100 LIONESSES: Carrol Boyes, the woman who's made business an art form

February 16, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Carrol Boyes, founder of Carrol Boyes (South Africa) — **Carrol Boyes**, founder of Carrol Boyes (South Africa)

Carrol Boyes is an iconic South African designer who has built a global brand. She founded Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd in 1991 combining her artistic flair and talent in sculpture with her jewellery experience to create an extensive range of distinctive homeware, giftware, flatware and table top products. Today, her company designs and manufactures a meticulously crafted product range of well over 1000 items and sells over a million items every year. Products are always imbued with Carrol's trademark artistic flair and finesse. The brand is available through her 35 branded shops in South Africa and in over 30 other countries around the world.

ESSENTIAL READ: Killing It: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart by Sheryl O’Loughlin

February 16, 2019 Melanie Hawken

In Killing It, the former CEO of Clif Bar, Co-founder of Plum, and serial entrepreneur Sheryl O’Loughlin offers insights about launching and growing a business while maintaining a fulfilled life in this practical guide filled with hard-won advice culled from the author’s own sometimes dark, raw experiences. The book contains a foreword by Steve Blank.

Dear client, you’re fired!

February 16, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds

Often, when we start out in business, we try to be everything to everybody. If somebody asks who your ideal client is, “Everybody!” is your enthusiastic response. And then, reality sets in. You realize that not everybody is your ideal client, and that’s okay. No business, be it a large conglomerate or an SME, will be able to serve everybody’s needs and wants.

We fear success more than failure

February 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

I have always said that I am more fearful of my success than my failure. I mean what is failure? How many rejections have you been through at this age; try and count and you will fail. In my case, from my first attempt to touch a candle flame, or my mom refusing for me to not make it into the NETBAL EERSTE SPAN in high school, and to the tertiary Dmerits! There have been failures, but yet I am here. So failure to me is just a T-Junction on a road - I went right but I was supposed to go left. But…success… you see success is a new can of worms I have never experienced. It demands another me I have not met before, and definitely feels like growing a new tooth.

Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Dream big

February 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria) — **Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi**, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Dream big....

"The size and clarity of a person’s vision are very important. It is very important to dream big and be single-minded about the dream. Also, you must love this dream and be passionate about it."

Adenike Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Can I Get a Connection? 3 Tips to Overcoming Loneliness in a Digital Age

February 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

LIONESS COLAB: Katannuta Diamonds X Chocoloza - Ruby X Ruby

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Andrena Sawyer, a woman entrepreneur from Sierra Leone on a mission to help non-profits and small businesses thrive

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Andrena Sawyer, founder of P.E.R.K. Consulting (Sierra Leone) — **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.

LIONESS LAUNCH: The Confident Creative Academy launches in South Africa

February 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

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.