the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Charly Lester and Caroline Brealey
The Female Entrepreneur, by Charly Lester and Caroline Brealey, is a step-by-step guide to starting your own business. Combining personal stories, practical advice and quotes from leading female founders, The Female Entrepreneur will teach you how to start your business, brand it, attract clients, and make sales.
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by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources Practitioner and co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions
Women have been known for being nurturers by nature, and it is only with the emancipation and empowerment that women have started taking on roles traditionally thought to be for men, and also undertaking entrepreneurial activities. However, it is wise to note that there is still a need for women to balance their nurturing roles in the family, as well as their roles in the workplace and in their businesses.
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Louise Bijleveld, co-founder of LONO (Cote d’Ivoire)
Africa’s need to find innovative and sustainable solutions to waste management and energy generation is growing, and for Louise Bijleveld, co-founder of LONO, that challenge provided the inspiration for a game-changing business.
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Source: The Gin Box | 16th August 2018
The South African craft gin industry is growing steadily, with women taking a leading role in this exciting industry. For Women’s Month The Gin Box recognised just a few of the sensational, creative and determined women behind craft gin. The Gin Box, is South Africa's 1st Craft Gin Club delivers craft gin, local tonics, gourmet snacks to your door. Subscribe monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
In the 4 years that Roka Roko has been in existence, I have hired 6 people and lost all of them, each for different reasons. I have learned how tough it is to find the right person to hire and keep them. A lot of us say hiring is growth and give it a status, making it sound fancy and grand. Well, it is the same as the fashion industry, nothing fancy but really challenging.
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Phindile Ndlovu, founder of Bhekizenzo Foundation (South Africa)
Phindile Ndlovu, founder of Bhekizenzo Foundation (South Africa)
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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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