The Real Interior by Nthabi Taukobong

June 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Nthabi Taukobong has had a career spanning over 23 years in the interior design industry working on esteemed residential and leisure projects for Presidents, African Royalty, top CEOs, South Africa’s 5 Star Hotel groups, and even the Governor of the Reserve Bank (to name but a few). In her book, The Real Interior, Nthabi reveals the truth about her journey in design and the pitfalls and challenging terrain she had to manoeuvre herself through, determined for a clearer, more forgiving way and understanding of her chosen field.

100 LIONESSES: Monica Musonda, high-flying lawyer turned food manufacturing entrepreneur

June 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia) — **Monica Musonda**, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)

Monica Musonda is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods, a food processing company based in Zambia. Monica's vision is to revolutionize the eating habits of the youth market by offering them affordable and nutritious food options made from local products. Monica is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate with over 15 years of experience in legal practice and corporate management, including being corporate counsel at the International Finance Corporation and for Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries Limited.

Annette Cassy, an entrepreneur in Mozambique who is passionate about specialist paediatric care in the country

June 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Annette Cassy, founder of Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil (Mozambique) — **Annette Cassy**, founder of Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil (Mozambique)

When children get sick, they need the reassurance of a specialist, caring environment that gives them comfort, specialist care and advice, and understanding. In Mozambique, Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil, founded by entrepreneur Annette Cassy, does just that.

Nthabiseng Dube, a South African entrepreneur who has created a real HR and payroll powerhouse to support businesses of all sizes

June 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Nthabiseng Dube, founder of Polish Management Services (South Africa) — **Nthabiseng Dube**, founder of Polish Management Services (South Africa)

Managing people and payroll for any size and type of business can be a challenge, but in South Africa, that is no longer the case. Entrepreneur Nthabiseng Dube, founder of Polish Management Services, is bringing her specialist HR expertise to add value and, importantly, find solutions for her clients. From Recruitment Solutions, Payroll Contract Management and Labour Relations, Polish Management Services is a go-to source of help and advice.

Run Your Life Like a Business

June 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Thandekile Moloko, Wealth Coach & Wealth Manager

Scaling, which is also synonymous with economies of scale, is a business term which in its truest form means expansion. It is being able to be profitable when demand has increased for your services or goods. It is the ability to increase supply and still maintain or reduce costs. In scaling your business, you need to make sure that your expenses work for you and produce the ultimate profits.

Get Real. Get Rid. Get Rich.

June 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

Stuck in a financial rut? Maybe too much debt, too much retail therapy, too much of a people pleaser, too little money, or just not sure how to take control of it all? Financial freedom is within your grasp. By changing your outlook, you can change your life.

Avoid These 3 Phrases that Derail Your Success

June 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

Working in the professional development and communication coaching world for over 20 years, it’s apparent that there are patterns of communication, and patterns of business success. I venture to say to there is more variety in the type of businesses that stay profitable, but they all manage to find and serve clients.

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

Screen Shot 2019-06-02 at 11.05.10 AM.jpg

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.

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

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.