Entrepreneur Advice from Judith Msonthi: You have to really want it!

April 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi) — **Judith Msonthi**, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi)

You have to really want it!...

"Do not be afraid of your dreams, everything you are dreaming of is going to come true. The catch is, you just have to really want it."

- Judith Msonthi is the founder of Judie Emcee in Malawi, a business that offers Presenter, Host and Master of Ceremonies services for corporate, social and festival events. Judith is a trained TV presenter who has led two prime-time television shows and anchored for TV news and radio. She is very comfortable in front of an audience, which makes talking to a room and crowd filled with strangers her speciality. Judith is rapidly breaking ground on local and international media platforms.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lynda Smith: Failure is not fatal

February 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Lynda Smith, founder of Refirement Network (South Africa) — **Lynda Smith**, founder of Refirement Network (South Africa)

Failure is not fatal....

"I have been an entrepreneur for more than 38 years. Some lessons have been learnt the hard way through failure - but failure is not fatal. It helps build character and learning for the next round. I value people and relationships and this is my most important asset. We need to be realistic. Often we are so passionate about an idea and cannot see the pitfalls. It is important to have an advisor/coach/friend who can help you have helicopter vision rather than being stuck in the forest. Be resilient. Believe in yourself."

- Lynda Smith is a social entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Refirement Network in South Africa, a business involved in helping organisations and Individuals 50+ to understand the opportunities and challenges that the future holds for this demographic group. She is an accredited retirement coach in South Africa through Retirement Options USA. Lynda has a real passion for children, women in leadership and understanding how South Africans can unlock skills development and grow the economy.

Entrepreneur Advice from Nozi Kubeka: Keep pushing

December 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Nozi Kubeka, founder of Zon Communications (South Africa) — **Nozi Kubeka**, founder of Zon Communications (South Africa)

Keep pushing....

"Do not entertain fear. If you feel any fear (which you will) ignore it and keep pushing until you get to where you want to be. Surround yourself with support, like Lionesses of Africa, and find mentors to help guide you through your journey."

- Nozi Kubeka is the founder of Zon Communications in South Africa, a company on a mission to provide advice, support and life skills to young people through talks and workshops in schools, and youth organisations. Nozi is an entrepreneur, author and speaker who is passionate about transforming the lives of young people through empowering them with a powerful message of how to make wise life choices and decisions.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bryony Parr: Don't be afraid

October 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Bryony Parr, founder of Oh So Organised (South Africa) — **Bryony Parr**, founder of Oh So Organised (South Africa)

Don't be afraid....

"Network! join as many groups as you can! Understand your business or product as well as you can so that when you talk about your business you are confident! Talk about your business to anyone and everyone. Don't be AFRAID!"

- Bryony Parr is the founder of Oh So Organised in South Africa, a company that offers a professional organising service to get your home or office space clean and organised. This professional organiser finds it truly rewarding to de-clutter and organise a space whether it be as small as a closet or a whole house or office. Bryony believes a tidy workspace is a tidy mind and and organised home is a happy heart.

Entrepreneur Advice from Emma Tandoh: Don't let the fear stop you

June 30, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Emma Tandoh, founder and CEO of Outspoken Edge (Ghana) — **Emma Tandoh**, founder and CEO of Outspoken Edge (Ghana)

Don't let the fear stop you....

"Do it already! It's important to take the leap and make the mistakes early. Don't let the fear stop you; just jump and build your wings on the way down. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to be self-motivated and constantly create opportunities for yourself. In my career, I’ve had absolutely nothing handed out to me on a silver platter and there's no shortcut to the success you envision for your business."

- Emma Tandoh is the founder and CEO of Outspoken Edge in Ghana, a digital marketing and content development business that offers a tailor-made bouquet of e-marketing, social media and content marketing and web services for SMEs and women-led businesses in Ghana and across Africa. Emma is an ambitious, resourceful, multilingual writer, digital media and technology enthusiast. She studied Information Studies, Economics, and Geography at the University of Ghana, Legon, graduating in 2007 with a BA Honours in Geography and Resource Development.

Quote of the Day by Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe

March 23, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe, co-founders of Uzuri K&Y (Rwanda) — Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe, co-founders of Uzuri K&Y (Rwanda)

"Don't have fear - no matter who you are and where you are from, your dreams are real and you should make it your business to achieve them."

- Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe are co-founders of U zuri K&Y in Rwanda, a company creating beautiful handcrafted shoes with a unique Rwandan aesthetic. These two former college classmates shared a passion for fashion and a desire to start a business venture that would create much needed jobs for their community. Despite little means, they decided to kickstart their business whilst still studying, launching Uzuri K&Y back in 2013.

Entrepreneur Advice from Innocentia Maine - Never let fear get in your way

January 22, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Innocentia Maine, founder of MIS Poultry Farm (South Africa) — **Innocentia Maine**, founder of MIS Poultry Farm (South Africa)

Never let fear get in your way....

"Never let fear get in your way, its just there to hold you back. Women are capable of doing anything they set their minds on, so they must never be afraid of challenges. We just need to think positive, always dream big, and leave no room for negativity."

- Innocentia Maine is the founder of MIS Poultry Farm in South Africa. She is taking her love of farming and building a poultry business that she sees as the first step in creating a multi-faceted successful agribusiness of the future, and one that will hopefully inspire other aspirant women agripreneurs to follow in her footsteps.

Entrepreneur Advice from Gaby Lobban: Fear is the only thing holding you back

December 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Gaby Lobban, founder of Zumbudda (South Africa) — **Gaby Lobban**, founder of Zumbudda (South Africa)

Fear is the only thing holding you back....

"Don't be afraid. Fear is the only thing holding you back. Women are wired to be cautious and thank goodness, but it often holds us back. If you really think you have a good idea or product then go for it, don't let anyone try to distract you from your path. Its easy to say but from my experience in business, very few get it right the first or the second time and failure is part of the process of finding success."

- Gaby Lobban is the founder of Zumbudda in South Africa, a technology company which has launched a website offering REAL-Time eChats with healthcare professionals (Experts) to people looking for advice. Gaby's background is in design and advertising and she has worked in the pharmaceutical, medical and diagnostics industry for 20 years.