The thrill of being backstage

October 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

Last week I was in Durban taking part in the KZN Fashion Council’s AFX expo. The main reason I agreed is they said there’s a fashion show and I will be showing. Well duh! Nothing is more exciting to a fashion designer than ‘hey here is a platform, come and show us what you can do’; everything is planned and in place, you much just show up. Thank God! So, I was already 80% into finishing the new range; I completed it and headed down. This range has been in my head for 4 months - I am that person….everything is in my head…writing it down is another mission.

It Takes Ten Years to Become an Overnight Success!: The year-by-year story of my first ten years as a freelance business owner: 2008 -2018 by Pamela Hilliard Owens

October 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Everyone hears about the so-called ‘overnight success stories’ in business and the world of entrepreneurship, but the reality is often very different. But what is true is that every entrepreneur has a fascinating, personal story to tell, and in the case of author and entrepreneur, Pamela Hilliard Owens, her new book It Takes Ten Years to Become an Overnight Success! tells her story of her first ten years as a freelance business owner.

Lionesses of Africa, Don’t Forget Your Thoughtwork

October 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho, PhD

Marketing, sales, operations, finances, picking up the children….so many responsibilities for today’s business owner. It often feels overwhelming, which is why we need mentors and coaches to help us make successful choices. One thing that helps you make better choices and be more productive is your thoughtwork.

South Africa’s Ntsiki Biyela of Aslina Wines wins Gold Medal at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards 2018

October 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Ntsiki Biyela, founder of Aslina Wines (South Africa) — **Ntsiki Biyela**, founder of Aslina Wines (South Africa)

In one of the most competitive line-ups in the 22 year history of the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirts Awards, South Africa’s winemaker and founder of Aslina Wines, Ntsiki Biyela, has good news to share. Aslina Wines has just been awarded a Gold Medal at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards for its Umsasane 2016 wine, a very special Bordeaux blend.

Marta Mulungo, a Mozambican entrepreneur helping her business clients transform their ideas into results

October 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Marta Mulongo, founder of MMCoaching (Mozambique) — **Marta Mulongo**, founder of MMCoaching (Mozambique)

Many people have great ideas, but very few develop them into actual businesses or products. What is often needed is a great business coach to advise on how to create the right business habits from the start. That is where MMCoaching comes in, a niche coaching business in Mozambique created by founder Marta Mulongo who is on a mission to help her clients to succeed.

Entrepreneur Advice from Charlotte Aubin: Believe in yourself

October 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Charlotte Aubin, co-founder of GreenWish Partners (Mauritius)

Believe in yourself….

“A quote of Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light not our Darkness, that most frightens us.” So my advice to women is believe in yourself and surround yourself with peers and mentors that will support you on your entrepreneurial journey.”

Charlotte Aubin, co-founder of GreenWish Partners

Entrepreneur Advice from Jennifer Riria: Expect to make mistakes

October 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding — **Dr. Jennifer Riria**, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding

“Have the humility to accept your failure so that you can use that as a basis as you move on. I never say I have a problem, I say I have a challenge. A challenge is like a pearl [which] grows in an oyster and it is an irritant to the oyster but when they come out they are precious. So you, as an entrepreneur, must find out what your pearls are. I use challenges as a basis to springboard to a better standard.”

Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group CEO of Echo Network Africa (ENA) & founding member of Kenya Women Holding and Kenya Women Finance Trust Microfinance Bank

Quote of the Day by Thokoza Mjo

October 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Starting a business, for me, is the best expression of backing yourself, taking a chance on you, believing that you have the ability to create value for yourself and for others."

Thokoza Mjo, founder of Beyond the Lemonade Stand (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Love what you do

October 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Love what you do....

“It is the only thing that will keep you going in your new business venture. If you don’t, you might give up at the very first failure encountered if things don’t go your way.”

Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)

Quote of the Day by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

October 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“You’re not in a dynamic business if you’re not experiencing challenges.”

