Just Listen…

September 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

I always know where my focus and head space is by the status of the wallpaper on my phone. Not quite what you were expecting to read right? So, a few months ago, I made myself a wallpaper with the word ‘Pause’. This was to remind myself to slow down, be mindful, not rush, not look 5 steps ahead but to just be in the moment and be present with those around me.

Quote of the Day by Teta Isibo

September 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“I am doing something that I chose to do, something I am passionate about and naturally good at. To me, that’s a blessing because many people go through life with no idea of what they want to do, or if they have the idea, they simply do not have the courage to do it!"

Teta Isibo, founder of Inzuki (Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Eva Muraya: You have to work hard

September 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Eva Muraya, founder and CEO of Brand Strategy and Design (Kenya)

You have to work hard....

"We need to quit this ‘microwave results’ mentality. Media has not reminded us enough of the value of working hard. There is nothing you will gain from not working hard. If you want to be successful, then you have to work hard and whilst at it, it would also help a lot if you work smart!"

Eva Muraya, founder and CEO of Brand Strategy and Design (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Yvonne Manyiki: Face your fears

September 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Yvonne Manyiki, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa) — **Yvonne Manyiki**, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa)

Face your fears....

"We all have dreams and talents, but fear always stands in the way of many people. My advice is to take the first move by starting small, face your fears, believe in God and in yourself and you will succeed."

Yvonne Manyiki, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Ally Angula

September 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“With sheer determination and conviction nothing is impossible. We can all achieve the unimaginable.”

Ally Angula, co-founder of Leap Holdings (Namibia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Divine Ndhlukula: Keep reinvesting in your business

September 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of Securico, Zimbabwe — **Divine Ndhlukula**, founder of Securico, Zimbabwe

Keep reinvesting in your business…

"...I think that is the folly of many of our people. You make a bit of money and you think you've arrived. You start spending the money and the business does not grow."

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of Securico, Zimbabwe

Quote of the Day by Carrol Boyes

September 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“It’s always the finances. I constantly had to find the balance between having enough money to expand, and not sinking into so much debt that I would not be able to sleep at night.”

Carrol Boyes, founder of Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Ruka Sanusi

September 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Ladies, make your vision pop like pink champagne!"

Ruka Sanusi, founder and CEO of Alldens Lane (Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Leigh-Ann Gowland: Everyone's journey is unique

September 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Leigh-Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change (South Africa) — **Leigh-Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change (South Africa)**

Everyone's journey is unique....

"There is no perfect formula for success. Everyone's journey is unique. Recognize that all your experiences have equipped you uniquely to make your mark in the world."

Leigh-Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Melissa Bime

September 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“What’s my motivation? Put simply, it’s hunger. I am hungry to create change and make a difference. I have overcome so much but know that it is all worthwhile.”

Melissa Bime, founder of Infiuss (Cameroon)

Entrepreneur Advice from Louise Bijleveld: The advice that helped me most

September 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Louise Bijleveld, co-founder of LONO (Cote d’Ivoire) — **Louise Bijleveld,** co-founder of LONO (Cote d’Ivoire)

My top advice...

“The two pieces of advice that helped me most were to surround yourself with the right people and to not give up. It sounds cheesy but it turned out to be so true for me. Firstly, the right people help you to be in the right mindset, to challenge your ideas and to make you grow stronger. And secondly, there will be highs and lows and your idea will adjust along the way but giving up shouldn't be an option. Successful companies have one thing in common; they didn't give up otherwise they wouldn't exist. I think about that very regularly.”

Louise Bijleveld, co-founder of LONO (Cote d’Ivoire)

LIONESS LAUNCH: Lunar launches its exciting new Spring/Summer 2018 Womenswear collection

September 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Lunar, one of South Africa’s top design labels for the past two decades, is set to unveil its exciting new Spring/Summer 2018 collection on Friday 7 September in Johannesburg. At a special evening launch event to be held at the Lunar showroom located at 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, customers will get the chance to preview and buy pieces from this much anticipated collection.

100 LIONESSES: Jennifer Riria recognized with two prestigious awards in Kenya

September 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dr Jennifer Riria, the founding member of Kenya Women Holding and Kenya Women Finance Trust Microfinance Bank, and the CEO of Echo Network Africa, has been officially recognized for her longstanding impact and contribution to Kenyan society with two awards.

Pioneering African women entrepreneurs showcase their businesses to UK influencers

September 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

The visit of the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to South Africa on Tuesday 28 August as part of her delegation’s tour of three African countries (South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya), provided an unprecedented opportunity to showcase pioneering women’s entrepreneurship on the continent. The prestigious South Africa-UK Business Forum, held in the beautiful city of Cape Town, brought together an audience of captains of industry and leading government officials, for a day of business conversation and networking. Lionesses of Africa together with Future CEOs co-hosted a panel discussion featuring four inspirational women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community representing Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Winds of opportunity. Keeping a birds-eye view on your finances.

September 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life

Having a bird’s eye view brings to mind a very common concept. It shows you with one overall look at what you need to know about any situation. We use this in corporate situations and in our own lives. Most entrepreneurs have to take a couple of steps back from their work to take a good look at what they have created, what they are busy with, or their action plans towards reaching their goals. Access the progress and problems.

Mellisa Mazingi, a global brand builder revolutionizing the world view of traditional Swaziland handicrafts

September 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mellisa Mazingi, Managing Director of Gone Rural Swaziland — **Mellisa Mazingi**, Managing Director of Gone Rural Swaziland

Africa has a long tradition of producing handcrafted goods that are lovingly produced by each country’s rural communities. But for one company, Gone Rural in eSwatini, headed by entrepreneur Mellisa Mazingi, the mission is to create world class, handcrafted products that the world can fall in love with.

Social media horror! Here's how I reduced my social media overload

September 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

By Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

A few months back I decided to remove myself from social media. Okay, let us say a percentage of me. Or, was it a decision to remove social media from my life? I made a conscious decision to limit my time on it for personal reasons. The biggest reason is social media is LOUD. And most of the time the loudness is so much negativity and pain happening all over the world. So much information filed into my mind on a daily basis, and in some instances I found myself interacting emotionally, it was just not good. One of the reasons our grandmothers have great skin is that they honestly didn’t know as much as we know about everything…and they made it through life!

The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom by Carrie Wilkerson

September 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

The Barefoot Executive by Carrie Wilkerson offers practical advice on how to live life on your terms. Want to start your workday with e-mail and coffee on the back patio? Want the flexibility of joining your fourth grader on an all-day field trip? Are you ready to take that vacation you've been planning for years? Then you have a choice to make, and The Barefoot Executive will help jump-start your transition.

The best productivity tips for parenting entrepreneurs

September 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Karen Wessels, founder of VA Connect and SnappSales

Life loves throwing us curveballs at the best of times. It’s going to happen and it will continue happening. So, the question is, how do we best manage this? As entrepreneurs we are solution-based thinkers. This means that we are continuously seeking solutions as opposed to looking straight into the problem. It could take years of figuring out, adapting, changing, making sure that your process and flow work for you.

Abai Schulze, founder of a new generation artisan enterprise taking Ethiopia's luxury leather craft heritage to the world

September 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia) — **Abai Schulze**, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia)

The world’s fashion conscious buyers are increasingly interested in knowing where the luxury goods they purchase are made, and by whom. For entrepreneur Abai Schulze, founder of growing brand ZAAF, her company’s strong backstory and ethos is resonating with these buyers, who are rapidly becoming fans and brand ambassadors with each purchase they make.