Entrepreneur Advice from Teta Isibo: Never stifle your dreams and aspirations

October 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dream big and don't be scared....

“Never stifle your dreams and aspirations; if they don’t scare you, they are not big enough.”

- Teta Isibo is the creative mind behind Inzuki a dynamic young Rwandan brand specializing in jewelry, accessories and interior decor hand-made primarily from local materials. With no background in fashion or business, Teta quit her job as an urban planner with the city of Kigali to start her own business. Today Inzuki (bees in the local language) is part of a wider Rwandan cultural Renaissance. The company’s product design philosophy is a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary style, which has helped Teta gain a pool of clients from South Africa to the USA.

Quote of the Day by Winnifred Selby

October 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Winnifred Selby, co-founder of Ghana Bamboo Bikes — **Winnifred Selby**, co-founder of Ghana Bamboo Bikes

"Ultimately being an entrepreneur allows me to be in charge of my own destiny. And there’s nothing better."

– Winnifred Selby was just 15 when she co-founded Afrocentric Bamboo, a company that manufactures and markets bicycles made from bamboo. Today, she is heading what has become a growing brand that is struggling to keep up with demand. Designed in-house, Afrocentric Bamboo bikes are sturdy, affordable – US$100 for the local market – and made for the high terrain and rough roads of rural Ghana. The frames are built in one piece, making them stronger and more economically viable.

Entrepreneur Advice from Linda Gieskes Mwamba: Start small and let it grow organically

October 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Linda Gieskes Mwamba, founder of Suki Suki Naturals. Image by Michael Griffin — **Linda Gieskes Mwamba**, founder of Suki Suki Naturals. Image by Michael Griffin

Start small and let it grow organically....

"Start your business for the love and passion for what you do, because that is what is going to drive you and make you want to wake up in the morning when things are difficult. And don’t try and do too much too soon, take things one step at a time and remember that you will get there, it’s just a matter of evolving your business - start small and let it grow organically."

- Linda Gieskes Mwamba is the founder of Suki Suki Naturals, an Indie, Natural, and African Hair Care Brand. She is a lawyer with a passion for being an entrepreneur who identified a gap in the market for hair products specifically formulated with black women in mind.

Quote of the Day by Dr. Ola Orekunrin

October 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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

"Your background does not determine your destiny."

- Dr. Ola Orekunrin is a physician, helicopter pilot and entrepreneur founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa’s first Air Ambulance Service. 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. Flying Doctors Nigeria today provides just such urgent helicopter, airplane ambulance and evacuation services in Nigeria and other countries across West Africa. Ola graduated from the University Of York in Britain and is a member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and holds their board certification.

Entrepreneur Advice from Eva Sonaike: You really have to stand out and be persistent

October 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Eva Sonaike, founder of Eva Sonaike — **Eva Sonaike**, founder of Eva Sonaike

You have to find a way to stand out....

"... you have to have a great product, idea or service. The market is over-flooded with so much these days, that you really have to stand out! Then be persistent and don't be discouraged if there is a 'no' or some doors won't open. You have to have a lot of stamina and keep going. It is an ongoing journey, which can be very frustrating sometimes, but if you stay positive and focused, unexpected things may happen!"

- Eva Sonaike is a talented Nigerian interior designer and lifestyle brand creator. Her London-based company, Eva Sonaike, creates luxurious textiles, home-décor and accessories with a distinctive and vibrant West-African aesthetic. Eva's products are are carried by many of London's top stores such as Selfridges, Liberty and Fenwick of Bond Street.

Quote of the Day by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

October 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Ethiopia) — **Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu** is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

"... we have embraced the idea that tradition and innovation go hand in hand, so that yesterday's hand loomer of fabrics is tomorrow’s textile innovator; yesterdays cobbler is tomorrow’s added value shoe artisan,"

- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year. soleRebels has been expanding rapidly and today exports to no fewer than 45 countries and is targeting 50 stand alone soleRebels retail stores across the United States by 2018 and 500 worldwide by 2022.

5 inspirational Lionesses of Africa selected to showcase their digital solutions at Startup-Night Africa in Berlin

October 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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Lionesses of Africa has selected 5 leading women entrepreneurs from Africa to pitch their innovative digital platforms, apps and solutions to big business, government, investors and influencers in Berlin on 26 October, thanks to a partnership between Lionesses of Africa and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Quote of the Day by Ethel Cofie

October 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, techpreneur & founder of Edel Technologies, Ghana — Ethel Cofie, techpreneur & founder of Edel Technologies, Ghana

"I believe entrepreneurship is Africa's way out of poverty. Entrepreneurship is on the increase, because Africa, at last has been emerging and the economies are booming -- several countries are starting to really increase entrepreneurial activity and move to opportunity entrepreneurship, rather than necessity entrepreneurship."

- Ethel Cofie is a technology entrepreneur and the CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting in Ghana. As a high caliber IT Professional, Ethel has gained a wealth of technical and commercial experience across a wide range of demanding roles having worked in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone on projects for organizations like Bill and Melinda Gates Mobile Technology for Health project, the Ford Foundation’s Election Monitoring project for Nigeria and as Head of Commercial Solutions for Vodafone. Ethel is founder of Women in Tech Africa, was shortlisted for the UN GEM Tech Award for work supporting women in ICT, and is a Mandela Fellow for President Obama’s Young African Leaders initiative(YALI).

Entrepreneur Advice from Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera: Don't hesitate to use your talents

October 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera, founder of Glo Creations in Rwanda — **Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera**, founder of Glo Creations in Rwanda

Don't hesitate to use your talents to start a new business....

