Quote of the Day by Tatenda Rungisa

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“… the choices we make on a daily basis can either bring us closer to, or further from, our dreams.”

Tatenda Rungisa, co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: You must have a never-say-die attitude

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (Ethiopia) — **Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu**, founder of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

You must have a never-say-die attitude....

"There will be many times every single day while you are creating or running your business where it will be easy to stop rather than continue. But do just that — continue. And as you continue, focus on making your product or service the absolute best and then delivering that product or service inside the most amazing experience for your customers. Do that and repeat relentlessly, but always with a smile."

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels & Garden of Coffee (Ethiopia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Teta Isibo: Don't try be a perfectionist!

January 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Don't try to be a perfectionist....

"The problem with so many aspirant women entrepreneurs in Africa is that they are perfectionists and they are afraid of failure or starting too small. So instead they keep endlessly planning and striving for perfection but never actually get around to starting. So the advice is to just start, with baby steps at first, and then grow organically from there - but, ultimately, just start."

Teta Isibo founder of Inzuki (Rwanda)

Quote of the Day by Sayu Abend

January 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Women need to be bold, strong and driven to pursue their dreams. Create your own future and not one society has mapped out for you.”

Sayu Abend, founder and CEO of Spacepointe (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Flora Mutahi

January 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“If we are to realize our development goals, we must stop hurtling down this import path towards being a consumer nation; we must produce.”

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

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

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“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.