Cape Town’s women entrepreneurs lean in for inspiration and great business networking

November 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Kgotso Masekwameng, Simone Musgrave, Melanie Hawken, Jesslyn Schlamm, Vicki Bain — L-R: Kgotso Masekwameng, Simone Musgrave, Melanie Hawken, Jesslyn Schlamm, Vicki Bain

On a beautiful sunshine filled day on 10th November, in the shadow of Table Mountain, 80 women entrepreneurs from across the Western Cape gathered together for the last Lioness Lean In Breakfast event of the year in the city. The venue was once again Workshop 17 in Cape Town’s bustling V&A Waterfront area. In prospect was a morning filled with inspirational startup story sharing from successful women business owners, and great business networking.

Quote of the Day by Johanna Mukoki

November 17, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Johanna Mukoki, co-founder and group CEO of Travel With Flair Travel (South Africa) — **Johanna Mukoki**, co-founder and group CEO of Travel With Flair Travel (South Africa)

"I am an entrepreneur. I was born a free spirit and I cannot think of any other way to work or live."

- Johanna Mukoki, co-founder & CEO of Travel With Flair (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Divine Ndhlukula: Three big mistakes you must avoid

November 17, 2017 Melanie Hawken

What are the biggest mistakes an entrepreneur needs to avoid making....

"There are three big mistakes in my opinion. One is failing to learn the job adequately. Second one is not having a strategic vision and thirdly, lacking financial discipline to distinguish personal funds from business funds thus stifling the business from growing."

- Divine Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services from humble beginnings in Zimbabwe in 1998. Divine identified a need in the market for a quality oriented security company and she has driven SECURICO to become the market leader in Zimbabwe. She has tackled a previously male-dominated industry head on and her business success story is nothing short of remarkable - marking her as one of Africa's most tenacious and inspiring women entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur Advice from Thato Kgatlhanye: Business and friendship is a different ball game

November 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Thato Kgatlhanye, co-founder of Rethaka — **Thato Kgatlhanye**, co-founder of Rethaka

Advice on friends as business partners....

"You can't say because you've known your friend since grade four, you'll work well together in business. No - you have known them since you decided to start a company together. So get to know your business partner as a business partner, not a friend, because business and friendship is a different ball game."

- Thato Kgatlhanye is a co-founder of Rethaka, a woman-owned South African business that is focused on improving the world around it. Through the company's green innovations such as the Repurpose Schoolbags, it is redefining societal problems and turning them into solutions. Thato is making it her business to uncover sustainable opportunities that create a far-reaching impact for low-income communities, with a particular focus on children and women.

Quote of the Day by Eva Muraya

November 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Eva Muraya, founder and CEO of Brand Strategy and Design, Kenya

“I am an advocate of business being an important instrument of development. In fact, business is the fabric for development.”

- Eva Muraya, founder & CEO of BSD Group (Kenya)

Outsourcing 105 – The ins and outs of using a virtual accountant

November 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

By Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect & co-founder of SnappSales

Didn’t think it was possible to outsource your accounting? Not only is it completely feasible, but if accounting is not your forte you’ll be eternally grateful you did.

Entrepreneur Advice from Paula Quinsee: Be realistic with your expectations

November 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Paula Quinsee, Author, Relationship Expert & Life Coach — **Paula Quinsee**, Author, Relationship Expert & Life Coach

Be realistic with your expectations....

"Being an entrepreneur is not for the fainthearted but you won't know how far you can fly if you don't give it a try. Be realistic with your expectations, surround yourself with a support structure, build part-time if you can and get the foundations in place before you take the leap and lastly network, network, network."

- Paula Quinsee is a Relationship Expert & Life Coach in South Africa, working with individuals and organisations on EQ skills, conflict management and more. Paula is author of the book 'Embracing Conflict - a self-help guide filled with practical tools to help you navigate conflict and challenges in your life'. As a competitive athlete and adventure seeker, Paula knows from experience what it takes to set goals, overcome obstacles and achieve success, and she has a passion for mentoring the individuals and groups she works with.

