How change management can support common business challenges

February 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Leigh Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change

The old adage “the only constant is change” often flippantly quoted negates the importance of good change management. It is important to remember that not all change is created equal and the value of a good change management strategy lies in understanding and supporting unique change management requirements of the business. To demonstrate the importance of carefully constructed change management strategy we explore factors to be considered in three different business change scenarios and how change management could support these efforts.

Location Based Marketing, what is it and how to take advantage of this trend

February 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lynette Hundermark, managing director of Useful & Beautiful

Location-based marketing has been around for a few years now and has been a much hyped-up trend especially with the advent of apps, but what is it exactly? In layman’s terms, location marketing means using the physical location to inform and optimize messaging and communication from brand to a consumer in order to create a one-on-one relationship to deliver the most relevant message at the right place and right time (context marketing).

Quote of the Day by Annie Muronda

February 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Being an entrepreneur has been life changing. It has opened my world and view point, I feel I am more connected to the world around me.”

- Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Lunice Johnston: Be disciplined and professional

February 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Lunice Johnston, founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa) — **Lunice Johnston,** founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa)

Be disciplined and professional…

“Be disciplined - wake-up every morning with a purpose… dress up, take your handbag and physically go to a workspace, even if it's at a dining room table. Don’t ever fall into a habit of working in your PJs. Allow yourself enough me-time, as you will certainly bear the fruits. Be professional - your personal brand is of utmost importance in building your business.”

- Lunice Johnston is the founder of Lunice Johnston Communications, a South African communications professional with a passion for guiding her clients on their own business journeys in the public domain. Her company specialises in media relations, PR, reputation management, crisis communication, stakeholder management, social media management and training.Read Lunice’s startup story.

What’s the story we tell ourselves?

February 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Welcome to 2018, it is amazing to be here. My overarching theme for 2017 which had a massive impact on my life is, ‘What is the story we tell ourselves?’ So, what is the story we tell ourselves? Often this story gets moulded from childhood by our parents and teachers on what we can, can’t, should or shouldn’t do.

The world of corporate spewed me out

February 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

It is approximately 4 years and some months since I resigned from my corporate job to pursue my business dream. I remember the mixed emotions I had leading to that day and on that day. I recall also all the people I spoke to about it prior to; but on D-day, I made the decision alone. Four years later I see things differently and realize a lot of things were aligned for me to leave. It was time.

Naledi Toona, a South African entrepreneur taking her skills as a private chef to the next level in business

February 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Chef Naledi, Private Chef and Cooking Instructor (South Africa) — **Chef Naledi**, Private Chef and Cooking Instructor (South Africa)

They say that to build a successful business, you should start with your specialist skills, passion and knowledge, and harness those as the basis for a business that can grow. This is an approach being taken to the full by the talented Chef Naledi, a South African private chef and culinary instructor who is now helping others to build their knowledge and experience of cooking at home.

Quote of the Day by Beatha Shitemba

February 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“The mere fact that ideas can become a reality is exciting. It's rewarding being an entrepreneur.”

- Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Chule Gobodo: Give yourself permission to fail

February 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Chule Gobodo, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa) — **Chule Gobodo**, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa)

Give yourself permission to fail…

“Just start. Even if you fail big that's okay, give yourself permission to fail. If you don't you won't take risks and push your boundaries. Love yourself and make sure you nourish yourself and your relationships. Your family and friends are stakeholders, giving you the space to build.”

- Chule Gobodo is the co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives, a South African film-maker connecting consumers and brands through visual storytelling. Her company is the only youth, female black owned boutique creative story agency in South Africa, specializing in using storytelling as a brand activism tool. This graduate of motion picture studies is constantly on the look out for the perfect story that is able to best create a connection between her client and their customers. Read Chule’s startup story.

Maria Natália João, a Mozambican entrepreneur mastering the art of event planning and related services

February 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Maria Natália João, founder of MNJ Eventos & Serviços (Mozambique) — **Maria Natália João**, founder of MNJ Eventos & Serviços (Mozambique)

The world of eventing is a hugely competitive business, so the secret to success is building a reputation and service offering that is differentiated in the industry. For entrepreneur, Maria Natália João, founder of MNJ Eventos & Serviços, that meant harnessing her considerable expertise and experience as an event MC and building upon that to create a multifaceted business.

