Maputo was the place to be for women entrepreneurs in the month of July as not one, but two Lioness Lean In events were hosted in the city. This enhanced level of activity was an acknowledgement of the fact that Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs are making really positive waves as they continue to build successful and sustainable businesses.
Read moreEssential Read: Smartwoman by Sylvia Walker
Sylvia Walker
While some women seem to excel at making their money work for them, others battle from pay day to pay day. With the release of her new book, Smartwoman, South African financial planning guru, Sylvia Walker, provides an insight into what these ‘smartwomen’ know and shows what we can learn from them.
Read moreThuli Dlamini-Teferi, a Swaziland food entrepreneur with the gift of turning local natural ingredients into tasty preserves and hot sauces
Thuli Dlamini-Teferi, founder of Bobholotsi Flavours (Swaziland)
There has been a global rise in interest in all things natural and artisan-made when it comes to food products, something that foodpreneur Thuli Dlamini-Teferi is tapping into with her company, Bobholotsi Flavours. She is exciting tastebuds throughout Swaziland with her lovingly handmade and natural range of jams and sauces, all celebrating the wealth of local ingredients on offer.
Read moreAnnie Sibindi Muronda, a South African entrepreneur building a unique branded uniform manufacturing business in the country
Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)
Finding your niche in the world of entrepreneurship is always the challenge, but for Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments, she has found that niche by manufacturing quality branded uniforms for her clients.
Read moreOwn your Ask
If there’s something you want, something you really want, such as a raise, a bigger opportunity, more responsibility, a chance to prove yourself, constructive feedback, or even a little extra help around the house, do you ask for it? Many of us don’t.
Read more5 Quick Sales Tips for the Busy Entrepreneur
I saw an interesting post on Instagram today. A survey asking entrepreneurs what is the one thing they want to accomplish today and the most common point out of the 4 given was, you guessed it, getting new clients. It seems like as entrepreneurs we really understand how to build a business, what product or service the market needs, how to use social media and to speak passionately about our business. Yet there seems to be a lack of focus when it comes to sales.
Read moreBuild your business to be more than a one-hit wonder
We all know them…those pop stars who made it big…BUT with only one song. Right Said Fred, Los Del Rio, Vanilla Ice, and a few others. They blazed onto the stage with fire, only to vanish into thin air. Wikipedia describes it as: ”A one-hit wonder is any entity that achieves mainstream popularity and success for a very short period of time, often for only one piece of work, and becomes known among the general public solely for that momentary success”. It got me thinking of the kind of business I want to establish. Do I want a long-lasting, sustainable business that will go on long after I have gone, or am I building a fleeting one-hit wonder?
Read moreQuote of the Day by Eugénia Langa
Eugénia Langa, founder of Nweba (Mozambique)
"No dream is impossible to realize. With faith, determination and persistence, anyone can achieve what they want."
- Eugénia Langa is the founder of Nweba, the first Mozambican company dedicated to Procurement and Logistics for Construction. Her main service areas cover Project Management, Contract Management, Material Supply or Service Provision, Permits Consulting, Logistics, and Procurement Training. From a young age Eugénia was enthralled by the idea of seeing man form structures larger than himself on the basis of using calculation and science. This fascination with science led her to study Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University. She went on to work in the construction sector for 10 years before launching Nweba (which means means Persistence in Zulu) in 2015.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Susan Granger: Get up and start up!
Susan Granger, founder of Nubian Queen on 101 (South Africa)
Get up and start up!...
"Don't waste time thinking about your dream or talking about it. Get up and start up - if you fail once, try again, because tomorrow is a different day."
- Susan Granger is the founder of Nubian Queen on 101, a niche, quality, and exclusive boutique store, specialising in top-end, genuine leather handbags and accessories, all made in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa. Susan is a fashionista, image consultant, blogger, and disruptor, seeking to bring her clients an exclusive range of contemporary products that bridge the gap between High Street and Luxury Brands.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Rapelang Rabana
Rapelang Rabana, founder of Rekindle Learning (South Africa)
"You have got to build expertise in your field, you have got to be world-class in your knowledge, do the hard work, deliver it, manifest in it. If you don’t have the money or funding, build expertise, it is not enough to be okay... be world-class in what you do."
- Rapelang Rabana is a South African technology entrepreneur who is making waves both on the African continent and around the world. She established her reputation in the tech sector as the co-founder of Yeigo Communications, a company that gained international recognition for its pioneering innovations in mobile VoIP and IP communications. Today, Rapelang is the innovative founder behind Rekindle Learning, a company looking to improve education in Africa by turning people’s compulsion to check their phones into an opportunity to learn. Featured on the cover of Forbes Africa magazine before the age of 30, selected as a Fast Company Maverick and named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and Entrepreneur for the World by the World Entrepreneurship Forum - Rapelang is an internationally lauded entrepreneur.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Nkem Onwudiwe: You cannot do everything yourself
Nkem Onwudiwe, founder of Her Network (Nigeria)
You cannot do everything yourself....
"I’ve learned that you cannot do everything yourself. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help, learn to trust others and delegate. I’ve also learned to set goals, both personal and professional, and to regularly evaluate progress."
