Own your overwhelm

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

In our technologically driven world, we become more and more dependent on technology for everything. My go-to app for driving is Waze. Even if I know the route, I refer to it to view the quickest way by traffic flow, anything to scrape even those precious 5 minutes off the commute. Now have you ever scrolled ahead on the screen to look and see where its taking you. You then get a screen that looks something like this…with a big Re-centre message.

What It Means to Have a Strong Business Posture

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Karen Wessels, founder of VA Connect and SnappSales

I remember like it was yesterday, starting out in business and taking on clients and suppliers that in your gut just didn’t feel right. We’ve all been guilty of this. We feel that when we are a start-up or new to the entrepreneurial world that we should take on any client to gain the much needed experience and exposure. And who is going to say no to that additional income, right?

Dr Levashni Naidoo, a passionate dermatologist on a mission to help her clients achieve great skin

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dr Levashni Naidoo, founder of The Dermatology Room (South Africa) — **Dr Levashni Naidoo**, founder of The Dermatology Room (South Africa)

For many people, dealing with challenging skin conditions can be confidence sapping and daunting. But for Dr Levashni Naidoo (or Dr Lev as she is fondly known) and her dedicated team at The Dermatology Room in South Africa, their inspiration is provide effective and life enhancing solutions.

Awards and Accolades: Author and entrepreneur Fatuma Abdullah wins AfriCAN Author’s Awards 2018 for her Akiki children’s books

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

South Africa based publishing entrepreneur, Fatuma Abdullah, founder of Akiki Dolls and the visionary behind the Akiki series of children’s books, has just won The AfriCAN Authors’ Awards 2018. The awards which celebrate Self-Published African Authors recognised Fatuma’s engaging books in the category of Children's Travel Books. Africa is rich in culture, language and tradition, and Fatuma celebrates these facets through her Akiki books which take children on imaginary travels across the continent through the eyes of the engaging lead character of Akiki.

The Magic Of Tiny Business: You Don’t Have to Go Big to Make a Great Living by Sharon Rowe

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

In The Magic of Tiny Business, by ECOBAGS founder and pioneering green business champion, Sharon Rowe shows entrepreneurs and business owners how to build a profitable, right-scaled, sustainable business that doesn't compromise their values.

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!

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