Entrepreneur Advice from Janet Rhys: Grow organically

January 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Janet Rhys, co-founder of Charlotte Rhys (South Africa) — **Janet Rhys**, co-founder of Charlotte Rhys (South Africa)

Grow organically....

"When you are starting out, grow organically and take it slow. Don’t fall into the trap of taking out high interest loans and getting into unmanageable debt. Another thing I learnt is not to be seduced by big turnover. If the bottom line is not worth it, it is often better to walk away."

Janet Rhys, co-founder of Charlotte Rhys (South Africa)

South Africa’s High Growth Women Entrepreneurs Lean In For Business Success

January 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa

Over the past 5 years, women entrepreneurs in South Africa who are looking to grow their businesses have harnessed the power of the Lioness Lean In events to expand their business networks. In the second half of 2019, a new impact partnership between Lionesses of Africa and Absa, took the Lioness Lean In Enterprise events to a whole new level in the country.

Acting Up: Winning in Business and Life Using Down-Home Wisdom by Janice Bryant-Howroyd

January 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Growing up in the segregated American South in a family of eleven children, entrepreneur Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder of ActOne Group, and author of new book Acting Up, faced racism and sexism in addition to the challenges faced by every new business owner. None of that stopped her from becoming the first black woman to own a billion-dollar business.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s LUNAR launches new eco-fashion collection in London

January 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nicola Luther, CEO and Creative Director, LUNAR (South Africa) — Nicola Luther, CEO and Creative Director, LUNAR (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

Adding to the entrepreneurial buzz of Start-Up Night Africa London which took place on 16 January in the heart of the West End of the City, South Africa’s leading eco-fashion brand, Lunar, launched its new SpringSummer2020 collection.

High-Level Roundtable in London looks to Unlock Private Investment across AfCFTA

January 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

On 17 January, Lionesses of Africa Founder & CEO, Melanie Hawken, joined other senior business and government leaders at a High-Level SDG Investment Roundtable in London, hosted on the margins of the UK-Africa Investment Summit. The focus of the roundtable was to discuss how to unlock private investment across the African Continental Free Trade Area to realize Sustainable Development Goals.

Suzie Wokabi, leading lady of Kenya's beauty industry

January 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

The African continent represents a rapidly growing marketplace for the beauty and wellness industry. What is really exciting is the emergence of a generation of African women beauty brand-builders who are creating world-class beauty and skincare products that are specifically formulated to meet the needs of African women consumers. In Kenya, Suzie Wokabi is one such trailblazer with her SuzieBeauty brand that is winning legions of consumer fans, both at home and abroad.

Mara Cancune, a Mozambican entrepreneur dedicated to human capital development in her country

January 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mara Cancune, founder of CharbanúRH (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Developing people and human capital is the key to the successful economic development of any country. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Mara Cancune, founder of CharbanúRH - Consultoria e Capacitação, is playing her role to ensure that young people are trained to enter the labour market.

Abueng Leepile, a South African agripreneur providing healthy and delicious vegetables to the country

January 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Abueng Leepile, founder of Bokamoso Abu Farms (South Africa)

Startup Story

South Africa has a long tradition of growing some of the world’s finest fruit and vegetables. In the North West province of the country, agripreneur Abueng Leepile, founder of Bokamoso Abu Farms, is playing her part in the important food production value chain in the country.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Camara: Find your path

January 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea)

Find your path…

“Do not let anyone discourage you. Take time to learn. Spend as much time as possible in the field. You may face discrimination sometimes, but always remain professional and persevere. Know that you represent yourself and those women who will follow your path. Find your path, work hard and let the universe do the rest.”

Tiguidanke Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) (Guinea)

Quote of the Day by Lynn Worsley

January 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Screen Shot 2016-11-20 at 6.20.20 PM.png

“Be creative, be unafraid, and take that step off the mountain. I assure you it’s worth it.”

Lynn Worsley, founder of All Women Recycling (South Africa)

Customer First Talk vs Delivering Value

January 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Mandisa Makubalo, founder of Unlimited Experiences

What is "Customer First Talk"? How does this look, tangibly, and how does a company recognize that it’s moved beyond ‘customer first talk’ to delivering value for its customers?

There must be more to caring than copy…paste…share. At least, I hope so!

