The Strong African Woman Stereotype and Entrepreneurship

October 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Martine Irakoze

African women. Do you feel like you were raised to be strong? Do you feel like being an African woman embodies a perpetual and unique strength? Have you heard words such as “African women are indestructible. African women are tough lionesses.” “Girl, get up! You got this in your heritage!” “Think of your mothers and grandmothers who raised nations through tough history!”

Quote of the Day by Marilyn Kamuru

October 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

"For every dollar that you put in women's hands 80 cents goes to the family."

Marilyn Kamuru, Founder & Managing Director of eManage Africa

Quote of the Day by Lori Milner

October 23, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“…if you don’t make yourself heard, no one will know your value.”

Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

The Bombshell Business Woman - How to Become a Bold, Brave Female Entrepreneur by Amber Hurdle

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

According to entrepreneur Amber Hurdle, The Bombshell Business Woman, the title of her book, at her best stands proud in who she is and what she offers, abandoning the whirlwind of uncertainty. A Bombshell Business Woman commands attention for her business, attracting the right customers, who fall in love with her brand experience. Her business allows her to live life on her terms so she can enjoy her family, friends, and her abundant life.

Lionesses of Lagos come out in force for the first Lioness Lean In event in Nigeria

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

It was a long anticipated event, but when the first Lioness Lean In event in Lagos, Nigeria took place on Thursday 17 October at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, cohosted by Lionesses of Africa and Sigma Pensions, the atmosphere was buzzing. Around 120 leading women entrepreneurs from across the city came to be inspired, motivated and to connect for greater business success. It was a recipe for a great event - and it didn’t disappoint!

Selma Uamusse, a Mozambican entrepreneur building a proudly organic cosmetics brand in the country

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Selma Uamusse, founder of Nhani (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Many consumers are becoming much more discerning and knowledgeable about the cosmetics they buy and put onto their skin. But finding good quality organic cosmetic products that celebrate local, natural plants and production techniques can be difficult. That’s where Mozambican entrepreneur, Selma Uamusse, founder of Nhani comes in. She is producing great quality, organic cosmetic products that customers want to buy and can trust.

Lineia Caldeira, a Mozambican entrepreneur harnessing the power of 3d printing technology for her business

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Lineia Caldeira, founder of LC3D Produções (Mozambique)

The development of 3d printing technology means that today, if you can visualise it, you can make it. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Lineia Caldeira, founder of LC3D Produções, is literally bringing her clients’s ideas to life through the use of 3d printing.

Can a Micro Loan Help My Small Business?

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

So what is cx and why does it matter so much to the new age customer

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Quote of the Day by Carmen Miral

October 18, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“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)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tammy Nott: Remember why you first started

October 17, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Tammy Nott, founder of Mbiri Natural Skincare (Namibia) — **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)

Deola Sagoe, leading Nigerian haute couture designer, discusses Africa’s potential as a global fashion manufacturing hub

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Deola Sagoe (file image Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016) — 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.

LIONESS LAUNCH / Award-winning South Africa speaker, Zanele Njapha, launches inspirational new training package for businesses

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Isis Mbaga, a fashionpreneur building an exciting ready-to-wear women’s clothing brand in Mozambique

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Davina Toale, an entrepreneur taking dog walking to a whole new business level in South Africa

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Dr Ola Orekunrin and Nkemdilim Begho recognised at the MIPAD Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Own your Goals

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.