Every now and then, one lucky, deserving entrepreneur gets their ‘big break’ and with it, the opportunity to go into business with a major corporate. Unfortunately, some are so blinded by their ‘success’ that they don’t properly consider what this new venture may actually entail.
Read moreKaty Valentine, a South African jewellery designer creating collections inspired by two continents
Katy Valentine, founder of Katy Valentine Collection (South Africa)
Jewellery is such a personal thing, and often those buying pieces to wear or to give as gifts are inspired by the stories behind each unique piece, or by the cultures they reflect. The Katy Valentine Collection, a business and brand named after its creator, uniquely takes its inspiration from Africa and India, but with a contemporary design aesthetic.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Jess Binns
Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey (South Africa)
"Don't be afraid to ask for help. We all need pepping up from time to time."
- Jess Binns, founder of Hector & Bailey (South Africa)
Read moreMeet 21 of Africa’s game-changing Tech and Digital women entrepreneurs
Celebrating Africa's game-changing Tech And digital women entrepreneurs
This February at Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on Africa’s pioneering women tech and digital entrepreneurs who are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products and services, and their passion for what they do. These truly innovative women pioneers are building unique, high impact businesses and shaking up the pan-African and global tech world at the same time through their efforts.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Shamila Ramjawan
Shamila Ramjawan, co-founder of Famram Solutions (South Africa)
"Take calculated risks and get rid of the fear of failure symptom because hard work eventually pays off.”
- Shamila Ramjawan, co-founder of Famram Solutions (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Adèle Dejak: Have a good business plan
Adèle Dejak, founder of Adèle Dejak (Kenya)
Have a good business plan....
“It is a journey... I always say that my seat belt is always on because it is a rollercoaster, you get to learn a lot, if I had to give advice to anyone thinking of starting a business I will tell them don’t start until you have a good business plan and business plan B.”
- Adèle Dejak is the founder of Adele Dejak in Kenya, a brand that creates handmade fashion accessories for the modern, sophisticated and multidimensional woman. Inspired by African shapes, textures and traditional techniques, Adèle’s cutting-edge pieces sit perfectly between artefact and high fashion statement designs. Adèle cut her teeth in the world of typographic design in England and Italy before moving to Nairobi in 2005 and turning her attention to accessories design. She found herself intrigued by the natural beauty of horn and began to experiment with techniques of creating unique shapes and fashioned pieces. Her Nigerian roots began to merge perfectly with European influences and she set out on her never-ending quest for that essential artefact that allows you to express your own style.
Read moreSort out your head! Achieving a balanced, healthy mindset
by Eldari Visser, managing director of Picketfence.Life
We all get excited about any journey be it a holiday, a trip to family or that big jump into the entrepreneurial space. We have established the journey and the destination, we feel motivated. So what must we still sort out? Your head!
Read moreChanging the game - Swaady Martin, founder of YSWARA
Source: Radio 702 | Published on Feb 21, 2018
Featuring Swaady Martin. Swaady Martin is the founder of YSWARA, a rapidly growing African luxury brand. YSWARA creates elegant, high-end products using the continent’s natural resources, all produced by African artisans. The product range centres around exquisite teas sourced from across Africa, Swaady aims to capture a true spirit of African luxury by reviving Africa’s endangered cultural heritage and unique ancestral craftsmanship.
Read moreManaging resistance to change in your business
by Leigh Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change
As a change manager a question I am frequently asked is: “How do you manage strong change resistors?” Resistors are often perceived as negative, avoided and excluded from the change process. They are expected to adapt to the change over time as a consequence of peer pressure, policy or instruction. When the resistor doesn’t have any other choice they will change. As a change manager, I welcome the opportunity to engage with resistors because they care enough about the change to voice their concerns at the risk of being ostracized. They have the potential to become advocates for the change. Understanding and embracing resistors to change can be valuable to you and your business.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Chule Gobodo
Chule Gobodo, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa)
"Storytelling has the power to connect the consumer to your brand in an emotive, authentic, memorable way.”
