It is always an exciting moment when a new cohort of high growth potential women entrepreneurs graduate from the Lionesses of Africa Accelerator programme. On 6 May, 29 women entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their businesses at a very special Lionesses of Africa & Siemens Accelerator Pitch Day. The event took place at Siemens Africa offices in Midrand, South Africa, with invited guests including decision-makers from the Siemen’s supply chain management team and other divisions of the company. It was a morning designed to connect the Accelerator cohort members with future potential business to help them take their businesses to the next level of success.
Read moreWomen entrepreneurs gather in Centurion, South Africa, for another great Lioness Lean In event on 3 May
On a beautiful morning in Centurion, South Africa, on Friday 3 May, 130 women entrepreneurs with businesses ranging across a wide variety of sectors, came together to be inspired and to network. The occasion, the latest Lioness Lean In event, always a great occasion to bring together established and new women business builders to share their experiences and to connect for greater business success. Once again, the event was co-hosted between Lionesses of Africa and Volkswagen Group in South Africa, and took place at the VW Training Academy in Centurion.
Read moreSanele Dlamini, an entrepreneur from Swaziland creating a successful retail business and empowering others at the same time
Sanele Dlamini, founder of Flexy (eSwatini)
The inspiration for entrepreneur Sanele Dlamini to establish her clothing retail and beauty business, Flexy, came from the need to create an economic future for herself. Today she is doing much more, creating future career paths for other young women in her country.
Read moreNtsoaki Kortjass, a South African entrepreneur building a specialist security business to be reckoned with
Ntsoaki Kortjass, founder of Tsoabelo Security Solutions (South Africa)
For many companies and individuals alike, security is a key concern and one that needs addressing by experienced professionals. In South Africa, one woman entrepreneur is building a business that brings peace of mind together with a highly experienced approach to risk management. Ntsoaki Kortjass, founder of Tsoabelo Security Solutions, is putting people and property first, and building a reputation for great service at the same time.
Read moreLIONESS LAUNCH: New essential finance handbook for entrepreneurs launches this month
Precious Mvulane, founder of GAD Consulting Services Inc (South Africa)
Effectively managing your business finances and setting a strong foundation for growth is key to success, but many entrepreneurs struggle with this concept in practice. But help is at hand with the launch of a new edition of The Essential Finance Handbook for Entrepreneurs, authored by finance expert Precious Mvulane, founder of GAD Consulting Services Inc in South Africa. She is well known for providing specialist business training to entrepreneurs, focusing on financial literacy, but now is providing essential advice and guidance on implementing successful growth strategies in business.
Read moreThe Ultimate Guide For Women Entrepreneurs: Dream it. Build it in 2019 by Cecelia Nowlin
Cecilia Nowlin
As a woman entrepreneur do you feel like you’re in a man’s world? Do you have fear regarding starting your business as a woman? Then you need to read The Ultimate Guide for Women Entrepreneurs by Cecilia Nowlin.
Read moreMy ABC of business: The dynamics of diversifying in business
by Lizl Naude, founder of Lily Loompa
One would think that the longer you are in business, the less you need to learn, but in fact, quite the opposite is true. None of us can ever say we know it all!
Read moreWorking Moms’ Club Call to Action
by Phindile Tapula, founder & director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
Working mommies, how do we celebrate Mother’s Day? Do we spend time with our families and just do what we do every day – be mothers by cleaning after everyone and making sure everyone is eating healthy food? Do we appreciate a night out and a candle lit dinner with our partners? Do we stay in our bubble of being a mother or do we reach out to other mothers and celebrate the day together? I propose this day can be used to chat to other working mothers, advising each other on our businesses and sharing stories.
Read moreKabwe Mulolo, a South African recruitment entrepreneur helping the construction and engineering industry to find the right people
Kabwe Mulolo, founder of Construct Executive Search (CES) (South Africa)
A company is only ever as good as its people, and that’s why it is so important to hire the right people with the right skills in order to grow and thrive. In South Africa, one company, Construct Executive Search founded by Kabwe Mulolo, is building a great reputation for specialized recruitment, helping businesses in the construction, technical and engineering sectors find the professional staff they need.
