Kenya’s Flora Mutahi, Founder and CEO of Melvin Marsh International takes up two influential new global roles

July 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Flora Mutahi, founder and ceo of Melvin Marsh International (Kenya) — **Flora Mutahi**, founder and ceo of Melvin Marsh International (Kenya)

This month saw leading Kenyan woman entrepreneur, Flora Mutahi, founder and ceo of Melvin Marsh International, founder of the popular Melvin’s tea brand, taking up two influential global roles. She has been appointed to the board of the United Nations Global Compact by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres where she will be using the platform to support responsible business practices in Kenya and the continent through the integration of the UN Global Compact in business. She has also stepped down from her Chairperson’s role at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers to take up a new role as Head of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency in the country.

AWARD WINNER: Eugenia Langa, founder and ceo of Nweba in Mozambique is honored with prestigious quality award in Paris

July 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Eugenia Langa, founder and ceo of Nweba (Mozambique) — **Eugenia Langa**, founder and ceo of Nweba (Mozambique)

Mozambican entrepreneur Eugenia Langa, founder and ceo of the successful specialist procurement and logistics firm Nweba, has just been acknowledged with a prestigious global industry accolade this month. The company received the award for star leadership in Quality by the Business Initiative Directions in Paris.

The 50-60 Something Start-Up Entrepreneur: How to Quickly Start and Run a Successful Small Business by Pamela Wigglesworth

July 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken

There is no such thing as job security. Across the globe, there is an increasing forced exodus of 50 to 60-year-old employees happening within companies across multiple industries. Losing your job at 50+ brings with it a host of major issues that can have a long-term impact on your lifestyle, your immediate family and financial well-being. In The 50—60 Something Start-up Entrepreneur, fifty something entrepreneur and author Pamela Wigglesworth shares her concrete, step-by-step process that will show you exactly how to start and run your own small business using the entrepreneur path framework.

Mkamboi Mwakale, a Kenyan entrepreneur harnessing the power of Moringa to create beautiful natural hair products

July 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mkamboi Mwakale, founder of Saru Organics (Kenya) — **Mkamboi Mwakale**, founder of Saru Organics (Kenya)

The world is waking up to the natural benefits of Moringa, and for Mkamboi Mwakale, founder of Saru Organics, it was the inspiration for the launch of a new passion-driven business. Today, the business is not only winning legions of consumers, but it is also making a big difference to the lives of those growing this wonderful plant.

Evangelia Kalaitzi, a South African entrepreneur creating beautiful, animal friendly handbags with a conscience

July 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Evangelia Kalaitzi, founder of HealthyWise & Evangelia Nina K Brand (South Africa)

The world is becoming increasingly aware of sustainability and animal rights issues, particularly when it comes to the fashion industry. And, one South African entrepreneur, Evangelia Kalaitzi, founder of HealthyWise and the inspiration behind the Evangelia Nina K accessory brand, is creating beautiful, sustainable products that makes it easy for consumers to go ‘green’.

What Skill in Business Conversation Looks Like

July 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho, PhD

There’s art and science in business communication, don’t you think? You need to affirm and appreciate people AND you need them to change certain behaviors. One behavior change might be buying your product and another might be answering the office phone a certain way.

Great expectations

July 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

In a recent workshop I trained on personal branding, the topic of saying yes to please other people came up. And more so around the debate of wanting to show up as a credible and reliable brand but also knowing your boundaries and limitations. My advice I shared was about managing people’s expectations. If someone asks us to do something, we feel this compulsion to want to solve it for them today or under an unrealistic deadline in order to appear ‘super’ efficient and not want to let them down.

Getting through the bad times

July 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

When I was younger, I hated going through tough times. Actually, I was mortified by them. I would drive myself into a frenzy of anxiety expecting them, then depress myself during them, and then just be in a bad mood afterwards. I was under the impression that bad things and times should not ever happen. Life is meant to be an easy, happy, fun and enjoyable experience. Here, ladies is one of the reasons I don’t miss being young!

Staying the course through thick and thin

July 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

It’s always easy to start something new, but not always easy to stay the course. Starting a new project, a new business or even an investment plan, for that matter, is exciting - you have a vision of where you are headed and you are fired up, motivated and focused.

Leaving a legacy

July 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Aleshia van der Ploeg LLB, Director VDP LEGAL CONSULTING (PTY) LTD

Ever thought about what will happen to your business when you die? No? Well, maybe you should – you are your business’ most important asset! You don’t want your passion, your lifeblood, all your hard work to die with you! Isn’t the whole point of being an entrepreneur to create a lasting legacy – not only for yourself but for your family too!

