The potential for greater collaboration and trade between Germany and the African continent has never been more exciting, and particularly for women entrepreneurs. That’s why the 2nd Startup Night Africa event which is taking place on 20 March in Berlin, hosted by the BMWi in partnership with Lionesses of Africa and championed by Minister Brigitte Zypries, comes at exactly the right time.
Read moreAccept help, even when you think you don’t need it
by Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect and co-founder SnappSales
I had the good fortune of attending the Lioness Lean In event last week in Johannesburg. Very inspirational to be in a room of business women who are buzzing with excitement with new product launches and celebrating business growth! As you can imagine, when surrounded by this calibre of women, you instinctively think, “Wow, these women can do it all” and yes more than likely they can. But should they?
Read moreLose the business lingo and keep communication simple
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
Each time I speak to someone who renders a service I need for the business but know nothing about, I let them blab on with a straight face and say, ‘ok cool, I heard nothing but proceed’. They laugh; and attempt to explain again. And I start venturing into my happy places filled with waterfalls, meat, whisky and music… then return for the expected ‘uhhmm’. This goes for the accountant, the digital marketing ‘what what’, the furniture creator guy, etc. I tell them you have no clue what ‘arm scye’ means and is needed for in garment construction…wait what is garment construction?
Read moreQuote of the Day by Diana Opoti
Diana Opoti, founder of Diana Opoti PR (Kenya)
"Find a niche. Turn what you like into a business. Passion fuels business!”
Diana Opoti founder of Diana Opoti PR (Kenya)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Joselyne Umutoniwase: Just be yourself
Joselyne Umutoniwase, founder of Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd (Rwanda)
The biggest advice I can give to a start up is....
"Just be yourself and do things the way you planned before. Of course you will get lots of advice, but take what you think fits best with your own idea - nothing else. Keep positive people close to you."
- Joselyne Umutoniwase founded Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd in Rwanda in 2010. Joselyne is a fashion designer who specializes in colorful print designs and combining African fabrics with international styles. Her designs have been sold all over Africa and now she wants people in Europe and America to be dressed in Rwanda Clothing.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Ally Angula
Ally Angula, co-founder of Leap Holdings (Namibia)
“We learn every day. You think you have it and then you realize you don’t.”
- Ally Angula, co-founder of Leap Holdings (Namibia)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Sheila Afari - Just start!
Sheila Afari, founder of Sheila Afari Public Relations (South Africa)
Just start!...
"There will always be 100 reasons not to, but we can’t let 'what ifs' or fear, or lack of funding keep us from getting started. Failures are just building blocks to success. Mistakes are lessons you learn from that can only help you improve and do better. We need to be champions of our own dreams and surround ourselves with positive people and supportive people that keep us on track."
- Sheila Afari is the founder of Sheila Afari Public Relations, a bespoke PR agency operating from Johannesburg, South Africa. Sheila is passionate about showcasing the best of African brands to the rest of the world, and is differentiating herself and her company in the marketplace as a result.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Pascale Bukize
Pascale Bukize, founder of Nawel Company Ltd (Rwanda)
"The right time to do what you like and are passionate about is today. Don't count on tomorrow, it's not yours. We have been given this life to live once. So, act today!"
- Pascale Bukize, founder of Nawel Company Ltd (Rwanda)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Sofia Cassimo
Sofia Cassimo, founder of SamSara Development and Investment
"In a world where the gap between the various parts of society is constantly growing, we should make an effort to diminish this gap."
- Sofia Cassimo, founder of SamSara Development and Investment (Mozambique)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Sibongile Sambo: Fear nothing!
Fear nothing....
"I’m a risk taker. I fear nothing. When I apply my mind to do something, I go for it. The worst answer I can ever get is a ‘NO,’ but NO will never kill me. I wake-up the following day and do something different. For me it is the positive attitude I have in life. It has carried me to today."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners. Read Sibongile's full LoA profile here.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Lunice Johnston
Lunice Johnston, founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa)
"I do not regret one step of this fascinating journey. It is quite liberating knowing I am in control of my own destiny, the author of my own story.”
