Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, a luxury silk fabric and fashion brand builder inspired by her West African heritage

April 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Silk has long been synonymous with the notion of luxury, and for fashionpreneur Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, founder of Eki Orleans, this was the inspirational starting point for her business. Today, this exciting luxury fashion and fabric brand celebrates the luxurious quality of silk, creating clothing and fabric collections that bring African design to life.

Nira Sklair, a photographer entrepreneur in South Africa turning her passion into a fulfilling encore career

April 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Some people have to wait a lifetime to find their real purpose in life, one that harnesses their innate talents. For talented photographer, Nira Sklair, that time came after the age of 50 when life presented the opportunity for her to finally pursue her real passion and turn it into an encore business.

Women Who Launch by Marlene Wagman Geller

April 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dorothy Parker observed, “It’s a man’s world”, yet the women entrepreneurs and game-changers profiled in Marlene Wagman Geller’s book, Women Who Launch would beg to differ. This collection of inspirational stories and biographies of game-changing women is a testimony to women empowerment in the world.

About that 'L' word!

April 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, Picketfence.Life

As part of a tribe of amazing Lionesses I know you will love this story which fits in perfect with many common journeys we share. When we embark on an exciting journey through the jungle or the bush we start off with excitement, anticipation, happiness and all those emotions that sends endorphins to our body. We also start with a good dose of fear.

Own Your Tribe

April 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Tim Ferriss, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, shares the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure book — a compilation of tools, tactics, and habits from 130+ of the world’s top performers. From iconic entrepreneurs to elite athletes, from artists to billionaire investors, their short profiles can help you answer life’s most challenging questions, achieve extraordinary results, and transform your life.

Quote of the Day by Mignionette Fair

April 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“We always wish to be further along than we are. We wish we could be like Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Michelle Obama or Thuli Madonsela. And there is nothing wrong with that, but you are running your race!”

Mignionette Fair, founder of Edita Services (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Shingai Nyagweta: Persistence pays off

April 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Shingai Nyagweta, founder of KuNa Kids — **Shingai Nyagweta**, founder of KuNa Kids

Persistence pays off....

"Keep at it. Stay on your toes, and if it isn't working in one direction, then look into doing it slightly differently."

- Shingai Nyagweta is the founder of KuNa Kids a South African children’s clothing company that embraces the uniquely local shweshwe fabrics. Shingai's children’s clothing range is bright and bold with a distinctive African twist. Read Shingai's startup story.

100 LIONESSES: Celebrating the life of a pioneering South African woman entrepreneur who revolutionized the real estate industry

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

This past week saw the end of an era in South Africa as one of the country’s pioneering women entrepreneurs passed away. Pam Golding, founder and Life President of the Pam Golding Property Group, was an extraordinary example of how to beat gender stereotypes and build a global business and brand from the bottom up. She died on Tuesday at her home Wittebomen in Constantia, Cape Town. She was 89 years old.

Londeka Mlawuza, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to declutter and help clients’ organize their lives

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

How many of us struggle on a daily basis to organize their lives and businesses efficiently, removing the extraneous clutter that holds us back from achieving goals and full potential? Well, help is at hand from entrepreneur Londeka Mlawuza, founder of LV & Co, the organizing specialists.

Vasie Sewramulu, a South African entrepreneur building an eco-friendly detergent manufacturing business

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Realizing that the South African consumer is far more educated in the field of enzyme, bacterial and green cleaning products than just a few years ago, entrepreneur Vasie Seweramulu and two of her fellow women entrepreneurs, created Safeguard Hygiene and Safety.

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.