- Nkem Onwudiwe is the founder of Her Network, a platform in Nigeria created to encourage women of all races, ages and sizes to help one another grow. This bold and ambitious PR & Communications entrepreneur leverages her skills and extensive network for spreading messages to the public via traditional and new media. Nkem is passionate about creating exciting events where women can come together, have real meaningful conversations, promote their businesses, sell their brands and build relationships with other women - bridging the gap between women and women.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Thanthi Sepeng: Resilience is most important
Thanthi Sepeng, founder of Reve Productions (South Africa)
Resilience is most important....
"Resilience is the most important attribute you will ever need, so that you don't give up on your dreams and goals - no matter how difficult and challenging it may get. Don't make the mistake of entrusting anyone with your dream as you are the only one who will be committed into making it a reality. Surround yourself with people more knowledgeable and experienced so that you can learn from them. Get a mentor and always strive to inspire, influence and impact, as well as lead others to reach their highest potential so that they too can realize their dreams."
- Thanthi Sepeng is the founder of Reve Productions in South Africa, a company that provides a range of Catering Services, Event Management, and Marketing in terms of Branding Collateral and CSI Projects. Thanti studied Business Communications, majoring in Marketing, Public Relations and Communication science and after time spent working in the corporate world set out on her own path as an entrepreneur as she believes this allows her to bring change to the lives of those around her.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Aïssa Dione
"Africa can do more than simply send its raw goods overseas .... Spinning and textile industries have nearly all closed and traditional weavers are slowly but surely disappearing. It’s a huge paradox. While millions of tons of cotton are being grown in west Africa, you can barely find a metre of finished textiles.”
- Aïssa Dione, a renowned Senegalese painter and textile designer, founded the company that bears her name, Aissa Dione Tissus back in 1992. Her mission: to revive Senegal's traditional and unique fabric weaving craftsmanship and build a production chain that is truly '100% Made in Senegal'. Her approach is to combine unique design, know-how and artisan craftsmanship to transform African grown cotton into a valuable product. She has succeeded in this, building a high-end fabric brand underpinned by centuries old cotton processing and weaving skills. Today, Aissa has more than 100 employees whose traditional handwoven fabrics are delivered to the absolute top-end interior design brands across Africa, Europe and the United States. Aissa's designs and fabrics grace major design salons and brands such as Hermés, Fendi, Christian Liaigre and Peter Marino.
Read moreEssential Read: Grit - The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth
In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls 'grit'.
Read moreWhy entrepreneurs should practice the pause
In the last 6 months, I have been broken by the passing of two dear entrepreneurs and the critical hospitalisation of one. If a distinction is not made on the importance of self-nurture, the body and mind take the biggest knock and who will run the business when that happens? The things that matter need minding and it is time the entrepreneur pauses that business button and presses the mind me button.
Read moreOwn your Time
I’m sure we’ve all had conversations about how quickly the year is going. When we are heading towards the end of the year, we start getting ready to put the old behind us and start preparing for the new. It’s a time of shifting away from old and unhealthy patterns and creating space for newer, healthier practices.
Read moreWhat is holding us back as women entrepreneurs?
I’ve coached and worked with hundreds of women entrepreneurs making between $75k and $750k in revenues, and in my book Million Dollar Women I profiled women who successfully built multi-million dollar companies. When only 3% of women entrepreneurs are reaching $1M in revenues, we know that the women who make it “big” are more the exception than the rule. So exactly what is getting in our way of catching up with men in turning our business ideas into ones that make bank?
Read moreQuote of the Day Tara Fela-Durotoye
"Mentorship is important and you can’t go wrong if you are counselled rightly from someone who is indeed worthy to be called a mentor."
- Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian-born lawyer turned Africa's leading beauty and makeup entrepreneur. She started House of Tara at the age of 20, from her living room, whilst an undergraduate at university back in 1998. She's since gone on to launch Nigeria's first ever bridal directory in 1999, and in 2004 she opened the country's leading beauty academy. Today, Tara has over 3,000 reps spread across Nigeria and 14 stores to her name and she is steadfastly dedicated to realising her vision of building a globally respected beauty company of African origin. Tara remains an inspirational role-model and mentor to make-up artists and aspiring beauty business owners across Africa.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Thabisa Mjo: Persevere and adapt
Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash.T Design Studio (South Africa)
Persevere and adapt....
"Just do it. And listen, listen to your critics, listen to what your customers are saying. Persevere, adapt and don't be afraid to ask for what your time and or, products are worth."
- Thabisa Mjo is the founder of Mash.T Design Studio, a South African interior design firm, specializing in design for the retail and hospitality sectors, and has recently branched out into furniture design. With her background in television set design and interior decorating, Thabisa decided to launch her own company, Mash T Design Studio, in 2013. Thabisa employs up to seven additional people whenever the job calls for extra sets of hands.
Read moreMozambique’s leading women entrepreneurs set to inspire and connect at the 3rd Lioness Lean In Breakfast in Maputo
Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs are making positive waves as they continue to build successful and sustainable businesses, some of which are beginning to capture global market attention. A new generation of young women is also being inspired to follow in their footsteps in the country. So to celebrate the achievements of all those women entrepreneurs who are putting Mozambique on the global map, and to further inspire this new generation to build successful businesses of their own, Lionesses of Africa and Standard Bank will be hosting the 3rd in a series of highly popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events in Maputo this month.
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