100 LIONESSES: Featuring Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of Africa's leading footwear brand soleRebels

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Ethiopia) — **Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu**, founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year.

Lioness Demo Day in Johannesburg showcases exciting, high-growth women owned brands and products

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

There is nothing quite like experiencing exciting products and services up close and in person, not to mention meeting the inspirational women entrepreneurs who are their creators. On the morning of 7 November, Lionesses of Africa, in partnership with Absa, hosted a truly memorable Demo Day showcase of 23 of the most exciting, high growth businesses and their world-class products and services. A packed audience of 100 buyers, corporate decision-makers and bankers gathered together at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg to meet these women entrepreneurs who are being tipped to take their businesses to the next level in 2020.

Feeling Overwhelmed By A Big (Or Small) Life Challenge? Read This…

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat, Freelancer

The challenges we experience in our lives present themselves when we’re ready to learn something. Any challenge we face, big or small, comes as a sign, to show us what we need to learn, where we need to grow and how we can adjust our sails so that we can get to where we want to be.

What grass can reveal about your financial mindset

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

I want you to hear David Attenborough’s voice* in your head. Smooth, soft and slowly describing a lioness making her way towards her prey. It goes like this, “she knows that she has this one opportunity today.…..slowly she makes her way forward using the long yellow grasslands to be her cover. The grass is her best support system. As it sways in the wind she catches a glimpse of the gazelle.….the grass protects her from being seen… here she will stay until the moment comes to charge.” Can you imagine this scene? Long, wavy, thick grass is her necessary tool for a day’s work.

Ana Loyd Vasconcelos, an Angolan fashion designer creating beautiful contemporary clothes inspired by the past

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Finding stunningly beautiful clothes to wear for any occasion in Angola, whether formal or casual wear, has never been easier, thanks to the creative design talent of Ana Lloyd Vasconcelos. Her fashion company and brand, AnaLoyd Lda, is bringing a touch of glamour to all her customers who want to look and feel beautiful in her clothing.

Ntsiuoa Makoae, a foodpreneur in Lesotho creating healthy, locally produced dairy products for happy local customers

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Ntsiuoa Makoae, founder of Boiphihlelo (Lesotho)

Startup Story

In Lesotho, one enterprising woman took a challenge of finding new markets for local dairy farmers and turned it into a successful business venture. Ntsiuoa Makoae, founder of Boiphihlelo, is today producing a popular range of dairy products that provide an income for local dairy farmers and a source of great nutrition for local consumers.

LIONESS LAUNCH / New golf competition launches in South Africa to celebrate the end of a busy business year

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

South African entrepreneur, Didintle Motsuenyane, founder of More Than Golf (Pty) Ltd, has just announced the launch of an exciting new golfing event in the country’s economic capital, Gauteng, to mark what has been a hard, busy business year. Experienced golfers and corporate weekend golfing enthusiasts alike, are invited to participate as part of their wind down for the year. Founder, Didintle Motsuenyane, is keen to encourage women entrepreneur golfers to take part too.

Write. Publish. Market: From Idea to Published Book: The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint by Jodi Brandon

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

According to author Jodi Brandon in her latest book, Write. Publish. Market: From Idea to Published Book: The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint, so many creative business owners and entrepreneurs have ‘writing a book’ on their bucket list, but are intimated by the process. If you are one such entrepreneur, and you think you have a book just bursting to get out, but you just can’t get started or simply don’t know how, then this is a great read just for you!

Quote of the Day by Lindiwe Mafavuneh

November 7, 2019 Melanie Hawken

"The start-up journey is not for the faint hearted, have grit and believe anything is possible."

Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Kristine Pearson: You need a compass

November 7, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Kristine Pearson, founder of Lifeline Energy — **Kristine Pearson**, founder of Lifeline Energy

You need a compass….

“First, define and embrace your values and goals. They must align with those of your organization and you must stick to them. You cannot imagine the curve balls that will get thrown at you along the way - often when you least expect it. You need a compass and your values are just that.”

Kristine Pearson, Founder & Chief Executive of Lifeline Energy

Entrepreneur Advice from Chita Mumba Zulu: Focus on what you want to achieve

November 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Chita Mumba Zulu, founder of Eternal Jewellery Zambia

Focus on what you want to achieve…

“Determination and persistence are key to achieve anything in life, even when things don't seem to be working out, don't give up. Focus on what you want to achieve and with God by your side all things are possible.”

