Dené Carlile, a South African entrepreneur helping companies to develop their social brand personalities

December 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dené Carlile, founder of BluMallow Social & Design (South Africa) — **Dené Carlile**, founder of BluMallow Social & Design (South Africa)

Many companies struggle to get their brand messages to connect with customers, or to grow their brand appeal with certain customer segments. That’s where South African niche company, BluMallow Social & Design, comes in. Founder Dené Carlile is on a mission to make the whole process of making powerful brand connections a whole lot easier for her clients.

100 LIONESSES: Swaady Martin, stylish purveyor of African luxury tea

December 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Swaady Martin, founder of Yswara — **Swaady Martin**, founder of Yswara

Swaady Martin is founder of YSWARA, a rapidly growing African luxury brand. YSWARA creates elegant, high-end products using the continent’s natural resources, all produced by African artisans. The product range centres around exquisite teas sourced from across Africa, Swaady aims to capture a true spirit of African luxury by reviving Africa’s endangered cultural heritage and unique ancestral craftsmanship. YSWARA is sold online and in 8 countries with different direct and indirect retail points.

ESSENTIAL READ: Raising Money Savvy Kids by Kathryn Main

December 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

As parents, we make every effort and sacrifice possible to ensure that our children receive the best education available. Unfortunately, the school curriculum taught today is missing one crucial puzzle-piece that will make our children’s education complete - money management. In her new book, Raising Money Savvy Kids, author and entrepreneur, Kathryn Main, is on a mission to provide kids with the financial advantage and financial freedom through education that most of their parents never had.

Dear Entrepreneur Wannabe - Don't try be what you are not

December 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

by Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips

I've witnessed animals outcasting one of their own, and today, I can appreciate being outright rejected too, a lone wolf. I am broke, skinny, pale, sleep deprived, fighting with loved ones, neglected and maybe delusional.

Entrepreneurship rocks! Why you should consider becoming one!

December 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

By Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

Entrepreneurship rocks! Well it does most of the time! I am not going to tell you this is the easiest journey, but it is truly rewarding! In my case starting out, I was one of those “go with the flow” people. I never had a plan of what I was going to be. I didn’t have it all planned and I was definitely not goal driven! Now, years later and after many learning trials, I can honestly say today that by the grace of God and my entrepreneurial journey, I am a different person. Better I would say!

Entrepreneur Advice from Divine Ndhlukula: Have a game plan and execute it with passion

December 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

You need to execute your game plan with passion....

"Have a game plan and execute it with passion, determination and focus....Work with your passion, it will keep you going and once you have a footing in your business, make the most of it and create the momentum and that will get rid of all the little challenges that may bog you down. Lastly, choose your team carefully and get rid of non-performers soon enough."

- 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.

Quote of the Day by Aisha Pandor

December 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Aisha Pandor & Alen Ribic, husband and wife co-founders of SweepSouth (South Africa — **Aisha Pandor** & Alen Ribic, husband and wife co-founders of SweepSouth (South Africa

“If we can help to include more women in the ecosystem, we will see a much broader range of solutions coming out of it, that address issues at all levels of our economy,”

- Aisha Pandor, co-founder & CEO of SweepSouth (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nunu Mugyenyi: Mind your own business!

November 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ngyenzi ‘Nunu’ Mugyenyi,  co-founder of BOLD Kampala — **Ngyenzi ‘Nunu’ Mugyenyi**, co-founder of BOLD Kampala

Stay focused on your own business....

"Mind your own business. Focus your energy on how you can better your business, rather than on how the businesses of others are better than yours. There are enough entrepreneurial journeys to go around."

- Ngyenzi ‘Nunu’ Mugyenyi is one of the co-founders of BOLD Kampala, the brainchild of three vibrant and talented women entrepreneurs from Uganda who have a vision for raising awareness of, and retailing, African fashion brands. Their BOLD Kampala retail concept is truly world-class and provides affordable space and excellent exposure for uniquely African designer fashion brands.

Quote of the Day by Mary Spio

November 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mary Spio, founder of Next Galaxy Corp — **Mary Spio,** founder of Next Galaxy Corp

“Really make a mark. Thinking big, going big—we should do more audacious things.”

- Mary Spio founder & CEO of CEEK VR INC

Quote of the Day by Dr. Ola Brown

November 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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

"True success is about a passion to create a better world, live a life that you can look back on and be truly proud of."

- Dr. Ola Orekunrin, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Samantha Skyring: Get yourself a business mentor

November 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Skyring, founder of Oryx Desert Salt (South Africa) — **Samantha Skyring**, founder of Oryx Desert Salt (South Africa)

My top advice to any woman starting up....

"I would so advise having a business mentor and constant learning of how to do things in business from other business leaders."