"My advice to women and young girls is simple; if you realise your talent or skills to do something, do not hesitate to use it. Women should not underestimate their potential. All a woman has to do is believe in her potential and then pursue her passion by equipping herself with skills and knowledge that are related to their talent."

- Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera, founded Glo Creations in Rwanda in 2008, a textile design company that also produces fashionable clothing, and home décor items. What Kamanzi is undoubtedly best known for is her batik art, using a uniquely African hand dyeing and printing technique. In 2012, she was awarded the Best Young Entrepreneur award in Kigali by the Ministry of Labour and Public Service. In the same year, she was the 1st runner up (tailoring cluster) in the HEAP (Handicraft Excellence Award Programme), a national competition for handcrafts organised under the Ministry of Commerce.

The Jar of Awesome - Own your Gratitude

October 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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When things don’t go your way, “looking on the bright side” is a real test of your ability to show gratitude. No one is perfect at showing gratitude at first, but here’s an idea that can help that I learned from Tim Ferriss, author of Tools of Titan and The Four Hour Work Week.

Essential Read: Captivate - The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards

October 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

As an entrepreneur, do you feel awkward at business networking events, does networking not come naturally to you? Do you wish you could decode people better in your day to day business interactions? Perhaps you need to learn the science of succeeding with people.

So where does money fit into the greater scheme of things?

October 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Starting or running a business is hugely taxing and it’s easy to be driven by money, particularly in the early months. You want to focus all your energy on making it a success, but it is easy to fall into the trap of materialism. Money and wealth is equated to success and we all want to be successful. However, it is important to realise that money is only one aspect of our lives – it cannot be our sole driving force. So where does our money fit in?

DR. JENNIFER RIRIA '100 Lionesses' Profile - Meet the woman who has committed herself to empowering Kenya's women

October 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria is the Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding and one of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs who has always been on a mission to transform the lives of women and their families in her native Kenya. She is distinguished microfinance banker, researcher and a leading gender specialist. She has served in many leadership roles for which she has been recognized locally and internationally. In 2013 she was awarded the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the year, East Africa 2013, and subsequently, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014, at which point she was admitted to EY’s Global Hall of Fame.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mireille Karera: Surround yourself with people who you lift you up

October 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates — **Mireille Karera**, founder of KORA Associates

Surround yourself with people who you lift you up....

"You may not have the most supportive environment around you, but there is always an individual person or a group of people you can connect with. Surround yourself with people who you lift you up, instead of those who bring you down or dismiss your dreams and vision. Be careful who you share your dreams with, before they take shape. You might be discouraged to even start something by sharing your business vision and goal with the wrong people."

- Mireille Karera is the founder of KORA Associates, a consulting and coaching company headquartered in Dubai, U.A.E, with operations in Africa. Mereille is of Rwandan origin and recently opened the company's latest subsidiary in Rwanda. She speaks 7 languages fluently (English, French, German, Rwandan, Swahili, Burundian and Lingala) and in earlier years pursued her passion for languages which earned her a Bachelor Degree in Business & Legal Translation in Cologne, Germany.

Quote of the Day by Sarah Collins

October 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Sarah Collins, founder and CEO of Wonderbag (South Africa) — **Sarah Collins**, founder and CEO of Wonderbag (South Africa)

"Every one of us is an entrepreneur at heart, we just need the courage to make it happen..."

- Sarah Collins is the founder and CEO of Wonderbag, a simple non electric slow cooker which works in mud huts in Africa to Manhattan apartments, possibly one of the only cooking devices that is globally relevant! Sarah is a South African adventurer, entrepreneur, and lifelong social activist. She thrives on challenges and has worked tirelessly over the past two decades to inspire change in the realms of gender-equality and environmental sustainability.

Quote of the Day by Adenike Ogunlesi

October 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“I have learnt that if you face the challenges with positive energy, you are most likely to get better results.”

- Adenike Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria. Nike started out modestly in 1996 selling the clothes she made from the boot of her car and in bazaars. Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is an instantly recognisable brand in Nigeria and has a reputation for being one of the top manufacturers of children's clothing throughout West Africa. Ruff 'n' Tumble successfully caters to the unique fashion sense of today’s youngsters, from new born to age 16, happily mixing indigenous lifestyle trends with an international appeal.

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Watch your pennies

October 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia) — Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia)

Watch your pennies...

"Carefully that is. Learn to manage your finances properly. Account for EVERYTHING. It’s the only way to assess expenditure versus your profit. Plan your cash flows. Get money smart. Always."

- 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.

Meet 16 women entrepreneurs changing the face of business in Mozambique

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

It’s an exciting time right now for women entrepreneurs in Mozambique, with a growing eco-system to support them and some wonderful role-models to inspire the next generation who are trying to break through into the marketplace. Meet a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are changing the face of business in Mozambique.

Marta Pinto Coelho Roff, a Mozambique based entrepreneur building the country’s leading relocation services company

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Relocating to another country, town or city can be stressful at the best of times, and having a specialist company to help with logistics is essential to keep those stress levels down. One entrepreneur in Mozambique has created a business to take away the headache of relocation, and instead make it as stress-free a process as possible.

Daisy Mogne, a Mozambican entrepreneur making her mark in the world of professional makeup and hairstyling

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Daisy Mogne, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique) — **Daisy Mogne**, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique)

From transforming actors in television and film studios to fulfill their onscreen roles, to styling models for the fashion runways, leading professional makeup and hair artist, Daisy Mogne, has certainly perfected her craft. Today, her own Studio Daisy Mogne, is building a wonderful reputation for transforming and preparing clients for their special days, from weddings and special occasions, to those who work in front of the camera each day.