Focus on a cup half full, not half empty

August 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

Last night, as I am yet again worrying instead of sleeping as per ‘normal human behavior’, I started scolding myself for worrying so much. And in turn helping the anxiety exist within me… and possibly assisting hypertension to revel! It is midnight or just after midnight, and yes as per ‘Brigette normal behavior’, I am awake. I am in bed counting all the orders I have for this week; and the how much it will cost to make them and whether I have all those deposits, etc. In my process of worry a voice says ‘worry about what you do have, and not what you do not have.’

Own your mistakes

August 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Failure is a natural part of life and the journey to success – whatever that may mean to you. In my workshops on personal branding, I teach people that when you do make a mistake, the first step is to own it and then use that as an opportunity to exceed expectations. Be solutions orientated and always find a way to make a plan. If the situation is out of your control, then manage your client’s expectations and be as transparent as possible. We are human which means we are fallible. People are more forgiving when they are part of the solution and also when you don’t try play the blame game.

Shirley Hayes, a self-starting South African entrepreneur redefining a new era of copper mining in the country

August 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Shirley Hayes, founder of SHiP Copper Company (South Africa) — **Shirley Hayes**, founder of SHiP Copper Company (South Africa)

The mining sector is one of the toughest in which to build a business from scratch, and perhaps not an obvious choice for many. But for South African entrepreneur, Shirley Hayes, it is a sector in which she is making her mark with her SHiP Copper Company.

Femi Olayebi, a woman at the forefront of driving Nigeria's hugely promising leather industry

August 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Source: CNN Africa Marketplace

Can leather become one of Nigeria's growth industries? With an enthusiastic crop of designers championing Nigeria's leather industry, the country is continuing to diversify its economy by looking beyond oil. Femi Olayebi is a woman at the forefront of this growing industry with her exciting and creative luxury brand, Femi Handbags.

We need to step up and own the narrative about entrepreneurship

August 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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by Phindile Ndlovu, founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation

We are urged so many times to support our local brands, to support small businesses, and even support black female owned businesses. We are encouraged to support those who are from disadvantaged groupings, who have stepped out and took the risk of starting businesses. I concede - starting a business coming from a disadvantaged position is hard and you need a good support system. When that business does not go well that month, that means the bills will not be paid and the family will struggle to have food on the table. So yes, we need to support, local, small and black owned businesses.

As women we need to hear more realistic stories of what it takes to succeed behind the power suits

August 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka, founder of MR Consulting

A year ago I became a new mom. No one could have adequately prepared me for what motherhood had in store for me. I found out about my pregnancy two days after my wedding day and my life has been a complete rollercoaster ever since.

Make your business hours work for you and your clients

August 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

I’m sitting on the couch watching yet another episode of FRIENDS, which I have seen before and I’m laughing like it’s the first time. I have 2 deadlines for today, 1 for tomorrow, 1 for Wednesday and 3 more for Saturday. But I am sitting on this couch for this 30 minutes, for me. I have just finished forcing myself to finish a whole sandwich and a cup of coffee; energy is necessary. My lovely phone is buzzing and beeping away right next to me and I am ignoring it, totally. Just for 30 minutes.

Every road that is worth traveling on will bring its own set of challenges

August 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life

If you are not willing to go through the difficult processes then you might end up missing out on something beautiful. A most glorious picture or a natural wonder that you have been traveling miles for.

My ABC of business: Ice Cream can be good for you!

August 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

The other day a friend and I were having a WhatsApp conversation, and we were specifically sending each other voice notes. It was a rainy day here in Cape Town and I was sitting behind my desk working. I assumed she was at her flat where she still lives in Johannesburg. As we were catching up she started venting on how difficult the road of entrepreneurship is.

Quirky: The Remarkable Story of the Traits, Foibles, and Genius of Breakthrough Innovators Who Changed the World by Melissa Schilling

August 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

What really distinguishes the people who literally change the world--those creative geniuses who give us one breakthrough after another? What differentiates Marie Curie or Elon Musk from the merely creative, the many one-hit wonders among us? The science behind the traits and quirks that drive creative geniuses to make spectacular breakthroughs is explored in this new book Quirky, by Melissa Schilling. It’s insights make for fascinating reading for all those entrepreneurs interested in innovating and changing the world in their own unique way.

