Nyasha Mukombe, a South African entrepreneur helping clients take the stress out of organising their events

January 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nyasha Mukombe, founder of Sakile Events Management (South Africa) — **Nyasha Mukombe**, founder of Sakile Events Management (South Africa)

For many companies and individuals, the thought of organising events can be a logistical nightmare, but for Nyasha Mukombe, founder of Sakile Events Management, it’s a pleasure.

Setting the tone for the New Year

January 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

By Jolene Roelofse, founder of BluDoor Market

As a new mum (yes, after my second child, I still consider myself a new mum), I often battle with finding a balance between my business and my two toddlers. Aged 3 and 1, I feel they still need a lot of my time, especially since their Dad started traveling quite a bit with work again. It seems only fair that one parent remains present for consistency and emotional comfort. But the reality is that my business is also my baby. Also 3 years old and demanding a lot of attention, love and care. But where do you draw the line?

How to stay positive and choose joy every day

January 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

By Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

As women, we juggle multiple roles every hour, never mind every day. Here are some tried and tested steps I incorporate into my daily routine to stay positive and make sure I actively choose joy in my life.

Entrepreneur Advice from Dounia Tamri-Loeper: Passion drives success

January 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home — **Dounia Tamri-Loeper**, founder of Dounia Home

Passion drives success…

“Do what you are passionate about, because at the end of the day it's the passion that drives us to success. It's the passion that keeps us going even during tough times. The journey of an entrepreneur is hard but so worth it! You can truly do anything you set your mind to. It's okay if you don't have it all figured out, just start and the path will get clearer as you go.”

- Dounia Tamri-Loeper is the founder of Dounia Home, a company that produces modern Moroccan lighting. She is focused on operating ethically and helps empower the Moroccan artisan community behind her products. Dounia Home creates beautiful, statement lighting pieces that not only celebrate the centuries-old techniques and designs that are uniquely Moroccan, but also elevates them to a whole new level.

Quote of the Day by Nonhlanhla Khumalo

January 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Surround yourself with people that challenge you, encourage you, and hold you accountable.”

- Nonhlanhla Khumalo, founder of LeHay Consulting (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Deborah Sawyerr

January 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Feel the fear but do it anyway.”

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

Entrepreneur Advice from Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee: Make it happen

January 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee, founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd (Mauritius) — **Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee**, founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd (Mauritius)

Make it happen…

“Entrepreneurship for me is an art of hustling. If you want to make things happen, then you have to go out and make it happen. Nobody will do it for you, except you. Be patient, things won't happen overnight. It didn't happen for me at least. Stay focused and never give up.”

- Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee is the founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd in Mauritius, a company that provides vehicle branding, exhibition booth design, supermarket POS display, and billboard printing. Lalita takes pride in her company’s high quality printing output and fast delivery and after six years of local operations she is now planning on expanding her business in sub-Saharan Africa.

Quote of the Day by Nondumiso Pikashe

January 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Listen to that 6th sense.”

- Nondumiso Pikashe, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy: Be proud of what you’ve achieved

January 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy, founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius) — **Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy,** founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius)

Be proud of what you’ve achieved…

"As a woman, I feel that we often tend to belittle our achievements. I no longer want to give in to that trend. We must learn to be proud of ourselves. Let's pat our own backs!"

- Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy is the founder of The Talent Factory, a boutique Public Relations consultancy in Mauritius. Marie-Noelle leads a consultancy business that specializes in crafting tailor-made Public Relations & Communication solutions for businesses, SMEs, and start-ups. Before launching her company she worked in the media industry for over 10 years at La Sentinelle, one of the most important media groups on the Island. As Chief Editor, she managed various publications and editorial teams and also created Essentielle, a glossy women's magazine.

Entrepreneur Advice from Gwendolyne Gosselin: Believe in yourself

January 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Gwendolyne Gosselin, founder of Mathilde & Co. (South Africa) — **Gwendolyne Gosselin**, founder of Mathilde & Co. (South Africa)

Believe in yourself…

“If you believe in your idea and you've done the research, do it. But don't expect it to happen over night and don't give up when times are tough, because they will be. It may sound as a cliche, but believe in yourself and never give up, it will happen.”

