Mati Malema, a South African entrepreneur creating tailor made suits and formal wear for style conscious women executives

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Mati Malema, founder of Ukulu Clothing Concepts (South Africa)

Startup Story

In the world of business, every woman executive wants to look good and feel confident when they present themselves to their clients and to their staff in the workplace. But often, finding that perfectly fitting and great looking suit or item of formalwear, can be difficult, especially when time is a scarce commodity. In South Africa, that’s where Mati Malema, founder of Ukulu Clothing Concepts, comes to the rescue. Her bespoke approach to tailoring means that clients’ individual clothing needs are met in a stress free way.

Princess Nomzamo Madlala, a South Africa entrepreneur turning her passion for travel and sales into a thriving business

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Princess Nomzamo Madlala, founder of Rose Pearl Travel (South Africa)

Startup Story

Many businesses and organisations find planning their travel and logistics a real headache, not to mention, stressful and time-consuming. For entrepreneur Princess Nomzamo Madlala, founder of Rose Pearl Travel in South Africa, this provided a unique business opportunity. Today, her business is thriving and her customers get to enjoy a stress-free experience, no matter where or how they are travelling.

Lioness Launch / Nigerian bean-to-bar chocolate company, Loshes Chocolate, launches new ranges of chocolate bars and gift boxes

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Femi Oyedipe, founder of Loshes Chocolate (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

The renowned and fast growing Loshes Chocolate, a bean-to-bar, single-origin, craft chocolate processing company in Lagos, Nigeria, is expanding its range to include some exciting new chocolate bars and gift boxes. Founded by entrepreneur, Femi Oyedipe, the company is building a reputation for its production of fine chocolates and baking products for both individual and commercial consumers.

Eugenia Langa, founder of Nweba, wins Outstanding Woman of the Year Award at the 6th Mozambique Gas Summit

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Award Winner

The 6th Mozambique Gas Summit & Exhibition has just taken place on 13 to 14 November. One of the highlights of this year’s event was a special awards ceremony to honour the 2019 Mozambique Industry Award Winners. The prestigious Outstanding Woman of the Year Award was presented to Eugenia Langa, CEO and Founder of NWEBA. Nweba is the first Mozambican Company dedicated to Procurement and Logistics for the sectors of Construction, Oil & Gas, Mining and Energy, and has a team of certified International Procurement Professionals with more than 10 years of experience. The company prides itself on providing a market solution to the challenges of these sectors in Mozambique.

The Entrepreneur’s Journey

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, founder of Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos

Nowadays, a diversity of market opportunities can be created thanks to the general economic and financial crises that have made many awaken their dormant dreams and hidden ideas, meaning people had to feel the pressure of a lack of things to pursue fulfilment. Lately, all we hear about is entrepreneurship and people coming up with great, innovative ideas for the creation of a business and it seems like everybody wants to be an entrepreneur.

How To Become The Employer of Choice

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Marang Marekimane, founder of Business Process Mechanics

There is a standing call-to-action for all small business owners to “create employment opportunities for the unemployed”. This call is supported by various policies and incentive programs to assist people to either start a business, therefore removing themselves out of the unemployment line or for people to grow their business, in the hopes they’ll employ those left in the queue.

Sales 101: From Finding Leads and Closing Techniques to Retaining Customers and Growing Your Business, an Essential Primer on How to Sell by Wendy Connick

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

For many women entrepreneurs, one of the most daunting and difficult aspects of the business to get to grips with is sales. Many absolutely dread the cold calling, the never-ending sales research to find potential customers, and then the pitching to those customers. But help is at hand from author and sales expert Wendy Connick, whose new book Sales 101, provides a practical guide to the ins and outs of sales techniques and a crash course in how to sell anything.

DR. VICTORIA KISYOMBE '100 Lionesses' Profile - Meet Tanzania's trailblazing champion of women's financial empowerment

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Meet Dr. Victoria Kisyombe who is the founder and CEO of SELFINA, a company in Tanzania that provides micro-leasing to mostly widows and young girls. Victoria is a leader who has used innovation, initiative, and determination to empower women in Tanzania to become economically self-sufficient.

Quote of the Day Olga Mugyenyi

November 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“People have value for foreign things. It is strange that Uganda exports cotton which comes back with a label and we think it is higher value yet it is made from our cotton. We are trying to emphasise and change people’s perception…”

Olga Mugyenyi, co-founder of Definition Africa, Uganda

Entrepreneur Advice from Bhatupe Mhango: Start with what you have

November 18, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Bhatupe Mhango, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi) — **Bhatupe Mhango**, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi)

Start with what you have....

"Start where you can, with what you have, right where you are. All these brands we see out here started off as little seeds, so we should do the same. Don't compete with those who are not in your lane."

Bhatupe Mhango, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi)

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.