the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)
Dream big....
Adenike Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)
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Image Credit: Anthony Tran (Unsplash)
by Deborah Hartung, founder of PivotPeople Tech
We live in such exciting times, where technology has truly enabled us to break down the barriers of space and time and to forge new paths and discover new frontiers in business and our personal relationships. But the same technology that has liberated us in so many ways, has enslaved and imprisoned us to the point where we aren’t able to make and maintain true human connections. In our world of DMs and FaceTime and same day delivery or click and collect, we have convenience and near instant gratification at our fingertips. But we are lonelier and feeling more isolated than ever.
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It’s always exciting for women entrepreneurs to be able to partner up with fellow successful brands. So, following on from the excitement of Katannuta Diamonds’ chocolate diamond collaboration with leading South African artisan chocolate brand Chocoloza in June last year, the two brands came together once more to host another exciting evening in November. This time, the theme was Ruby X Ruby - a focused collaboration inspired by rubies - ruby chocolate and ruby jewellery.
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Andrena Sawyer, founder of P.E.R.K. Consulting (Sierra Leone)
One of the biggest challenges for so many small businesses and non-profit organisations is getting the right capacity building and business development advice in the early years to ensure long term sustainability. That is where Andrena Sawyer and her company, P.E.R.K. Consulting, come with the right solutions.
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Abigail Klopper, The Confidence Crusader
For all those female creatives out there who are in need of a real source of confidence boosting advice, information and support, help is at hand. South African entrepreneur Abigail Klopper, better known as The Confidence Crusader, is launching her new online platform, The Confident Creative Academy this month.
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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.
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Sanyin Siang
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Always treat your customer as king....
Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries (Kenya)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Patty McCord
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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