Entrepreneur Advice from Nonkuthalo Thithi: Keep moving forward

December 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nonkuthalo Thithi, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa) — **Nonkuthalo Thithi**, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa)

Keep moving forward….

“Just start! There are so many reasons why you shouldn't but the important ones are why you should. The reason you have that idea is reason enough, and the world needs more women entrepreneurs. Every yes you get is a step forward and every no you get is a lesson for the next opportunity. Do not get caught up in the no's, just keep moving forward.”

Nonkuthalo Thithi, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Lorna Rutto

December 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"....the best thing about female entrepreneurs is that they have an inborn responsibility toward society and aspire to help others and enjoy doing it."

Lorna Rutto, founder of EcoPost (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bernice Dapaah: It takes patience and persistence

December 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bernice Dapaah, co-founder of the Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative — **Bernice Dapaah**, co-founder of the Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative

It takes patience and persistence....

“I have come to learn to be patient and not to give up too quickly. It takes patience and persistence to bring a new and innovative product and ways of doing things to a community. There are early adopters who immediately embrace the product and there are traditionalists who resist the change that the initiative represents.”

Bernice Dapaah, co-founder of Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative (Ghana)

Quote of the Day by Ruka Sanusi

December 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Running a business successfully needs focused, deliberate leadership and women entrepreneurs and CEOs can lead the way in that regard through purposeful and transformational leadership.”

Ruka Sanusi, founder of Alldens Lane (Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Christella Kirezi: Never give up

December 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Christella Kirezi, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique) — **Christella Kirezi**, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique)

Never give up….

"The greatest advice is to never give up even though it seems difficult or impossible to reach your ultimate goal. There will always be obstacles and difficulties to overcome.”

Christella Kirezi, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nita Chivwara: Keep up with trends

December 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nita Chivwara, Business Development Consultant (Malawi) — **Nita Chivwara**, Business Development Consultant (Malawi)

Keep up with trends....

"There is more than one way of growing a talent, a skill or an enterprise. Keeping up with trends and emerging online market places is key to growth."

Nita Chivwara, Business Development Consultant (Malawi)

100 Lionesses: South African Homeware Designer, Carrol Boyes, launches new textile range

December 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Building on her highly successful global homeware brand, South Africa’s leading design and retail entrepreneur Carrol Boyes has launched her first range of textiles incorporating her signature figure motifs.

Sharika Punwasi, an entrepreneur building a proudly South African kidswear brand with a strong Mauritius connection

December 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sharika Punwasi, founder of My Cotton Tree (South Africa/Mauritius) — **Sharika Punwasi**, founder of My Cotton Tree (South Africa/Mauritius)

Harnessing the power of partnerships is at the heart of many successful businesses. For Sharika Punwasi, founder of high-end kids fashion brand, My Cotton Tree, her partnerships were found in both South Africa and Mauritius, harnessing the best of skills and expertise in both markets.

From mopping floors to making millions on Instagram: 5 Steps to building an online brand by Ronne Brown

December 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

How did an impoverished mother of four crack the code of Instagram, quit her job, build multiple online brands, and become a mega-millionaire? Once a teenage mom, Ronessa “Ronne” Brown, author of From Mopping Floors to Making Millions on Instagram, defeated the odds by stepping over the stereotypes surrounding her to take her family’s destiny into her own hands.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Nature’s Delights launches convenient fruit and vegetable baskets for busy people in Zimbabwe

December 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Today, more and more people are leading busy lives, often too busy to spend time shopping or queueing for groceries at the end of the day. That’s where Chiedza Mahovo and her company, Nature’s Delights, comes in, launching a fabulous new service selling carefully selected fruit and vegetable produce baskets for busy people. It takes all the hassle out of shopping for daily fresh produce.

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!"