the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Melissa Bime, founder of Infiuss (Cameroon)
As a nurse, Melissa Bime saw a huge challenge in her country’s hospitals - getting essential blood supplies to those in need in order to save lives. So she became an impact entrepreneur, choosing to change the situation rather than being part of it, launching her online blood bank Infiuss as a solution.
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
In our ‘always on’, technology obsessed world, we have started to lose the human element in our communication with others. People sitting in an open plan office, across from each other would prefer to send an email than to walk over and discuss the project, issue, fill in the blank. Firstly, the amount of time wasted in countless email trails, could be solved in less than 5 minutes of face-face time.
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Mbali Masike, founder of Ngiyi Mbali Wines (South Africa)
ngiyiMbali Wines is a newly launched, family-owned range of wines in South Africa, founded by entrepreneur Ngiyi Mbali. It has always been Mbali’s dream to become a winemaker. A little over 5 years ago Mbali tasted a bottle of wine and she fell in love with it. The inspirational story of Ngiyi Mbali Wines started there.
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Otegha Uwagba
Little Black Book: A Toolkit For Working Women by Otegha Uwagba is the modern career and entrepreneurial guide every young creative woman needs, whether you’re just starting out or already have a few years of experience under your belt. Packed with fresh ideas and no-nonsense practical advice, this travel-sized handbook is guaranteed to become your go-to resource when it comes to building the creative career and business you want.
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A shared love of cutting edge design and contemporary African textiles led to a recent collaboration between multi-award winning South African design entrepreneur, Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash T Design Studio, and creative Mozambican textile designer, Wacy Zacarias, founder of Karingana wa Karingana Textiles.
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Andra Massamba, founder of Uabalika (Mozambique)
As human beings, celebrating and embracing our differences is what makes for a tolerant society, and for Andra Massamba, founder of Uabalika, this was the inspiration for starting her social entrepreneurship venture.
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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.’
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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.
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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.
Read moreSource: CNN Africa Marketplace
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Melissa Schilling
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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