LIONESS LAUNCH: The Chocolatiers open their first retail store experience in Johannesburg

August 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Melanie Finch-Keshwar & Ann Finch, co-founders of The Chocolatiers (South Africa) — **Melanie Finch-Keshwar & Ann Finch**, co-founders of The Chocolatiers (South Africa)

There is nothing quite like a retail store experience when you want customers to see, smell and taste your luxury artisanal chocolates. That’s why this month, The Chocolatiers opened their first retail store in their trendy local village of Linden in Johannesburg.

Mishingo Aaron, an entrepreneur with a passion for harnessing the power of Botswana’s natural ingredients in a new beauty range

August 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mishingo Aaron, founder of Naga Earth (Botswana) — **Mishingo Aaron**, founder of Naga Earth (Botswana)

There is a huge trend in the global beauty, bath and body products industry to get back to nature to source the finest ingredients and essential oils, and Botswana has a wealth of these ingredients. For entrepreneur Mishingo Aaron, founder of Naga Earth, the abundance of nature’s healing and restorative ingredients was the inspiration for the launch of her new business.

It Is Not Business As Usual

August 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation

Gone are the days where cellphones were limited to phone-calls and messaging. Gone are the days where communication was slow and restricted by borders. Globalization, a cliché that remains relevant, has changed the way we do things. We talk, brand ourselves and trade differently. Ultimately business has changed.

Christine Wanjiru, a Kenyan entrepreneur addressing the challenge of finding home-grown organic cosmetics brands in the country

August 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya) — **Christine Wanjiru**, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)

They say in business that if you find a pain-point in the marketplace and one that is not being adequately serviced, then you have the basis of a business opportunity. For entrepreneur Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics in Kenya, that pain-point came in the form of not being able to find quality, hand-made, organic cosmetics to alleviate certain skin conditions and needs.

100 LIONESSES: South Africa’s Dorothy van’t Riet selected as the prestigious Spotlight Designer for Decorex 2018

August 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dorothy van’t Riet, founder and principal designer at DVR Design & Decor Consultants (South Africa) — **Dorothy van’t Riet**, founder and principal designer at DVR Design & Decor Consultants (South Africa)

Internationally renowned interior design guru, Dorothy van’t Riet, founder and principal designer at DVR Design & Decor Consultants in South Africa, is to be celebrated with this year’s 2018 Decorex Designer Spotlight feature stand. The timing is perfect given that DVR is celebrating 30 years in the design industry this year. At Decorex, Dorothy will be creating an individual curated living space filled with beauty, style and colour using some of her favourite pieces that evoke a personal sense of joy. Decorex takes place from 8 to 12 August at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The lowdown on Supplier Development or Enterprise Development Funding (in my opinion)

August 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Tania Reid, Chief Experience Officer of Ithemba Office Solutions

Last year, I was approached by an investment fund with an opportunity. The brief from their client was to find a majority woman-owned stationery company that they could invest in. After hearing my pitch at an event, they were sufficiently impressed to put Ithemba forward for this fantastic opportunity. 'That is the power of a good sales pitch' but that is a discussion for another day.

Balancing your financial backpack

August 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life

Have you ever been on a trip with a backpack? Maybe across continents or on a short student holiday, even a great big one through the jungle or Africa? You will understand the day that you start off to ensure that you have packed your backpack just right? Right?

The challenge of managing operational capital

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

I have written many pieces on the issue with operational capital…in simpler language, money. Others call it petty cash, pocket money, or disposable income. This is money every business or person should have to spend on unforeseen circumstances. This is a tricky thing because you are already trying to juggle what you have amongst the expenses you have; now I need extra cash for ‘in case’! Well…ok then.

Johannesburg's women entrepreneurs gather to go further together in business

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Further, Together! That was the main message coming from the latest Lioness Lean In Breakfast event for women entrepreneurs held in Johannesburg on Thursday 2 August. Over 100 women entrepreneurs gathered in the wonderful surroundings of the new Hogan Lovells building in Sandton, as the company joined Lionesses of Africa as its latest impact partner to co-host the event for the morning.

Adele Dejak, a Kenya based entrepreneur building a global luxury accessory brand that celebrates the true African experience

August 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Adele Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya) — **Adele Dejak**, founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya)

In the highly competitive world of international jewellery design, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. But this is certainly not the case for Kenyan jewellery and accessory design entrepreneur, Adele Dejak, founder of the striking global luxury brand that carries her name.

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