Entrepreneur Advice from Annie Muronda: Set processes around money

February 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa) — **Annie Muronda**, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)

Set processes around money…

“Measure your processes, you can't improve what you don't measure and you cant price your product or service appropriately without it. Set processes around money, i.e. how money is received and paid; the better you manage money, the more money you get to manage. Finally get professional help. You can't do it alone, there are areas where you are weak or simply don't have time to do. Get help so that you can focus on growing the business.”

- Annie Muronda is the founder of Rufaro Garments, a manufacturer and supplier of branded uniforms and marketing materials to schools and corporates in South Africa and the wider SADC region. Annie custom designs innovative uniform distribution strategies that deliver tailor made experiences for her clients.Read Annie’s startup story.

Did you make your 2017 targets?

February 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder and ceo of Roka Roko

Did you have targets for 2017? I remember sitting with my friend, who is an accountant; feeling very silly making goals for 2017. I was wondering how am I going to achieve these crazy numbers? And what is the guarantee that we can have such numbers? Anyway, my friend had more faith in this business and less fear than me. So, we did revenue, expenses, monthly and weekly budgets for 2017.

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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Thato Kgatlhanye: Business and friendship is a different ball game

November 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Thato Kgatlhanye, co-founder of Rethaka — **Thato Kgatlhanye**, co-founder of Rethaka

Advice on friends as business partners....

"You can't say because you've known your friend since grade four, you'll work well together in business. No - you have known them since you decided to start a company together. So get to know your business partner as a business partner, not a friend, because business and friendship is a different ball game."

- Thato Kgatlhanye is a co-founder of Rethaka, a woman-owned South African business that is focused on improving the world around it. Through the company's green innovations such as the Repurpose Schoolbags, it is redefining societal problems and turning them into solutions. Thato is making it her business to uncover sustainable opportunities that create a far-reaching impact for low-income communities, with a particular focus on children and women.

Entrepreneur Advice from Dorcas Muthoni: On the importance of cash-flow to the entrepreneur

November 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

On the importance of maintaining cashflow for entrepreneurs...

"Rule number one, never run out of cash; rule number two, never run out of cash; rule number three, never run out of cash; rule number four, when in doubt, see the first three rules."

- Dorcas Muthoni is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Openworld Ltd, a specialist computer software company she established in Kenya when she was just 24 years old. Today, Openworld is a leading e-Government and business software services firm involved in the delivery of some of the most widely used Web and Cloud applications in Africa, such as ARIS, an African Union reporting application used by all 54 member states; and the Performance Management System for the Government of Kenya, automating performance contracting in the public sector. Dorcas is passionate about using technology to positively transform African society through the lives of its ordinary people, businesses and governments and is a co-founder of the regional organization LinuxChix Africa. In 2012 Dorcas was inducted by the Internet Society into the Internet Hall of Fame.

Read Dorcas's 100 Lionesses profile.

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Watch your pennies

October 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia) — Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia)

Watch your pennies...

"Carefully that is. Learn to manage your finances properly. Account for EVERYTHING. It’s the only way to assess expenditure versus your profit. Plan your cash flows. Get money smart. Always."

Entrepreneur Advice from Abai Schulze: Stay focused on the bigger picture

August 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia — **Abai Schulze**, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia

Remember to stay focused on the bigger picture....

"Getting wrapped up in minute details of my work can mean I miss the big picture. When running a start-up business, you wear dozens of different hats, so you have to be prudent in how you allocate your time and focus. This doesn’t mean settling for a mediocre product or strategy but rather determining which details has an impact and which are insignificant."

- Abai Schulze is founder of the creative, new Afro-luxe brand ZAAF who create handcrafted luxury leather handbags and accessories produced by artisans in Ethiopia. Abai, born in a remote village in Ethiopia, has had a truly remarkable life journey. Her journey has taken her from an orphanage in Addis Ababa to the United States where she was raised, and back to Ethiopia. Today, she passionately uses her background in economics and fine arts to create unique and practical expressions of beauty, and to open avenues of opportunity for talented artisans in Ethiopia and the rest of Africa. Her designs draw upon precious cultural relics and allow them renewed expression through fresh, uplifting and modern designs.

Entrepreneur Advice from Nkem Onwudiwe: You cannot do everything yourself

July 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nkem Onwudiwe, founder of Her Network (Nigeria) — Nkem Onwudiwe, founder of Her Network (Nigeria)

You cannot do everything yourself....

"I’ve learned that you cannot do everything yourself. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help, learn to trust others and delegate. I’ve also learned to set goals, both personal and professional, and to regularly evaluate progress."

- Nkem Onwudiwe is the founder of Her Network, a platform in Nigeria created to encourage women of all races, ages and sizes to help one another grow. This bold and ambitious PR & Communications entrepreneur leverages her skills and extensive network for spreading messages to the public via traditional and new media. Nkem is passionate about creating exciting events where women can come together, have real meaningful conversations, promote their businesses, sell their brands and build relationships with other women - bridging the gap between women and women.

