Are your day-to-day financial needs making it difficult for you to maintain and grow your business operations? This is the problem that small businesses often face when they reach a certain point. There is nothing to be worried about, as there are many options you can choose to manage your financial needs. Micro-loans are considered to be an attractive option for businesses that are going through such kinds of issues.
Read moreSo what is cx and why does it matter so much to the new age customer
Today’s customers need a very good reason to give you their money, and it is high time businesses got out there to understand just how customers perceive and experience their brands. Not just at the point of purchase, but holistically. It means embedding a customer-centric perspective into your organisation’s corporate DNA.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Carmen Miral
Carmen Miral, founder of Black Khakhela (Mozambique)
“Always look back at the same time as looking to the present, and use those images to compare and make sure there is an evolution between those years.”
Carmen Miral, founder of Black Khakhela (Mozambique)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Tammy Nott: Remember why you first started
Tammy Nott, founder of Mbiri Natural Skincare (Namibia)
Remember why you first started....
".... when things seem dire just remember why you first started, because you will get criticized, so just remember the core of your passion and that for me is the Namibian desert and the Himba people. I think of this and it reminds me of how far I have come."
Tammy Nott, founder of Mbiri Natural Skincare (Namibia)
Read moreDeola Sagoe, leading Nigerian haute couture designer, discusses Africa’s potential as a global fashion manufacturing hub
Deola Sagoe (file image Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016)
100 Lionesses
Coinciding with the launch of Paris Fashion Week, UNESCO hosted a round table discussion, entitled Made in Africa: The Next Global Manufacturing Hub?, at its Headquarters in Paris on 23 September. Focusing on the potential of Africa’s fashion industry, the event brought together leading experts on the Continent’s clothing and fashion sector, including renowned Nigerian couturier Deola Sagoe.
Read moreLIONESS LAUNCH / Award-winning South Africa speaker, Zanele Njapha, launches inspirational new training package for businesses
Zanele Njapha
Lioness Launch
For all those businesses looking to gear up to thrive in an ever-changing economic climate, help is at hand, thanks to South African entrepreneur, Zanele Njapha. Her award-winning keynote and it's accompanying training package ‘Institutional Relevance in The 4th Industrial Revolution’, are providing a framework for acquiring the skills necessary to gear up for success.
Read moreThe Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates
For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down. In her moving and compelling book, The Moment of Lift, Melinda shares lessons she’s learned from the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world.
Read moreIsis Mbaga, a fashionpreneur building an exciting ready-to-wear women’s clothing brand in Mozambique
Isis Mbaga, founder of Isis Mbaga (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Mozambique has some exciting design talents emerging on the entrepreneurial scene, and Isis Mbaga, founder of the brand that carries her name, is one such talent. Her fashion brand has appeal to local and global consumers who are looking for unique designs with local flair.
Read moreDavina Toale, an entrepreneur taking dog walking to a whole new business level in South Africa
Davina Toale, founder of Power Paws (South Africa)
Startup Story
As any dog owner knows, it can often be difficult to fit into a busy day the amount of walking that your precious pet needs to stay fit and healthy. But in Johannesburg, South Africa, expert help is at hand, thanks to Power Paws, a specialist dog walking business founded by entrepreneur Davina Toale and her co-founder Ondine.
Read moreDr Ola Orekunrin and Nkemdilim Begho recognised at the MIPAD Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent
Dr Ola Orekunrin and Nkemdilim Begho
Award Winners
At the prestigious 74th UN General Assembly in New York, which took place from 28th September to 3rd October, an important event took place on the sidelines - the MIPAD (Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent) Recognition Week for the Class of 2019. Amongst this year’s honorees were two outstanding and inspirational women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community, Nkemdilim Begho and Ola Brown, recognised in the Class of 2019 Business and Entrepreneurship Category.
Read moreOwn your Goals
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I was listening to an interview with Essentialism author, Greg McKeon. He shared an interesting story of how he was in a fancy dress shop looking for a Halloween costume recently. He tried on a Star Wars Storm Trooper outfit and when he was looking in the mirror he remembered a significant childhood memory of him and his older brother as kids. His brother told him ‘You know you have really made it when you can buy your own Storm Trooper outfit’ (he was an avid Star Wars fan). Greg realized that the only reason he had this outfit on was because of the subconscious meaning behind it. But more interestingly, he recognized he didn’t want this outfit. It meant nothing to him, the only reason he had it on was because of his brother.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Lilly Alfonso: Know yourself
Lilly Alfonso, founder of Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)
Know yourself...
"... it is important to know yourself. Understand and believe in your dreams. Give yourself room to research and plan for whatever you are dreaming of venturing into. Giving up isn’t the only way if things get tough ahead. Challenges build you up, and so does criticism. Failures make you unique, so use them and turn them into positives."
Lilly Alfonso, founder of Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Adenike Akinsemolu: Start now, start right, start proud and don’t stop!
Start now, start right, start proud and don’t stop....
"Life is a journey, with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most importantly, experiences to enjoy. All you need is a burning passion, an open mind and a compassionate heart. There will never be a perfect time to start a business. Start now, start right, start proud and don’t stop. I recommend reading People over Profit by Dale Partridge."
Adenike Akinsemolu, founder of the Green Campus Initiative (Nigeria)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Lizl Naude: Pursue your dreams now
Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)
Pursue your dreams now....
"Maybe some of us think it is too late to take on our dreams. We fear that too much time has passed, or we worry what others may think. We scurry around daily to make ends meet and put off our wild dreams for later. How about pursuing them now? How about forgetting the birth pains and scars of our entrepreneurial battles and venturing into new, innovative ground?"
Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)
Read moreCape Town plays host to another inspirational Lioness Lean In event for the city’s women entrepreneurs
Event Report
A cold sea breeze may have been blowing across Cape Town on the morning of Friday 4 October, but it did nothing to deter the spirits of the 100 women entrepreneurs who gathered at The Argyle in Woodstock for the latest Lioness Lean In event. The welcome was warm, the breakfast and hot coffee gave a much needed boost, and energy levels were high as the conversation and networking got underway.
Read moreLionesses of Africa talks women’s empowerment in Africa through entrepreneurship with HRH the Duchess of Sussex
The global news media was abuzz this month with the Royal Visit to Africa by their royal highnesses, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Lionesses of Africa had the opportunity to meet with the Duchess and talk women’s entrepreneurship in Africa during the final leg of their visit to Johannesburg. The occasion was a special reception hosted by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Mrs Emma Wade-Smith OBE, at her official residence in the city.
Read moreLIONESS LAUNCH / South African entrepreneur Adele Cutten launches new mohair craft gift packs
Lioness Launch
In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, entrepreneur Adele Cutten, founder of the renowned Adele’s Mohair, launches a series of Magic Mohair Gift Packs for creative crafter customers.
Read moreMind Your Business by Ilana Griffo
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.
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