If you are one of those women who dream of taking your creative ideas and turning them into a business, but you are not sure where to begin, then Mind Your Business by Ilana Griffo is the book for you!
Read moreJulia ‘Masina Mafike, an entrepreneur in Lesotho inspired by bees to build a successful business
Sr. Julia ‘Masina Mafike, founder of JMM Beekeeping (Lesotho)
Startup Story
Lesotho is renowned for its natural beauty, attracting visitors from around the world. Today, however, it is also renowned for the quality of its honey production, thanks to an enterprising business, JMM Beekeeping, founded by Julia ‘Masina Mafike.
Read moreLinda Dempah, an entrepreneur building a natural beauty brand in Cote d’Ivoire that is empowering women across the globe
Linda Dempah, founder of Adeba Nature (Cote d’Ivoire)
Startup Story
Empowering women to feel chic and beautiful is the mission of Ivorian natural beauty brand, Adeba Nature. Formulated using fewer than five ingredients, this product range created by beauty entrepreneur, Linda Dempah, is creating a brand that is rooted in the existing traditions preserved in Ivorian villages.
Read moreDigital marketing, the ‘in thing’ for female entrepreneurs
by Tatenda Rungisa
Digital marketing is simply using digital ways to connect with different parties. Digital marketing encompasses websites, online brochures, bulk emails and so much more. For female entrepreneurs, digital marketing is advisable as it is more convenient, fast, and reaches larger groups of people rather than the traditional ways of marketing. So, what are the basics to kick off a digital marketing campaign?
Read moreIt's time to talk honestly about failure
Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka
I attended a seminar recently with failure as the overarching topic. It’s always refreshing when a group of individuals come together in a safe environment to speak truthfully about their experiences. I realized just how important and necessary these authentic conversations are as a means to dilute the heavy traffic of information that we consume on a daily basis, some of which is not always a true reflection of reality. Failure, unfortunately, is as real as it comes, yet it is one of the least spoken about issues today. People would rather project themselves as pseudo superheroes, adopting phrases like “black don’t crack” than to show the real stories about their everyday struggles.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Fidelis Wanjiku: Take care of yourself
Fidelis Wanjiku, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya)
Take care of yourself....
"Take care of yourself, your health, and your relationships so that you don't lose yourself in the maze of start-up. Take the power - be responsive to the clients as you need them: be the best you can. Do not waste their time with false promises. Have a plan, just in case - for example a financial back-up for when things go wrong, as they likely will. Have structures in place and most of all, be passionate."
Fidelis Wanjiku, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Rebecca Enonchong: Keep it all in perspective
Rebecca Enonchong, founder and CEO of AppsTech (Cameroon)
Mentorship is a relationship
by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
Like any other relationship, mentorship requires two individuals who put in the effort. I recently spoke to both a mentor and mentees. They were passionate about the issues they faced. The mentors blamed the mentees, the mentees blamed the mentors. I soon realized that it is easier to see the fault of someone else rather than acknowledging the role you played.
Read moreHigh growth potential women entrepreneurs of Port Elizabeth Lioness Lean In for business success
Event Report
The women entrepreneurs of Port Elizabeth in South Africa may have had to wait a while for a Lioness Lean In event to be hosted in their city, but when the first event arrived on 27 September, they turned out in force. It was a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, tenacity and the power of women entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate for business success.
Read moreAdele Cutten, a pioneer in South Africa’s mohair industry, creating luxury products for the world to enjoy
Adele Cutten, founder of Adele’s Mohair (South Africa)
Startup Story
Discerning visitors to the Eastern Cape know that it is not only renowned for its beautiful landscapes, its unspoilt beaches, and its wildlife. Those in the know also have an additional destination in their sights - a visit to Adele's Mohair, founded by passionate entrepreneur Adele Cutten. She has built a highly successful, high impact business that celebrates the much sought after mohair found on Angola goats, transforming it into luxury yarns, scarves, shawls, sweaters and much more. Adele and her team are an inspiration to those who visit, and those who depend on the business for jobs in the local community.
Read moreKaren Potgieter, a South African entrepreneur creating a high performance, natural skincare brand
Karen Potgieter, founder of L’abeille (South Africa)
100 LIONESSES: Featuring Deola Sagoe, the leading lady of African haute couture
Deola Sagoe is the founder of fashion brand Deola and the leading lady of African haute couture fashion from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989 and became the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004. Her globally appealing style has earned her an enviable clientèle that ranges from Africa's first ladies, to society girls like Lydia Hearst, top model Alek Wek, and famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.
Read moreLIONESS LAUNCH / Ivorian chocolatier Mon Choco launches its exciting new Mendiant flavour
Dana Mroueh
Lioness Launch
Calling all chocolate lovers! In Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, artisan chocolate company, Mon Choco, founded by the inspirational entrepreneur and talented chocolatier, Dana Mroueh, is launching an exciting new flavour in its delicious raw chocolate bar range this month. Mendiant is a new product which incorporates nuts and candied fruits into its world-class raw chocolate bars.
Read moreThe Superwoman Entrepreneur by Maribel Jimenez
Maribel Jimenez
Essential Read
Author and entrepreneur, Maribel Jimenez, waited almost twenty years to finally give herself permission to take the leap to pursue her dream of starting an online business for business development and marketing. She wanted to have the freedom to be home with her kids and live out her mission. And then burnout hit. Her new book, The Superwoman Entrepreneur, is her personal story and guide to navigating the journey to building the business and life you dream of.
Read moreOwn your happiness
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
Dandapani is a Hindu priest, speaker on self-development and an entrepreneur. He lived as a monk for 10 years and then moved to New York City to pass on his teachings to the West. He made a profound statement saying we shouldn’t pursue happiness. What we need to do is create a lifestyle where the bi-product is happiness. For example, when you spend time with people who energize you, you feel happy. On the contrast, when you spend time with people or on work that drains you, then naturally you will tend to feel miserable.
Read moreAre you using the 'warm bodies' system in your business?
by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life
Running a business is like constantly getting ready for a holiday trip, a hiking trip, a physical retreat or a tough walk in the bush. You need to be fit! Being part of a fit team is a full-time job! This goes for any size business. So, whether you are starting up or have been doing this for a long time - your team and you need to be fit - all the time.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Vicki Bain: Follow your passion
Vicki Bain, founder of Chocoloza (South Africa)
Quote of the Day by Swaady Martin
Swaady Martin, founder of Yswara
Quote of the Day by Shamila Ramjawan
Shamila Ramjawan, co-founder of Famram Solutions (South Africa)
“Women and girls are strong. We can overcome anything. Never give up.”
Shamila Ramjawan, co-founder of Famram Solutions (South Africa)
Read moreA truly inspiring morning for Francistown’s women entrepreneurs at the latest Lioness Lean In event
Event Report
On a warm and bright morning in Francistown, Botswana, local women entrepreneurs gathered at the latest Lioness Lean In breakfast event, to share their entrepreneurial experiences, learn from one another, and of course, to network and generate new business opportunities. It was a morning of inspiration and friendship building that will continue long after the event itself.
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