- Lunice Johnston, founder of Lunice Johnston Communications (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Brenda Katwesigye: Keep it simple and build teams
Brenda Katwesigye, founder of Wazi Vision (Uganda)
Keep it simple and build teams....
"The best thing I have learnt is to always keep your business simple. One of the reasons my first startup did not go as planned is because I thought the more complicated it was, the better it would be. The market did not think so and it was also difficult for myself and the team to execute well. In addition, I would also advise other women to build teams, partnerships and also find a mentor. Going at it alone can sometimes stifle the growth of a startup."
- Brenda Katwesigye is the founder of Wazi Visionin Uganda, A mobile app that uses virtual reality technology to perform visual acuity tests. Brenda's mission is to bring quality eye care closer to communities, providing better and more affordable eye care for every school going child between the ages of 6-18 years. She holds a BSc Telecommunications Engineering (Hons) from Makerere University, is an ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditory, Information Security and Audit member, and has a post graduate qualification from Virginia Commonwealth University in Business and Entrepreneurship.
Read moreOver 100 women entrepreneurs attend the first Lioness Lean In event of 2018 in Johannesburg
Lioness Lean In Event, Johannesburg, 9 March 2018
The much-awaited first Lioness Lean In event of 2018 took place on 9 March in Johannesburg, South Africa in a new, centrally located venue in the city - Open in Sandton, a great new co-working and event space for entrepreneurs. The sun came out and the rain stopped for the occasion, bringing over 100 women entrepreneurs from across the city to the event to network and be inspired.
Read moreNomafu Mdlambuzi, a South African entrepreneur passionate about manufacturing traditional wear for all occasions
South Africa has a rich traditional heritage and one that is celebrated through dress and costumes that tell a unique story. Today, entrepreneur Nomafu Mdlambuzi is carrying on the family business and her mother’s original vision, creating beautiful traditional wear for her customers through her company, Ezakwantu Sewing Co-op.
Read moreESSENTIAL READ: Beyond Ordinary - Powerful & Potent or Diluted & Bland - Your Call! By Emma Holmes
Emma Holmes
Beyond Ordinary – who wants to be ordinary anyway? Author Emma Holmes’ new book, Beyond Ordinary, is for those people who have decided that they are happy to defy ordinary when it comes to building a business.
Read morePatricia Majule, a Tanzanian entrepreneur manufacturing unique gifts for party and corporate event planners
Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania)
Trying to find the right company to create a gifting and party favour experience can be a real challenge, but in Tanzania, one woman manufacturer is providing a solution. Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ, is creating a range of gifting and party favour products that are made locally at a great price.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Natasha Sideris
Natasha Sideris, founder of Tashas (South Africa)
Entrepreneur Advice from Phanice Shamalla: If you don't love it don't do it!
Phanice Shamalla, founder of Iris Management (Kenya)
If you don't love it don't do it!...
"Passion is Key! If you don't love it don't do it! Business is like having a baby or marriage, so beautiful yet so many challenges. Therefore if you love it, you won’t give up!"
- Phanice Shamalla is the founder of Iris Management in Kenya, a company committed to promoting a healthier community by building partnerships with health care providers, businesses, and non-profit organizations in order to motivate consumers to take actions and make healthier living choices through the annual trade expo - The Health Festival - and the Iris Health & Wellness Information website. Phanice is tapping her passion for event management and education to help families and communities change their behavior patterns and choose more healthy lifestyles.
Read moreLeading Ugandan entrepreneur Amina Hersi adds value to her community
Leading woman entrepreneur Amina Hersi has inspired many young women in Uganda to work because she has made it clear that working hard puts you up there and helps you to achieve great things. Amina is one of the most influential women in Uganda who has inspired many to work tooth and nail to achieve success. Having started from a humble beginning, Amina is now enjoying fruits of her hard work.
Read moreYou must conquer your fear of failure! 14 Women entrepreneurs from Africa share their best advice for beating fear
It's a fact, no entrepreneur likes the thought of failing in business. But here's another fact - research shows that while fear of failure is the biggest concern for all entrepreneurs, women fear it more than men. Women who are considering starting a business should not be afraid of failure, and instead see it as part of the journey and an opportunity to continue learning.
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