Awards and Accolades: Vere Shaba recognized by Forbes Africa Under 30 List for 2018

June 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Vere Shaba, co-founder of Shaba and Ramplin (South Africa) — **Vere Shaba**, co-founder of Shaba and Ramplin (South Africa)

The 4th edition of the Forbes Africa Under 30 list has just been published which once again celebrates the continent’s most promising young change-makers. This year’s list has been expanded to showcase 30 game-changers, all under the age of 30, in each of three sectors – business, technology and creative. The 90 in total are challenging conventions and rewriting the rules for the next generation of entrepreneurs, creatives and tech gurus. And, the multi-award winning South African entrepreneur, Vere Shaba, co-founder of green buildings solutions company, Shaba and Ramplin, has just been recognized in the business sector category.

The ABC of business: Don’t ever get in the box!

June 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results,” someone once said. We are all familiar with the phrase “Out of the box thinking”. According to Wikipedia it is a metaphor that means to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. This phrase often refers to novel or creative thinking.

LIONESS CoLAB: Katannuta Diamonds X Chocoloza

June 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Image of the Day Chocolate & Diamonds.jpg

A collaboration between a bespoke diamond jewellery brand and a handmade luxury chocolate company might at first glance not be the most obvious. But for two South African women entrepreneurs who are passionate about luxury and a bespoke approach to their businesses, it’s a creative match made in heaven. Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds and Vicki Bain, founder of Chocoloza, have just launched an exciting new collaboration, and its all on the theme of chocolate.

100 LIONESSES: Nkemdilim Begho takes to the stage in Brussels to talk Technology and Job Creation, Growth and Competitiveness in West Africa

June 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nkemdilim Begho, founder of FutureSoft (Nigeria) — **Nkemdilim Begho**, founder of FutureSoft (Nigeria)

This month, Nigerian serial entrepreneur Nkemdilim Begho, founder of specialist IT company FutureSoft and co-founder of children’s accessory brand AlwaysMe by Ann Li, had the honour of speaking in Brussels at a high level European Commission conference. The event, which sought to tackle issues around Job Creation, Growth and Competitiveness in West Africa, attracted 300 high-level representatives from the European Commission, Regional Organisations (ECOWAS and WAEMU), Regional Development Banks, National Authorities at Ministerial level, financial Institutions and private sector stakeholders.

Jacoline Wentzel, a South African specialist spa and beauty business expert with an enviable track record

June 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Jacoline Wentzel, founder of The Spa Warehouse (South Africa) — **Jacoline Wentzel**, founder of The Spa Warehouse (South Africa)

Who doesn’t love a relaxing spa experience, but creating that perfect environment with the right atmosphere and products is key to the success of any luxury spa business. That’s where Jacoline Wentzel’s expertise at The Spa Warehouse comes in, providing specialist experience, advice and luxury products to spas across the African continent.

Brand Brilliance: Elevate Your Brand, Enchant Your Audience By Fiona Humberstone

June 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Fiona Humberstone

As a modern entrepreneur you need an incisive vision; for both what your brand stands for and where it’s headed. You need to communicate in a way that always enchants your audience and you need to retain that focus in an increasingly noisy world. In her latest book, Brand Brilliance, bestselling author and branding expert Fiona Humberstone will take you on a comprehensive journey. She will help you to define your dream clients, refine your message and up your marketing game.

Quote of the Day by Mariana Agness Francisco Eria

June 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Entrepreneurship is like a destination that unlocks a new and more exciting journey.”

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Fair pricing, really?

June 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Zakiyyah Bhamjee

Back in the day, not so long ago, I was a bean counter (auditor) at one of the Big 4 firms and it was during this time that I quickly learnt that to obtain a true understanding of a business/organisation one needs to spend time in the kitchen, i.e the place where the operations occur, product is made, etc. Fast forward to 2018 and this auditor now finds herself as an entrepreneur applying these practices taught to her through bean counting.

Personal Brand Building #101

June 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

After giving a talk to a group of female entrepreneurs on personal branding, I was approached by a woman who currently has a successful Physiotherapy practice. She has a niche expertise focusing on post pregnant moms and wants to capitalize on this.

Carmen Miral, a Mozambican entrepreneur on a mission to celebrate and care for natural hair

June 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Carmen Miral, founder of Black Khakhela (Mozambique) — **Carmen Miral**, founder of Black Khakhela (Mozambique)

If passion drives profit as the saying goes, then Carmen Miral, founder of Mozambican natural hair and beauty brand, Black Khakhela, is destined for business success, as she has passion in vast quantities.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Carrie Leaver and Shona McDonald launch a unique co-working space for startups in Cape Town

June 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Carrie Leaver and Shona McDonald, founders of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa) — **Carrie Leaver and Shona McDonald**, founders of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

Cape Town based social entrepreneurs Carrie Leaver and Shona McDonald have launched Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay business venture. This is a truly unique co-working space and work retreat in the heart of the southern suburbs of Cape Town for social innovators, entrepreneurs and startups. Along with beautiful co-working spaces, they offer bed and breakfast for travelling professionals on business trips, venue hire, events, workshops and a gorgeous stoep cafe.

