Andiswa Silinga, a South African entrepreneur providing geospatial data management solutions to industry

June 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Andiswa Silinga, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa) — **Andiswa Silinga**, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa)

Often the impetus to start a business stems from identifying opportunities where you can fully utilise your specialist expertise and knowledge, and where gaps in the marketplace allow you to make your mark. For Andiswa Silinga, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services, this came in the form of harnessing cutting edge technologies to hep companies with their geospatial data management.

Cidia Chissungo, a Mozambican entrepreneur training a new generation of young people to fulfill their potential

June 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Cidia Chissungo, founder of Gillipe (Mozambique) — **Cidia Chissungo**, founder of Gillipe (Mozambique)

For many young people, one of the biggest challenges facing them when they leave school is preparing for the world of work and giving themselves the best chance of finding meaningful employment. For Mozambican entrepreneur, Cidia Chissungo, founder of Gillipe, this challenge gave her the inspiration to launch a business with the solution.

Women entrepreneurs roar at the Johannesburg Lioness Lean In

June 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

On a chilly and grey sky June morning, over 100 women entrepreneurs gathered together at OPEN Sandton for the latest Lioness Lean In breakfast event in the city, ignoring the cold weather and enjoying the chance to network and be inspired.

Madina Esmeralda Davane Abacar, a Mozambican entrepreneur turning blogging into an influential business

June 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Madina Abacar, founder of Miss Abacar (Mozambique) — **Madina Abacar**, founder of Miss Abacar (Mozambique)

There is nothing more powerful than finding your voice and making it count, and in Mozambique, one entrepreneur is doing just that, in the process helping big businesses and brands to get themselves noticed. Madina Abacar, the visionary behind the highly popular Miss Abacar blog, is using her influential voice and her powerful blogging platform to great effect for all who use her services.

Introducing Africa’s innovative women eco-preneurs turning environmental challenges into sustainable businesses

June 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

The world is waking up to a new reality and the devastating consequences of such problems as environmental degradation and deforestation, shrinking water supplies, threats to biodiversity, lack of affordable green housing, waste management issues, and ocean pollution. The current global high profile Ocean Rescue campaign being run by Sky News this month is highlighting ocean health and the need to find innovative solutions to the problem of ocean plastics, inspiring people to make small everyday changes that collectively make a huge difference.

Single Women Entrepreneurs: 5 Years Later by Erin Albert

June 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

There is one bright shining area where women start more businesses than men: women who are single start more businesses than their male counterparts. Five years ago, author and entrepreneur Erin Albert started to ask why this was the case with her first book, Single. Women. Entrepreneurs. Now, in her newly published book Single. Women. Entrepreneurs: 5 Years Later, she checks back in during a critical time for women in the US, during the #MeToo movement and a call for gender equality, more women leaders, and overall support of women.

Take care of yourself on this entrepreneurial journey

June 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

It is no secret that the entrepreneurship life is challenging; in so many ways, especially in South Africa with an economy like ours. The problems are many but all linked to cash flow. If this is not managed it can result in health issues you never had before or worsening ones you already have. Getting sick or ending up in ICU because of an illness due to stress is the norm for those with stressful jobs and huge amounts of responsibility. As a woman, well, you are just adding to your already hectic life when you decide to become a CEO of your own business.

The ABC of business: Take off all those hats!

June 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

Oh, the life of a start-up entrepreneur can be extremely challenging. Juggling a myriad of balls, usually with the smallest of resources! A few months ago I had a conversation with a friend, who generously helps me with my business branding and corporate identity. We spoke about the plans I had for the business and I had so many deadlines looming that I started to feel worn out. He reminded me of how big my plate had become.

How to have S.M.A.R.T Relationships

June 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee, Relationship Expert

Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of the workplace, however many of us have had bad experiences with these kind of conversations in the past. The key is to learn how to handle them in a way that produces a positive outcome for all involved.

Celebrating Africa’s women entrepreneur gin pioneers on World Gin Day

June 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Did you know that Saturday 9 June celebrates World Gin Day? It’s a day when everyone and anyone (over drinking age of course…!) takes the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the art of gin-making around the globe. Here on the African continent, there are a number of women entrepreneurs who are gin pioneers, creating world class products and brands that celebrate this unique juniper spirit, but with a uniquely African twist.

Work It: Secrets for Success from the Boldest Women in Business by Carrie Kerpen

June 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Work It by Carrie Kerpen is an empowering guide for women in business featuring bold advice given by 50 high-profile women on how to succeed in work, leadership and life. And according to Carrie, you don't have to be a #Girlboss or "lean in" to have a dream career and live a life you love.

Tayo Bello, a highly creative jewellery designer from Nigeria taking her inspiration from global travel experiences

June 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Tayo Bello, founder of Bello Creations — **Tayo Bello**, founder of Bello Creations

It takes a huge amount of passion and personal conviction to change careers, and start a business. But Tayo Bello, founder of jewellery design company Bello Creations, successfully made the brave leap from IT specialist to jewellery entrepreneur.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Miminat founder Mimi Shodeinde launches a breath-taking new luxury home accessories collection

June 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat — **Mimi Shodeinde**, founder of Miminat

Miminat, a London based Interior Architecture and Furniture Studio founded in 2014 by the uber talented Nigerian/UK design entrepreneur Mimi Shodeinde, is launching its new breath-taking collection OKUTA on 2 June. The Okuta Collection is inspired by ancient Yoruba stone murals, and explores the organic and natural forms of late 14th century Yoruba design. Its combination of wood, brass, glass, ceramic and gold leaf, embodies the richness that the African continent and Yoruba culture have to offer.

Úrsula Daniela Pais, a Mozambican business pioneer changing the face of the country’s retail sector

June 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Ursula Pais, founder of KA DA TERRA SUPERMERCADOS, LDA (Mozambique) — **Ursula Pais**, founder of KA DA TERRA SUPERMERCADOS, LDA (Mozambique)

Mozambique may be experiencing its fair share of economic challenges right now, but that has not detracted the pioneering entrepreneur Ursula Pais of KA DA TERRA SUPERMERCADOS, LDA, from seizing the opportunity to grow.

Always be closing: The ABC of business

May 31, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

On Thursday, I had a full day of meetings scheduled in Cape Town City. I had a product-related meeting that lasted three hours till about lunch time. After I was done with my meeting I made my way to the car in the mezzanine parking lot. By this time I was ravenous and I needed to eat before going onto my next meeting. I packed all my sample products and display units in the car and took out the left-overs from supper that I brought from home. I made myself comfortable in the driver seat, and just took a moment to enjoy the peace and quiet and my meal!

Living your Best Life as an Entrepreneur

May 31, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

When you wake up on a Monday morning thinking its Saturday, I reckon that’s a great start to the week! Although some of you probably wouldn’t agree with this because more than likely you’ll feel disappointed to realize its Monday. I love Mondays! To me it’s symbolic of a fresh start to the week, an opportunity to start on a clean slate and do even better than what we did last week.