the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Fatuma Abdullah
I get hot under the collar, when I attend seminars or conferences and entrepreneurs are presented in a romanticized fashion. Or worse, glamorizing the subject of entrepreneurship and neglecting the most important unseen component of the journey, the sleepless nights, the self-discipline, rejection, disappointments, failure, the lack of support and resources.
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Mo Abudu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV
A great business idea alone counts for nothing without execution....
Mo Abudu founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)
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Bomanga Ngoi Longango, founder of Evelea Foods
Believe in your dream.....
Bomanga Ngoi Longango, founder of Evelea Foods (Democratic Republic of Congo)
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Mellisa Mazingi, Managing Director of Gone Rural Swaziland
Don't forget to enjoy your entrepreneurial journey....
Mellisa Mazingi, Managing Director of Gone Rural Swaziland
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Ana Lloyd Vasconcelos (Angola)
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.
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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.
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Didintle Motsuenyane
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.
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Jodi Brandon
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!
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Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)
Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)
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Kristine Pearson, founder of Lifeline Energy
You need a compass….
Kristine Pearson, Founder & Chief Executive of Lifeline Energy
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Chita Mumba Zulu, founder of Eternal Jewellery Zambia
Focus on what you want to achieve…
Chita Mumba Zulu, founder of Eternal Jewellery Zambia
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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.
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Lydia Fenet
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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