US Asset Owners Meet to Discuss How to Gender Their Portfolios and Support Women Entrepreneurs Through Investing

November 17, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Event report

On 11 November, in the heart of New York City, an audience of around 70 US asset owners and investment advisors gathered together for an event hosted by Morgan Stanley and the United Nations Capital Development Fund. The topic of discussion was how these asset owners could gender their portfolios and support women entrepreneurs through investing. Lionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, was one of the guest speakers sharing her insights on the subject at this prestigious event.

The Creative's Guide to Starting a Business: How to Turn Your Talent Into a Career by Harriet Kelsall

November 17, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

If you are one of those talented women creatives who have a passion for what they make but want to take more control over their work and getting it to market, then embarking on an entrepreneurial journey is the way to go. Harriet Kelsall’s book, The Creative’s Guide to Starting a Business, is a must read if you are one such creative. Winner of the best startup inspiration book award at the 2019 Business Book Awards, author Harriet Kelsall shares her practical insights and knowledge to help guide other creatives to starting successful and sustainable businesses.

Mapholo Ratau, a South African entrepreneur creating a contemporary, successful clothing brand with global appeal

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Entrepreneur Mapholo Ratau knows how to spot a gap in the marketplace, and for her, that gap was finding high quality, contemporary clothing designs that were a celebration of South African culture. Her solution was to create an exciting brand and range of clothing that is unmistakably her own.

Carla Pinto, a Mozambican entrepreneur creating a popular blogging platform for mothers and mothers-to-be

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Carla Pinto, founder of Arco-Íris & Borboletas (Mozambique)

Startup Story

When you are a new mom, getting access to great quality information and resources, combined with insights and opinions from other moms is so useful. So in Mozambique, one woman entrepreneur is creating the ultimate, go-to resource for parents to be and those who are already on their family raising journey. Carla Pinto, founder of Arco-Íris & Borboletas, is creating a safe space for the sharing of information and feedback so that moms and dads can learn from each other and get access to great resources too.

Hape Marite Mphale, an entrepreneur creating natural hair care products and building a great brand in Lesotho

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Hape Marite Mphale, founder of Blackhair (Lesotho)

Startup Story

The haircare business globally is big business, and in Africa, the market for high quality, home-grown brands that know exactly how to cater to the specific haircare needs of African women is exploding. In Lesotho, entrepreneur Hape Marite Mphale has created the Blackhair brand, a popular and rapidly growing natural hair care brand and range of products.

Business without a business plan

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, founder of Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos

Fortunately, today we have many people who talk about business and how a business plan can make your abstract ideas become a reality. There is also a range of business plan samples that are available online for free, meaning, anyone can sit down and write a business plan. Before I started my natural cosmetic company, Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos, I tried many businesses but couldn’t get them off the ground - not because they were bad, but I was creating blockages as soon as I started to write a business plan. Let me say that I have got nothing against business plans as such, and I’m not saying that people shouldn’t plan because planning is very important when one wants to take proper steps towards achieving goals and having a successful business.

Grit is Necessary for a Successful Journey

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mo Abudu: Execution is everything

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Mo Abudu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV — **Mo Abudu**, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV

A great business idea alone counts for nothing without execution....

"Anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur must know that bright ideas are great, however, they are not even half of the work; execution is everything. Yes, as the saying goes, ‘there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come’, but when that time comes, you must be prepared to bleed sweat, tears and blood to bring your ideas to life."

Mo Abudu founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bomanga Ngoi Longango: Believe in your dream

November 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Bomanga Ngoi Longango, founder of Evelea Foods — **Bomanga Ngoi Longango,** founder of Evelea Foods

Believe in your dream.....

"You are your own dream so every day must lead you to success. You have to believe in your dream and work hard for it."

Bomanga Ngoi Longango, founder of Evelea Foods (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mellisa Mazinga - Enjoy the journey

November 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Mellisa Mazingi, Managing Director of Gone Rural Swaziland — **Mellisa Mazingi**, Managing Director of Gone Rural Swaziland

Don't forget to enjoy your entrepreneurial journey....

"Build a support network so you can seek advice when needed, and be meticulous about planning and execution. But most importantly, enjoy the journey."

Mellisa Mazingi, Managing Director of Gone Rural Swaziland

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!