Entrepreneur Advice from Jacqueline Rogers: You need to adapt

July 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Jacqueline Rogers, founder of Label of Love (South Africa) — **Jacqueline Rogers**, founder of Label of Love (South Africa)

You have to be open to adapting....

".... you might have one plan in your head but your journey or business might have another plan for you. You need to adapt to where your business and journey goes. And just never, never, never give up. I still have to push and work hard to keep my business alive and push to the next level, and most of the time it's not easy, so its important to realize that. But when you hard work and effort comes together, it makes all the pain and sweat worthwhile. And ask for help, ask anyone and everyone that can help you - put yourself out there and talk about your business - you never know who might hear you or your story."

- Jacqueline Rogers is the founder of Label of Love, a South African company that designs feminine comfortable maternity wear. Jacqueline is on a mission to create the most beautiful clothes that make any mum-to-be feel special during this important time in their lives, whilst at the same time designing each garment to be comfortable, practical and long-lasting.

Entrepreneur Advice from Divine Ndhlukula: Keep investing in your business

June 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe) — **Divine Ndhlukula**, founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)

Keep investing in your business and watch it grow....

"I always say there is no easy road to anywhere worth going. One's got to apply themselves. One's got to put in that extra effort. One's got to have the discipline to be able to say: Look, I've made a bit of money, invest back the money into the business so that it grows.”

- Divine Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services from humble beginnings in Zimbabwe in 1998. Divine identified a need in the market for a quality oriented security company and she has driven SECURICO to become the market leader in Zimbabwe. She has tackled a previously male-dominated industry head on and her business success story is nothing short of remarkable - marking her as one of Africa's most tenacious and inspiring women entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur Advice from Divine Ndhlukula: Leave the cash in your business as long as you can

August 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Don't be tempted to take cash out of your early-stage startup venture....

"...when a bit of cash starts rolling in, have the discipline to know that it is not your money yet. It is still the business’s money because you want the business to grow. So for you to sustain it and enjoy phenomenal growth, that anyone going into business wants, you need to reinvest all the little bits of cash that you get then you can be assured that your business will grow."

- Divine Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services from humble beginnings in Zimbabwe in 1998. Divine identified a need in the market for a quality oriented security company and she has driven SECURICO to become the market leader in Zimbabwe. She has tackled a previously male-dominated industry head on and her business success story is nothing short of remarkable - marking her as one of Africa's most tenacious and inspiring women entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur Advice from Thiitu Karega: Start as you intend to finish

July 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Thiitu Karega, founder Binti Naturals (Kenya) — **Thiitu Karega**, founder Binti Naturals (Kenya)

Start as you intend to finish....

"Start as you intend to finish. Too many times we cut corners in the beginning so that when we finally succeed we are embarrassed by things we did when we were just starting out. Register your company, pay your taxes, and leave nothing to chance."

- Thiitu Karega is the founder of Binti Naturals in Kenya, a beauty company that makes organic hair and body products from natural oils and extracts found on the African continent. Thiitu is trained in International Relations and Management and worked for 10 years in the corporate world before start her beauty company. Her goal is to become a premier organic beauty company built on the values that African beauty is historically known for.

Entrepreneur Advice from Leslie Okoye: Take administrative systems and procedures seriously

May 6, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Leslie Okoye, founder of L’Okoye Cosmetics Inc. — **Leslie Okoye**, founder of L’Okoye Cosmetics Inc.

Take administrative systems and procedures seriously....

"Follow due processes and take every business step and procedure as it concerns your industry seriously. As young entrepreneurs, start-ups or small businesses, we tend to take for granted the system and procedures that large organizations have gone through because we feel it does not apply to us yet. I was one of those people - I just wanted to start and saw all these due processes as unnecessary barriers to entry. However, every process I skipped came back to haunt my business later and also slowed business growth. Instead of focusing on business development, I was forced to adopt the systems and go through the procedures I ran away from initially in order to stay in business."

- Leslie Okoye is the founder of L’Okoye Cosmetics Inc. and the CookieSkin® brand. This inspiring Nigerian entrepreneur develops and distributes quality skin care products for women of colour, distributing them worldwide via online and physical stores, supermarkets and spas. Leslie's mission to simplify skin care for the African woman began back in 2010 when she first launched her business.

Entrepreneur Advice from Angela van Herzeele: How to negotiate the cash flow hurdle

April 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Angela van Herzeele, founder of Angel Rose Trading Company — **Angela van Herzeele**, founder of Angel Rose Trading Company

Managing cash flow is key to success….

"....cash flow is always a hurdle. If you are not a money or figures person, then get the right person to help you, because this can lead to the ruin of many small businesses starting up, and it doesn't have to be the case if done correctly! Personally, I have learned many a lesson in this department."

- Angela van Herzeele is a South African entrepreneur and founder of Angel Rose Trading Company a 'little company' she's grown to have many facets, including a retail shop selling vintage furniture, silverware, china, décor items, and soft furnishing products; she also markets a range of really interesting and aesthetically beautiful upcycled products made out of coffee bean hessian sacks, and this includes furniture, handbags, and soft furnishings. Angela also does interior decorating for clients, which goes hand-in-hand with her retail shop. Recently, she introduced a new element to the range of products that she designs and manufactures - this includes body scrubs, hand creams, lotions and soaps.

