On 16 January 2019, London Stock Exchange Group launched the second edition of its ‘Companies to Inspire Africa’ report, identifying and celebrating some of Africa’s most dynamic growth businesses. Lionesses of Africa saw eight of its most inspirational women entrepreneurs and their companies from across the African continent making it into the final publication.
Read moreLIONESS LAUNCH: AAKS showcases its new Spring/Summer19 collection at Maison et Objet in Paris
The month of January saw award-winning Ghanaian accessory brand AAKS, founded by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, launching the company’s exciting new Spring/Summer19 Collection at the prestigious annual MaisonetObject show in Paris. Akosua also took the opportunity to showcase the company’s new impact-driven home decor line of products, including some cutting edge lighting designs, created in collaboration with UNHCR.
Read moreScale or Fail: How to Build Your Dream Team, Explode Your Growth, and Let Your Business Soar by Allison Maslan
Scaling a business is not for the faint of heart. It’s a mind-bending journey that causes millions of business owners around the globe to either throw in the towel, or avoid risk entirely and suffer from smallness and mediocrity. In her new book, Scale or Fail, author Allison Maslan provides a proven guide to scaling your business, using her revolutionary new methodology and harnessing her own personal experience in business.
Read moreFitness and the life of an entrepreneur
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
I have cancelled my gym membership. I can hear a wave of horror and disbelief riveting through my people. I mean how dare I in this age of green healthy bodies. What am I doing? Honestly, it feels like freedom and something I have been trying to do for a long time. I have been signed up to some or other gym for the longest time all because someone said I must be part of a gym. They are right, but I do think there are other ways of achieving fitness? Other than being committed to a contract, I have failed over and over to honour.
Read moreWe are on track for our next amazing journey!
by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life
A big, big thank you! As part of a pack of courageous women in Africa I can honestly start off this year with a brand new zeal! A new destination and focus. A new road in mind. Why? Because of who and what we are. How we carry each other, the sharing of ideas, the tips, the topics of discussions, how we have enriched and supported one another and how we never leave a lioness when she is down.
Read moreAnd here we are... 2019
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
During the holiday season, I saw a post on social media asking the question ‘What moisturizes your soul’? I really loved the idea of an exfoliation followed by an intensive moisture mask for the soul. So I want to pose that question - what moisturizes your soul? What activities bring you back to yourself and reignite that spark in you - that make you remember what you are passionate about?
Read moreLilly Alfonso, a leading light in African fashion
Source: CNN African Voices | 11 January 2019
Building a fashion brand with a unique personality, great style appeal, and a social conscience can be a tall order for many. But for the talented designer and entrepreneur, Lilly Alfonso, a leading light on the Malawian fashion and business scene, this is the nature of the business and brand she is building.
Read moreEssential Read: Superfast - Lead at Speed by Sophie Devonshire
Sophie Devonshire
In today's fast-paced world, leaders need to move at speed. The rate of innovation and change in organizations and the challenges of impatient investors or shareholders mean leadership decisions must be quick, smart and deliver real impact. Sophie Devonshire’s new book, Superfast, Lead at Speed provides cutting edge inspiration and a host of exciting ideas about how to accelerate performance in an agile and thoughtful way, shedding new light on leading in a world which is fluid and uncertain.
Read moreLionesses of Africa invited to showcase Africa’s women entrepreneurs at the Companies to Inspire Africa 2019 launch in London
On 16th January 2019, London Stock Exchange Group launched the second edition of its ‘Companies to Inspire Africa’ report, identifying and celebrating some of Africa’s most dynamic growth businesses. Lionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, was a guest speaker at the high profile event in London, invited to showcase some of Africa’s most inspirational women-led growth businesses who were included in this year’s report.
Read moreLIONESS LAUNCH: Mozambican fashion company, Amorambique, launches its latest capulana-inspired collection
Patricia Vasco, founder of Amorambique (Mozambique)
A new fashion collection launches this month, designed by the wonderfully creative Patricia Vasco, founder of growing Mozambican fashion brand, Amorambique. A celebration of the world-renowned and loved capulana fabric, this latest collection is going to win over new and loyal fans alike.