January 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Alice da Silva

Now and then on Facebook I see a certain post. It’s about suicide awareness, and usually invites others to copy, paste and share. Sometimes it includes a dare, something like, ‘Most people won’t share, but I know who will’. The post usually has multi-coloured hearts and a sort of story about how, ‘I am always available if you need to talk…’

Finding the best operating model for your fashion business

January 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

When I started Roka Roko, I didn’t consider my options as to how I wanted to operate. I didn’t think that far ahead. My main goal was to make clothes people felt and looked amazing in. I had been postponing my dream for at least 10 years and finally the opportunity was here. So, I just dove in. As the years passed, I became more and more exposed to other fashion businesses and ways of operation. I toyed with a few operating models and realizedthat it is better to find one and stick to it. I mean, you can 80% do one, and maybe 20% another; but your cash cow needs to be clear and strictly followed.

Quote of the Day by Divine Ndhlukula

January 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula at the 2016 Annual Lionesses of Africa Conference

"Women entrepreneurs have to work twice as hard to succeed... the best thing to do is to remain resolute, focused, ethical and preserve your integrity."

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur advice from Anna Richerby: Take yourself seriously

January 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Anna Richerby, Founder of Beloved Beadwork, South Africa — **Anna Richerby**, Founder of Beloved Beadwork, South Africa

You have to take yourself seriously....

"As women we are often taught to prioritize other people’s expectations and live up to other people’s perceptions of us, and that can be a very difficult space to navigate. So you have to take yourself seriously as an entrepreneur."

Anna Richerby, founder of Beloved Beadwork (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Kimberly and Priscilla Addison

January 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"57 Chocolate aims to inspire the people of Ghana, especially the youth to create and develop Made in Ghana products of highest value."

Kimberly and Priscilla Addison, co-founders of '57 Chocolate (Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Masana Sangweni: Don’t get lonely

January 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Masana Sangweni, founder of Sanaandi Events & Hospitality (South Africa) — **Masana Sangweni**, founder of Sanaandi Events & Hospitality (South Africa)

Don’t get lonely….

“Being an entrepreneur can be lonely, especially in the beginning. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs, those who are eager to share their experiences and cheer you on; they don't even have to be in the same industry you are in, as long as they have passion and drive for what they do.”

Masana Sangweni, founder of Sanaandi Events & Hospitality (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Lorna Scott: Be adaptable

January 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lorna Scott, founder of Inverroche Distillery (South Africa) — **Lorna Scott**, founder of Inverroche Distillery (South Africa)

Be adaptable…

“Things change, sometimes overnight and often without warning – that’s the only thing you can be sure of - remain flexible and ready to adapt your strategies, but not your vision and goals - and get a good accountant right from the start to help you make informed financial decisions.”

Lorna Scott, founder of Inverroche Distillery (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Oluwafemi Oyedipe

January 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"The cocoa industry provided a good opportunity to demonstrate the value of processing a raw material into a finished product."

Oluwafemi Oyedipe, founder of LoshesChocolate (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Adedoyin Jaiyesimi: Focus on adding value

January 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Adedoyin Jaiyesimi, founder of The Sparkle Writer's Hub (Nigeria)

Focus on adding value....

"Let your focus be on adding value through your business and meeting the needs of your target market. That's what will ensure the long-term sustainability of your business."

Adedoyin Jaiyesimi, founder of The Sparkle Writer's Hub (Nigeria)

"When you are starting out, grow organically and take it slow. Don’t fall into the trap of taking out high interest loans and getting into unmanageable debt. Another thing I learnt is not to be seduced by big turnover. If the bottom line is not worth it, it is often better to walk away."

“Be creative, be unafraid, and take that step off the mountain. I assure you it’s worth it.”

"Women entrepreneurs have to work twice as hard to succeed... the best thing to do is to remain resolute, focused, ethical and preserve your integrity."

"As women we are often taught to prioritize other people’s expectations and live up to other people’s perceptions of us, and that can be a very difficult space to navigate. So you have to take yourself seriously as an entrepreneur."

"57 Chocolate aims to inspire the people of Ghana, especially the youth to create and develop Made in Ghana products of highest value."

“Being an entrepreneur can be lonely, especially in the beginning. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs, those who are eager to share their experiences and cheer you on; they don't even have to be in the same industry you are in, as long as they have passion and drive for what they do.”

“Things change, sometimes overnight and often without warning – that’s the only thing you can be sure of - remain flexible and ready to adapt your strategies, but not your vision and goals - and get a good accountant right from the start to help you make informed financial decisions.”

"The cocoa industry provided a good opportunity to demonstrate the value of processing a raw material into a finished product."

"Let your focus be on adding value through your business and meeting the needs of your target market. That's what will ensure the long-term sustainability of your business."

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