Charlene Van Riet-Lowe, an entrepreneur bringing a new approach to dispute resolution to Botswana

October 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Charlene Van Riet-Lowe, founder of Mediation Mechanics (Botswana) — **Charlene Van Riet-Lowe**, founder of Mediation Mechanics (Botswana)

Resolving disputes between communities, individuals and businesses can be a difficult process, and one that requires specialist advice and skills. In Botswana, Mediation Mechanics, founded by entrepreneur Charlene Van Riet-Lowe, is one company bringing its wealth of experience and expertise to help its clients to find solutions to their disputes.

TIME Magazine honours Wonderbag, founded by South African entrepreneur Sarah Collins

October 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

At the heart of every great business is a creative solution to a problem—and those solutions sometimes change the world. To assemble TIME’s first annual list of ‘The 50 Most Genius Companies of 2018’, it asked its global network of editors and correspondents to nominate businesses that are inventing the future. Then we evaluated candidates on key factors, including originality, influence, success and ambition. The result: 50 companies that are driving progress now, and bear watching for what they do next. The Wonderbag, created by Sarah Collins, is one of those companies to make the Top 50 list.

Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home by Vicki Psarias

October 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

In Mumboss, Vicki Psarias, founder of HonestMum.com, shares her #mumboss manifesto for surviving and thriving at work and at home. Vicki writes about everything from juggling work and family, to regaining your confidence after having a baby and battling imposter syndrome.

The challenge of people who order late

October 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

It’s the height of any fashion season right now. Whether you are a designer, seamstress, wholesaler, model, photographer or PR person in fashion, you are busy from August till January. And all your ‘please order in July for September’ advice has fallen on deaf ears. You are managing those who listened and risk managing those who didn’t. No matter how many no’s you can say, someone always convinces you to ‘pretty please help’; most of the time you help because it is someone you like and want to dress….again.

My ABC of business: Why you should keep hustling

October 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

Are you working really hard to build your business? Are you always on the look out for new opportunities to get income? Do you constantly follow up on clients and try and persuade them to buy your product/service? I have a newsflash for you…you’ve been hustling! Yes…you are a hustler!

Bupe Chipili Mulapesi, a Zambian strawberry farmer and processor

October 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

VIDEO: Bupe Chipili Mulapesi is a Zambian agripreneur turning her passion for strawberry growing into a thriving business in the country.

Quote of the Day by Tabitha Karanja

October 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“… women feel their products and want to provide quality as they pay attention to details, causing customers to keep coming back.”

Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries (Kenya)

Harare’s women entrepreneurs gather to share, inspire and connect for business success at the Lioness Lean In event

October 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

On the morning of Tuesday 9 October, Zimbabwe’s leading women entrepreneurs gathered together in Harare at The Venue to be inspired and to connect with their fellow women business and brand builders at the inaugural Lioness Lean In breakfast event in the country. And it lived up to its promise of a great occasion! The event was cohosted by Lionesses of Africa and Nedbank.

Quote of the Day by Achenyo Idachaba

October 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“I just learned to use the challenges as stepping stones to reaching the desired goals.”

Achenyo Idachaba, founder of MitiMeth (Nigeria)

Bupe Chipili Mulapesi, a Zambian agripreneur turning her passion for strawberry growing into a thriving business in the country

October 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bupe Chipili Mulapesi, founder of Farm23 Strawberry (Zambia) — **Bupe Chipili Mulapesi**, founder of Farm23 Strawberry (Zambia)

Inspiration to start a business comes in many forms, and for successful agripreneur Bupe Chipili Mulapesi, founder of Farm23 Strawberry in Zambia, her inspiration came from a fellow woman farmer across the other side of the world.

Quote of the Day by Carrol Boyes

October 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“My dream was to be an artist and to earn enough money to survive from my art … I realized that I would have to risk it at some point, or end up spending the rest of my life wondering whether I could make it”

Carrol Boyes, founder & CEO Carrol Boyes (South Africa)

Lusaka inspires and connects the city’s women entrepreneurs at the latest Lioness Lean In event

October 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

On the morning of Wednesday 3 October, leading women entrepreneurs from Lusaka in Zambia gathered together at the Radisson Blu Hotel to be inspired and to connect with their fellow women business and brand builders at the latest Lioness Lean In breakfast event in the country. And it lived up to its promise of a great occasion! The event was cohosted by Lionesses of Africa and NATSAVE (National Savings and Credit Bank).

LIONESS LAUNCH: South Africa’s Thokozile Mangwiro launches her Nilotiqa Hair Care Range in Clicks Retail Stores

October 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Launching any hair and skincare range is challenging, and going into mainstream retail even more so. But for South African entrepreneur, Thokozile Mangwiro, founder of the Nilotiqa Hair Care Range, it is the next exciting step on what has already been a fascinating entrepreneurial journey.

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.