Hard work pays off

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

The journey of building my own business empire has been many things, including amazing, challenging, surprising and painful. Luckily, God is kind enough not to allow these experiences to happen at the very same time. Instead, they are spread across time. I believe this is the 5th year this year. Halfway to a decade, imagine! I think I should one day sit down and write all the major events that have happened during the building of my business, Roka Roko, and look at them as an audience rather than as the main character involved. Maybe I might cry from the sheer multitude of what small actions eventually add up to on this entrepreneurial journey.

Essential Read: The Launch Book: Motivational Stories to Launch Your Idea, Business or Next Career by Sanyin Siang

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Every launch is a change from the status quo that generates uncertainty, fears of failure, and self doubt. But launches can and should inspire.The Launch book by Sanyin Siang draws on first hand stories from industry leaders and serial launchers. It weaves together wisdom and reflective exercises with authenticity and passion. Readers will find this a thoughtful and relatable guide to help them succeed with their practical launch journeys.

Born to Stand Out: 3 Tips to Remaining Authentic when the Going Gets Tough

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech

There’s a saying that has always really resonated with me: “In life, we regret more the things we didn’t do, than the things we did.” I know these words to be true and I am sure that you’ve experienced the very same thing at least once in your life to date. If we are all honest with ourselves, we know that the reason why we don’t actively pursue the things we want. Is because of some or other form of fear. We are afraid of failure. We are afraid of what others may think or say about what we are doing. Worst of all, there’s always a small part of us that is afraid of actual success and of truly owning our greatness.

Managing and Growing Millennials in the Workplace

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant at Shiluvah

The general workforce has undergone many significant changes over the years – with the most significant of this generation being the introduction of Millennials into the workforce. So, significant is this introduction that numerous articles have been written on this subject. Therefore, one needs to ask what makes this generation so special that we need to quantify and qualify their entrance into the workspace. And more importantly, what do non-millennials need to know about this generation that will enable them to not only coexist but also thrive in the workplace together.

100 LIONESSES: Dr Victoria Kisyombe, Tanzania's trailblazing champion of women's financial empowerment

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Victoria Kisyombe is the founder of SELFINA, a company in Tanzania that provides micro-leasing to mostly widows and young girls. Victoria is a leader who has used innovation, initiative, and determination to empower women in Tanzania to become economically self-sufficient. Her pioneering micro-leasing model as an alternative way to financing women has generated praise beyond Tanzania, and efforts are under way to expand the model to other countries in the region. SELFINA has gone on to economically empower more than 25,000 women with a total credit worth 25 billion Tanzanian Shillings (approximately $17 million US dollars). Over 250,000 lives have been impacted through the benefits accrued and more than 125,000 jobs have been created.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tabitha Karanja: The customer is always king

February 5, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Always treat your customer as king....

"For me the customer is always king. They are and always will be my number one priority. I am up at night wanting to make sure they are happy and satisfied with the products we produce for them.”

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

LIONESS COLAB: Benji + Moon X Little Pine Tree

February 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Continuing its collaborative approach to business, South African specialist pet accessory online store, Benji + Moon, recently undertook to bring another niche business into its curated luxury pet accessory gift boxes. This time, social entrepreneur business, Little Pine Tree, based in Johannesburg was the chosen collaborative partner.

Rumbi Serima-Fowler, a Zimbabwean organic skincare entrepreneur building a global ethical beauty brand

February 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Rumbi Serima-Fowler, founder of Mimi’s Organics Ltd (UK/Zimbabwe) — **Rumbi Serima-Fowler**, founder of Mimi’s Organics Ltd (UK/Zimbabwe)

Consumers are becoming more aware and interested in the ethical production of the cosmetics and beauty products they use. And Mimi’s Organics Ltd, founded by entrepreneur Rumbi Serima-Fowler, is one company that is passionate about creating world class products that have a soft touch on the environment and on the people who use them.

Suzanne Mouelle, an entrepreneur in Cote d’Ivoire helping companies to find their market and brand niche

February 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Suzanne Mouelle, founder of Market’In Solutions (Cote d’Ivoire) — **Suzanne Mouelle**, founder of Market’In Solutions (Cote d’Ivoire)

So many businesses struggle to break through into the marketplace when they are launching new products and services. In Cote d’Ivoire, specialist help is at hand from entrepreneur Suzanne Mouelle, founder of Market’In Solutions, a division of Blessing Business Cote d’Ivoire.

Essential Read: Powerful: Building a culture of freedom and responsibility by Patty McCord

February 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

When it comes to recruiting, motivating, and creating great teams, Patty McCord says most companies have it all wrong. McCord helped create the unique and high-performing culture at Netflix, where she was chief talent officer. In her new book, Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility, she shares what she learned there and elsewhere in Silicon Valley.

Surprise and Delight Your Audience

February 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

Few activities help an entrepreneur get precious visibility more than public speaking. The only thing it costs you is time. Yet who is busier than a woman entrepreneur? How can you leverage that public speaking opportunity when you have so little time to prepare? As someone who’s been helping women become more effective speakers for almost twenty years, there’s one area you can laser focus on to knock the talk out of the ballpark.

Creating and maintaining opportunities in business

February 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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

When a new year commences, there are many goals, resolutions and strategies that are planned by individuals as well as organizations. The respective person/s has the duty to ensure that the set goals and targets are achieved. However, it is vital to note that there are opportunities that may arise within the year that we would not have planned for. On a more interesting note, as individuals or organizations, we are also able to create our own opportunities and use them to the fullest.

Why you should care about IP

February 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Seno Namwandi

The business economy revolves around what one knows, knowledge is now a commodity and therefore to trade it as a commodity, one has to be able to quantify it. Intellectual Property enables quantification of knowledge expressed in various forms. Intellectual property (IP) is the legal right granted by a government entity to creations that result from one’s intellect and/or creativity. IP enables ownership of these creations and the legalizing element of ownership therefore enables an aspect of trading.

Antoinette Stoltz, a South African entrepreneur creating unique bags that celebrate a love of interesting African fabrics

January 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Antoinette Stoltz, founder of Bobby Yarn (South Africa) — **Antoinette Stoltz**, founder of Bobby Yarn (South Africa)

Everyone loves a great bag, whether it’s a trendy backpack, a practical shopper, or a fabulous handbag. For Antoinette Stoltz, founder of accessories company Bobby Yarn, her design inspiration comes from African nature and culture, and her fabrics are beautifully appealing to the eye and to the discerning buyer.

Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka’s Gorilla Conservation Coffee ranked in Top 30 Coffees list in USA

January 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka (R), founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee with Melanie Hawken at the Lionesses of Africa ‘Start-up Night Africa!’ event in London 2018

Getting global public and industry acknowledgement for your products is always rewarding, and that is certainly the case for multi-award winning entrepreneur and renowned gorilla conservationist, Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka. Her new social enterprise, Gorilla Conservation Coffee, has just been awarding with a top ranking in the prestigious Coffee Review Top 30 Coffees ranking in the USA.

Meet 8 Women-Owned Companies to Inspire Africa in 2019

January 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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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.

LIONESS LAUNCH: AAKS showcases its new Spring/Summer19 collection at Maison et Objet in Paris

January 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Scale or Fail: How to Build Your Dream Team, Explode Your Growth, and Let Your Business Soar by Allison Maslan

January 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Fitness and the life of an entrepreneur

January 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

We are on track for our next amazing journey!

January 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.