The Start-Up Night! Africa event in London was the perfect occasion for a unique collaboration amongst the women entrepreneurs being showcased on the night - a joint fashion photoshoot featuring all the creations and products on show from each of the women pitching their businesses.
Read moreThe art of negotiation
by Aleshia van der Ploeg LLB. (RAU), Founder & Director of VDP Legal Consulting
As an entrepreneur, sometimes we are so desperate for business or too eager to simply sign a deal, not only do we lose sight of what we wanted to achieve, but we sell ourselves short.
Read moreCarrie Leaver and Shona McDonald, two social entrepreneurs creating a unique new co-working space for startups in Cape Town
Carrie Leaver and Shona McDonald, founders of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)
One of the biggest challenges for many startup entrepreneurs who work from home is connecting with other like-minded people in an environment which is supportive and creative. In Cape Town, social entrepreneurs Carrie Leaver and Shona McDonald have created the answer with their Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay business venture.
Read moreEssential Reads: Cowgirl Power - How to Kick Ass in Business and Life by Gay Gaddis
Gay Gaddis
In Cowgirl Power, US advertising CEO and cowgirl Gay Gaddis shares insights and examples for women to lead in their lives like fearless, risk-taking cowgirls. She shows them how to enhance and exude confidence, developing personal power on all fronts.
Read moreConfidence For Women. My Personal Epiphany.
by Abigail Klopper, founder of Abigail K Photography
Last week I had a personal epiphany. I hadn’t intended to have an epiphany – who does? It happened as a result of writing an email to a group of close friends and dear colleagues and clients. I was writing from the heart. I was sharing my truth in that moment when the epiphany hit me. It hit me like an emotional brick. It seems so obvious to me now in retrospect, but in the moment, while I was organizing my thoughts to send the email, it struck me as profound. Side Note: This is such a testament to the value of journalling! My epiphany was… that I don’t ask for help!
Read moreWellness Management - a foundation of success in any business
by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources Practitioner and co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions
It’s said that, “Health and intellect are the two blessings of life.” This is true and the two words, “health and intellect” should be what every employer emphasizes on from the recruitment phase to the exit. Beginning a new job or internship can be an exciting and stressful time. Everyone is eager to prove their worth to colleagues and managers and excited to learn new skills, as well as share their own skills set and knowledge. While it’s good to be focused on finding a company that will help meet professional goals, it’s also important to consider how the future employer will help in terms of wellness. It is prudent to note that no amount of money is worth sacrificing one’s wellness.
Read moreUse Your Imagination to Access More Courage
by Laura Camacho, PhD, founder of Mixonian Institute
Einstein put it this way, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." I say, let’s just play pretend something amazing and see what happens.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Jennifer Riria
Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group Chief Executive of Kenya Women Holding
"Women disproportionately face financial access barriers that prevent them from participating in the economy and from improving their lives."
Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Tepsii Tshikororo: Give yourself a chance
Tepsii Tshikororo, founder of Tepsii (South Africa)
Give yourself a chance....
"Stop analyzing, criticizing, and giving reasons why this won't work. Give yourself a chance and just go for it. Any mistakes you make are opportunities for improvement!"
- Tepsii Tshikororo is the founder of Tepsii in South Africa, a company providing education and training in copywriting and online entrepreneurship as well as offering business coaching. Tepsii was previously a sought after professional writer in the corporate space for 12 years using her bachelor’s of science from a top university in New England to write scientific, engineering, aviation, and other technical documentation. Today, she is passionate about putting her copywriting and coaching skills to use for clients so that you can bring in maximum profit.
Read more100 Lionesses: Three of Africa’s leading women brand-builders share their rise to the top
L-R: Margaret Hirsch, co-founder Hirsch's Homestores; Brenda Wilkinson, co-founder Rio Largo Olive Estate; Bernie de Le Cuona, founder de Le Cuona
A highlight of the forthcoming Start-Up Night! Africa event in London on 26th June will be a panel discussion featuring three leading women entrepreneurs from South Africa who have built successful global brands. They share their personal brand building stories, and talk about the opportunities for Africa’s women entrepreneurs to break into global marketplaces, the current interest from global markets in women owned brands that have a strong backstory, and the investment climate for Africa’s women owned businesses looking to grow.
Read moreLien Potgieter, a South African entrepreneur helping women to harness the power of colour therapy in their lives
Lien Potgieter, founder of The Colour Option (South Africa)
We have all probably heard the phrase ‘put a little colour in your life’, but entrepreneur Lien Potgieter is doing just that in the practical sense with her business, The Colour Option. She has created a range of online colour therapy courses specially for women who want to live a full, authentic life in relationships, business, and creativity.
