Entrepreneur Advice from Nthabiseng Mosia: You can be the change

December 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nthabiseng Mosia, co-founder of Easy Solar (Sierra Leone) — **Nthabiseng Mosia**, co-founder of Easy Solar (Sierra Leone)

You can be the change....

"Never apologize for wanting a seat at the table and pursuing your dreams. For African women in particular, there will be times, in fact more often than not, when you look around a room (whether it’s of investors, fellow entrepreneurs, or potential partners) and wonder where your place is in this world of white men, this world that you want to be a part of, one of innovators, rebels, adventurers, game-changers. Don't let feeling like an outlier deter you from being the change in representation that you want to see in the world."

Nthabiseng Mosia is the co-founder of Easy Solar, a Sierra Leone based social venture, that makes clean energy affordable to those off-the-grid by offering solar-powered devices on a “rent-to-own” financing structure, enabled by embedded Pay-As-You-Go technology and mobile money. Nthabiseng is passionate about crafting solutions that address challenges at the nexus of energy and development. The idea for Easy Solar originally arose while pursuing her Masters Degree at Columbia University in the United States.

Quote of the Day by Bernice Dapaah

December 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bernice Dapaah, co-founder of the Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative — **Bernice Dapaah**, co-founder of the Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative

"I see entrepreneurship as a calling, not as a last resort for those who are looking for employment in the formal sector and not finding it."

- Bernice Dapaah co-founder of Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative

Entrepreneur Advice from Rahel Mwitula Williams: It can be done!

December 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Rahel Mwitula Williams, founder of ILAVA (Tanzania/Kenya) — **Rahel Mwitula William**s, founder of ILAVA (Tanzania/Kenya)

It can be done!...

"Go ahead, DREAM BIG but have an ACTION PLAN. Every day do something towards realizing that dream. But, be aware of dream killers. You will always have people that will give you millions of reasons as to why your dream will not happen, but you can always find millions of reasons as to how you can make it can happen. Therefore, choose your company wisely. You will work hard for what you believe in, and there will be times when you will doubt yourself and you will want to quit, but don’t give up - press forward - it can be done!"

- Rahel Mwitula Williams is the founder and lead designer of ILAVA. As a social entrepreneur, she was born and raised in Tanzania, East Africa. She migrated to the USA with her family when she was 12 years old and held her Tanzanian heritage near to her heart. She obtained her bachelor of science degree in psychology from Loyola University and went on to receive her Master’s of Science from DePaul University in Chicago, Il. Rahel believes that women entrepreneurs are key in enhancing both women’s and overall community development. She aims to incorporate her culture into fashion and give back to her native country every chance she gets. While popular culture may see African attire as a trend, Rahel sees it as a lifestyle.

Quote of the Day by Njeri Rionge

December 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“Taking an idea that’s on paper or in your head and moving it forward into real, tangible action is the true spirit of entrepreneurship.”

- Njeri Rionge serial entrepreneur (Kenya/Canada)

Essential Read: Lady with Steel Eggs - 12 Strategies for Starting a Successful Business by Evelyn Frazier

December 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Author and entrepreneur, Evelyn Frazier, believes that women wear invisible capes, dashing from one commitment to the next, and often it may seem impossible for this seemingly superhuman strength to extend to them owning their own businesses in their own minds. So, her new book, Lady with Steel Eggs - 12 Strategies for Starting a Successful Business, has been written to take readers on the journey of business success from inception.

Malawi’s women entrepreneurs lean-in to inspire and connect in Mzuzu

December 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

This month saw the 2017 programme of Lioness Lean In events to be held in cities across the African continent, come to a close in great style as the team headed to Mzuzu in Malawi for the first time. The latest in the series of inspirational monthly Lioness Lean In events took place on Friday 8th December, once again powered by Standard Bank, and hosted at Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel, in Malawi’s northern region city of Mzuzu.

Tania Tome, a Mozambican serial entrepreneur using her skills to train and develop a new generation of business leaders in Africa

December 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tania Tome, founder of Ecokaya (Mozambique) — **Tania Tome**, founder of Ecokaya (Mozambique)

Creating sustainable and more inclusive entrepreneurial ventures in Mozambique is key to the country’s future economic success. But that requires the development and training of a new generation of entrepreneurs who can build businesses capable of growing and succeeding. Ecokaya, founded by entrepreneur Tania Tome, is on a mission to be part of the solution to making this vision a reality.

Ntsoaki Mabejane, an entrepreneur from Lesotho building a passionate organic cosmetics brand

December 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ntsoaki Mabejane, founder of Botanical Wares (Lesotho) — **Ntsoaki Mabejane**, founder of Botanical Wares (Lesotho)

For all those who experience the challenges of sensitive skin, hope is at hand from Botanical Wares (Pty) Ltd, a Lesotho woman-owned company inspired by its founders who needed to find a skincare and cosmetics solution for themselves and their families.

Own your Finances

December 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In ‘Own your Space; The Toolkit for the Working Woman’, my co-author Nadia Bilchik and I found it imperative to include a chapter on owning your finances. We reached out to author and speaker, Sylvia Walker, to share her insights and guidance. This is a snippet of what she had to say about how to own your finances.

Quote of the Day by Lorna Rutto

December 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"I love my work. Each day when I go to work, I feel that I am serving my purpose in this world and working towards our goal to transform Africa’s waste into wealth. This renews my strength every day."

- Lorna Rutto, founder of EcoPost (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Anila Mussá: Plan, focus and persist

December 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Anila Mussá, founder of IZYSHOP (Mozambique) — **Anila Mussá**, founder of IZYSHOP (Mozambique)

Plan, focus and persist....

"Plan and prepare a small business plan (write your idea on paper, how you want to run the business, how much you will sell, who your audience is, etc.) and execute your plan. Do not overthink things, and do not be afraid of failure. Only the day-to-day operation of the business will tell you the needs, the problems, the positive aspects, etc. And with focus and persistence, it is possible to overcome or circumvent any obstacles."

- Anila Mussá is the founder of IZYSHOP in Mozambique, a multi-award winning online supermarket, connecting local small and medium size producers to consumer markets, giving producers access to a broader market and income increase, and consumers a more convenient shopping experience. Born in the small city of Inhambane in Mozambique, Anila learned from a young age the art of getting things done and the value of hard work. Her first business at the age of 12 years old was selling cookies at school so she could buy her school lunch.

Quote of the Day by Devotha Ntuke Minzi

December 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania) — **Devotha Ntuke Minzi**, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

"Keep Learning - there is so much I don’t know, so I am always open to new ideas and opportunities."

- Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder & CEO of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

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!