Quote of the Day by Joy Ndungutse

June 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Giving women money won’t take them anywhere. Just give them knowledge and the rest will work out.”

Joy Ndungutse, co-founder Gahaya Links (Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Viviane Assogba Tsogbaley: We can positively impact our society

June 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Viviane Assogba Tsogbaley, founder of Génial Wok (Togo) — **Viviane Assogba Tsogbaley,** founder of Génial Wok (Togo)

We can positively impact our society...

“My advice to my young brothers and sisters is that it is good for one to work for themselves. At first, it might not be profitable, but it is important not to focus on money. The most important thing rather is to realize that we are an example for others, it is to know that we can positively impact our society, to know that we create opportunities for others who will follow in our footsteps and that our lives will not be in vain.”

- Viviane Assogba Tsogbaley is founder of Génial Wok in Togo, a business that specializes in vegan and vegetarian food, and produces a range of natural fruit cocktails. Viviane was recently hailed by Ocean News as one of the five leading Togolese women-entrepreneurs. Her fruit cocktail range is not only super healthy, but also features exciting fruit flavor combinations such as pineapple-grapefruit; pineapple-banana-melon; pineapple-melon-passion fruit; pineapple-sugar beet-orange; and tamarind. More about Viviane.

Quote of the Day by Bev Missing

June 21, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“It is a dream come true to see a tiny garage soap making business being given the opportunity to play on the global stage as an international brand.”

Bev Missing, founder of Rain Africa (South Africa)

Fellow travellers and their influence on your wealth

June 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, Picketfence.Life

On our journey through life we meet an array of interesting people - some fascinating and others unique. We learn a great deal about ourselves on how we interact with these personalities. In our financial wealth world we often find that our behavior reflects some typical personality and behavioral patterns.

LIONESS CoLAB: Frazer Parfum X Nandipha Mntambo

June 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

FRAZER PARFUM X NANDIPHA MNTAMBO

DISSONANCE --- AN ARTFUL FRAGRANCE BORN OUT OF COLLABORATION

Dissonance is a intriguing new perfume project born out of a co-lab between a talented local artist and a well known perfumer. Cape Town-based perfumer Tammy Frazer and Johannesburg-based artist Nandipha Mntambo have teamed up to create Dissonance, a bespoke fragrance that's sold with a pair of unique gold leafed lithographic prints.

100 Lionesses: Renowned Conservationist, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, speaks at Explorers Festival in Washington D.C.

June 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Some of the world’s most innovative scientists, conservationists, explorers and storytellers took to the stage at the prestigious National Geographic Explorers Festival this week in Washington. Amongst them was the renowned Ugandan gorilla conservationist and veterinarian Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of leading organisation CTPH Conservation Through Public Health, and Gorilla Conservation Coffee.

Boss Up, Beautiful! Owning the Power of Your Intuition as a Female Entrepreneur by Amber Millman

June 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

In her new book Boss Up, Beautiful!, Amber Millman tells us that as females, we have this beautifully powerful source within us and that is our intuition. All we have to do is trust it. In Boss Up, Beautiful, she talks about the lessons she’s learned, and shares the ups and the downs of her entrepreneurial journey. If you have ever felt like entrepreneurs are just showing the highlight reel, then you are not alone. Amber is here to share her personal experiences and insights. In this book, she shows you how to learn to always look for the silver lining in every situation, and that following your intuitive guide is and always will be the answer.

A minha experiencia no Young Lioness Lean In

June 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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por Madina Esmeralda Davane Abacar, fundadora Miss Abacar

Ola meus queridos leitores,

Espero que estejam todos bem e que a semana esteja a correr lindamente. Para quem me segue nas redes sociais sabe que na semana passada estive altamente elétrica por causa da minha participação como oradora do Young Lioness Lean In, edição de Maputo.

Tough times never last, tough women do! 5 Tips for surviving tough times in business and life.

June 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech

Life gets hard, that’s for sure! And when times are tough, we could all do with a little help in surviving those tough times and getting ‘back to good’. For the most part, none of us like admitting to others when we are facing a tough time in business or in our personal lives. We tend to ‘grin and bear it’ and convince ourselves that the burden is ours to bear. You are NOT alone, and in your darkest times, don’t listen to your fear, listen to hope!