Africa’s global brand-building women entrepreneurs to be showcased at Start-up Night! Africa in London

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Top L-R: Margaret Hirsch, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Mimi Shodeinde, Eva Sonaike, Afua Dabanka, Bernie de la Cuona. Bottom L-R: Kim Addison, Adele Dejak, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Swaady Martin, Bren… — Top L-R: Margaret Hirsch, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Mimi Shodeinde, Eva Sonaike, Afua Dabanka, Bernie de la Cuona. Bottom L-R: Kim Addison, Adele Dejak, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Swaady Martin, Brenda Wilkinson, Hazel Aggrey Orleans

Getting access to important new markets and networks is key for women entrepreneurs who are building global brands in Africa and the Diaspora. So on the evening of 26 April, Lionesses of Africa in partnership with Standard Bank Wealth International, will be bringing Start-up Night! Africa to London. The event aims to showcase a number of exciting women owned businesses and brands from across the African continent and from the Diaspora in London, that are ones to watch globally in 2018 and beyond.

Leapfrog - The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs by Nathalie Molina Nino

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

For women entrepreneurs (and any woman launching a startup from scratch), Leapfrog - The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs by Nathalie Molina Nino is a smart, snappy guide that presents 50 proven ways to leapfrog over road blocks to growth and success.

Do you have a can do attitude?

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Karen Wessels, cofounder of VA Connect and cofounder of SnappSales

In a mentoring session today with my top mentor, he made an interesting observation. He said that one of the things he has observed is my ‘can do’ attitude. This got me thinking about our general attitude towards business amongst women entrepreneurs.

Train 'em while they’re young!

April 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

When is the right time to involve your kids in your business?... Today was the first official day of ‘work’, for my two daughters, both aged under 12. I gave them instructions to the tasks that I needed done, which were mostly the cleaning of tuna cans for our Toona Can product. After I explained the task I went over to my desk and attended to some emails. After a while I heard some bickering between the two of them. They were struggling to divide the work and defining roles. I heard the eldest, Chelsea, (in a highly irritated voice) say: “It’s impossible to work with you Kirsten!” And she walked off! I had to chuckle!

Quote of the Day by Laura Camacho

April 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Whenever you’re feeling like you don’t belong, know you are in precisely the right place at the right time and there’s an opportunity just waiting for you.”

Dr Laura Camacho, founder of Mixonian Institute

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Top advice

April 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Monica's top advice....

“Have a vision and passion. Be courageous, focused and disciplined. Lastly, persist… it’s definitely not easy.”

- Monica Musonda 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. Read Monica's 100 Lionesses profile here.

Quote of the Day by Magda Wierzycka

April 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"It’s a fact that women need to work a lot harder than men to be recognized. I have met a lot of women who complain about that, but you need to recognize the fact, embrace it and work harder to prove yourself.”

Magda Wierzycka, Chief Executive Officer, Sygnia Asset Management (South Africa)

100 Lionesses: Flying Doctors Nigeria founder, Dr Ola Brown, honoured with Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award

April 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Flying Doctors Nigeria Founder, Dr Ola Brown and Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury after Brown received the Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award from NIGAV in Lagos.

In recognition of Flying Doctors Nigeria’s role in saving lives during critical and emergency situations in sub-Sahara Africa, Dr Ola Brown, the company's founder has been bestowed with the prestigious 2017 Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award by the Nigeria Aviation Awards (NIGAV) held last month.

The Big Thing: How to Complete Your Creative Project Even if You're a Lazy, Self-Doubting Procrastinator Like Me by Phyllis Korkki

April 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

In her new book, The Big Thing, New York Times business journalist Phyllis Korkki explains why it’s important for people to pursue big creative projects, and identifies both the obstacles and the productive habits that emerge on the path to completion—including her own experience writing this book.

Annabel Biggar-David, a South African eco-warrior creating a unique holistic retail lifestyle experience

April 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Annabel Biggar-David, founder of Organico (South Africa) — **Annabel Biggar-David**, founder of Organico (South Africa)

There is a growing interest on the part of consumers to find products that have been created with a gentler footprint on the planet. So it’s exciting to hear of a great holistic lifestyle store in South Africa, Organico, created by passionate social entrepreneur Annabel Biggar-David. This is a business that has environmental sustainability at its heart.

Quote of the Day by Sandra Idossou

April 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Being an entrepreneur made me realize the enormous resources women have. Women can be good entrepreneurs, wives, mothers etc, all combined in one person."

Sandra Idossou, founder of The ServiceMag (Rwanda)

Quote of the Day by Margaret Hirsch

March 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Never listen to anybody who tells you, you can’t do it. You know you can so just get on with it.”

Margaret Hirsch, co-founder of Hirsch's Homestores (South Africa)

Choices ignite possibilities

March 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Nokubonga Mbanga, founder of Self Insights

Earlier this month, the world recognised International Women’s Day on 8 March, a time to reflect on progress made, to celebrate successes, and to inspire continuous improvement of women equality. It will take 217 years to close the gender parity gap according to the World Economic Forum’s global gender gap report. These figures are alarming, as they don’t seem to improve from last year’s figures (117 years in 2017).

Why we constantly need to check our Values

March 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee, Relationship Expert and Author

Values are our moral compass, they guide us each day in our thoughts, actions, behavior and decision making. We use our values in every area of our life such as our goals, relationships, decisions, the workplace, leadership and more. They serve as the tick boxes against which we mentally reference ourselves as to making the right decisions and choices based on the situation we are facing at that time.

Big Question of the Week: What is the Soundtrack to your Life?

March 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

Cal Fussman is a New York Times bestselling author, world-renowned interviewer, podcast host, keynote speaker and corporate consultant on interviewing and storytelling. I first came across Cal on the Tim Ferriss Show podcast and recently discovered one of the most thought-provoking articles in a while and wanted to share it you.

Celebrate the unique person you are

March 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

This article is to celebrate yourself as you are. Whoever you are and wherever you are, if you are alive, you are doing pretty well. It’s so tough living today, and avoiding destruction daily. We have more reasons to give up on some days; to just say aaag suka, I’m done. But there is a chemical balance God bestowed upon you that makes you keep breathing everyday and the next, and as a bonus actually excel in a few areas in life. This is my list of reasons why I am still alive and running a business in this economy.

Just enjoy the show!

March 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

My husband can be quite philosophical at times. Both of us are big movie watchers, and try to always dissect a movie once done watching. We watched the Brad Pitt movie, Moneyball, recently. And I think, since we saw it the first time, my hubby has watched it at least four times again! Here are some thoughts stimulated by that experience.

Marjon Meyer, a South African HR specialist on a mission to help people become better versions of themselves

March 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Everyone encounters difficulties and challenges in their lives at some time or another, and often specialist help and coaching is needed to overcome those challenges. Marjon Meyer, founder of the specialist Training and HR Consulting business that carries her name, has the expertise to help others to fulfill their potential in life and business.

5 guidelines for a market-friendly business name and why it’s important

March 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect and co-founder of SnappSales

The launch of a new business is always exciting! You’ve probably left your corporate job, told your friends and family about your new venture, and you’re putting the finishing touches on your ideation before going public.

What is in your financial backpack?

March 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, PicketFence.Life

Getting ready for a trip is always exciting - to pack the bags is all part of the fun. Seasoned travellers have a lot of tips on how to be a pro in getting everything in and you can find many examples of practical tips on social media. Packing for a trip to the wild is a different story.