Entrepreneur Advice from Teta Isibo: Plan yes, but expect to be flexible

April 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Teta Isibo, founder of Inzuki (Rwanda) — **Teta Isibo**, founder of Inzuki (Rwanda)

Planning is important, but be flexible....

"Plan before you start and always leave room for change because things will most likely not go exactly the way you want them to."

- Teta Isibo is the creative mind behind Inzuki a dynamic young Rwandan brand specializing in jewelry, accessories and interior decor hand-made primarily from local materials. With no background in fashion or business, Teta quit her job as an urban planner with the city of Kigali to start her own business. Today Inzuki (bees in the local language) is part of a wider Rwandan cultural Renaissance.

Entrepreneur Advice from Ruth Kwalanda: Develop skills as you go along

January 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Ruth Kwalanda, owner of CIAR Management Institute — **Ruth Kwalanda**, owner of CIAR Management Institute

Don’t be afraid to develop skills as you go along....

"My advice to women entrepreneurs would be: Don’t be afraid to develop skills as you go along. I surround myself with people who are experts in their field to compensate for areas in which I am less experienced. I also know that whatever I don’t know, I can learn as I go along,"

- Ruth Kwalanda is the owner of CIAR Management Institute, a corporate training business and provider of Kenya’s first E-learning platform. Ruth has been a leading provider of human capital development solutions to professionals and business communities in Africa for more than 5 years, facilitating business knowledge and skills transfer through cutting edge conferences, training programmes and e-learning.

Entrepreneur Advice from Kerryne Krause-Neufeldt - Dot your i’s and cross your t’s

October 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Kerryne Krause Neufeldt, founder of eyeSlices® (South Africa) — **Kerryne Krause Neufeldt**, founder of eyeSlices® (South Africa)

Build strong foundations....

"dot as many of your i’s and cross your t’s, always keeping the end goal in mind. Do everything from the start as if you were that global corporation, meaning with excellence, high standards, good corporate governance and integrity! Then keep walking and never give up!"

- Kerryne Krause-Neufeldt is founder of South African beauty and wellness company, eyeSlices®, a multi-award winning product range and a global first in Cryo-Gel technology. These cooling and soothing eye gels target puffiness, dark circles, tiredness, redness and wrinkles, and are re-usable up to ten times! Made with natural and organic extracts from the Swiss Alps, they are guaranteed to leave you feeling relaxed, restored and revived within minutes! Kerryne currently exports from South Africa to over 20 countries.

Entrepreneur Advice from Wendy Ackerman: Set yourself achievable goals

September 1, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Take it one step at a time....

"Anything is within anyones reach. You have to stand up to take it. It is within yourself. Set achievable goals and do it one step at a time.”

- Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick n Pay Stores. Together with husband Raymond Ackerman she helped build up one of South Africa’s pre-eminent FMCG retailers, consisting of over 450 stores including 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. Operations are in food, clothing, and general merchandise sectors as well as financial services. The company operates throughout South Africa, southern Africa and Australia and employs around 49,000 people. Today, much of Wendy's boundless energy is devoted to her family's philanthropic endeavours and her personal work for the underprivileged.

Entrepreneur Advice from Alexa Von Tobel: My biggest money lesson

September 16, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Alexa von Tobel, founder of LearnVest.com, on 'Financial Risk Management for Entrepreneurs' — **Alexa von Tobel**, founder of LearnVest.com, on *'Financial Risk Management for Entrepreneurs'*

Putting every last penny of your personal savings into your startup is a bad idea....

"That is one of the worst things you can do... take so much risk that you can't think clearly. If you are literally blindly desperate because you are worried that if the business does not work your entire family, house, whatever goes under, you're not going to be in a clear, steady position of power. And that's what you need to be in when you're running a business,"

- Alexa von Tobel is the American founder and CEO of LearnVest.com, a leading financial-planning and lifestyle website. Alexa, a certified financial planner, was recently selected as one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs and highlighted in Inc.'s 30 Under 30 list of cool young entrepreneurs. Her company has raised $69 million to date.

Entrepreneur Advice from Carrol Boyes: As your business grows you will need to share some management responsibilities

August 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken

As your business grows you will need to extricate yourself from an all-encompassing management role ....

“As the company got bigger and bigger, I began to realise that I was really good at some things and less so at others. The day-to-day supervision, for example, is something that I leave to my management team. My function is to steer the direction and vision of the company and to drive the creative side.”

- Carrol Boyes is an iconic South African designer who has built a global brand. She founded Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd in 1991 combining her artistic flair and talent in sculpture with her jewellery experience to create an extensive range of distinctive homeware, giftware, flatware and table top products. Today, her company designs and manufactures a meticulously crafted product range of well over 1000 items and sells over a million items every year. Products are always imbued with Carrol's trademark artistic flair and finesse. The brand is available through her 35 branded shops in South Africa and in over 30 other countries around the world.