the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Michelle Rumbelow, founder of Liviya (South Africa)
Following a successful career in clothing design and retail, Michelle Rumbelow is finally fulfilling a childhood ambition, to launch a ladies clothing brand of her own. Today, Liviya brings beautifully designed and manufactured leisurewear, lingerie and sleepwear, created for the busy woman who wants to feel and look good, 24/7.
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Kristyna Zapletal
Born to be an entrepreneur by Kristyna Zapletal is a book for mindful entrepreneurs, and it’s very definitely not your typical business or startup book. It has been written for the aspiring entrepreneur who aims to address the needs of people in their community to create a positive social impact, while maintaining control over their own physical and mental wellbeing.
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Anicha Abdul, founder of EP Management & Consultancy Services (Mozambique)
Building one business can be tough, but building several businesses at the same time takes real guts and determination, and Mozambican-based entrepreneur, Anicha Abdul the founder of EP Management & Consultancy Services, has both of these qualities in great quantities. It’s why she has built a business to be reckoned with.
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Margaret Hirsch, co-founder of Hirsch’s Homestores (South Africa)
Margaret Hirsch, co-founder of Hirsch’s Homestores (South Africa)
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by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, Picketfence.Life
In recent weeks I had to experience very sad moments with people close to me. Beautiful lions were killed for traditional medicine and a very young girl passed away after a fatal accident. Life happens to all of us and the deep hurt cuts more than a cliff’s sharp edge.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
The other week I spent an entire day sorting out traffic tickets while I was meant to be working in the business, making clothes. I did not expect this, I just thought it was a quick thing and would be sorted literally quick, quick! I mean, my car licence disc is expired, you go to have it renewed, you pay and leave. In my head it should be around or less than R300 each car. Ok cool, lets go.
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by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you are bestowed with brains, you will make great investment decisions. In fact, it could be quite the opposite - many a clever person has made some really bad decisions over time.
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by Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect and co-founder of SnappSales
Recently I had the privilege of speaking to a roomful of successful businesswomen about the importance of sales. These business owners required ideas on how to build sales confidence and also practical tools to implement in their business to assist with scaling and growing their enterprises.
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Suzie Wokabi, founder of SuzieBeauty (Kenya)
SuzieBeauty officially launched the first Kenyan line of cosmetics products back in 2012 – developed by an industry professional, for the everyday African woman. This month saw the leading brand announcing it has expanded it’s range to include skin care.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)
Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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