Art of disruption: Handle with care

March 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Leigh Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change

If you were an artist creating delicate glass sculptures, how would you display your masterpiece to the world? A labour of love would be packed carefully and only displayed to art lovers. In an era of disruption, agility and demands for fast change, entrepreneurs are continuously pivoting, re-inventing and introducing new ideas. An aggressive, urgent launch of an idea could be risky. Take some time to prepare for the impact of change. Handle with care when disrupting.

The Power of Choice

March 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources Practitioner and co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions

We make choices from the very moment we open our eyes in the morning. We make the choice to either wake up to the alarm clock or simply snooze it to an hour later, ultimately forgetting all the appointments that could make one’s career or business flourish. This is a simple sign that the choices we make on a daily basis can either bring us closer to, or further from, our dreams.

Quote of the Day by Nkatha Gitonga

March 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Start as soon as you have an idea or a solution you are passionate about.”

Nkatha Gitonga, founder of Yakutti (Tanzania)

Creativity Rules: Get Ideas Out of Your Head and into the World by Tina Seelig

March 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

In her latest book, Creativity Rules, international bestselling author and Stanford University professor, Tina Seelig, adapts her wildly popular creativity course to a practical guide where entrepreneurs can put their best ideas into action.

Tatenda Ndambakuwa, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur helping farmers become more productive through app development and data science

March 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Tatenda Ndambakuwa, founder of Shiri (Zimbabwe) — **Tatenda Ndambakuwa**, founder of Shiri (Zimbabwe)

Many entrepreneurs are driven by a passion to solve problems or address key societal issues. For Tatenda Ndambakuwa, founder of Shiri, her driving force is to address food security challenges by helping farmers in her country to become more productive and efficient using the power of technology.

Masana Sangweni, a South African event planner passionate about making moments memories

March 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Masana Sangweni, founder of Sanaandi Events & Hospitality (South Africa) — **Masana Sangweni**, founder of Sanaandi Events & Hospitality (South Africa)

Events are very personal occasions and for the clients hosting them finding the right event planner who can create the right experience is crucial. That is where South African entrepreneur Masana Sangweni, founder of Sanaandi Events & Hospitality, comes in. She helps her clients create beautiful and unique event memories that last.

Lionesses of Africa heads to Berlin for the latest START-UP NIGHT! AFRICA event

March 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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.

Accept help, even when you think you don’t need it

March 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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?

Lose the business lingo and keep communication simple

March 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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?

Quote of the Day by Diana Opoti

March 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Find a niche. Turn what you like into a business. Passion fuels business!”

Diana Opoti founder of Diana Opoti PR (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Joselyne Umutoniwase: Just be yourself

March 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Joselyne Umutoniwase, founder of Rwanda Clothing Home Ltd (Rwanda) — **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.

Quote of the Day by Ally Angula

March 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“We learn every day. You think you have it and then you realize you don’t.”

- Ally Angula, co-founder of Leap Holdings (Namibia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Sheila Afari - Just start!

March 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sheila Afari, founder of Sheila Afari Public Relations (South Africa) — **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.

Quote of the Day by Pascale Bukize

March 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"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)

Entrepreneur Advice from Sibongile Sambo: Fear nothing!

March 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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.

Quote of the Day by Lunice Johnston

March 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"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)

Entrepreneur Advice from Brenda Katwesigye: Keep it simple and build teams

March 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Brenda Katwesigye, founder of Wazi Vision (Uganda) — **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.

Over 100 women entrepreneurs attend the first Lioness Lean In event of 2018 in Johannesburg

March 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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.

Nomafu Mdlambuzi, a South African entrepreneur passionate about manufacturing traditional wear for all occasions

March 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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.