the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Saajidah Esat
In the daily rush of our lives, we can forget about the things that seem little, but are actually the big things, that make for a high quality and good life. These things don’t need money, or complex systems and processes to make them work. They just need some awareness, time and the willingness to put in the effort.
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Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)
Startup Story by Martine Irakoze
My goal in writing this first article in what will become a series of Startup Story features for Lionesses of Africa is to shine a light on Burundian female entrepreneurs who are moving things in their country. My first interviewee is Krystal Bella Shabani, an ambitious Burundian young woman who is revolutionizing the fashion industry in the country.
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Frances Edwards, founder of House of Cinnamon (South Africa)
Frances Edwards, founder of House of Cinnamon (South Africa)
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Abigail Urey-Miller, co-founder & CEO of Edgail Recycling Inc. (Liberia)
Abigail Urey-Miller, co-founder & CEO of Edgail Recycling Inc. (Liberia)
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Cecilia Kapasula, founder of Home Of Sweet Savannah (South Africa)
The big global trend right now for incorporating the beautiful, bold and luxurious textiles created in Africa into home and office decor, is growing rapidly. Harnessing the power of that trend is South African decor entrepreneur, Cecilia Kapasula, founder of Home Of Sweet Savannah, a growing decor brand that is proving a hit with interior designers and home owners alike.
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Joy Ezeka, founder of Zuri and Imani (South Africa)
LIONESS LAUNCH
Zuri and Imani, founded by textile designer entrepreneur, Joy Ezeka, has built a reputation for its uniquely beautiful cotton coat designs, produced using its own studio designed textiles. This month sees the brand launching its brand new collection of the LeManteau coats which made it so popular with its customers. The new collection celebrates the best of its original print designs and colour ranges, but in new and exciting silhouettes to suit any wearer.
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L-R: Anita Quansah and Femi Olayebi
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
The prestigious Fashion’s Finest Africa Awards 2019 have just taken place, and two leading women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community have scooped the top two awards. Bag Designer of the Year 2019 went to Femi Olayebi, founder of Femi Handbags and Accessories of the Year 2019 went to Anita Quansah, founder of Anita Quansah London.
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So many entrepreneurs struggle to unlock their content ideas and to create powerful content that will help to sell their products and services to their customers. But now, content creation expert, Meera Kothand, author of the book The One Hour Content Plan, has the solution for all those solopreneurs out there who nee to get their content working harder for them.
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Share your vision and go public….
Phindile Ndlovu, founder of Bhekizenzo Foundation (South Africa)
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Abidjan’s entrepreneurial landscape is going through some exciting changes right now and that means good news for women entrepreneurs in the city. At the latest Lioness Lean In event held on 26 July, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, over 100 women entrepreneurs got the opportunity to meet, network and share their businesses experiences in order to grow.
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The French liquor giant Pernod Ricard, which manufactures some of the world’s most popular liquor brands such as such as Absolut Vodka, Chivas, and Jameson, has acquired a majority stake in South African distillery Inverroche, founded by the pioneering entrepreneur Lorna Scott.
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Cat LeBlanc
For all those women who are considering escaping from the corporate grind and embarking on an entrepreneurial journey but don’t know how to make it happen, Your Business Your Rules by author and business coach Cat LeBlanc, could be a great read. Your Business, Your Rules shows you how to cut through the noise of generalized business advice and craft a business suited to the lifestyle you want to live.
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What better way to kickstart Women’s Month in South Africa than with the launch of a new series of Lioness Lean In Enterprise events in partnership with Absa? On 1 August, 100 high growth potential women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community gathered together with specialist banking advisors from Absa for a morning of inspiration, networking and business consulting, at the prestigious new Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg. The aim, to help them to take their businesses to the next level.
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Dorothy Dolly Fatima Mofomme, co-founder of Nalydia Foods (South Africa)
In South Africa, a new natural food product specifically formulated to meet the needs of young babies and children, and also the elderly and sick, has been launched by serial entrepreneur, Dorothy Dolly Fatima Mofomme and her co-founders. Nalydia Foods is addressing a gap in the market for nutritious, easy to digest, completely natural and health food for the young, elderly and sick consumer.
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Amanda Aminah Masire, founder of Greenhouse Technologies (Botswana)
Many entrepreneurs are inspired to start their businesses by seeing a gap in the market or a need in their communities. In the case of Amanda Aminah Masire from Botswana, she started her business, Greenhouse Technologies, in response to the gap between government and local people in the agricultural value chain.
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Neema Nkatha Kinoti, founder of Ohana Family Wear Limited (Kenya)
Whether relaxing in the pool or at the beach, everyone loves to look stylish. Ohana Family Wear Limited, the brainchild of Kenyan entrepreneur Neema Nkatha Kinoti, has just the answer, with her uber stylish range of swimwear. It celebrates African textiles and prints whilst at the same time providing comfort and chic.
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Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)
Find your people.….
Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)
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by Laura Camacho
You probably were not aware of this when you started your business but now you know. Thriving businesses must sell. A lot. Ideas. Solutions. Products. Services. Add ons. Contracts. Upgrades. ROI…
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by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa
Do you remember the first time you fell in-love? Do you remember the excitement and the thrill of the “chase”? It could be compared to a pursuit and it usually begins when a person shows interest in another and is incredibly attracted to him/her. A thrilling period then starts, when traditionally the man starts showing his intentions for a romantic relationship by flirting, bringing gifts or verbally expressing his intentions to the woman. Depending on their compatibility or her level of attraction, she will respond eagerly, or she might play hard-to-get. Depending on his level of interest, he will keep romancing her, and if he does and says the right things, he might persuade her to take him seriously and commence a romantic relationship.
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by Saajidah Esat
Women have instinctively and deeply nurturing characteristics. Unlike men, they take pride in the process vs being solely focused on the result. They strive to develop people along the way and want to know that they are making a real and positive difference in the world. So when the next big company comes along to sign a contract that could potentially change the entire trajectory of her business, she may appear slightly hesitant and need some time to weigh out the pros and cons. Although this may be a good thing, there are some things that smart women just don’t do when opportunity knocks.
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