the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Kindra Hall
Essential Read
The moment you take control of your stories, you take control of your business and your life. That’s according to author and professional storyteller, Kindra Hall. In her new book, Stories That Stick, she shares insights on how to make your story your greatest business tool. Kindra is a firm believer that storytelling can do everything—from helping leaders better communicate to motivating sales teams and winning customers away from competitors.
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Farida Yahya, founder of Lumo Naturals (Nigeria)
Startup Story
The challenges facing many women in Africa of how to manage and care for their natural hair is one that entrepreneur Farida Yahya is all too familiar with. It was the inspiration for the launch of her business Lumo Naturals, which today creates a range of specialist hair products that both cleanse and treat the hair gently. Today, the brand is winning scores of fans who are looking for a natural solution for their natural hair.
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Tia Linda Zuze, founder of Chimango Research (South Africa)
Startup Story
To make change happen in Africa and to make the right decisions at the right time, you need to understand the facts, you need access to accurate information, and you need to hear people’s stories and opinions. In South Africa, Chimango Research, a specialist consultancy launched by entrepreneur Tia Linda Zuze, is undertaking research initiatives that provide the essential data needed by those in change-making positions on the continent.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
There is an idea formed by many of us that people who run businesses, or at least render some service to us, are not human like us. For some reason we see them as the ‘lady at the coffee shop’ or the ‘petrol attendant’; we never ever relate to them as people who sleep at night and wake up in the morning. This experience is the same for me. I believe a lot of fashion business people like myself feel like this...no…just me? Ok LOL. I have seen that many clients are not aware of the things they say that could be offensive or just make no sense at all. Most of the time, they say things that benefit themselves.
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by Laura Camacho
You know failure is part of success, but what is the best way to get the most benefit from those painful and maybe embarrassing mistakes?
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Ethel Cofie is a leading tech entrepreneur from Ghana and the founder and CEO of Edel Technology Consulting, a company that provides IT and software services as an enabler and catalyst for businesses to achieve their goals. Ethel is the founder of Women in Tech Africa, initiator of the 1st Pan African woman in tech meetup and was shortlisted for the UN GEM Tech Award for work supporting women in ICT. She has been featured by the BBC and CNN for her work in technology and promoting women's leadership. Ethel sits on numerous boards and is also a President Obama Washington Fellow for Leadership (YALI).
Read Ethel's full '100 Lionesses' profile here.
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Divine Ndhlukula, founder of Securico, Zimbabwe
You need your people onside to succeed....
Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO (Zimbabwe)
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Event Report
A gloomy rainy morning in Johannesburg did not deter a packed audience of 150 women entrepreneurs from gathering together for the September edition of the Lioness Lean In event, held at VWSA headquarters in Sandton. As always the atmosphere was lively, warm and filled with the sound of women doing business, the hallmark of a good Lioness Lean In event.
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Thandi Hillie, Co-founder & CEO of Sbhekuza Rail (South Africa)
Startup Story
In South Africa, getting products safely and efficiently transported across the country can often be a challenge. But for entrepreneur Thandi Hillie and her company Sbhekuza Rail (a division of Sbhekuza Women Investments (Pty) Ltd), she is focused on solutions and providing a world-class service to her customers.
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Boineelo Moyo, founder of B&B Garden Masters (Botswana)
Startup Story
Every proud homeowner longs to have a beautiful garden to enjoy, but not everyone has the knowledge or experience in creating landscapes that are both lovely to look at and easy to maintain. In Botswana, entrepreneur Boineelo Moyo, founder of B&B Garden Masters, has the answers and the experience to match.
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Mitzi Perdue
Essential Read
Did you know that only 30% of family business will make it to the next generation? In Mitzi Perdue’s book, How to Make Your Family Business Last, she gives practical advice on how family businesses can develop a culture that supports keeping the family business in the family.
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Lioness Launch
Creating unique accessories that resonate with customers looking for something that stands out from the crowd is what drives Patricia Vasco, founder of Mozambican brand Amorambique. This month sees her launching another beautiful collection of bags that are both eye-catching and original. Lionesses of Africa spoke to Patricia to find out more about this latest launch.
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Adenike Ogunlesi, founder and ceo of Ruff'n Tumble
This highly successful African designer went from selling her children’s clothing designs from the boot of her car at local markets and bazaars, to becoming one of the continent’s most recognisable children’s clothing brand builders.
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by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
Ever walked into a supermarket intending to buy only a few items, and ended up walking out with bags and bags of goodies, and a good few hundred Rand poorer? Granted, we have to eat, and for that to happen, we have to shop, but is there a way to shop smarter? Here are some shopping hacks that help you to keep your grocery bill in check…
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by Ola Harris, Independent Sales Specialist
Do you ever wonder why some businesses and consultants are just never stressed about the flow of income? They seem to have everything figured out and hit their revenue goals and they just seem sort of superhuman.
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Deola Sagoe
Paula Matsinhe, founder of Uzuri Creations (Mozambique)
For many consumers, when they think of Mozambican fashion and fabrics, they immediately think of Capulana. And that unique design heritage was the inspiration for Uzuri, founded by entrepreneur Paula Matsinhe, a growing fashion accessory and clothing business in the country.
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Lorna Rutto, founder of EcoPost (Kenya)
Lorna Rutto is a Kenyan eco-preneur, and the inspiring founder of EcoPost, a social enterprise created in response to the need to find alternative waste management solutions to Kenya's huge plastic waste problem. In 2009 she founded her company, which collects plastic waste and manufactures commercially viable, highly durable, and importantly environmentally friendly fencing posts, used widely across Kenya. In 2011, Lorna was recognised by the prestigious Cartier Women's Initiative Awards as their laureate for sub-Saharan Africa.
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Event Report
As part of a programme of special Lioness Lean In Enterprise events taking place across South Africa, 100 growth focused women entrepreneurs came together in Polokwane on 28 August. The aim, to connect them to one another to build business connections, to connect them to financing and business advisory services, and to inspire them to take their businesses to the next level.
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Lubaina Momade, founder of Luzacredito, Ei (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Many people find it difficult to access finance and also ways of becoming better educated in managing money, particularly on a small scale. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Lubaina Momade, founder of Luzacredito, Ei, has built a business to respond to that need.
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