the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
Most of us live with this feeling that we are not living our greatest potential. It usually comes down to one habit, trigger or pattern that we repeat again and again that holds us back. So when it comes to making a change - for example, start exercising, eating better, stop smoking, participate in meetings – we need to become aware of the barriers holding us back.
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by Mandisa Makubalo, Unlimited Experiences
Research has revealed that from the year 2020 (which is less than 6 weeks away) Product and Price will no longer be the differentiator but Customer Experience, what does this mean for the future of Black Friday when the very essence of this day is about Product and Price.
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Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Future Software Resources (Nigeria)
Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Future Software Resources (Nigeria)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Eugenia Langa, CEO and Founder of NWEBA
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.
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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.
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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.
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Wendy Connick
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.
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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.
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Olga Mugyenyi, co-founder of Definition Africa, Uganda
Olga Mugyenyi, co-founder of Definition Africa, Uganda
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Bhatupe Mhango, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi)
Start with what you have....
Bhatupe Mhango, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi)
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Merlanie 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.
Harriet Kelsall
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.
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Lioness Launch
YOU + US = WE is the ethos behind the launch of the YOU Cookie Company brand in South Africa. Impact driven social entrepreneur and owner, Adri Williams, known for her company’s popular Khayelitsha Cookies, is looking to take her incredibly successful cookie baking business model and social impact to the next level.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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