A Christmas Saving Miracle

December 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main, founder of Money Savvy Kids

The most wonderful time of the year is also the most expensive. When the Christmas spirit takes over, that one crucial ability to save is conveniently misplaced. This loss of ability is seldom noticed, but will deal a detrimental blow to your bank account in the long run. Money Savvy Kids (MSK) is built on the foundations of saving and budgeting, just to name a few. And it is here to help you through the hardest time of the year by saving and budgeting your way to a worry-free January.

Win by being agile and customer-centric

December 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Alice da Silva

A case study based on my personal experience:

Despite a current difficult economy, business services are still needed. Customers are under strain and are more discerning when it comes to choosing a service provider. Sometimes it’s a grudge spend following an unplanned emergency. It’s bad enough being forced to spend money when survival and priorities must be carefully considered, so to have bad service on top of that is just too unpleasant. Customers still have choices, and they choose who gets the business.

Quote of the Day by Lorna Rutto

December 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

"I am actually turning the trash into cash while creating job opportunities… Nothing makes me happier."

Lorna Rutto, founder of EcoPost (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Shikha Vincent: Seek out frank advice

December 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Shikha Vincent, founder of SHIKHAZURI (Kenya)

Seek out frank advice....

"There will be long days and nights, but if you want it to work, you’ve got to persevere. Find an experienced mentor within your industry who can guide you on your journey. Having the support of friends and family is wonderful, but more often than not they will tell you what you want to hear, and unless they have experience in your industry, they might not be able to give you the frank advice that you need."

Shikha Vincent, founder of SHIKHAZURI (Kenya)

Quote of the Day by Flora Mutahi

December 9, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“If in your heart you know that this is what you want to do, please do it despite all the pressure from society.”

Flora Mutahi, founder & CEO of Melvin Marsh International (Kenya)

100 LIONESSES: Lorna Rutto leads a plastic recycling revolution in Kenya

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Lorna Rutto resigned her comfortable banking job in 2009 to start EcoPost in Nairobi. Every month, her company uses approximately 20 tons of plastic waste. Utilising dirty plastic to make a product that saves wood is not just an environmental plus; it also boosts employment.

Fashionpreneurship in the spotlight at the Lioness Lean In Enterprise Event in Johannesburg

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Event Report | LionessLeanInENTERPRISE

Bringing a close to a packed Lioness Lean In Enterprise schedule for 2019 in South Africa, hosted in partnership with ABSA, the final event the took place on 4 December in the innovative environment of the Equinox Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg. Over the past few months, these special Lioness Lean In Enterprise events have aimed to bring high growth potential women entrepreneurs together in one room to talk about how they address their challenges with access to funding, markets, and opportunities. And importantly, because of the impact partnership with Absa, also potential solutions to those challenges.

Filipa Oliveira, an Angolan entrepreneur putting market research at the heart of successful business

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Filipa Oliveira, founder of MIRA Market Intelligence Research Angola

Startup Story

Any successful business knows that getting access to accurate and timeous market research and data is essential to success. Entrepreneur Filipa Oliveira, founder of MIRA Market Intelligence Research Angola, is bringing world class market insights to her customers to help them to tap into and grow their customer bases.

Vânia Ribeiro, an Angolan entrepreneur providing digital solutions to create a paperless society

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Vânia Ribeiro, founder of Assinebwe, Lda (Angola)

Startup Story

In Angola, individuals and companies spend vast amounts of time completing administrative tasks by hand that can be done in minutes by harnessing the power of digital technology. Entrepreneur Vânia Ribeiro, founder of Assinebwe, Lda, is bringing the necessary software solutions to make things faster and more efficient.

Go-To-Market Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs: Creating and Exploring Success by Victoria L Crittenden

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

The role of women in business and society is beset with traditions and expectations that leave women's ambitious desires unfulfilled. And yet, with the rise of the female entrepreneur, this is changing. In her new book, Go-To-Market Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship expert Victoria L. Crittenden, along with a cast of first-rate global contributors, provides a lens into the power of women entrepreneurship.

My ABC of business: Celebrating your fellow female entrepreneur

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

I was watching the after-show of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Tokyo on TV recently, and I experienced goosebumps as I watched South Africans from all walks of life sing “Shozoloza” in unity outside the stadium. It was electrifying and heart-warming. Sometimes we focus so much on what makes us different from each other, that we tend to forget how similar we actually are, and what makes our country so unique.