Read moreDebra Mwodza, a South African entrepreneur helping small businesses to reach their goals
Debra Mwodza, founder of Quest Support Solutions (South Africa)
In today’s fast changing business environment, small businesses across all sectors continue to face challenges in reaching their goals. Business owners need to step up their game in order to stay relevant and ahead of their competitors - and that’s where Debra Mwodza’s Quest Support Solutions comes in.
Read moreLike She Owns the Place by Cara Alwill Leyba
Cara Alwill Leyba
Like She Owns The Place is the long-awaited sequel to Girl Code, from one of the rock stars of the female empowerment movement. Cara Alwill Leyba's riveting voice and kinship with her audience drove the self-published success of Girl Code, a book that encouraged women to support each other in the business community. Now her many fans are ready to take the next step: building sustainable confidence from the ground up.
Read moreDevelop your change fitness
by Leigh Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change
Any reason could motivate you to improve your physical fitness: a new year’s resolution, a personal goal, a special occasion or a health scare. You may prepare an exercise schedule, eating plan, employ a personal trainer or partner with an exercise buddy to achieve your fitness goals. Besides physical fitness is not only beneficial to your health, it improves your mood, memory, attention span and improves your overall productivity and energy to support you in your demanding role as an entrepreneur.
Read moreThe power of LinkedIn and what it means for your Business
by Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect and co-founder of SnappSales
Are you one of those people that absolutely loves social media or completely hates it? I have the privilege of mentoring a few start-ups and one of the most common blockers we talk about is how to find new clients. Now it’s going to be quite a challenge if you despise social media in light of what follows. However, if you’re a newbie business owner, you’re just starting out with a rather shall we say “tight” marketing budget, then social media is your friend.
Read moreUnderstanding the virtues of custom made or bulk retail
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
What is custom make/made? Some people call it bespoke, private clients, exclusivity, etc. I have been doing custom make since the business started; I did not choose this approach, it just kind of happened. I decided I wanted to make clothes and the flow into custom make came about just because the orders per client I received at the time, required a specific, detailed and more personal approach - a custom make service. But I am currently also, some of my family and friends would say ‘finally’, in the process of including retail in the business model. People think it is a process of just deciding to multiply a certain style by a bigger quantity and voila! No, it is not!
Read moreQuote of the Day by Brigette Mashile
Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)
“For today, I will be happy that the business I started 4 years ago is still in existence and operating. That fact alone is a cause for celebration.”
Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Cecilia Mnisi: Don't let fear stop you
Cecilia Mnisi, founder of MMJ Interpretation Services (South Africa)
Don't let fear stop you....
"Do not let fear stop you from achieving your dreams. Associate yourself with people who are already in the industry that you are interested in and learn from them."
- Cecilia Mnisi is the founder of MMJ Interpretation Services, a Gauteng-based Interpreting and Translation Company in South Africa. The company specializes in Interpreting, Translation, Transcriptions, Recordings and Minute taking. Cecilia graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 2002 and is a qualified Legal Interpreter and Translator. She registered the business in 2011 and operated on a part-time basis until she resigned from her full time job in 2014 to pursue the business full-time. Cecilia has attended the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship and is accredited as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) through WE Connect International in South Africa.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Vasie Seweramulu: Perseverance always pays off
Vasie Seweramulu, co-founder of Safeguard Hygiene and Safety (South Africa)
Perseverance always pays off….
“Perseverance always pays off at the end. There were many times when I thought of giving up and looking for a job, but knowing that there are countless opportunities out there, I never gave up. Always try to stay ahead of the game.”
- Vasie Seweramulu is the co-founder of Safeguard Hygiene and Safety, a South African company that manufactures and distributes household and industrial cleaning detergents, including bio enzymatic, locally produced, eco-friendly products. Vasie, a former school principal, joined forces with two of her family members and launched the business in October 2015. Their products are targeted at the retail and hospitality industries in South Africa and across the African continent. Read Vasie's startup story.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Adèle Dejak: Never give up
Adèle Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya)
Never give up…
“Passion is the driving engine for anything you want to achieve in life. Even when things do not always turn out exactly as you had planned, never ever give up.”
- Adèle Dejak is the founder of Adele Dejak in Kenya, a brand that creates luxury handmade fashion jewellery and accessories for the modern, sophisticated and multidimensional woman. Inspired by African shapes, textures and traditional techniques, Adèle’s cutting-edge pieces sit perfectly between artefact and high fashion statement designs. More about Adèle.
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