Quote of the Day by Mellisa Mazingi

November 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mellisa Mazinga, founder of zedlabel (Zimbabwe) — **Mellisa Mazinga**, founder of zedlabel (Zimbabwe)

"There is so much potential in Africa's people, in their minds and hearts. Being an entrepreneur in Africa means being a part of unlocking that potential."

- Mellisa Mazingi, founder of zedlabel (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Chaymaa Rhou: We all fear taking risks

November 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Chaymaa Rhou, founder of Nomadic Filmland Academy (Morocco) — **Chaymaa Rhou**, founder of Nomadic Filmland Academy (Morocco)

We all fear taking risks....

"We all fear taking risks and we all experience failure. The only thing that makes you face the fear with courage is to take decisions and follow the journey with its good and bad. Among things that I've learned through this journey is that building confidence, courage and growing your skills in business happens only when you fail once, twice and even more times."

- Chaymaa Rhou is the founder of Nomadic Filmland Academy in Morocco, a new filmmaking platform dedicated for world nomads. Our mission is to help our participants experience adventure while filming it to share it with the world. Chaymaa holds a Bachelor degree in Mass media and Communication, and she was certifed as a wildlife filmmaker.

Quote of the Day by Njeri Rionge

November 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“Entrepreneurship is what is going to build Africa. Integrity is also going to build Africa.”

- Njeri Rionge is one of Africa’s leading entrepreneurs and one of the very few women pioneers in the ICT sector on the African continent. She has co-founded internet service provider Wananchi Online, Ignite Consulting, Insite Limited, Business Lounge, and Njeri Rionge Business Consulting Inc. These days Njeri describes herself as a global citizen cross-pollinating her business interests in Africa, North America and Europe. She 'telecommutes' and regularly travels between her offices in Nairobi and Toronto.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Camara: Take time to learn

November 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke “Tigui” Camara, founder, Chairman & CEO of Tigui Mining Group — Tiguidanke “Tigui” Camara, founder, Chairman & CEO of Tigui Mining Group

Take time to learn....

"Do not let anyone discourage you. Take time to learn. Spend as much time as possible in the field. You may face discrimination sometimes, but always remain professional and persevere. Know that you represent yourself and those women who will follow your path. Find your path, work hard and let the universe do the rest."

- Tiguidanke “Tigui” Camara has had a remarkable career trajectory in Guinea, Africa. She is a former fashion model turned mining entrepreneur. As founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tigui Mining Group and Camara Diamond & Gold Trading Network, 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 entrepreneurial background to pursue her objective of creating a conglomerate of natural resources and innovative technology companies. Tigui is an active advocate of women’s role in the development of the mining industry. A member of Women in Mining International, she co-founded Women in Mining Guinée. Tigui has been featured in numerous high profile-media such as CNN, Mining Decisions and JeuneAfrique, to name just a few.

Essential Read: Rising from the Ashes by Miyanda Katiwa

November 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In her new book, Rising from the Ashes, successful serial entrepreneur and now author, Miyanda Katiwa, brilliantly draws life changing lessons from her experiences in life and business. She shares her moments of struggle, brokenness and hopelessness, and gives some invaluable lessons that will help any other woman entrepreneur to overcome their own challenges. Once broke, jobless and stateless, plus going through at the same time the heart wrenching experience of a painful divorce, Miyanda emerged as a successful entrepreneur and business consultant in her own right, building a strong human resource consultancy firm in Zambia. Today she is a serial entrepreneur, launching another highly successful agribusiness Pamushana Farm, specializing in growing seedlings for food production.