Chita Mumba Zulu, founder of Eternal Jewellery Zambia

Access to markets and finance key topics at the latest Lioness Lean In Enterprise Event in Nelspruit

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

It was another city first for Lionesses of Africa on Wednesday 30 October as the latest Lioness Lean In Enterprise took place for high growth potential women entrepreneurs in the city. Once again in this important series of events, it was hosted in partnership with ABSA.

The most powerful woman in the room is you by Lydia Fenet

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You, Lydia Fenet takes you on her twenty-year journey from intern to managing director and global head of strategic partnerships at Christie’s Auction House. Lydia shares the revolutionary sales approach she has crafted over the years that has not only shaped her career, but helped her raise more than half a billion dollars for nonprofits around the world.

LIONESS LAUNCH / Lunar launches its award-winning Autumn/Winter 2020 collection at SA Fashion Week

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Nicola Luther, owner of LUNAR (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

South African eco-fashion and lifestyle brand, LUNAR, led by owner and creative director, Nicola Luther, recently showcased its AutumnWinter2020 collection at SA Fashion Week as part of the Cape Wools & Mohair SA Designer Challenge. Lunar was also selected as winner of this challenge in the Ladies Wear category by an international panel of judges.

Morenike Okebu, a Nigeria legal entrepreneur providing access to quality and affordable legal services to SMEs

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Morenike Okebu, founder of Reni Legal (Nigeria)

Startup Story

As every entrepreneur knows, getting the right legal advice for a growing business is essential, yet it can often be out of reach from an affordability perspective in the early days. But in Nigeria, entrepreneur and lawyer, Morenike Okebu, founder of Reni Legal, is bringing legal advice and expertise within reach of all SMEs.

Zilia Ximenes, a woman entrepreneur in Angola building a successful real estate agency business built on personal service

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Zilia Ximenes, founder of Zximenes – Imobiliária (Angola)

Startup Story

Finding the right property for your business or personal needs can be a stressful and time consuming process, and one that requires specialist expertise. In Angola, entrepreneur Zilia Ximenes, founder of Zximenes – Imobiliária, is helping her clients with all their property needs, bringing her personalized approach and specialist experience to every job.

Gorilla Conservation pioneer and social entrepreneur, Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, acknowledged in new National Geographic film

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

100 Lionesses

National Geographic's new documentary, which highlights mothers working in wildlife conservation and more. National Geographic has just launched a new documentary film, Women of Impact: Changing the World, which features prominent conservationists who discuss how they've shared their careers with their children and inspired them to be passionate about preserving wildlife, too. One of those featured is the inspirational Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, a wildlife veterinarian in Uganda, conservation biologist, founder of Conservation Through Public Health and Gorilla Conservation Coffee.

When NOW is the perfect time

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, ceo & founder of Isabella – Estética & Cosméticos

Everyone wants immediate and effortless success, but as I started the entrepreneurial journey I realized that some actions needed to take place. I actually had to have a plan to reach where I wanted to be, by setting goals. More than planning to win, I had to understand how badly I wanted my dreams to come true. Also, to understand if I was ready to own a business, because it isn’t just about the money a business can bring to my life, but how driven I am to take action to make it a reality. To be a successful business owner, I have to both serve a higher purpose that is valuable for people, and at the same time, make money, because the more I serve, the more successful I become.

Why You Must Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat

I was inspired to write this article because of a book I am reading (for the second time). The title of the book is ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers. Fear comes up in our lives regularly and contrary to the belief that feeling fearful is a sign of weakness or lack of courage, this book enforces the fact that fear is a very normal emotion. It also offers great tips on how to act in spite of fear, when you are most likely to experience fear and a unique perspective on turning pain into power.

Own your values

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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

When we think about the word values – we tend to think of a poster inside corporate companies – ‘we value team work, trust, innovation’ – blah blah! Hopefully these values get brought into company culture and it forms the basis for how decisions are made, what to focus on and how to live the company brand. If they don’t – they live on the wall as a reminder of what they could choose to become.