Africa's beauty and wellness sector continues to grow, with new and exciting products coming onto the market every day, most of them celebrating the unique, natural ingredients that are produced on the African continent. This month at Lionesses of Africa, we celebrate 30 women entrepreneurs whose remarkable startup stories we have featured over the past year and who are building great brands and developing world class products from all corners of the African continent.
Read moreThe 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins
Throughout your life, you've had parents, coaches, teachers, friends and mentors who have pushed you to be better than your excuses and bigger than your fears. What if the secret to having the confidence and courage to enrich your life and work is simply knowing how to push yourself? In her new book, The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins, show you how.
Read moreGetting fit for your business journey
by Eldari Visser, Managing Director of Picketfence.Life
If you ask me to join a gym I get a very uneasy feeling. The mere idea of putting myself through pain does not sit well with me. I prefer to go for the sexier options such as dancing or Zumba; or the calmer options like yoga or Pilates. I program my brain that these type of exercises will not hurt as much as going to the gym. Who exactly am I kidding? My body is going to complain, that is a fact. Don’t even mention all the good reasons that I can come up with for not getting started or not going each week.
Read moreOwn your meetings and interviews
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
They used to say that your co-workers assessed your competence, likability and trustworthiness in about seven seconds, but the latest research conducted by Harvard Medical School suggests that all that happens now in just 250 milliseconds! And that’s all based simply on your appearance – so you really have to ensure you have it all worked out! Here are some tips on how to maximise your physical presence when it comes to meetings and interviews.
Read moreBecoming an authentic leader - Part 1
by Mignionette Fair, founder of Edita Services
Authenticity is a word that gets thrown around a lot in leadership, business and life. As with most things in life, we all define authenticity and authentic leadership differently.
Read moreOlivia Onyemaobi, the Nigerian social entrepreneur improving menstrual hygiene management education in her country
Olivia Onyemaobi, founder of Pad-Up Creations (Nigeria)
Personal experiences and the desire to make a difference in the lives of others are often the two key drivers of social entrepreneurs when it comes to starting up their businesses. For Nigerian social entrepreneur, Olivia Onyemaobi, founder of Pad-Up Creations, her inspiration came from the need to help women and girls to manage their menstrual hygiene and fulfill their potential.
Read moreBreaking through the glass ceiling
by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources Practitioner and co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions
Before I gained experience in my profession from the various sectors I had worked in, I frequently wondered why they were only a few successful women leaders and entrepreneurs. After working in different sectors I realized a few but huge hurdles have led to the demise of women leadership skills in the workplace. Women face challenges daily in their lives and for career women, the main one is that of penetrating into a male dominated sector or taking up roles that are societally termed “for men”.
Read moreIs Social Enterprise the new face of business?
Over the last few years we’ve seen the theme of Social Entrepreneurship grow exponentially. From the 23 to 26 January, two awesome female social entrepreneurs from Cape Town returned from the World Economic Forum. They joined many other social entrepreneurs from around the world, ready to open the eyes of traditional business to new ways of using business principles to tackle major issues in our world, such as poverty, marginalization and climate change.
Read moreKeeping me sane! 5 ways I manage the demands of running my business
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
There are many things I do that seem selfish to many people; probably because they look like that; and also because behind them, these things are mine only. I have learned all these things are essential for me to stay alive, sane and motivated to complete all the great dreams our clients have. Running a custom-made business is seriously a mind boggler. You have over 300 clients; and have to remember each and every name; each design; each finish; each personality; each account, etc. It can drive you insane, especially at peak business time.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Stephina Zwane and Salamina Mosese
Stephina Zwane and Salamina Mosese, founders of Sorele Media (South Africa)
"You will find strength you never knew you had. So, DO IT!”
