“… without a vision, you do not know where you are going!”
- Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Benji Coetzee
Benji Coetzee, founder of Empty Trips (South Africa)
Entrepreneur Advice from Nkatha Gitonga: Entrepreneurship is best learnt by doing
Entrepreneurship is best learnt by doing…
“You could always use more experience, more savings, better skills, but nothing teaches you entrepreneurship like actually having to ideate, test product-market fit, refine a value proposition, and run a startup.”
- Nkatha Gitonga is the founder of Yakutti, an online platform that curates uniquely elegant jewelry crafted by ethical, eco-conscious jewelry designers and brands that are contributing in significant ways to their local communities and industries. On Yakutti, you will find brands that are working with conservation organizations in Dar es Salaam and designing with upcycled metal in Nairobi; brands that are creating training and employment opportunities for local artisans.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Emma Maame Efua Tandoh
Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana)
“… the future of our continent rests with us women; especially women entrepreneurs.”
- Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana)
Read moreBecome An Idea Machine: Because Ideas Are The Currency Of The 21st Century by Claudia Azula Altucher
Claudia Azula Altucher
How do you transform your life and your business? According to Claudia Azula Altucher, author of Become an Idea Machine, the answer is simple. Come up with 10 ideas a day - every day. It does not matter if they are good or bad, the point is to exercise your idea muscle, to make it sweat.
Read more4 Easy ways to motivate non-selling staff to sell for you
By Karen Wessels, co-founder of SnappSales and VA Connect
Have you ever considered that your entire team is actually a salesforce? I’m speaking of everyone from the receptionist through to admin and support staff, and team members in between these divisions.
Read moreAlethea Volanie, a South African accessory manufacturer winning fans with her designs and quality products
Alethea Volanie, founder of Volani Creative Designs (South Africa)
Some of the most successful businesses are based on turning an existing skill or passion into the foundation of a creative and viable business. For Alethea Volanie, founder of Volani Creative Designs, that skill was the ability to handcraft leather into beautiful accessories.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Daisy Mogne: Always stay focused and motivated
Daisy Mogne, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique)
Always stay focused and motivated…
“You will find many barriers along the way, but as long as you push through, you will always be one step closer to your goals and dreams. I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it. Never lose hope and faith in yourself and your passion.”
- Daisy Mogne is the founder of Studio Daisy Mogne in Mozambique, a company that offers professional Make-up and Hair Styling, providing clients with the best service and experience possible. Starting her business was a way for Daisy to do what she is passionate about, and also a way to bring other girls on board into the business to demonstrate their creative side and skills as well. Her ultimate goal is to establish a technical beauty school in Mozambique where she can share all her knowledge and inspire other people.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Vere Shaba
Vere Shaba, founder of the Shaba & Ramplin (South Africa)
“It is not easy to be an entrepreneur, but seeing one's vision grow is worth navigating the challenges that arise.”
- Vere Shaba, founder of Shaba & Ramplin Green Building Solutions (South Africa)
Read moreNyasha Mukombe, a South African entrepreneur helping clients take the stress out of organising their events
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.
Read moreSetting the tone for the New Year
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?
Read moreHow to stay positive and choose joy every day
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.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Dounia Tamri-Loeper: Passion drives success
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Nonhlanhla Khumalo
Nonhlanhla Khumalo, founder of LeHay Consulting (South Africa)
“Surround yourself with people that challenge you, encourage you, and hold you accountable.”
- Nonhlanhla Khumalo, founder of LeHay Consulting (South Africa)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Deborah Sawyerr
Deborah Sawyerr, founder of Sawyerrs’ House (Nigeria).
Entrepreneur Advice from Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee: Make it happen
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Nondumiso Pikashe
Nondumiso Pikashe, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa)
“Listen to that 6th sense.”
- Nondumiso Pikashe, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy: Be proud of what you’ve achieved
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
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.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Marta Pinto Coelho Roff
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)
Read moreNtediseng Mwale, a South African culinary entrepreneur putting the love and passion into cooking for her clients
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.
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