- Chule Gobodo, co-founder of Brainbow Conscious Creatives (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Jolene Roelofse: Remember to enjoy your journey
Jolene Roelofse, founder of Bludoor Market (South Africa)
Remember to enjoy your journey....
"Follow your heart, know it is going to be tough and be prepared for those tough times, but remember to enjoy your entrepreneurial journey."
- Jolene Roelofse is the founder of Bludoor Market in South Africa, a company focused on Marketing & Communications strategy development and implementation, together with business strategy development, audit and best practice processes implementation. Jolene has an MBA from Copenhagen University in the field of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and is passionate about working with her clients to develop plans and strategies that will have a profound and lasting impact on all aspects of their businesses.
Read morePersistence makes great entrepreneurs! 24 Women entrepreneurs from Africa share their secret for mastering the art of persistence
If you have ever wondered what separates those who launch and grow a successful business from those who fall by the wayside, it's this - persistence. Persistence is the ability to keep pushing when everyone tells you to give up. It's the momentum that drives you towards the finish line, even if the finish line seems scarily out of reach. So what is persistence? Some call it grit, others call it determination, for many it's a never give up attitude. Call it what you like, persistence is about battling your way through difficult times and challenging obstacles. And, for many entrepreneurs who have reached the top, persistence has been the key determining factor of their success.
Read moreIt’s all about finishing
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
I hate finishing. The process. But the aftermath is wonderful. I am talking about finishing in fashion design sense. Finishing is a process of … literally ‘finishing the garment’. And it is a lot of work. It includes putting in zips, embellishments which could be 100 little beads, ironing (my pass time hate), putting in buttons, cutting off threads, making sure all stitches are in place; ironing again, putting labels on…etc. So almost like quality control but slowly. It doesn’t matter how fast you are in life, you can never ever hurry finishing. Little things take forever to finish.
Read moreMargaret Hirsch honoured with an international award for her work as an impactful social innovator
Margaret Hirsch receiving her Impactful Social Innovators award in India
Margaret Hirsch, co-founder of the Hirsch Group, recently travelled to Mumbai, India to receive a prestigious award as one of the 50 Most Impactful Social Innovators (Globally) at the World Sustainable Development Congress 2018.
Read moreA must-read for the entrepreneur: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece?
Read moreQuote of the Day by Mariana Agness Francisco Eria
Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)
“The mistakes along the way are going to be the bricks to build the foundation of your business.”
- Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Ally Angula: Structure your planning and goal setting
Ally Angula, co-founder of Leap Holdings (Namibia)
Structure planning and goal setting…
“In terms of planning, set goals for the month, broken down into weeks and then set three main goals for the day to help you be intentional. Do block sessions during the day focusing on these goals.”
- Ally Angula is a qualified chartered accountant and co-founder of Leap Holdings, a group of companies involved in the growing of fresh produce, garment manufacturing and retail in Namibia. She is also the founder of My Republik Brand, Namibia’s first locally designed, manufactured and retailed clothing brand with a flagship store situated in the Grove Mall in Windhoek's Kleine Kuppe suburb. Ally was chosen as a Desmond Tutu Fellowship Programme Associate in April 2013 and was one of two Namibian entrepreneurs selected to attend the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit hosted by US President Barack Obama in Kenya. More about Ally.
Read moreYour dream, your business, your ambition starts with you
by Jenny Du Preez, the exclusive coach for Picketfence.life
As a woman I know what it is like to put the needs of others ahead of my own, to constantly juggle various balls. Never dropping any of them, that would never be an option! At the very heart of this is You, a Super Hero, the one who others depend on. We inspire, protect, love and fight for others.
Read moreWhy blogging is good for your business
by Karen Wessels, co-founder of SnappSales and VA Connect
The year was 2013, I had quit my day job and I was trying my hand at this thing called “entrepreneurship” full-time. I had started a side-line business a few years ago and decided that this was the year to give it my all.
Read moreHow to improve employee boss relationships
Having good relationships at work is not just good for workers, it’s good for companies. The well-established American consulting company, Gallup says that people are seven times more likely to be engaged in their jobs if they have a friend at work. And engaged workers are productive workers.
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