the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
Confession time. What is it that you do that stops you from being the best version of yourself? Let’s cut out the buzzwords and be real - what are doing to stop you from living the life you want?
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A packed audience of Namibia’s leading women entrepreneurs gathered together in Windhoek on the morning of Wednesday 22 May for the second Lioness Lean In event in the country. The much-anticipated event was once again hosted by Lionesses of Africa (the fastest growing network of women entrepreneurs on the African continent with over 750,000 women business owners in all 54 African countries) in partnership with Nedbank Namibia. One again, the event lived up to all the expectations, as it delivered a morning of inspiration and great business networking.
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Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)
Your heart needs to be in the right place…
Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)
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Cayla Craft
If you are one of those people who feel like life is just happening to them, and you are doing the same thing day in and day out, counting down the days to your next vacation? Then Cayla Craft, author of the new book The Habit of Leading Yourself - a One Year Guide to Becoming Unstoppable, could be the life coach in book form that you are looking for to change your approach to life.
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Getting access to world-class developmental support is the foundation for achieving success for so many high growth potential women entrepreneurs in Africa. So, an exciting new initiative, the Stanford Seed programme, created by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, could be the key to that success. On Friday 10 May, a special event was organised by Lionesses of Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, hosted by NATSAVE, our impact partner in the country, in conjunction with Stanford Seed. The aim of the event was to introduce the Stanford Seed programme to potential women entrepreneur candidates from Zambia who are looking to grow their businesses and take their leadership expertise to the next level.
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Samantha Collen and mom Jenny, co-founders of JenniDezigns (South Africa)
As any parent knows, young kids love to wear clothes that reflect their personalities and which make them feel and look good whilst they are enjoying their active lives. But finding kids clothing that not only looks great but is also affordable can be challenging. Samantha Collen and mom Jenny, co-founders of growing, trendy kids clothing brand JenniDezigns has the answer.
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Ifeoma Dike, founder of IDD UK LTD
Anyone working in the fine art sector, particularly in Africa, knows only too well how difficult it is to find the right platforms to showcase work and connect with potential buyers, both private and corporate. That’s where passionate art entrepreneur, Ifeoma Dike, founder of IDD UK LTD comes in. Her specialist art agency identifies talented artists and showcases their work to the right people in the right places.
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For all those people who want great brows but suffer from thinning, weak or poorly defined brows and eyelashes, then specialist help is at hand. This month, South Africa’s renowned brow queen, Unaiza Suliman, founder of UniqBrows, has launched an exciting new growth serum specially formulated to make those brows and lashes grow.
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by Claudia Castellanos, ceo, Black Mamba Chilli
Being an entrepreneur is very hard (I usually use a stronger word to describe how hard it is, but for decorum’s sake I will revert to the word “very” this once!). It is so hard, and in so many ways, that you must have a great reason to become one, or a great motivation to keep pushing when things get tough. Finding that reason, that deep purpose, is crucial to succeed.
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by Marjón Meyer
Over the past few months I have been on the receiving end of a lot of kindness and generosity from the various "tribes" I belong to - family, my book (and wine) club, fellow trail runners, friends living far and wide across the globe, fellow students, clients and colleagues. Because sometimes we are in a season of giving and later again in the season of receiving.
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Kofo Akinkugbe, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria)
Kofo Akinkugbe is recognised globally for her entrepreneurial success story and strong business track record. She is founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd a market leader in smart card technology and digital security. SecureID is a world-class manufacturing facility with the only smart card production plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent. This company serves 16 countries across Africa and is fully certified by VISA, Verve and MasterCard. In 2012, Kofo won the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Mature Business Award.
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Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia)
It's okay to start small....
Monica Musonda, founder & CEO of Java Foods (Zambia)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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