Own your time off

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Think about the last time you took leave. Was it filled with a slight sense of dread and the self-talk went ‘this is the worst possible time to take leave’. And then you take the leave and spend the time with a heavy cloud of guilt hanging over your head worrying about the ‘stuff’ that can’t possibly get done without you. Eventually you get to the end of the period and you return to work possibly more highly strung than before you left. If this resonates or sounds familiar…I encourage you to continue reading….. The truth is there is never going to be a time where it feels like it’s finally the perfect opportunity to take leave. So knowing this universal truth, I encourage you to plan your time off in advance before you reach near burnout or breaking point.

Avoid the festive season financial hangover!

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

It’s that time of the year again when we are bombarded with messages enticing us to spend money, and the heat is on in terms of spoiling those nearest and dearest to us. So much expectation is created around this season - entertaining, socializing, gifting and more. While it’s a wonderful time to connect with family and friends, it’s also a very easy time to fall into the trap of over-spending, leaving a financial hangover to deal with as you enter the new year.

Gender Lens Investments in Value Chains in the Spotlight at the Global Gender Summit in Kigali

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

The topic of how to unpack constraints to gender equality was the primary focus of the Global Gender Summit held on 25 to 27 November in the beautiful city of Kigali in Rwanda. The event got underway with a glittering Opening Ceremony at the Kigali Convention Centre, featuring welcoming remarks from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, and His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda. The morning’s programme set the tone for the event as a whole, with a high level panel discussion featuring both opening speakers, and including His Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia; His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; and Ms Lerato Motsamai, Founder and CEO, Petrolink.

Leading women entrepreneurs in East Africa win 2X Invest2Impact Business Competition

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

FinDev Canada, Managing Director, Paul Lamontagne (centre) congratulates winners of the Invest2Impact Awards, from left: Climate Change and the Environment award winner, Lucy Mutinda of Ecocycle Ltd from Kenya; Women’s Empowerment award winner, Blan… — FinDev Canada, Managing Director, Paul Lamontagne (centre) congratulates winners of the Invest2Impact Awards, from left: Climate Change and the Environment award winner, Lucy Mutinda of Ecocycle Ltd from Kenya; Women’s Empowerment award winner, Blandine Umiziranenge of Kosmotive from Rwanda; Social Innovation award winner Yvette Ishimwe of Iriba Water Group Limited from Rwanda; and Youth Employment or Entrepreneurship Award winner, Beryl Anyiti Walubengo of Crystal Africa Cleaning Service Limited from Kenya.

Award Winners

On the evening of 25 November 2019, the city of Kigali in Rwanda played host to a very special event, coordinated to recognize the achievements of one hundred East African women entrepreneurs. These impact driven women were announced as the winners of the inaugural 2019 2X Invest2Impact. The event was part of the Global Gender Summit 2019. 2X Invest2Impact was organized and launched by the development finance institutions (DFIs) of Canada (FinDev Canada), the United Kingdom (CDC Group plc), France (Proparco) and the United States (OPIC), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

The Smart Money Tribe - An African Woman’s Guide to Making Bank by Arese Ugwu

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Essential Read

When it comes to making, keeping and growing money, if anyone knows about the challenges facing Africa’s women entrepreneurs, and women in general on the continent in this regard, it’s Arese Ugwu. In her latest book, The Smart Money Tribe, she continues her novel approach to storytelling and educating on financial literacy by sharing the experiences of five young women in Nigeria. Arese’s latest book follows hard on the heels of her previous best-seller, The Smart Money Woman.

Sam Blake, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur taking a holistic approach to skincare with her business

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Sam Blake, founder of Skinadore Holistic Skincare (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

As more and more people are becoming conscious about the type of products they put onto their skin, the desire to find more natural solutions is growing. In Zimbabwe, Sam Blake, founder of Skinadore Holistic Skincare and an experienced Aesthetician herself, has the solution.

Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, a Zimbabwean creative entrepreneur putting handcrafted expertise at the heart of her business

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, founder of Honex International Projects t/a SAGI Jewellers (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Zimbabwe has a reputation for producing quality handcrafted goods. But entrepreneur Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, founder of Honex International Projects t/a SAGI Jewellers, is looking to build a legacy business that harnesses that creativity to produce accessories that local consumers and visitors alike want to buy.

You don’t have to be naked to be noticed

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Thozama Ponti

Very often, we see people getting naked very easily, the world is boring because there’s a lot of nakedness - I will explain further about what I mean by this. People don’t think twice about revealing or exposing much about themselves, I mean it’s very easy to get to know about a person nowadays with them verbally communicating in the digital space.