Read moreMozambique’s women entrepreneurs shine at the country’s first Lioness Lean In event of the year
On a perfect, blue sky morning in Maputo, Mozambique, over 120 women entrepreneurs gathered together for the first Lioness Lean In of the year in the country. The aim was to inspire one another, to connect for business, and to listen to successful women business builders and product creators share their stories. As always, it was an unforgettable morning, with business done, new relationships formed, and a significant amount of entrepreneurial energy in the air.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Karen Wessels
Karen Wessels, co-founder of SnappSales and VA Connect (South Africa)
“I believe in the power of reciprocity. First add value and then ask for assistance or help with whatever it is that you require.”
Karen Wessels, co-founder of SnappSales and VA Connect (South Africa)
Read moreCourageous conversations 101
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
Asking for a raise. Ending a relationship. Giving a critical performance review. Saying no to someone in need. Confronting disrespectful or hurtful behaviour. Disagreeing with the majority in a group. Apologizing.
Read moreSocial Media and the Workplace
by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant at Shiluvah
There is no doubt that social media has been a big part of our everyday lives both at a personal and professional level. However, the lines between the personal and professional when using social media can and have become blurred. We have seen people lose their jobs because of statements that they have made on social media; we have also seen organizations lose both business and credibility due to statements made by those associated with them on social media. We have also seen government departments like the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa ban the use of mobile phones for certain employees as it was hampering levels of productivity. It is therefore vital that the use of social media in the workplace has clear guidelines in order to avoid adverse situations for both parties.
Read moreCindy Leah, a South African photographer creating opportunities for other women photographers on the continent to thrive
Cindy Leah, founder of The African Pictionary (South Africa)
Take two challenges - one, the need to address the gender pay gap for Africa’s women entrepreneurs; and two, the need for consumers to source world-class images on Africa; and you have a recipe for a great business. The highly creative Cindy Leah, founder of The African Pictionary, is on a mission to create a business that provides an impactful solution to both challenges.
Read moreLIONESS LAUNCH: Liberian entrepreneur Lena Marshall launches new specialist Food Safety training programme for the country’s street food sellers
Lena Marshall, founder of Marshall and Nimene Group of Companies (Liberia)
Across Liberia’s cities, women who make their living as street food sellers are about to get the opportunity to access critical basic food hygiene training because they are selling foodstuffs for public consumption. Lena Marshall, founder of Marshall and Nimene Group of Companies in Liberia has developed specialist food hygiene training courses specifically aimed at training these women food sellers. The course is being offered as part of Lena’s Women Empowerment Program.
Read moreGrit & Grind: 10 Principles for Living An Extraordinary Life by Rhonda Vetere
Rhonda Vetere
It's not WHAT challenges you face in life but HOW you face them that determines how fast you reach your goals. Rhonda Vetere, seasoned C-Suite technology veteran and author of the new book Grit & Grind, knows first-hand that there's no such thing as a perfect, struggle-free life. In her work as a Global Technology Executive, she's faced down some of the biggest financial crises of modern times, and she knows it's not WHAT challenges you face in life but HOW you face them that matters.
Read moreA Tool to Succeed Through Uncertain Circumstances
by Laura Camacho
If you work in public relations, probably you’ve written press releases (or at least drafts of them) even before the event took place. That’s a smart move as you have too much to do and it helps to stay on top of the work load.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Joy Ndungutse: Passion can get you to where you want to be in business
Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda)
You need to be passionate about what you're doing....
“Something small can create an impact, .... You don’t have to have a lot of money to start a business. You can start small, but you must have a passion for what you’re doing.”
Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Swaady Martin
Swaady Martin, founder and CEO of the SWAADY GROUP
"Our (African) artisans are not set-up to scale their activities and are often paralyzed by the prospect of growing their business beyond the “enough-to-live” stage."
Swaady Martin, founder and CEO of the SWAADY GROUP
Read moreNigeria’s Mo Abudu, founder of EbonyLife Media, receives 2019 Médailles d’Honneur at Cannes
The CEO of EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, has been recognized for her significant contribution to the media industry and awarded the 2019 Médailles d’Honneur at the MIPTV ceremony in Cannes, France, on April 8, 2019. She makes history as the first African and Nigerian recipient of this prestigious award, given to senior executives who have made their mark in the global television industry, as well as contributed to the development of the international television community.
Read more