Quote of the Day by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

December 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (soleRebels) — Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (soleRebels)

“SoleRebels is like hip-hop, something that started really small and today can be found in every country on the planet.”

- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ana Alecia Lyman: Be courageous

December 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ana Alecia Lyman, founder of Bio Óleos de Miombo and Grupo Trichilia (Mozambique) — **Ana Alecia Lyman**, founder of Bio Óleos de Miombo and Grupo Trichilia (Mozambique)

Be courageous....

"Seek out mentors and skilled expertise. And, be courageous. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

- Ana Alecia Lyman is a specialist in value chain development for non-timber forest products. She is the founder and Managing Director of Bio Óleos de Miombo, a company producing high-quality, natural skin care products based in locally available ingredients from the Mozambican landscape. She is also a co-founder of Trichilia Group, a startup focused on bulk processing of indigenous oilseed species for the local and international markets. She has done extensive consulting work in the field, including market research, business plan development and supply chain planning for inclusive business models focused on engaging rural women. For the last three years, Ana Alecia has sat on the Board of Directors for PhytoTrade Africa, the Southern African natural products trade association. She is also a graphic designer with 20 years of professional experience.

Entrepreneur Advice from Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua: Believe!

December 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua, founders of Earth Elements (South Africa) — **Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua**, founders of Earth Elements (South Africa)

Believe!...

"Believe in what you do and the rest will follow. Live fearlessly with the vision only to succeed, in any way or form which positively contributes to all."

- Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua are the founders of Earth Elements in South Africa, a company that hand-makes organic and natural body products. This family business established in 2016 by sisters, Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua is on a journey to create environmentally friendly products. They are passionate about creating products that are handcrafted, organic and chemical-free using only the best quality natural, raw ingredients that are ethically sourced from fair community trade.

Quote of the Day by Nkemdilim Begho

December 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"There is still a woeful lack of women in technology globally and Africa is unfortunately not any better. Development roles, leadership pipelines and leadership development all need attention. We need more role models for women in technology...."

- Nkemdilim Begho founder of Future Software Resources Limited (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Agata Karolina: Follow your intuition

December 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Agata Karolina, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa) — **Agata Karolina**, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa)

Follow your intuition.....

"It is the strength of women that puts us in a much better position than a lot of men - we are more sensitive towards our work, which means that we really understand our market spaces. So it is all about believing in what you do, not being afraid to stand out, standing up for what you want, and following your intuition."

- Agata Karolina is the founder of House of Gozdawa, a small batch perfumery company founded in Cape Town in 2015, dedicated to creating high quality epicene scents, following a strict production utilising only natural essential oils and carriers. Each scent is personally developed by Agata, a design initiator and curator who studied Contextual Design Masters at the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2009 before returning to Cape Town to pursue her passion for perfumery and natural scents.

Entrepreneur Advice from Raksha Mahabeer: Embrace collaboration

December 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Raksha Mahabeer (R) is the co-founder of SummerTime (South Africa) — Raksha Mahabeer (R) is the co-founder of SummerTime (South Africa)

Embrace collaboration....

"Embrace a stance of collaboration instead of competition. As women, we’ve got so much of work to do on this continent. Let’s work together, to learn new things, to welcome new entries into the market, to compliment and complement each other’s product and service offerings, and to hold each other up. Together, we can achieve so much more!"

- Raksha Mahabeer is a co-founder of SummerTime in South Africa, a vibrant creative design studio that specialises in fresh graphic design, comprehensive brand development and innovative marketing support services for both SMEs and corporate clients. Raksha is a connector, a communicator, a purpose-driven, inspired inspirer! She prides herself in partnering with SME’s in establishing new South African brands with a view to creating jobs in South Africa.

Quote of the Day by Binta Coudy Dé

December 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Binta Coudy Dé, vice president & co-founder of Jjiguene Tech Hub — **Binta Coudy Dé**, vice president & co-founder of Jjiguene Tech Hub

“It’s in the most difficult times that we discover our capabilities. When you are passionate, you do not give up.”

- Binta Coudy Dé co-founder Jjiguene Tech Hub (Senegal)

Ghana’s leading women entrepreneurs showcase their businesses to Germany’s influential business leaders

December 17, 2017 Melanie Hawken

*Ethel Cofie, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Sabine Dall'Omo, Melanie Hawken, Emi-Beth Aku Quantson, Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, Minister Brigitte Zypries*

The 15th of December marked the final stop on the year-long Lionesses of Africa tour around the African continent, showcasing the best and most inspirational women entrepreneurs to the rest of the world. Accra was the final city of the tour, and what an occasion it was. Our hosts were the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Germany, together with a high level business delegation of leading ceos and decision-makers from some of the most influential companies and organisations in that country.

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant

December 17, 2017 Melanie Hawken

From Facebook’s COO and Wharton’s top-rated professor, the #1 New York Times best-selling authors of Lean In and Originals: a powerful, inspiring, and practical book about building resilience and moving forward after life’s inevitable setbacks.

Que Lebatha, a passionate communicator on a mission to help her clients break through the clutter

December 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Que Lebatha, founder of Que Lebatha Consulting (South Africa) — **Que Lebatha**, founder of Que Lebatha Consulting (South Africa)

Each day as consumers, we are bombarded with messages, information, brands, and businesses vying for both our attention and our purchasing decisions. It can be hard to stand out from the crowd. But help is at hand from South Africa based specialist marcomms expert, Que Lebatha, founder of the consulting company that carries her name.