- Stephina Zwane and Salamina Mosese, founders of Sorele Media (South Africa)
Read moreMaria Auma, a Ugandan entrepreneur helping startups to build sustainable businesses with impact
Maria Auma, founder of Blue Luxury Investments (Uganda)
For many startups, taking their businesses to the next level can be challenging. In Uganda, one woman entrepreneur is helping small business owners to increase their production capacity and access finance. Maria Auma, founder of Blue Luxury Investments, is bringing her expertise and investment community to help startups to fulfill their potential.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Ashley Heather
Ashley Heather, founder of Ashley Heather Jewellery
"Entrepreneurship is intensely personal - it is your passions and your energies made manifest for the world to see and growing a business has been an amazing process of self-discovery and personal growth."
- Ashley Heather, founder of Ashley Heather Jewellery (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Jenna Clifford: Be frugal with your money
Women need to be resourceful and frugal when starting up....
“It’s the same old banking story – if you have no money they won’t give it to you; if you have money, they want to throw more at you. Women are very resourceful but they need leaders and mentors like me and material to read to give them information about the facts.” ..... “I have always saved bits of money and lived very frugally and invested the little I have made back into the business and not spent it,”
- Jenna Clifford is a world-renowned jewellery designer, known for her unique designs and superlative craftsmanship. Established in 1992, her company has steadily grown its clientele and improved its profile to institute itself as a powerful force in the jewellery industry. Her bold and dramatic designs are sought after by some of the most recognised business icons and celebrities from around the world. Today, Jenna Clifford Designs employs around 70 people, including some of the finest jewellery artisans and craftsmen in South Africa.
Read more2018 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards Africa finalists announced
L-R: Evelyn Namara, Audrey Cheng, Melissa Bime
The prestigious Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, the international business plan competition created in 2006 to identify, support and encourage projects by women entrepreneurs, has just announced their finalists for Africa for 2018.
Read moreBianca Hansen, a South African entrepreneur bringing an award winning beer brewed using surplus fresh bread to the country’s craft beer market
Bianca Hansen, co-founder of Toast Ale SA (South Africa)
When you think about beer making, bread as a key ingredient doesn’t automatically come to mind. But Toast Ale SA, co-founded by Bianca Hansen, is different, using surplus bread from bakeries as the foundation for brewing this delicious beer.
Read moreFinding your best expedition guide. How to select your business coach or financial advisor
I have wondered many times, if I am ever in the position to choose an expedition guide for a trip, who would it be? The likes of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Vin Diesel, Bear Grylls, or the steady hand of a game ranger? The most obvious question is ultimately who will die for me? Yes, it is that serious?
Read moreQuote of the Day by Gaceri Kirimi
Gaceri Kirimi, co-founder of Destello Laundry Cleaning Services (Kenya)
“You must start, however small or big. You must start and believe in your brand and dream!”
- Gaceri Kirimi, co-founder of Destello Laundry Cleaning Services (Kenya)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Roxanne Edson: Persevere!
Roxanne Edson, founder of Hidden Halos (South Africa)
Take a deep breath and persevere....
"Persevere - Even when it seems like there is no way forward, take a deep breath and remember how far you have already come!"
- Roxanne Edson is the founder of Hidden Halos, a South African non-profit organisation doing work around foster care advocacy and support and Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, as well as exit strategies for children currently in the State’s child welfare system. Roxanne has an educational background in Psychology, Criminology and Foundation Phase Education. She has also become extremely knowledgeable in Foetal Alcohol Syndrome and is passionate about creating awareness of this disorder.
Read moreLiesl Esau, a South African entrepreneur passionate about health, safety and environmental compliance
Liesl Esau, founder of HSE Matters (South Africa)
Every company needs to ensure their workplace is safe and their employees are trained in best practice health, safety and environmental compliance, and that’s where Liesl Esau comes in. Her company HSE Matters is helping companies to get it right.
Read moreFive lessons from my journey as a change manager
by Leigh Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change
Have you ever considered the gifts you’ve gained while following your dreams? Despite the sometimes difficult journey as an entrepreneur we remain focused and inspired on creating successful businesses. Lessons from our journey provide personal growth to tackle the challenges of developing a business but also recognition of milestones achieved along the way.
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