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

Bame Mabuse, a South African entrepreneur taking away the administrative burden for her clients

September 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bame Mabuse, founder of Amara Consulting Solutions (South Africa) — **Bame Mabuse**, founder of Amara Consulting Solutions (South Africa)

Many small businesses struggle with administration, and often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that need to be done. In South Africa, one company is providing an efficient answer for its clients. Amara Consulting Solutions, founded by Bame Mabuse, is providing a range of Virtual Administrative Support to take away the stress and the hassle of routine admin.

Lionesses of Africa shares its vision at the International Day for Universal Access to Information in Namibia

September 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

This week, on 28 September, the topic of Operationalizing Access to Information and Enhancing Access to Opportunities for Women and Girls was the focus of attention at the 3rd International Day for Universal Access to Information Commemoration Southern African Regional IPDCtalks, held in Windhoek, Namibia. Lionesses of Africa CEO and Founder, Melanie Hawken, was invited to give a keynote speech on how the organisation is fulfilling its vision to empower 1 million women entrepreneurs in Africa.

LIONESS LAUNCH: A new weekly meal-kit service is launched in South Africa for those who want to cook Like A Chef

September 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Jolin Judd, founder of Like A Chef (South Africa) — **Jolin Judd**, founder of Like A Chef (South Africa)

For many people, cooking can be a chore and especially if they are not naturally gifted in the kitchen. But in Cape Town, South Africa, entrepreneur Jolin Judd, founder of Like A Chef, has a solution. This month sees her launching her new weekly meal-kits which turn everyone into a proficient cook, with none of the hassle and all the culinary inspiration.

Shantelle Booysen, a pioneer of the spa product industry in South Africa

September 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Shantelle Booysen, founder of Elim Spa Products (South Africa) — **Shantelle Booysen**, founder of Elim Spa Products (South Africa)

For all those who love the experience of visiting a spa for some much needed pampering, you know how important it is to have the best quality, specialist products and treatments. For one entrepreneur in South Africa, Shantelle Booysen, founder of Elim Spa Products, she saw this as an opportunity to build a successful global business creating world class products for the spa industry.

South African entrepreneur Brenda Wilkinson and her olive oil company Rio Largo Win Gold at Sol D’Oro Awards

September 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

One of the most prestigious competitions in the world of olive oil production, The Sol D’Oro Awards, took place last week, and the Gold Award Winner was a South African olive oil produced by Brenda Wilkinson and husband Nick, the team behind Rio Largo Olive Oil in the Western Cape.

The Invisible Revolution: Join the empowered Mumpreneurs - Inspiration, insights & practical advice to build a business you love by Nicola Huelin

September 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

The Invisible Revolution has been written especially for mums by Nicola Huelin, herself a mum and award-winning business coach and mentor. It’s an inspirational and practical handbook bringing you precious insights, inspiration and real-world advice on how to start, grow and sustain a successful business – without compromising your quality of family life, health or sanity.

Black Tax: Don’t become the family ATM

September 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

You have worked hard to get to where you are and it feels good to be reaching your goals. However, you might not be alone in enjoying your success – many young professionals today feel pressurised to ‘pay back’ and support extended family members who may not be as fortunate.

The importance of celebrating success: an overlooked, yet powerful motivator

September 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech

As the year winds down and we’re all tempted to start planning for the next year, it’s important to take a moment to do a bit of a retrospective and to celebrate the successes we have had to date. In fact, it’s an important aspect of our development as leaders, that we are able to celebrate the small wins and reinforce that we are on the path to success, no matter what that looks like in our business or personal lives.

Why don’t you…?

September 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

If you are on earth you have either heard or said the words ‘Why don’t you?’ to someone. If you are a first generation business owner in your family, you hear these words from everyone. Humans are kind, first. We are keen to help. Sometimes even when we are not asked. I cannot begin to tell you how many times people have asked the question “Why don’t you?” to me, believing that whatever they are saying is most definitely the answer to my challenges. Some even have contacts for me to action this idea they have come up with. It’s highly appreciated but most times not what we need. Sometimes we just need to vent - about our businesses!