- Gwendolyne Gosselin is the founder of Mathilde & Co. in South Africa, a women’s empowerment project based in a small rural village in the Klein Karoo that makes high quality Shweshwe fabric toys and clothing for babies, children and adults. Back in 2010, with an old vintage sewing machine and $20 worth of fabrics, Gwendolyne started Mathilde & Co., teaching herself how to sew along the way. One thing led to another and 4 years later she now provides part time work for 5 ladies in her small community.

Quote of the Day by Marta Pinto Coelho Roff

January 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Marta Pinto Coelho Roff is the co-founder of Maputo Relocation Solutions (Mozambique)

“It’s all about work life balance. Entrepreneurship, just like motherhood, is not for me a 9-5 job. I also make time for myself.”

- Marta Pinto Coelho Roff, co-founder of Maputo Relocation Solutions (Mozambique)

Ntediseng Mwale, a South African culinary entrepreneur putting the love and passion into cooking for her clients

January 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Ntediseng Mwale (Teddy), founder of Excellere Foods (South Africa) — **Ntediseng Mwale (Teddy)**, founder of Excellere Foods (South Africa)

They say food is love, and when prepared by passionate chefs who have a love and respect for the ingredients they use, combined with a creative eye and hand, that love is passed on to the customer. South African chef and entrepreneur, Ntediseng Mwale (Teddy), founder of Excellere Foods, is passion personified in the kitchen.

Refilwe Sebothoma, a South African entrepreneur making her mark in the premium personal protective equipment business

January 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of PBM Creations (South Africa) — **Refilwe Sebothoma**, founder of PBM Creations (South Africa)

Creating safe working environments for employees in any industry sector is key, and that’s where specialist knowledge and equipment is essential. Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of PBM Creations, is helping companies and organisations to create those safe working environments through her provision of personal protective equipment.

Essential Read: 'The To-Be List' by Latesha Randall

January 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

We live in a busy, fast paced world where we can easily place a higher priority on achieving goals than on enjoying each day, Because of this, it can sometimes seem as if we are more like human doings, than human beings. In her new book, The To-Be List, author Latesha Randall, shows us there is another way.

18 Women authors from Africa inspire on business and entrepreneurship

January 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Over the past year, as part of our regular weekly Essential Reads feature on Lionesses of Africa, we have been showcasing the books published by Africa’s leading women authors on the subject of business and entrepreneurship. Here are 18 of our favourite books featured and which are well worth another read going into 2018. Prepare to be inspired!

5 Top Tips for Selling More – Even If You Suck at Sales Right Now

January 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Julia Pimsleur, author, speaker and coach, and the founder of Little Pim

Many of us do not love selling, and may even avoid getting better at it, even though we also know it’s one of the most important – if not THE most important – keys to growing our companies. Very few businesses making under $1M in revenues can afford a senior sales team so for now anyway, you ARE the rainmaker. Whether you can find and close deals really, really matters.

Change management is everyone’s business

January 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

By Leigh Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change

Imagine a sail boat, destined for a beautiful destination, equipped with state of the art navigation equipment, sleek design and immaculate engineering but never opening its sails to harness the energy of the wind. The scenario seems irrational. Why would an experienced Skipper embark on a remarkable journey without utilizing his most valuable resources?

Quote of the Day by Nondumiso Pikashe

January 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“I want to change the stereotype that indigenous brands don't work in the wine industry.”

- Nondumiso Pikashe, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nicola Bokaba: Find an empathetic mentor

January 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Find an empathetic mentor…

“One of the most invaluable things to have is a knowledgeable, empathetic mentor who pushes you beyond your comfort zone… Almost every successful entrepreneur I’ve heard of has recounted experiences of rejection and even ridicule on their journey. A great mentor can act as a buffer during those and other challenging times.”

- Nicola Bokaba is the founder of Earthy Cook in South Africa, a company that makes hand-made, personalized and customer branded products for the home kitchen and the hospitality industry. She currently employs 4 people and plans to work with a local college to bring in qualifying students to help meet her expansion plans in exchange for work opportunities.