LIONESS COLAB / Two powerhouses of the entrepreneurial world in South Africa collaborate on a new approach to compliance and cyber security training

February 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi and Sharmantha Valjee

Lioness CoLAB

Growing awareness of the need to protect personal and corporate information in cyberspace has led to the need for expert training and development of staff in these knowledge areas. In South Africa, two companies - DesignTech Training Academy and Orizur Consulting Enterprise - have collaborated on a range of solutions to address this skills deficit.

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, a medical pioneer saving lives through innovation

February 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of Lifebank (Nigeria)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Every year in African hospitals, people die because health workers could not ﬁnd the essential medical products needed on time and in the right condition. This problem affects pregnant women, children under the age of 5, victims of traumatic accidents, and people suffering from sickle cell anemia and other chronic conditions. For entrepreneur Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of Lifebank, these statistics needed to change. She did the math and found that over 14,965,000 people die annually in Africa from the shortage of essential medical products. Today, Temie’s business is working to harness the power of technology and innovation to find life-saving solutions.

Modupe Sanders, a Nigerian restaurant consultancy entrepreneur helping clients to startup their businesses

February 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Modupe Sanders, founder of Mo Consult (Nigeria)

Startup Story

The restaurant business is an exciting one to enter for any passionate foodie entrepreneur, but it is also potentially one of the most challenging. Getting access to expert advice in starting up a successful new restaurant or turning around an existing one is key. Mo Consult, founded by Modupe Sanders, is a business offering just such a specialist service to its clients.

Prudence Seya, an entrepreneur bringing the power of e-learning to Cote d’Ivoire

February 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Prudence Seya, founder of Web Training Academy (Cote d’Ivoire)

Startup Story

For any business looking to get the best from its people in a rapidly changing digital business environment, help is often needed to develop new skills and expertise. In Cote d’Ivoire, entrepreneur Prudence Seya, founder of Web Training Academy, is making e-learning more accessible.

Lioness Launch / Luxury jewellery meets conservation and sustainability in South Africa

February 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Meet Helen Viljoen, a luxury jewellery brandbuilder with a cause. — When you set out to build a niche jewellery business, underpinned by an ethos of legacy building through sustainable luxury, there is a golden thread that runs through the company and the brand. In the case of Nebü, founded by South African entrepreneur Helen Viljoen, that thread is the creation of beautiful, sustainable jewellery with a cause and a commitment to environmental and wild life conservation.

Building a company for longevity

February 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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Impact Partner Content: Absa | by Riaan Petersen, Head of Business Banking Segment Solutions, Absa Retail and Business Bank

You’ve done it. You took that first step, raised funding and ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. Operating in our current environment though is not easy. With growth in emerging and developing economies likely to remain slow, other possible challenges such as late payments impacting your cash flow and/or lackluster demand from buyers – building a business requires boldness and resilience.

Ladies, Power Up Your Brand: The Women Entrepreneur’s Guide to Getting Paid to Be Bold, Brilliant and Unapologetically You by Stacy Graiko and Faith James

February 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Faith James and Stacy Graiko

Book Revview

What if you could learn how big companies leverage their brands to make more money, attract ideal clients and get paid well to do the work YOU love? Well now you can some essential insights and advice by reading the great new book by Stacy Graiko and Faith James, titled Ladies, Power Up Your Brand. It’s the women entrepreneur’s guide to getting paid to be bold, brilliant and unapologetically you!

Purpose, Planning and Productivity

February 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

I have been very conscious of purpose in my adult life and tried to ensure my big decisions aligned with my life purpose. But what I didn’t give much attention to, until recently, was my daily purpose: embarking on each day with a clear and singular purpose in mind. Most people know roughly what they need to get done in the course of a week or a month. But often, the more senior you become the more you are required to attend to a wide variety of responsibilities. And as you become a generalist, you can easily start to find your days gobbled up by a myriad of small moves that leave you far from your original destination.

There’s a seat at the table for all of us

February 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Masana Sangweni, founder of Sanaandi Events & Hospitality

In 2016 I started my own business, Sanaandi Events & Hospitality. It wasn’t an easy decision, for years I procrastinated because of fear and self doubt. But there was that point where I realized that I can’t let fear keep me away from my destiny. The fear of not having a steady income, fear of rejection, fear of disappointing my parents for leaving the family business, fear of failure and fear of the competition. When I finally decided to pursue my passion, there was still fear but the passion was greater.

Quote of the Day by Mapeka Polane

February 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Start the business that you are very passionate about. It’s a blessing to run a business that you love.”

Mapeka Polane, founder of Spegelicious Cakery And Party Rentals (Lesotho)

Entrepreneur Advice from Suzie Wokabi: You must be patient and persistent

February 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Suzie Wokabi, founder of SuzieBeauty, Kenya — **Suzie Wokabi**, founder of SuzieBeauty, Kenya

Patience and persistence are key....

"I have learnt to be patient. It took a long time to undertake research and develop the product range. I have also learnt to never say die. I have met people who thought I was crazy to imagine a project like this, but the passion I have keeps me going. I have never stopped believing in my dreams."

Suzie Wokabi, founder of SuzieBeauty, Kenya

Quote of the Day by Kofo Akinkugbe

February 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"Whatever you do, do well. You never know who is watching."

Kofo Akinkugbe, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tania Reid: Be coachable

February 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tania Reid, founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa) — **Tania Reid**, founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa)

Be coachable....

"Speak to other women in your industry, speak to industry experts, and find mentors who have knowledge on all aspects of business. Ask your family to be honest about your business idea and not worry too much about hurting your feelings. Be coachable. Know how to pitch your business in 1 minute and stop making excuses about your 'small' business, all empires started off small."

Tania Reid founder of ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa)

Are You in Limbo?

February 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, founder of Picketfence Life

The year’s time clock has ticked over and we, as humans, settle our feathers for a new year - all the new challenges, the goals to achieve, the dreams to chase, scores to settle and proving of self-worth ... how necessary is this?

Entrepreneur Advice from Jacoline Wentzel: Start making things happen

February 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Start making things happen…

“Your dream will always just stay a dream if you do not start "doing". Put your phone down, stop living in that dream world of Instagram and Pinterest (don't get me wrong, I love them too!) and start making things happen around you.”

Jacoline Wentzel, founder of The Spa Warehouse (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Dr. Ola Orekunrin

February 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Here’s to the women who will change the narrative of African women: May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”

Dr. Ola Orekunrin, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria

Quote of the Day by Nathalie Kpanté

February 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Start with the educational system. We are conditioned to be job seekers. Entrepreneurship must be taught from childhood.”

Nathalie Kpanté, founder of Choco-Togo (Togo)

Focus on Women Entrepreneurs in African Agri Business

February 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sector Feature

According to the IFC, by 2030, Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness markets are expected to triple to reach $1 trillion in value. Africa needs more than $10 billion in new investment annually to achieve the aspired expansion of agricultural output. As a result, there is now an increasing focus on extending agribusiness value chains, recognizing that 60 percent of Africans derive their livelihoods from agriculture.

1st Lioness Lean In event of 2020 celebrates Johannesburg’s women entrepreneurs

February 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

The first Lioness Lean In event of the year is always a special one, and this was certainly the case for 2020. On 7 February, women entrepreneurs came out in force in Johannesburg, gathering once again in the familiar surroundings of Volkswagen South Africa’s Sandton headquarters. The venue was the perfect spot for the event, with one of the best views of Sandton for attendees to enjoy.