Entrepreneur Advice from Helen Njoroge - Start innovating

December 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Helen Njoroge, founder of Tenders Kenya — **Helen Njoroge**, founder of Tenders Kenya

Start innovating....

"I encourage women, especially the young women, to come up with innovative products and services and deviate from engaging in "traditional" entrepreneurial opportunities."

- Helen Njoroge, is the founder of Tenders Kenya, Kenya’s Number 1 Tender Site, where she is in charge of overseeing the strategic growth, profitability and development of the business. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Moi University and a Masters degree in Population Studies from the University of Nairobi. She has extensive experience in the NGO sector and in particular, women economic empowerment, policy advocacy and lobbying.

Entrepreneur Advice from Nelia Annandale: Be flexible

December 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nelia Annandale, founder of Keedo Kids — **Nelia Annandale**, founder of Keedo Kids

Be flexible....

“Be flexible enough to shift your business strategy and focus on new markets when existing ones become less lucrative. Rigidity, fear and ego are all factors that contribute to entrepreneurs sticking to their guns even when they know the battleground has changed."

- Nelia Annandale is founder of Keedo Kids a company she launched in 1993 to manufacture designer children’s clothing in a socially responsible and ethical manner. Nelia blends imagination, comfort and style with vibrant colour and exceptional quality, and the brand has grown to be one of the leading children’s clothing manufacturers in South Africa and now exports to 16 countries across the globe. It took a life-threatening skiing accident for South African born Nelia Annandale to overcome her fear of starting a business. Although she had a happy life and was set in a good routine with her husband and two year old twins, the near fatal accident forced her to take stock of her life - Keedo Kids emerged from that new focus.

Quote of the Day by Mo Abudu

December 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mo Abudu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV — **Mo Abudu**, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV

“The key to success in anything is to be absolutely consistent over a prolonged period of time.”

- Mo Abudu, founder& Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Tara Fela-Durotoye

December 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"If you start to see more successful businesses that are playing on a global level, the story of Africa will begin to change"

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

Entrepreneur Advice from Chinwe Ohajuruka: Doing what is right

December 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Chinwe Ohajuruka, founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services — **Chinwe Ohajuruka**, founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services

Doing what is right....

"To all social entrepreneurs who are looking to make a difference, whether they are in Africa or in the rest of the world, your work is very important. Social entrepreneurship is needed to take care of a lot of the challenges that we have in developing countries. Social entrepreneurs are patient, sensitive and they have a strong sense of doing what is right to fix the problem. So, hang in there, your work is needed."

- Chinwe Ohajuruka is the founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services in Nigeria. Chinwe is a US-based architect who splits her time between the US & Nigeria working on sustainable housing development projects. She is a passionate champion of green building solutions for Africa and she engineers and builds affordable green houses that are both energy and resource-efficient. Chinwe was selected as the Sub-Saharan laureate of the 2015 Cartier Women's Awards.

Quote of the Day by Njideka Harry

December 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"I think the power of mentors cannot be overstated; women and girls in technology need women leaders working in the technology field, or running technology enterprises. They really need them as mentors. They need to see people in the industry and in the classroom that are pursuing tech careers that look like them."

- Njideka Harry, founder and chief executive of Youth for Technology Foundation (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mary Holroyd: There's a big difference between delegation and abdication

December 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mary Holroyd, founder and chairman of Weigh-Less (South Africa) — **Mary Holroyd**, founder and chairman of Weigh-Less (South Africa)

As a founder, you're always the one who is responsible...

"One of the most important lessons you can learn is the difference between delegation and abdication. At the end of the day, you’re the one who gets into bed with it. Don’t give anyone total responsibility in your business if it’s just a job to them. Don’t let anyone make decisions for your whole company on a 'just a job' attitude."

- Mary Holroyd is founder and chairman of Weigh-Less the company that has been synonymous with weight management in South Africa since 1975. Mary has helped transform hundreds and thousands of lives over the past three decades and continues to raise the bar in terms of inspiring people to not only lose weight, but change the way they live. Mary, who has her MBA from Henley in London, has been the recipient of numerous prestigious business awards. She also leads by example and has been at her Goal Weight for 41 years!

Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs get inspired at the latest Lioness Lean In event

December 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Patricia Vasco, Tania Tome, Melanie Hawken, Marta Roff, Sasha Vieira — L-R: Patricia Vasco, Tania Tome, Melanie Hawken, Marta Roff, Sasha Vieira

Mozambique’s women entrepreneur business and brand builders are on the move, winning fans not just at home and across the African continent, but around the world. On 28th November, as part of an ongoing series of Lioness Lean In Breakfast events aimed at bringing women entrepreneurs of Maputo together to share their stories, inspire one another, and connect for greater business success, Lionesses of Africa and Standard Bank hosted the 5th such successful event.

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.

"I encourage women, especially the young women, to come up with innovative products and services and deviate from engaging in "traditional" entrepreneurial opportunities."

“Be flexible enough to shift your business strategy and focus on new markets when existing ones become less lucrative. Rigidity, fear and ego are all factors that contribute to entrepreneurs sticking to their guns even when they know the battleground has changed."

“The key to success in anything is to be absolutely consistent over a prolonged period of time.”

"If you start to see more successful businesses that are playing on a global level, the story of Africa will begin to change"

“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,”

"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."

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

"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."

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

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