Crack the Funding Code: How Investors Think and What They Need to Hear to Fund Your Startup by Judy Robinett

June 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Attracting funding for your startup as an entrepreneur is always tough, and for women entepreneurs in Africa, that’s particularly the case. Crack the Funding Code by Judy Robinett is a great new book that aims to demystify the world of angel investing, venture capital, and corporate funding, and lays out a strategic pathway for any entrepreneur to secure funding fast.

Zodidi Gaseb, an entrepreneur in Namibia celebrating Africa’s rich natural ingredients to formulate a new ethnic hair and skin care range

June 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Zodidi Gaseb, founder of African Naturals (Namibia) — **Zodidi Gaseb**, founder of African Naturals (Namibia)

Many women entrepreneurs are inspired to start their businesses as a result of trying to solve a particular problem or challenge as consumers. In the case of entrepreneur Zodidi Gaseb, her brand African Naturals, was created to find a natural but effective solution to great hair and skin health.

Jacqueline Shaw, an entrepreneur from Ghana on a mission to showcase African fashion and textiles to the world

June 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Jacqueline Shaw, founder of Africa Fashion Guide

There are people in the world who are driven to make a difference and an impact in their chosen business sector, and entrepreneur Jacqueline Shaw is one of those who is making a big difference in Africa’s fashion and textile industry. With her Africa Fashion Guide, she is bringing the continent’s talented fashion and textile designers to the attention of global markets and buyers.

Weaving in the noise in your creative process

June 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Ndhlovu, founder of Essy Sandisiwe

“Noise is good if it's energising and supporting you doing your thing — if the market is cheering you on, and your voice is being heard, that's great noise. If it's music that sings it's way to your thing, that's noise you need.” — Lucy Loves Business

The Story of the Leather Wallet

June 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)

Last year I decided to make my sister a long lasting birthday gift, something I believed she could keep for a long time. So I decided to get her a 100% leather bag set. I got this idea after seeing some leather items at a market one Saturday afternoon (done by a supplier from Bloemfontein with a long track record and equipment to produce and engrave). Their quality was amazing and I took their contact details. I had an idea to make her a weekend bag, a hand bag and a wallet. Then I would find a way to personalize it so she always knows it’s from her big sister.

5 Tips to reducing the stress of being “Always On”

June 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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by Deborah Hartung founder of Pivot PeopleTech (South Africa)

I recently read an article about the increased levels of stress and anxiety being experienced by Millennials, especially, due to the fact that we are always ’on’ and always connected to absolutely everything that is happening in the world and at work.

100 LIONESSES: Featuring Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO a market leader in the Zimbabwean security services industry

June 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO (Zimbabwe) — **Divine Ndhlukula**, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO (Zimbabwe)

Divine Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services from humble beginnings in Zimbabwe in 1998. Divine identified a need in the market for a quality oriented security company and she has driven SECURICO to become the market leader in Zimbabwe. She has tackled a previously male-dominated industry head on and her business success story is nothing short of remarkable - marking her as one of Africa's most tenacious and inspiring women entrepreneurs.

Quote of the Day by Magda Wierzycka

May 30, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Magda Wierzycka, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sygnia Asset Management (South Africa)

“Work hard, take on tasks that no one else wants to do, and stand up for what you believe in.”

Magda Wierzycka, founder & CEO, Sygnia Asset Management (South Africa)

Jamilla and Fierdowsah Jacobs, two women entrepreneurs bringing world-class kids accessories to Namibia’s trend conscious parents

May 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Jamilla and Fierdowsah Jacobs, founders of Kids Emporium Namibia

Every proud parent knows how exciting it is to shop for their children, but it is often hard to find just the right item of clothing or furniture that is both practical and trendy. In Windhoek, Namibia, two sister entrepreneurs have filled the gap with their beautiful retail store, Kids Emporium Namibia. It stocks a wealth of must-have products to suit the needs of babies and toddlers, whilst fulfilling the needs of moms and parents to be.

20 Beautiful Women: Africa Edition: 20 More Stories That Will Heal Your Soul, Ignite Your Passion And Inspire Your Divine Purpose by Saba Tekle and Lelanie Basson

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

"20 Beautiful Women: 20 More Stories That Will Heal Your Soul, Ignite Your Passion And Inspire Your Divine Purpose" Africa Edition by Saba Tekle and Lelanie Basson is a collection of personal short stories from 20 more authors, speakers, and life coaches from all over the world who are bonding together for the common goal of sisterhood and to transform women from the inside-out.

Petrina Auino-Mwandingi, a serial entrepreneur creating unique leather accessories for the Namibian marketplace

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Petrina Auino-Mwandingi, founder of KOVA (Namibia)

Lovers of fine leather accessories in Namibia are now able to shop locally to buy beautifully designed and handcrafted handbags and other specialist products, thanks to the talented entrepreneur Petrina Auino-Mwandingi, founder of KOVA. She has created a premium leather accessory brand specially for the local Namibian market, and her customers are loving the end result.

Trying to Hire

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

A month ago I decided it was probably time to look for help again. This was driven by the fact that I had been off work for a few weeks due to personal struggles and was more than just behind on everything. Plus this, I had a wedding coming up. So the panic and anxiety and my friends made me do it! Well, great advice from them, though I was in no space to be my 100% self. I needed help, as any other human being does on this earth. I needed to hire.

You are exactly where you want to be!

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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?

Namibia’s women entrepreneurs inspire each other to greater success at the 2nd Lioness Lean In event in Windhoek

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Christine Wanjiru: Your heart needs to be in the right place

May 23, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)

Your heart needs to be in the right place…

“Question your reasons for why you want to start a venture, ensure that your heart is in the right place, do your research, and brace yourself for what may come. Finally just do it.”

Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)

The Habit of Leading Yourself - a One Year Guide to Becoming Unstoppable by Cayla Craft

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Lusaka’s women entrepreneurs get the opportunity to learn about the Stanford Seed Transformation Programme

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Samantha Collen, a South African entrepreneur and her co-founder mom Jenny, creating quirky, loveable African print clothing for trendy kids

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Collen and mom Jenny, co-founders of JenniDezigns (South Africa) — **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.

Ifeoma Dike, a Nigerian entrepreneur connecting African contemporary art and artists with the global marketplace

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Ifeoma Dike, founder of IDD UK LTD — **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.