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the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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LIONESS LAUNCH: New brand of proudly South African traditional peanut butters launched by Eden All Natural Butters

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Eden-Collage.jpg

Lovers of peanut butter in South Africa are in for a real treat this month as local company, Eden All Natural Butters, founded by entrepreneur Debbie Ncube, is extending beyond its traditional peanut butter and into an exciting new range of taste sensations.

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In Lioness Launch Tags South Africa, Food & Drink
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4 Ways you can begin cultivating a happier mindset

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Saajidah Esat

Happiness is a way of thinking and feeling, a way of seeing your world, and the positive meaning you choose to give to the circumstances and situations in your life. Happiness is a mindset. And for most people happiness is not ready-made. After all, research shows that in the determination of a person’s level of happiness, genetics counts for about 50%, 10% is determined by your circumstances, and 40% is controlled by your thoughts, actions and behaviours. Although we may not be able to change our genetics, we can take 100% responsibility for the meaning we give to the circumstances and situations in our life as well as the thoughts and behaviours we practice on a daily basis.

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In Guest Blog Tags Saajidah Esat, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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When agony follows ecstasy

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds

Figures flew before my eyes as my fingers tapped away busily on the calculator. Exchange rate. Tap tap tap. VAT. Tap tap. Supplier costs. Tap tap tap. A number settled on the screen and I looked at it with confusion. “That can’t be right”, I thought, as a mild sense of unease washed over me. Picking up the calculator, I ran the numbers again, more slowly this time. The same number came up. “Third time lucky” I whispered to myself as I hit the keys with deliberate intent. No change!

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In Guest Blog Tags Clare Appleyard, Entrepreneurial Journey
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Navigating the Creative Entrepreneurship Realm

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Tatenda Kanengoni

In the past two decades, the perception of creative entrepreneurship has shifted, refreshingly so. We live in an exciting time when policy makers are starting to value how creative enterprises can contribute meaningfully to economies, and more than ever creatives have an opportunity to soar.

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In Guest Blog Tags Tatenda Kanengoni, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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100 LIONESSES: Ebonylife TV’s founder, Mo Abudu, named chair of 47th International Emmy Awards Gala

June 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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EbonyLife TV founder Mo Abudu has been announced as the Chair of the 47th International Emmy Awards Gala scheduled for November 25, 2019, in New York. The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 18, via Emmys Instagram handle as they shared a photo of the Nigerian media mogul.

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In Lionesses Tags Mo Abudu
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Choose Your Emotions

June 28, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Laura Camacho, PhD

If you stay in business long enough, you eventually develop the level of mental and emotional fortitude you need to succeed.

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In Guest Blog Tags Laura Camacho, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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Building a Business with a Beat by Judy Sheppard Missett

June 28, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Judy Sheppard Missett

Judy Sheppard Missett

In her new book, Building a Business with a Beat, fitness icon Judy Sheppard Missett, founder of the $100 million global fitness business, Jazzercise, shows you how to transform your passion into a profitable business. She is a great example of how you can turn an innovative idea into a business powerhouse.

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In Essential Tags Books
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Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana in Mozambique is introducing the country’s famous Capulana to the world

June 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana (Mozambique)

Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana (Mozambique)

Mozambique is famous for its Capulana, but one company is taking this unique textile to whole new design levels. Karingana Wa Karingana, co-founded by Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, are building a powerhouse brand that combines traditional design and cultural values presented in a modern context.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Fashion, Design
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Zanele Thabede-Vilakati, a woman entrepreneur from Eswatini taking event management in the country to a whole new level

June 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Zanele Thabede-Vilakati, co-founder of Women Working Together Initiative (Eswatini)

Zanele Thabede-Vilakati, co-founder of Women Working Together Initiative (Eswatini)

Hosting and organizing successful events takes in-depth experience, practical specialist knowledge, and a strong knack for networking and collaborating with people to get things done. Zanele Thabede-Vilakati, co-founder of Women Working Together Initiative in Eswatini, is using her experience to showcase and connect talented women in the country through a series of innovative and highly effective networking events.

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In Startup Story Tags Eswatini, Community & Social Networks
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LIONESS LAUNCH: Akojo Market, a new e-commerce platform championing independent designers from across Africa launches to much acclaim

June 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Natasha Buchler and Annie Rudnick, co-founders Akojo Market (UK)

Natasha Buchler and Annie Rudnick, co-founders Akojo Market (UK)

Entrepreneur co-founders, Natasha Buchler and Annie Rudnick, have just launched Akojo Market, a new online platform dedicated to raising awareness of talented design talent from across the African continent, and connecting them to global buyers. Since going live on 1 April 2019, Akojo Market has built a community of incredibly talented designers and loyal customers, all committed to shopping ethically and supporting independent business promoting African culture and development. This entrepreneurial duo sell products from 19 designers, 17 are female founded businesses. The product ranges come from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, DRC, South Africa and Morocco.