Zambia’s women entrepreneurs share, inspire and connect at the Lioness Lean In event in Lusaka

November 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Screen Shot 2017-11-12 at 3.19.05 PM.jpg

On 8 November, the Lioness Lean In roadshow returned to Zambia to showcase and empower women entrepreneurs in the city. The event was once again held in partnership with Stanbic Bank at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, and brought around 80 women business owners from across the city from both the Stanbic Bank client list and also from the Lionesses of Africa network. Lionesses of Africa is one of the fastest growing networks of women entrepreneurs with over 450,000 women business and brand builders in 49 African countries and across the Diaspora.

Deborah Sawyerr, a Nigerian entrepreneur on a mission to educate kids on money literacy

November 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

**Deborah Sawyerr, founder of Sawyerrs’ House (Nigeria)**

You are never too young to learn about money as a child, and never to old to learn how to manage your money better and create your future wealth as a woman, according to Sawyerrs’ House founder, Deborah Sawyerr. She is passionate about increasing money literacy amongst both children and adult women alike.

Nonhlanhla Khumalo, a South African entrepreneur bringing financial management and accounting solutions to its clients

November 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nonhlanhla Khumalo, founder of LeHay Consulting (South Africa) — **Nonhlanhla Khumalo**, founder of LeHay Consulting (South Africa)

Businesses need access to specialist financial services advice and support, but often for start up companies, it can be a daunting process. Now help is at hand from experienced accountant and entrepreneur, Nonhlanhla Khumalo, founder of LeHay Consulting.

Entrepreneur Advice from Dorcas Muthoni: On the importance of cash-flow to the entrepreneur

November 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

On the importance of maintaining cashflow for entrepreneurs...

"Rule number one, never run out of cash; rule number two, never run out of cash; rule number three, never run out of cash; rule number four, when in doubt, see the first three rules."

- Dorcas Muthoni is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Openworld Ltd, a specialist computer software company she established in Kenya when she was just 24 years old. Today, Openworld is a leading e-Government and business software services firm involved in the delivery of some of the most widely used Web and Cloud applications in Africa, such as ARIS, an African Union reporting application used by all 54 member states; and the Performance Management System for the Government of Kenya, automating performance contracting in the public sector. Dorcas is passionate about using technology to positively transform African society through the lives of its ordinary people, businesses and governments and is a co-founder of the regional organization LinuxChix Africa. In 2012 Dorcas was inducted by the Internet Society into the Internet Hall of Fame.

Read Dorcas's 100 Lionesses profile.

Quote of the Day by Kofo Akinkugbe

November 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Kofo Akinkugbe, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria) — Kofo Akinkugbe, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria)

"Once you have a good plan and a good concept and you work through it, the funds will always come."

- Kofo Akinkugbe is recognised globally for her entrepreneurial success story and strong business track record. She is founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd a market leader in smart card technology and digital security in Africa. SecureID is a world-class manufacturing facility with the only smart card production plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent. In January 2015 the company commissioned a new state-of-the-art EMV-certified smartcard manufacturing plant – the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company serves 16 countries across Africa and is fully certified by VISA, Verve and MasterCard. In 2012, Kofo won the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Mature Business Award.

Entrepreneur Advice from Angela Dick: Trust your inner instincts

November 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Angela Dick, founder of Transman, South Africa — **Angela Dick**, founder of Transman, South Africa

You need to trust your instincts....

"The most important thing is to trust your inner instincts. Look at what you respect; who you respect and who you believe in."

- Angela Dick is the co-founder and CEO of Transman the largest privately owned, temporary-employment service provider in South Africa. This one-time schoolteacher, who was the SA Business Women’s Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006, has grown her company’s revenue from a mere R85 000 back in 1983 to well over half a billion rand today. Angela also served as the first woman president and chairperson of Board of Directors of The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa).

Setbacks are inevitable, it’s how you get back up that matters

November 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In my last few blogs, I focused on two of the key things you need to get right if you want to grow your business in 2017: setting your strategy and relentlessly executing your plan. But no matter how well we plan, no matter how hard our teams work, there will be setbacks along the way.