Avoid the pitfalls of franchising

February 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa | By James Noble, Head of Wholesale, Retail and Franchising - Absa Business Banking

Absa’s Wholesale, Retail and Franchise Sector always strive to exceed the need of our franchise customers. Therefore, we display leadership in the industry by providing market leading solutions that will give you the opportunity to focus on your business.

Quote of the Day by Susan Mashibe

January 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Susan Mashibe, founder of VIA Aviation (Tanzania) — **Susan Mashibe**, founder of VIA Aviation (Tanzania)

"To successfully support Africa’s rise, we must support Africa’s women."

Susan Mashibe, founder and executive director of VIA Aviation (Tanzania)

Entrepreneur Advice from Rose Sibisi: Know what your passion and purpose is

January 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Know what your passion and purpose is....

"The first question to be able to ask yourself and have an answer to is: 'What is my purpose?' For as long as you are alive, you were created for a purpose to better the lives of others – it’s not about you. Women were created to 'birth' life and that is not restricted to human life. It means women have the creative and multiplying power to push boundaries with strength, resilience and focus in any area of business, communities and any sphere of influence they are assigned to. So – for you to get to the next level - know what your passion and purpose is and never give up!"

Rose Sibisi, creator and host of StylewithRoseS (Zambia)

Theo Khumo, a creative entrepreneur creating opportunities for Botswana’s talented seamstresses

January 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Theo Khumo, founder of African Wax Prints BW, (Botswana)

Startup Story

In Botswana, there is a tradition of highly creative women turning their sewing skills into beautiful products, but getting steady business for those skills can be a challenge. For entrepreneur Theo Khumo, founder of African Wax Prints BW, this market access gap was one to be filled, and today her business employs talented local seamstresses who are creating beautiful and unique items of clothing for customers around the world.

Wildpreneurs by Tamara Jacobi

January 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

For the rising number of free spirits seeking inspiration and a road map to leave their safe but soul-crushing day jobs and chase their dreams, Tamara Jacobi in her new book, Wildpreneurs, shares her insights on what it takes to successfully make the leap.

Quote of the Day by Chiinga Musonda

January 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"We decided to create a bean to bar chocolate company because of our love for chocolate, but also because we want to make an impact in Africa.”

Chiinga Musonda, co-founder of Savanna Premium Chocolate (Zambia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Carrie Leaver: Keep organized

January 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa) — **Carrie Leaver**, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

Keep organized....

"Do your homework and plan your startup journey in bite sizes; many small steps keep one motivated. Talk to strangers and connect; the true magic happens in the connections you make with others. Write things down; ideas, dates, deadlines, everything! We need to keep organized and cannot afford to forget a thing."

Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

Josephine Katumba, a South African entrepreneur turning waste spaces into urban farms

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Josephine Katumba, founder of Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions (South Africa)

Startup Story

One of the challenges of modern living is that often residents of sprawling industrial and commercial cities often become detached from where their food comes from and how it is produced. In South Africa, entrepreneur Josephine Katumba, founder of Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions, is reconnecting people with their food and the environment through urban agriculture.

The Golden Client

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

A couple of days ago, I was going through my client list because I wanted to find out and understand who my real clients are. I found out some very interesting things - for example, just because people follow you on social media doesn’t mean that they buy from you. In fact, the ones that constantly buy occupy a smaller piece of the pie chart, while the group that only bought once and those that never bought were part of the larger percentage.

Choosing a Brighter Everyday

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Thozama Ponti

Waking up each day we can’t help but wonder what the day ahead will bring for us. Hoping that the day will go well is everyone’s wish. At times we are challenged from the start and often lose hope, wondering if anything will go well in that day.

The Marriage of Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Mentorship

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Phindile Ndhlovu, founder and director, Bhekizenzo Foundation

When I was in university, 2 years ago, I wondered how my life would end up. I was worried. My academics were bad as I was involved with student activism and part-time jobs. I was a full-time student that studied part-time. I was a pregnant unemployed graduate. I had to step up for my precious boy’s arrival. I was not born with entrepreneurship flowing in my blood, life kind of forced that on me.

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.