Why I don’t attend New Year’s Eve Parties

February 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the second month of 2018! Most of us have made earnest promises to better ourselves during this coming year. Some resort to making New Year’s resolutions, others just continue with their routines as in the past. Some are very disciplined by nature, others like me have to be very intentional about discipline.

Visualize your unique wealth destination

February 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, managing director of Picketfence Life

We have established that we need to understand journeys and destinations to ensure that we focus to reach our ultimate goal. This is for our personal life, our business careers and our wealth. Yet so many still miss the mark. They seem to be working so hard at it but after a while it is just not working out. We give up on our dreams or goals and many give up on life. That can be avoided if we just take some time in the beginning of any journey and think about our destination.

Quote of the Day by Winnie Ochieng

February 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Winnie Ochieng (L), co-founder of Wipedo Ltd (Kenya) — **Winnie Ochieng** (L), co-founder of Wipedo Ltd (Kenya)

“Start with what you have to get to where you want.”

- Winnie Ochieng, co-founder of Wipedo Ltd (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Lindiwe Mafavuneh: Anything is possible

February 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana) — **Lindiwe Mafavuneh**, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)

Anything is possible…

“Passion plus Purpose will be your fuel for a long time, so let the vision move you to your end goal. Have faith and stay focused and remember to always keep your eyes on your desired outcome. The start-up journey is not for the faint hearted, have grit and believe anything is possible.”

- Lindiwe Mafavuneh is founder of LCM Capital, a Botswana based entrepreneur on a mission to help companies to manage their risk and maximize their investments. Lindiwe’s company focuses on alternative investments, risk management solutions and advisory services and she is on a mission to help companies to manage their risk and maximize their investments. Read Lindiwe’s startup story.

Make Life Beautiful with Confidence Inspiration

February 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Abigail Klopper, founder of Abigail K Photography

Today I’m sharing a little bit of confidence inspiration for you as a result of my own experience of adding more colour, beauty and excitement into my life of late. You see, the moments that make life so interesting are not just those BIG awesome moments – The BIG achievements, the BIG milestones, the BIG events. It’s also the little awesome moments.

Wambui JL, a Kenyan serial entrepreneur harnessing the power of publishing to celebrate Africa’s natural lifestyles

February 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Wambui JL, founder of Hairpolitan Lifestyle (Kenya) — **Wambui JL**, founder of Hairpolitan Lifestyle (Kenya)

These days, there is growing interest in the use of natural products for health, wellness and beauty in Africa, and a growing audience to learn more about trends and products in the marketplace. Hairpolitan Lifestyle is an online magazine, created by Kenyan entrepreneur Wambui JL, and aimed at sharing stories about people who are celebrating and living natural lifestyles.

Quote of the Day by Alethea Volanie

February 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"What gives me satisfaction about being an entrepreneur is being in the driver seat and deciding where or how far I want this to grow.”

- Alethea Volanie, founder of Volani Creative Designs (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mimi Kalinda: Let’s have women support one another

February 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mimi Kalinda, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa) — **Mimi Kalinda**, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa)

Let’s have women support one another…

“… we have to look at precedent - history has a lot to teach us and role models abound if only we take the time to look back at who came before us. We need to stand firm as African female entrepreneurs and form a support base for each other. If we stand together, support and celebrate each other’s achievements, we will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. We also have to have a commitment to hard work and excellence.”

- Mimi Kalinda is the founder of Africommunications Group, a South African entrepreneur empowering fellow Africans through the power of storytelling. She has created a pan-African public relations and communications agency based in Johannesburg, South Africa servicing local and global clients with a complete and culturally attuned communications services offering. Her clients include private, public and non-profit sector organisatyions in the African market, with a focus on Francophone and Anglophone Africa. Read Mimi’s startup story.

The importance of options

February 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigitte Mashile, founder and ceo of Roka Roko

I have been to so many events where people feel the need to ‘pop bottles’, and to be specific, ‘Moet’ bottles. Moet is not cheap, and it is attached to an affluent life; the life of the better than; the life of those who have arrived. I personally have had Moet like 3 times in my life, and no, I did not purchase it in any of those events. I fell in love with the Nectar Imperial. I also knew, very well, that I was not about to buy a bottle of this brand - it is not cheap.