- Samantha Skyring is the founder of Oryx Desert Salt in South Africa. A serial entrepreneur with a taste for adventure, Samantha has enjoyed a varied entrepreneurial journey taking her from Aircraft Interior Refurbishment to discovering Mumbo Island on Lake Malawi whilst on a kayaking expedition and starting Kayak Africa. A 5 month journey in Namibia, which included a 120km walk through the Namib desert, was the catalyst for creating her Oryx brand. Today, this company supplies a natural, crystal-white salt from the Kalahari – unrefined, sun-dried, and free from additives and preservatives.

Quote of the Day by Swaady Martin

November 28, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"The luxury industry is a great economic growth driver and can be a fantastic export champion... The luxury industry creates jobs and generates activities in a large variety of areas, including publishing, advertising, public relationship, tourism, real estate, culture and education."

- Swaady Martin, Founder and CEO of YSWARA

Entrepreneur Advice from Mary-Anne Calvert: Believe in yourself

November 28, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mary-Anne Calvert, founder of The Human Element (South Africa) — **Mary-Anne Calvert**, founder of The Human Element (South Africa)

Believe in yourself....

"Believe in yourself and your capacity to bounce back when things get tough (as they will). Providing consistent service delivery to your clients no matter what the circumstances, will build your reputation and nothing is more valuable than that. Maintain good relationships with everyone - you never know who can and will help you on your journey, and pay this forward whenever you are able to."

- Mary-Anne Calvert is the founder of The Human Element in South Africa, a company provides leadership and soft skills development, performance coaching and business development, to nurture potential. Mary-Anne is a passionate developer of people and businesses to help them become the best they can be. She founded The Human Element in 2005 to use her adult education qualifications and experience in senior management positions to become a skills learning facilitator, performance coach and business development consultant.

Quote of the Day by Tara Fela-Durotoye

November 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"What drives me is living purpose. I think my business is a vehicle to change lives."

- Tara Fela-Durotoye founder of House of Tara (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Sofia Cassimo: The sooner you fail, the sooner you'll win.

November 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Sofia Cassimo, founder of SamSara Development and Investment — **Sofia Cassimo**, founder of SamSara Development and Investment

The sooner you fail, the sooner you'll win....

"Identify the opportunity; think and rethink; gather as much information as possible; study how others are doing similar things; and create your business model. Don’t give up - the sooner you fail, the sooner you'll win."

- Sofia Dias Cassimo is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Samsara Development and Investment and Sublime Special Events & Catering in Mozambique. Sofia, who has a medical degree, turned entrepreneur following a stint working for an NGO, when she followed her passion for food, catering and hosting, starting up Sublime Special Events & Catering. She also followed her passion for developing programs that help neglected people and communities, starting Samsara Development and Investment, a social enterprise that creates programs for empowering women to become changemakers in rural communities.

Johannesburg leans-in to learn the art of business and personal brand building

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Deborah Hartung, Raksha Mahabeer, Melanie Hawken, Kathryn Main, Ngwana Matloa — L-R: Deborah Hartung, Raksha Mahabeer, Melanie Hawken, Kathryn Main, Ngwana Matloa

Another packed audience of women entrepreneurs assembled this month on 23 November at the Standard Bank Business Incubator for the last in the South African series of Lioness Lean In events for 2017. The theme for the morning was the art of building powerful business and personal brands, and understanding how to leverage those brands for success as women entrepreneurs.

Essential Read: Keep Going by Keneilwe Monei Magula

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Author and entrepreneur, Keneilwe Magula, is a firm believer that without the correct recipe, no matter how good you are in the kitchen, you will always make a terrible meal. She also believes that this is true about life also. She says that no matter how good you might be at something, if you don’t understand how life responds to our intentions you will always get the same bad results. Her new book, Keep Going, encourages you to look at life as a journey, and to realise that your current situation is not your final destination.

Ngwana Matloa, a South African entrepreneur helping companies get to grips with their IT strategies

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ngwana Matloa, co-founder of ABOT Technology (South Africa) — **Ngwana Matloa**, co-founder of ABOT Technology (South Africa)

How often do you see companies and organisations investing in IT and technology solutions but not actually ensuring they are aligned to overall business strategies? As a result, maximum efficiencies and highly functional systems never realize their full potential. IT specialist, Ngwana Matloa, co-founder of ABOT Technology, is on a mission to change that.

Nicola Bokaba, a South African manufacturer inspired by traditional cooking implements and taking them to the mass market

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nicola Bokaba, founder of Earthy Cook (South Africa) — **Nicola Bokaba**, founder of Earthy Cook (South Africa)

Sometimes, the best ideas have been around a long time but simply need adapting or updating for a contemporary marketplace. In the culinary world, that is certainly the case for the traditional South African mafehlo (pap making whisks). Entrepreneur Nicola Bokaba, founder of Earthy Cook, saw an opportunity to start a business inspired by these traditional cooking implements but updated to meet today’s kitchen needs.