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In Lioness Launch Tags United Kingdom, E-commerce, Fashion
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Labour law tips

June 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Aleshia van der Ploeg, Founder of VDP Legal Consulting, South Africa

Is your business finally growing? Are you hiring more and more employees in order to assist you? One of the greatest challenges facing entrepreneurs these days is employment issues!

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In Guest Blog Tags Aleshia van der Ploeg, People Management
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The Importance of Self-Management

June 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

I have been thinking for almost 6 months about a lot of the processes and events I have had in business; obviously wondering what I have done right and wrong. This is due to the fact that after 5 years I woke up one day and felt like I was depleted.  Physically, mentally and emotionally depleted; the kind that needs a holiday with my mom on a quiet island, untapped without WIFI.  I’m exaggerating…ok, ok, but I’m not lying. 

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In Guest Blog Tags Brigette Mashile, Personal Development
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How To Improve Your Productivity Using Habit Stacking

June 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Saajidah Esat

Being productive is key to our success as entrepreneurs, yet somehow, amidst the endless list of tasks that we tackle daily, we still end up with that nagging feeling that we need to be doing more. Whether it’s finding new clients, setting up your online pages, managing them and then some, you appear to be one of the busiest women around, the one that’s always doing something.

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In Guest Blog Tags Saajidah Esat, Productivity Time & Energy
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Journaling 101

June 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

As the world has gotten more complex and technology more advanced, instant 24/7 communication is rampant. As a consequence, most people take little if any time for introspection. How many times have you heard yourself or others say ‘I wish I had time to think’. For me, journaling is the invitation to sit inside my mind and actually figure out what’s going on. It’s a space of safety; a means to trap my thoughts on paper so I can get out of my own way. Sometimes I don’t really know what I’m thinking until I write it down. 

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In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Personal Development
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Exploring the ideal of ‘Balance’

June 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Phindile Dhlamini-Motshegwa

If you consider it realistically, falling out of balance doesn’t really matter. In fact, I’ll argue that it’s inevitable, bearing in mind the different phases of life we find ourselves in. What I think is more important is how we choose to find our way back to centre – moment-by-moment, day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month.

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In Guest Blog Tags Phindile Dhlamini-Motshegwa, Work Life Balance
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It’s Meant to be HARD!!!

June 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant at Shiluvah 

Be an entrepreneur they said, it will be fun they said – said no one EVER!!!

And that is because entrepreneurship is hard and guess what, it’s meant to be hard and that is exactly why only a few that start actually ‘finish.’ 

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In Guest Blog Tags Kulani Shiluvane, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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Entrepreneur Advice from Mariana Agness Francisco Eria: Entrepreneurship unlocks a new and exciting journey›

June 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Entrepreneurship unlocks a new and exciting journey....

"The tools of your future lay in your hands, grab the wheel and start the engine. You might not know how to get there, you may not have all the answers and that is okay. The mistakes along the way are going to be the bricks to build the foundation of your business. People will doubt you, and sometimes you will doubt yourself but it will all be worthwhile in the ‘never-ending’ end. Entrepreneurship is like a destination that unlocks a new and more exciting journey."

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneurial Journey
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100 LIONESSES: Featuring Nkemdilim Begho, a leading lady of Nigerian information technology

June 23, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Nkemdilim Begho is the founder and Managing Di­rector of Future Software Resources Limited, an IT solutions provider focused on online solutions, e-learning and IT security. As one of a few Nigerian women in the industry, her success is founded on a passion for driving innovative thinking, building a globally recognized technology brand and setting trends in the Nigerian Technology space. 

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In 100 Lionesses Project Tags Nkemdilim Begho
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LIONESS COLAB: AAKS x United Arrows & Global Goods Partners & Bamford

June 23, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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This summer, the fabulous luxury handmade accessory brand from Ghana, AAKS, founded by entrepreneur Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, is collaborating with not one but three partners to launch an exciting new range of bags for the season. 

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In Lioness CoLAB Tags Ghana, Handbags
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LIONESS LAUNCH South African entrepreneur Jessica Alily and her family launch a uniquely African online comic book site

June 23, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Jessica Alily, founder of Vanimax Comix (South Africa)

Jessica Alily, founder of Vanimax Comix (South Africa)

Comic books are big business around the world, with millions of dedicated fans following their favourite heroes and heroines in illustrated stories each week. In South Africa, fans of comic books are now going to get their own uniquely African characters to engage with, thanks to Vanimax Comix. This new online comic book site, created by Jessica Alily and her family, is set to win a host of new fans across the African continent and globally. 

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In Lioness Launch Tags South Africa, Media PR & Communications, Online Service
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho
Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka
Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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