The holiday season has come and gone, it sucked and now what?

January 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee, Relationship Expert and Author

December can either have a positive (or negative) impact on relationships but what can you do if the holiday season hasn’t gone so well on that front? Relationships are a constant challenge. No matter who you are, or who your partner is, for relationships to work, both parties need to put in some good effort to keep them going, and to keep both partners engaged, interested, and happy.

Power Up: How Smart Women Win in the New Economy by Magdalena Yesil

January 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

With empowering insights to help women entrepreneurs navigate the narrowest corridors of sexism, tech-industry pioneer Magdalena Yesil shares on-the-ground business advice that is as powerful as any MBA, in her new book Power-UP.

Sonia Paiva, a Swaziland serial entrepreneur making an impact in the agribusiness and food processing sectors in her country

January 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sonia Paiva, founder of Woman Farmer Foundation & Eswatini Kitchen (Swaziland) — **Sonia Paiva**, founder of Woman Farmer Foundation & Eswatini Kitchen (Swaziland)

Building one business is tough enough, but creating and running two successful, high impact businesses that both positively impact on society and the lives of those working in the agricultural sector is impressive. Sonia Paiva, founder of the Woman Farmer Foundation & Eswatini Kitchen (Pty) Ltd is proof positive that it can be done.

Nancy Munderu, a Kenyan entrepreneur turning her passion for travel into the foundation of a successful business

January 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nancy Munderu, founder of Travel Shore Africa (Kenya) — **Nancy Munderu**, founder of Travel Shore Africa (Kenya)

For many people, organising their corporate and personal travel arrangements can be a real chore, and often a logistical nightmare. That’s where specialist travel agencies come in to help make the process easier. Nancy Munderu, founder of Travel Shore Africa, is making it her personal mission to help people better navigate their travel arrangements.

DON’T BE DECAF! 5 Steps to living your colourful truth in a grey cardboard cut-out world

January 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Don’t be Decaf. Don’t water yourself down so that you don’t offend others. Don’t act in a way that is out of integrity with who you are, just so that you can “fit in”. People can spot a fake a mile away. And I don’t mean a good Louis Vuitton knock-off bag, here. I mean a fake person.

Quote of the Day by Refilwe Sebothoma

January 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Success is a process, we have to learn to celebrate every milestone, no matter how small it might look!”

- Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of PBM Creations (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tumi Moitse: Have a clear vision

January 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Tumi Moitse, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa) — **Tumi Moitse**, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa)

Have a clear vision…

“Have a clear vision about what solutions your brand has to achieve and be clear of your target market. Learn the industry that you would like to tap into carefully, backed up with detailed market research. Align yourself with female orientated incubation programmes to build your confidence.”

- Tumi Moitse is the founder of BlakSaffron Boutique, an online flower and gifting boutique store in South Africa specialising in luxury gifting experiences. Tumi offers modern fresh and long lasting flower gift boxes, beautifully designed with love. She aims to create an effortless experience for clients looking for a statement gifting experience.

100 LIONESSES: Featuring Margaret Hirsch, co-founder of Hirsch's Homestores, a powerhouse of appliance and electronic retailing

January 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Margaret Hirsch has become a leading example to business women in Southern Africa – coming from a humble background, to co-founding and running the multi million rand Appliance and Electronic retail organisation, Hirsch’s. Margaret has been recognised through her efforts in building a successful business, and her determination to give back to the community by, over the last four years, winning a multitude of business awards, including two Lifetime Achievement Awards in business and entrepreneurship.

4 Signs that you don’t have work-life balance

January 25, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Abigail Klopper, founder of Abigail K Photography

Today I want to share with you 4 signs that your life is not in balance, because if you are not in balance you won’t feel confident. We’re continuing the theme of “Get a balanced life month”, because that’s what January is it about – Getting your life in balance.

Quote of the Day by Beatha Shitemba

January 25, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Take that first step, it’s really what counts.”

- Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ntediseng Mwale: Do what you know and love

January 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Do what you know and love…

“Your business has to be something which is second nature to you. It gives you the tenacity to weather the inevitable storms.”

- Ntediseng Mwale (Chef Teddy) is the founder of Excellere Foods in South Africa, a company specialising in catering and confectionery. This passionate chef has plans to open a culinary institute to train youngsters to become chefs and is also in the process of commercializing her frozen, healthy dessert range which will be exported to various countries.

Quote of the Day by Evandra Cossa

January 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Sometimes life is about risking it all for a dream that no one can see but you.”

- Evandra Cossa, founder of Ezee Money (Mozambique)

Quote of the Day by Benji Coetzee

January 23, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“… without a vision, you do not know where you are going!”

- Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nkatha Gitonga: Entrepreneurship is best learnt by doing

January 23, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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.

Quote of the Day by Emma Maame Efua Tandoh

January 23, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“… the future of our continent rests with us women; especially women entrepreneurs.”

- Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana)

Become An Idea Machine: Because Ideas Are The Currency Of The 21st Century by Claudia Azula Altucher

January 21, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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.

4 Easy ways to motivate non-selling staff to sell for you

January 21, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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.

Alethea Volanie, a South African accessory manufacturer winning fans with her designs and quality products

January 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Alethea Volanie, founder of Volani Creative Designs (South Africa) — **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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Daisy Mogne: Always stay focused and motivated

January 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Daisy Mogne, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique) — **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.

Quote of the Day by Vere Shaba

January 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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)

“Success is a process, we have to learn to celebrate every milestone, no matter how small it might look!”

“Have a clear vision about what solutions your brand has to achieve and be clear of your target market. Learn the industry that you would like to tap into carefully, backed up with detailed market research. Align yourself with female orientated incubation programmes to build your confidence.”

“Take that first step, it’s really what counts.”

“Your business has to be something which is second nature to you. It gives you the tenacity to weather the inevitable storms.”

“Sometimes life is about risking it all for a dream that no one can see but you.”

“… without a vision, you do not know where you are going!”

“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.”

“… the future of our continent rests with us women; especially women entrepreneurs.”

“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.”

“It is not easy to be an entrepreneur, but seeing one's vision grow is worth navigating the challenges that arise.”

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