Believing in yourself and your business when no one else will

July 27, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant at Shiluvah

In the age where becoming your own boss is becoming the order of the day, the dream of entrepreneurship and the realities of entrepreneurship often present a harsh reality that not everyone is ready for. However, does mean that one should walk away when the going gets tough?

Mo Abudu's EbonyLife TV celebrates 5 years of groundbreaking television broadcasting

July 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mo Abudu, founder & CEO of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria) — **Mo Abudu**, founder & CEO of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)

Africa's leading Indigenous lifestyle and entertainment brand marks a milestone year and looks ahead to a bright future. EbonyLife TV, Nigeria’s leading television channel proudly announced its fifth anniversary, on July 1. Launched in 2013, this is a significant achievement for the proudly ‘made in Nigeria’ company, which has become a major feature film producer as well.

Chita Mumba Zulu, an entrepreneur creating beautiful, affordable engagement and wedding rings for Zambian couples

July 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Chita Mumba Zulu, founder of Eternal Jewellery Zambia — **Chita Mumba Zulu**, founder of Eternal Jewellery Zambia

Successful businesses understand that finding a gap in the market is key, and for entrepreneur Chita Mumba Zulu and her team at Eternal Jewellery Zambia, that gap was in the wedding and engagement ring market. Today, the business is making a name for itself by supplying quality, affordable and beautiful jewellery for couples who are planning their wedding celebrations.

LIONESS CoLAB: Benji + Moon X Solid Concrete

July 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Two South African companies recently brought their collective skills together for a collaboration aimed at taking a luxury design approach to the world of pet accessories. Benji and Moon, an online specialist pet accessory store and Solid Concrete, a company specializing in creating beautiful sculptural and textural concrete products, created a new range of practical yet aesthetically pleasing food bowls for pets.

Surviving the annual winter virus season as an entrepreneur

July 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

One of the worst things that can happen to me, or any business person, is getting sick and needing to give myself a sick note, and as a result, not working. My business, Roka Roko, is a wheel that needs to keep turning, and every day is so vital to the entire month being a success and ultimately the entire business dream. You see, I haven’t managed to get myself to a point where I can afford a week off! So, we need to ensure that we do not take more than a day off in any week; plus all the other reasons like clients needing a dress in a week’s time. So, as we are in the annual winter virus season, flu is not an option. No, no, no!

Entrepreneurial You - Monetize your expertise, create multiple income streams, and thrive by Dorie Clark

July 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

It's no secret that the world of work has changed, and we're shifting toward an ever more entrepreneurial, self-reliant, work-from-wherever-you-are economy. That can be a liberating force, and many professionals dream of becoming independent, whether by starting their own businesses, becoming consultants or freelancers, or developing a sideline. But according to author Dorie Clark in her new book, Entrepreneurial You, there's a major obstacle professionals face when they contemplate taking the leap: how to actually make money doing what they love.

The Solopreneur's guide to sanity: 5 must have’s if you are a One Woman Show

July 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech

Working as a solopreneur has never been easier, or more tough and demanding. There’s a lot of freedom that comes from being a one-woman show, but there is also a ton of stress and if you are not careful, you may get caught up in the madness of believing the insane idea that you have to work morning, noon and night.

Taking charge of your own personal development is key

July 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

Often we hire for skill yet fire for behavior. This is because we tend to measure skills on qualifications, years of experience, achievements and organisations worked at. Just because one person thrived in a role does not mean they will thrive in a new role as the environment and team dynamics will contribute to the way someone behaves. It’s far easier to teach someone skills than it is to try and teach them the behavior you need.

Entrepreneur Advice from Eldari Visser: Learn and grow together

July 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Eldari Visser, founder of Picketfence Life (South Africa) — **Eldari Visser**, founder of Picketfence Life (South Africa)

Learn and grow together…

“Find a pack that you can belong to as an entrepreneur and as an individual. Understand the power of the collective. Learn and grow together, support and build. Don’t be out in the wild and cold alone. Learn from each other…”

- Eldari Visser and her unique company, Picketfence Life, provide access to information, advice and a powerful network of experts to help consumers find solutions to various serious issues. The company focuses mostly on easy blogs written by financial coaches, lawyers, accountants and tax practitioners, life and business coaches, and even psychologists. Read Eldari's startup story.

Lesotho’s leading women entrepreneurs gather to share, inspire and connect at the Lioness Lean In Event Maseru

July 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

On Thursday 12 July, despite the cold outside temperature on a crisp winter’s day, Lesotho’s leading women entrepreneurs made their way to the impressive Mathabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru for a morning of networking, inspiration and motivation at the Lioness Lean In event in the city.