retail background with 13 years’ experience in Retail Buying in both Fashion and FMCG with some of the biggest retailers in the country.
Read moreA Success mindset = success outcomes in business, that’s according to Loren Fogelman, author of The Success Solution. She believes that focusing on what’s do-able helps you succeed. She asserts that anyone can be a success — high performance isn’t the trademark of talented entrepreneurs alone. She says thatmindset colors everything you do, in and on your business. Mastering your thoughts and harnessing your energy for high performance is critical to success in every area of your life. Strategically tap into your highest potential and soar to the top.
Read moreLike in ballet, let’s assume 3 positions to sum up what compels and sustains the entrepreneur. First position, the power of a well-developed idea and executed plan gives you the opportunity to audition. Second position gives you access to contracts which provides further opportunity to prove your ability and credibility to deliver. As your offering is selected and you deliver to high standards, a time may come to expand which gives you the third position.
Read moreI have followed the subject of Performance Appraisals closely for the past few years. Many people feel that the standard appraisal is a thing of the past, but even with the changes in the industry it has been said that employee engagement levels have not improved over the last ten years. So what can be done about this situation, particularly for small businesses.
Read moreWhen you sign an agreement, the general rule is that you are bound by what you sign – this is why it is very important that you read your contracts before entering into them and, whenever possible, appoint an attorney to assist you.
Read moreAs far as the accounting of your business is concerned, there are a few key reports that share vital information about your business with relevant stakeholders, these statements can also be used by the entrepreneur as an indicator of the financial health of their business. One of these reports being the statement of cash flows.
Read moreMoms and daughters alike know what fun fashion and shopping for great clothes can be, and Narcissi Madisha, founder of Kameo Kids, has just the brand for them. She is creating fashionable yet comfortable clothes for young girls who want to express their own individual style from a young age.
Read moreThe ability to see possibility in what others see as simply waste is a real talent, and that is something that Innovative Waste Design (IWD) founder, Colleen Deetlefs has in large quantities. She has a creative eye, combined with the business acumen to turn waste into beautiful and practical new products that have a great back story and a positive environmental footprint.
Read more"Something small can create an impact, .... You don’t have to have a lot of money to start a business. You can start small, but you must have a passion for what you’re doing."
- Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founded Gahaya Links Cooperatives shortly after the Rwandan genocide ended in 1994. These inspiring sisters had a vision to turn ancient basket weaving skills into a source of livelihood for thousands of rural women. Many of the women, like Janet and Joy themselves, were returning refugees or survivors of the genocide. The women started weaving baskets in exchange for food. Initially bringing together about twenty women, the sisters taught them how to weave and how to enhance their weaving skills with new design techniques. Today Gahaya Links has grown to include over 5,000 women weavers in 52 different cooperatives across Rwanda, providing much needed income and stability. The sisters have successfully opened the business to international markets, partnering with the likes of Macy’s, Walmart, Oprah Magazine, and Kate Spade. Today, Gahaya Links "Peace Baskets” are sold and admired the world over.
Read moreJust do it now!...
"My sensible side says: start your business on the side, then, when you've replaced at least part of your fixed salary, go full-time. My irresponsible side says: sod safety, just do it now!"
- Clare Appleyard is the founder of Katannuta Diamonds in South Africa, a company specializing in the manufacture of bespoke diamond and precious gemstone jewellery, with a strong emphasis on consumer education and empowerment. Clare pursued a Masters Degree in Geology from the University of Cape Town following she spent time working as a geologist for De Beers and Anglo American. In 2007, Clare co-founded Katannuta Diamonds, developing a reputation within the industry for exceptional workmanship, competitive prices and outstanding service in the engagement ring and wedding ring market.
Read moreBelieve in your plan and stick to it....
" Believe in your idea even if other people are trying to convince you otherwise. It is great to incorporate people’s feedback into your work, but if you do not agree with them, stick with your plan."
- 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.
Read moreWhat I’m about to say may seem bizarre, but next time you order your grilled or fried salmon, think for a moment about its biology. Thing is, salmon swim upstream, purposefully, willfully; they are the natural essence of being disruptors. They don’t go with the flow, the norm, the usual, the easy – they are focused and passionate in pushing boundaries. They swim upstream to reach fresh water that they were born into; some make it, some remain in the ocean unable to fulfill their innate biology to go upstream.
Read moreWhen the skincare company Rodial launched its cult 'snake' serum, the press quickly called the business an 'overnight success'. However, as author and entrepreneur Maria Hatzistefanis sets out to demonstrate in this very accessible book, the company’s success stemmed from sheer hard work, hard graft and a lot of patience.
Read moreThe Market Matters 2017 African Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year Award has just been presented to Ms. Monica Musonda, founder and owner of Java Foods in Zambia. Ms. Musonda and Java Foods’ contribution to Africa’s agribusiness sector and food security was officially recognized during the Closing Banquet of the 2017 Making Markets Matter Executive Training Program for the African Agribusiness Sector in Somerset West, South Africa, on 11 May 2017. Java Foods joins a list of 8 other pioneering African entrepreneurs in receiving this honor.
Read moreFor many companies, moving into a new business territory is a challenge, and having access to local insights and advice can be key to success. For entrepreneur Nita Chivwara, her experience as a country strategist and project manager has provided the necessary skills set to offer practical country marketing advice to global business.
Read moreThe Lioness Lean In roadshow across the African continent continued at a pace this month, with Lusaka in Zambia experiencing its first event on 10th May. Once again, Stanbic Bank partnered with Lionesses of Africa to host the latest in a series of highly popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events to showcase and empower women entrepreneurs. Lionesses of Africa is a rapidly growing network of over 360,000 women entrepreneurs in 49 African countries and across the Diaspora.
Read moreThe reality is, the critic will always be there! Whether you want to: run the Comrades Marathon, start a business, present a speech at an international conference ... someone is bound to discourage you and tell you all the reasons why you can’t or shouldn’t do something.
Read moreWho doesn’t love diamonds? These fascinating precious stones that are infused with so many stories, memories, dreams on the part of the owners and wearers. For Clare Appleyard, her love for and extensive technical knowledge of the diamond industry led her to launch her own business, Katannuta Diamonds.
Read moreThe Content Agency was recently tasked with helping our tech-savvy future-focused client bring their app – set to revolutionise the way Africans interact with apps – to market. A brilliant idea! Also a fantastic team and a robust product. But they had the worst positioning ever! You see, their slogan (and core positioning) read: Moving Africa Forward.
Read moreIt's all about working hard....
"We need to quit this ‘microwave results’ mentality. Media has not reminded us enough of the value of working hard. There is nothing you will gain from not working hard. If you want to be successful, then you have to work hard and whilst at it, it would also help a lot if you work smart!"
- Eva Muraya is the founder and CEO of Brand Strategy and Design, an East African brand, advertising and communications agency. Her entry into the business world came only after a great personal tragedy – the loss of her husband. Eva has won numerous awards, including the premier Goldman Sachs Fortune Global Leaders Award. She is an influential advocate for the economic empowerment of women and she co-founded the Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO).
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