Sihle Hlophe, a South African film-maker creating great content in minority languages and winning fans around the world

December 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Sihle Hlophe, founder of Passion Seed Communications (South Africa) — **Sihle Hlophe**, founder of Passion Seed Communications (South Africa)

Many entrepreneurs are driven by a passion to solve a societal challenge and to make a difference in the world. For South African entrepreneur, Sihle Hlophe, founder of Passion Seed Communications, her inspiration came from a desire to see films and television programmes in her mother tongue SiSwati.

Quote of the Day by Maria Koutsoudakis

December 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Maira Koutsoudakis, Founder and CEO of LIFE Interiors I Architecture I Creative Strategy — **Maira Koutsoudakis**, Founder and CEO of LIFE Interiors I Architecture I Creative Strategy

“Do not be afraid to try, .... Fail. Fail again. Fail better. He who takes all the risks, takes all the rewards.”

- Maira Koutsoudakis founder and CEO of LIFE Group of Companies (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Be innovative

December 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder and CEO of Java Foods, Zambia — **Monica Musonda**, founder and CEO of Java Foods, Zambia

Be innovative....

"There is no such thing as a free lunch, and there is no substitute for hard work. Be open to new ideas, especially with marketing tools. Choose the best way to sell your business effectively and efficiently. Take advantage of social media as well."

- Monica Musonda is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods, a food processing company based in Zambia. Monica's vision is to revolutionize the eating habits of the youth market by offering them affordable and nutritious food options made from local products. Monica is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate with over 15 years of experience in legal practice and corporate management, including being corporate counsel at the International Finance Corporation and for Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries Limited.

Did your 2017 go according to plan?

December 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

by Karen Wessels, co-founder of SnappSales and VA Connect

It’s that time of the year again to review what transpired this past year, to make sense of the madness, learn from our mistakes and look forward to a great year ahead.

Being festive without breaking the budget!

December 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

The festive season is upon us. For many people, the pace slows down, and we may take some time off work, spend quality time with family and friends, and perhaps even go away on holiday. Whatever shape your festive season takes, it’s an extra expensive time of the year – apart from the obvious giving of presents, we also tend to eat more, socialize more and generally spend more.

Quote of the Day by Margaret Hirsch

December 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Margaret & Allan Hirsch, founders of Hirsch's Homestores (South Africa)

“There are two important days in a person’s life. The first is the day they are born, and the second is the day they find out why. Your job is to find out why you are here and to list five most important personal goals, and your five business goals.”

- Margaret Hirsch co-founder of Hirsch's Homestores (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ancha Salvador: Pursue your idea

December 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ancha Salvador, founder of Anchaa's Gluten Free (Mozambique) — **Ancha Salvador**, founder of Anchaa's Gluten Free (Mozambique)

Pursue your idea....

"If you think you have a good idea go after it, never give up, and try to get help from the right people."

- Ancha Salvador is the founder of Anchaa's Gluten Free in Mozambique, a company that produces a range of gluten free food products. Ancha's journey to building her health food business has followed a very personal quest to finding solutions and alternatives to overcoming her intolerance to gluten, lactose and sugar. Her deep understanding of the problem has led her to create a range of exciting food products for people with similar dietary needs to enjoy.

Entrepreneur Advice from Thokoza Mjo: Back yourself

December 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Thokoza Mjo, founder of Beyond the Lemonade Stand (South Africa) — **Thokoza Mjo**, founder of Beyond the Lemonade Stand (South Africa)

Back yourself....

"Starting a business, for me, is the best expression of backing yourself (taking a chance on you), believing that you have the ability to create value for yourself and for others. Don't put it off any longer, there's no better time than now."

- Thokoza Mjo is the founder of Beyond the Lemonade Stand in South Africa, a social venture that finds and accelerates teenage led enterprises. Thokoza is a finance graduate and worked in the investment field for 3 years before choosing to pursue her entrepreneurial aspirations. Her first entrepreneurial project was in high school where she and a friend sold sweets to their peers.

Quote of the Day by Candice Johnson

December 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"If your heart is in what you are doing, then you will be supported by the universe."

- Candice Johnson, founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa)

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.

“SoleRebels is like hip-hop, something that started really small and today can be found in every country on the planet.”

"Seek out mentors and skilled expertise. And, be courageous. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

"Believe in what you do and the rest will follow. Live fearlessly with the vision only to succeed, in any way or form which positively contributes to all."

"There is still a woeful lack of women in technology globally and Africa is unfortunately not any better. Development roles, leadership pipelines and leadership development all need attention. We need more role models for women in technology...."

“It’s in the most difficult times that we discover our capabilities. When you are passionate, you do not give up.”

“Do not be afraid to try, .... Fail. Fail again. Fail better. He who takes all the risks, takes all the rewards.”

"There is no such thing as a free lunch, and there is no substitute for hard work. Be open to new ideas, especially with marketing tools. Choose the best way to sell your business effectively and efficiently. Take advantage of social media as well."

“There are two important days in a person’s life. The first is the day they are born, and the second is the day they find out why. Your job is to find out why you are here and to list five most important personal goals, and your five business goals.”

"If you think you have a good idea go after it, never give up, and try to get help from the right people."

"Starting a business, for me, is the best expression of backing yourself (taking a chance on you), believing that you have the ability to create value for yourself and for others. Don't put it off any longer, there's no better time than now."

"If your heart is in what you are doing, then you will be supported by the universe."

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