Read moreNo envy, no anxiety - just walking the journey!
by Phindile Ndlovu, founder and director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
This year I started with a bang and did an interview with one of the leading news channels. I thought this was going to put me on the map. Well, it did for the first two days. Afterwards, I was old news. People were on to the next trend, posting pictures of the #10yearchallenge.
Read moreDONT in 2019
by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
New year, new ideas, new goals, blah blah blah! There is always so much hype around each new year and how this year things will be different. It’s interesting, though, that a calendar year is man-made – there is no difference between 31 December and 1 January, except perhaps that it’s a milestone. And this I think is key – for many of us it’s a way of measuring ourselves and the progress we have made in life – a way of benchmarking our situation and comparing where we were and how far we have come.
Read moreLebitso Ramphore, a South African entrepreneur building an organic hair and beauty brand that harnesses the natural power of shea butter
Lebitso Ramphore, founder of Ostibel Africa (South Africa)
For all those with skin challenges, help is at hand with a new organic skin and haircare brand from South Africa. Ostibel Africa, founded by serial entrepreneur Lebitso Ramphore, is giving hope to all those who battle dry skin and hair and who are looking for a natural, environmentally friendly solution.
Read moreAphiwe Madlavu, a South African event planner creating memorable eventing experiences for all occasions
Aphiwe Madlavu, founder of AP Royalty Events Management (South Africa)
Harnessing your practical experience and a particular skills-set is always a good foundation for a business. At AP Royalty Events Management in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, entrepreneur Aphiwe Madlavu is using her knowledge and expertise in the field of event management to build a business with great potential.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Susan Barnes
Sue Barnes, founder of Project Dignity and Subz Pads (South Africa)
LIONESS LAUNCH: Sukha Yogi Retreats announce a special launch event on 20 March 2019
Sukha Yogi Retreats will be hosting a special launch event on 20 March 2019 - an all-inclusive Yoga Retreat at Victoria Falls (Session I) Mar 20, 2019 – Mar 24, 2019. Join an exciting, yet relaxing yoga retreat at the breath-taking, all-inclusive Zambezi Sands Resort, an ecotourist destination, which is a part of the Imvelo Safari Lodges in Zimbabwe, Africa.
Read more100 Lionesses Project: Tabitha Karanja, founder of Keroche Breweries - Africa's gender and monopoly busting brewer
Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries (Kenya)
Tabitha Karanja is founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries. She is one of Kenya's leading entrepreneurs, a remarkable trailblazer and an example of a woman made good against all the odds. Tabitha chose to venture where none before her had dared. She took on an 87-year-old business monopoly and entered an industry with a deeply entrenched male gender stereotype. Tabitha broke the mould to become Kenya’s first home-grown beer and alcoholic drink manufacturer. Today, her company's state-of-the-art production facility is targeting 20% of the Kenyan market.
Read moreMandisa Makubalo, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help clients reshape their wasteful cost structures in business
Mandisa Makubalo, founder of Rehoboth Waste Management Services (South Africa)
In South Africa, many companies find it a challenge to manage an efficient business that doesn’t at the same time comprise on customer service. Mandisa Makubalo, founder of Rehoboth Waste Management Services, is building a business that helps companies to address their wasteful cost structures and achieve a competitive advantage in the market place.
Read moreElsa Chissano, a Mozambican entrepreneur with a passion for creating special occasion events
Elsa Chissano, founder of Katike Serviços (Mozambique)
Those special occasions in life and in business deserve special events with which to celebrate, and in Mozambique, Katike Serviços founded by entrepreneur Elsa Chissano is bringing her clients’ event dreams to reality.
Read more10 Ways To Become A Better Leader in 2019
by Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka founder of MR Consulting
It’s a new year and what better time to invest in yourself and to become a better leader in business. Here are ten ways to kickstart that process.
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