Claudette Nahum and Nangula Shejavali, two entrepreneurs helping Namibia’s businesses to build sustainable companies

December 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Claudette Nahum & Nangula Shejavali, founders of Leading Edge Management Consultants (Namibia) — **Claudette Nahum & Nangula Shejavali**, founders of Leading Edge Management Consultants (Namibia)

A healthy business eco-system needs strong, sustainable companies and organisations, and often they need the right developmental support, advice and expertise to grow. In Namibia, that’s where Leading Edge Management Consultants, founded by entrepreneurs Claudette Nahum and Nangula Shejavali, is there to help.

Goal setting for the new year

December 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources Practitioner and co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions

As 2018 comes to a wrap, many individuals and organizations are consumed with end of year reports and financial results. They forget about what will be coming ahead and the need to plan for the next year.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mireille Karera: Follow your inner voice

December 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates — **Mireille Karera**, founder of KORA Associates

Follow your inner voice....

"My advice to women starting up is to follow that insisting inner voice that has already been nudging you to follow the dream inside of you. It is the hidden treasure that only you can find. You may come from a tough background or a privileged one, no matter how you started, if you persevere and stay true to YOUR own desires and dreams, you will eventually turn your dreams into reality."

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates (U.A.E/Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Chinwe Ohajuruka: Success and failure

December 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Chinwe Ohajuruka, founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services (Nigeria) — **Chinwe Ohajuruka,** founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services (Nigeria)

Success and failure…

“Every entrepreneur will experience both success and failure along the way. I try to use success as a springboard for even greater success and likewise learn from failure, and use it to leverage success going forward.”

Chinwe Ohajuruka, founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Joelle Eyeson

December 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Go for it, don't let stereotypes of what a woman should be or look like stop you from achieving your full potential."

Joelle Eyeson, co-founder of Hive Earth (Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Devotha Ntuke Minzi: Hold onto your dream

December 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

Hold onto your dream....

"The dream - that burning urge inside that drives your momentum. This is critical. If you don’t have it, it is very easy to give up. Doing business and for that matter being your own boss, is not easy."

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

Quote of the Day by Divine Ndhlukula

December 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)

“For me, failure teaches self-confidence and tenacity.”

Divine Ndhlukula founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)

Lessons from the past

December 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka

There is something very special about the holidays. Not only is it a time to recuperate after a long, tiresome year, but it is also a time to reflect and plan ahead. Not everyone has the same experiences because we are all very different. However, many can attest to the fact that generally it was a challenging year economically for many.

I can't wait for December so I can take a break!

December 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

I heard so many people saying this phrase during these past few weeks. I remember when I first noticed the decorations going up in Pick 'n Pay and thought to myself, "No, not yet. I'm not ready for December to come around, there's still so much I have to get done!"

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Camara: Follow your passion

December 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) (Guinea)

Follow your passion…

“Follow your passion. Do not let gender-related issues define you. Work hard, have faith and persevere. You will face difficulties, challenges and setbacks. It will help you grow. Always be professional. Surround yourself with mentors who will guide you throughout your career.”

Tiguidanke Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) (Guinea)

Quote of the Day by Margaret Hirsch

December 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"You can work for a boss and make a living or you can work for yourself and make a fortune: the choice is yours."

Margaret Hirsch, co-founder of Hirsch's Homestores (South Africa)

Meet 9 African women entrepreneurs creatively fighting the war on plastic pollution

December 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

From poisoning and injuring marine life, to the ubiquitous presence of plastics in our food, to causing major life-threatening diseases, the growth of plastic waste is threatening our planet's survival. Africa’s women entrepreneurs are rising to the challenge and are building game-changing eco-businesses combating one of the great environmental challenges of our time - plastic pollution.

To collaborate or not? That is the question!

December 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

In the 4 years of this business, I have had ‘gazillions’ of collaboration offers and maybe 1 of them actually happens, maybe! I don’t know if it worked or not. Collaborations are agreed to and pushed forward because, well in life and in business we need each other. I am yet to be part of a real collaboration and see it through. There are many reasons why I haven’t been in one, some are real and others probably imagined! Have I lost out? Probably! Who knows what we can achieve when we come together for a common purpose. I have compiled a list of reasons I still haven’t done a collaboration; maybe some ring true for you as well?

Growth IQ: Get Smarter About the Choices that Will Make or Break Your Business by Tiffani Bova

December 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Do you know the best way to drive your company's growth? If not, then according to author and customer growth evangelist, Tiffani Bova, it’s time to boost your Growth IQ.

Own your meetings

December 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

I have interviewed people across many industries, levels, companies, entrepreneurs – and the number one time waster that comes up again and again is meetings. David Grady, has coined the phrase MAS – this is a new epidemic sweeping the working world today. It stands for Mindless Acceptance Syndrome. In other words, as soon as we receive a meeting invite, we accept it without questioning our role in it or the purpose of the meeting. So his solution to MAS is…NO MAS.

Sima Mlangeni, an entrepreneur based in Namibia using her passion for the hygiene industry as the inspiration for her business

December 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sima Mlangeni, founder of Biocol Hygiene (Namibia) — **Sima Mlangeni**, founder of Biocol Hygiene (Namibia)

Often, business success comes by finding the right market opportunities and then creating the products and services to meet the needs of those markets. For entrepreneur Sima Mlangeni, founder of Biocol Hygiene, she identified a niche market opportunity in Namibia that would harness her expertise and experience in the specialist hygiene industry.

Cote d’Ivoire’s women entrepreneurs share, inspire and connect at the second Lioness Lean In event in the country

December 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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Cote d’Ivoire’s women entrepreneurs who are looking to take their businesses to the next level gathered in the city of Abidjan on the morning of Thursday 29th November for the second Lioness Lean In event in the country. The much-anticipated event was again hosted by Lionesses of Africa in partnership with Ambassade du Royaume des Pays-Bas. It promised to be a morning of inspiration and great business networking, and it lived up to that promise.

Amanda Simango, a creative graphic designer in Zimbabwe building a business that is driven by a love for her work

December 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Amanda Simango, founder of Amy Designs (Zimbabwe) — **Amanda Simango**, founder of Amy Designs (Zimbabwe)

For any company or organisation, building and maintaining a strong brand in the marketplace is key to success, and to achieve that goal relies on the support of great design and brand appeal. In Zimbabwe, Amanda Simango, founder of Amy Designs, is bringing a wealth of creativity and a portfolio of design expertise to help any client get noticed.

Paulina Alfeus, an entrepreneur finding an innovative use for old recycled oil drums in Namibia

December 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Paulina Alfeus, founder of Power Six Investment (Namibia) — **Paulina Alfeus**, founder of Power Six Investment (Namibia)

Most people look at old discarded oil drums and other scrap metals and just see junk. But for entrepreneur Paulina Alfeus, founder of Power Six Investment, she sees endless possibilities. Her business finds its inspiration in turning trash into treasure, creating innovative and desirable furniture from recycled scrap oil drums.

Mo Abudu awarded honorary doctorate in London

December 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mo Abudu, founder and CEO of EbonyLife Media in Nigeria, has been recognized for outstanding services to broadcasting and enterprise, by the University of Westminster in London. She was presented with an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts.