Entrepreneur Advice from Tayo Bello: You must have passion for what you do

February 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tayo Bello, founder of Bello Creations (Nigeria)

My best advice…

"To have the passion for what you do and make sure you have a business adviser and mentors in place to guide you through the journey."

Tayo Bello, founder of Bello Creations (Nigeria)

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)

Quote of the Day by Michelle Rumbelow

January 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Work from your heart - If you believe in your business, others will too!”

Michelle Rumbelow, founder of Liviya (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Vicki Bain: Follow your passion

September 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Vicki Bain, founder of Chocoloza (South Africa) — **Vicki Bain**, founder of Chocoloza (South Africa)

Follow your passion....

"Trust your instinct. Follow your passion - plan in detail but don't let anyone sway you from your plans."

Vicki Bain, founder of Chocoloza (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Joy Ndungutse: Passion can get you to where you want to be in business

April 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda)

You need to be passionate about what you're doing....

“Something small can create an impact, .... You don’t have to have a lot of money to start a business. You can start small, but you must have a passion for what you’re doing.”

Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Camara: Follow your passion

December 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Follow your passion…

“Follow your passion. Do not let gender-related issues define you. Work hard, have faith and persevere. You will face difficulties, challenges and setbacks. It will help you grow. Always be professional. Surround yourself with mentors who will guide you throughout your career.”

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

Entrepreneur Advice from Adèle Dejak: Never give up

April 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Adèle Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya) — **Adèle Dejak,** founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya)

Never give up…

“Passion is the driving engine for anything you want to achieve in life. Even when things do not always turn out exactly as you had planned, never ever give up.”

- Adèle Dejak is the founder of Adele Dejak in Kenya, a brand that creates luxury handmade fashion jewellery and accessories for the modern, sophisticated and multidimensional woman. Inspired by African shapes, textures and traditional techniques, Adèle’s cutting-edge pieces sit perfectly between artefact and high fashion statement designs. More about Adèle.

Quote of the Day by Diana Opoti

March 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Find a niche. Turn what you like into a business. Passion fuels business!”

Diana Opoti founder of Diana Opoti PR (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Phanice Shamalla: If you don't love it don't do it!

March 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Phanice Shamalla, founder of Iris Management (Kenya) — **Phanice Shamalla**, founder of Iris Management (Kenya)

If you don't love it don't do it!...

"Passion is Key! If you don't love it don't do it! Business is like having a baby or marriage, so beautiful yet so many challenges. Therefore if you love it, you won’t give up!"

- Phanice Shamalla is the founder of Iris Management in Kenya, a company committed to promoting a healthier community by building partnerships with health care providers, businesses, and non-profit organizations in order to motivate consumers to take actions and make healthier living choices through the annual trade expo - The Health Festival - and the Iris Health & Wellness Information website. Phanice is tapping her passion for event management and education to help families and communities change their behavior patterns and choose more healthy lifestyles.

Quote of the Day by Miyoba Buumba

March 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Don’t give up on your passion and dreams. In life we always have to push for the doors of success to open."

- Miyoba Buumba, founder of Mwabonwa Designs (Zambia)

Quote of the Day by Mariana Agness Francisco Eria

February 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"Our product is made with nothing but passion, love and dedication."

- Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Dounia Tamri-Loeper: Passion drives success

January 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home — **Dounia Tamri-Loeper**, founder of Dounia Home

Passion drives success…

“Do what you are passionate about, because at the end of the day it's the passion that drives us to success. It's the passion that keeps us going even during tough times. The journey of an entrepreneur is hard but so worth it! You can truly do anything you set your mind to. It's okay if you don't have it all figured out, just start and the path will get clearer as you go.”

- Dounia Tamri-Loeper is the founder of Dounia Home, a company that produces modern Moroccan lighting. She is focused on operating ethically and helps empower the Moroccan artisan community behind her products. Dounia Home creates beautiful, statement lighting pieces that not only celebrate the centuries-old techniques and designs that are uniquely Moroccan, but also elevates them to a whole new level.

Quote of the Day by Candice Johnson

December 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"If your heart is in what you are doing, then you will be supported by the universe."

- Candice Johnson, founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Christine Buchanan - It can't be just about making money

November 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Louiza Rademan & Christine Buchanan, founders of oh-lief (South Africa) — **Louiza Rademan & Christine Buchanan**, founders of oh-lief (South Africa)

You should never embark upon an entrepreneurial venture with the aim just on making money....

"... it is essential to find something that you are really passionate about and that you understand. The danger is sometimes that you can have a great love for something, but if you are not fully conversant with everything it takes to make that passion turn into a business reality, then it is a problem. So you need to find a balance between your passion and the business side of things."

- Christine Buchanan is one half of a sister duo from South Africa who founded oh-lief Natural Products based on their love of all things natural and organic. They are capturing the imagination of customers looking for an alternative to the mass produced, chemically formulated skin and body care products on the market. The Oh-Lief Natural Products company is developing 100% natural and organic products that are truly world class.

Quote of the Day by Adèle Dejak

October 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"Passion is the driving engine for anything you want to achieve in life."

- Adèle Dejak is founder of the Adèle Dejak brand which creates handmade fashion accessories for the modern, sophisticated and multidimensional woman. Adèle cut her teeth in the world of typographic design in England and Italy before moving to Nairobi, Kenya in 2005 and turning her attention to accessories design. She found herself intrigued by the natural beauty of horn and begun to experiment with techniques of creating unique shapes and fashioned pieces. Her flair was noticed and spurred on by an admirer of one of her creations who encouraged Adèle to set up shop creating unique shapes to wear. Dejak’s Nigerian roots begun to merge perfectly with European influences and she set out on her never-ending quest for that essential artefact that allows you to express your own style.

Entrepreneur Advice from Felicia Buthelezi: Know what you're good at

September 28, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Felicia Buthelezi, serial entrepreneur, South Africa — Felicia Buthelezi, serial entrepreneur, South Africa

You need to identify what you're good at....

"Identifying what you are good at is important – I find that it is easier to work on something you are passionate about rather than something you can just do. Passion fuels you even in tough times. You don’t give up easily."

- Felicia Buthelezi is a South African serial entrepreneur, the founder of publishing company Fisokuhle Media and editor-in-chief of 'I Do' magazine, a lifestyle publication focused on promoting healthy marriages and happy homes. Felicia started her first business, Fisokuhle Multiservices, back in 2002.

Entrepreneur Advice from Olubukola Asafa: You need to have a sense of purpose

September 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Olubukola Asafa, founder of Oba Couture (Nigeria) — **Olubukola Asafa**, founder of Oba Couture (Nigeria)

You need to have a sense of purpose....

"Make sure whatever venture you are looking to startup is a passion for you - also make sure you are not just doing it for the profit you will make alone, but that it is much deeper than that, for example bridging a gap in the society. Also make sure that you have a sense of purpose, and your business should ultimately align with that purpose - only then can you truly live your dream."

- Olubukola Asafa is the founder of Oba Couture in Nigeria, a company that manufactures handmade handbags, sandals, shoes and other leather goods with a culture of fine craftsmanship, design and innovation. After obtaining her MBA degree, Olubukola started a business selling shoes and handbags of different brands. But, she had a vision and passion to create a proudly ‘Made in Nigeria’ luxury accessory brand, and so Oba Couture was born.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bridget Edwards: Passion is your lifeblood

August 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bridget Edwards, author and emotional change catalyst — **Bridget Edwards**, author and emotional change catalyst

Passion is your lifeblood....

"Your passion will determine how far you’re willing to drive your business endeavours, overcome doubts, fears and obstacles – it’s the fuel required to get you through dark, tough times. Your passion will attract, and keep clients. Your passion will inspire suppliers and others to support you. Your passion will help you excel, going above and beyond service expectations. Your passion is your brand, and start-up lifeblood. Your passion is your vitality, your dream, and your inspiration to succeed."

- Bridget Edwards is a South African entrepreneur, author and emotional change catalyst. She is passionate about helping people overcome their emotional obstacles and personal challenges. She does this through speaking engagements, training (workshops), and private consultations. Bridget has authored two self-help books, Anger gone! How to Easily Defeat Anger, and Stress Gone! How to Identify and Reduce Stress Easily. She continues to write self help programs to assist people in dealing with their personal obstacles.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bronwyn Kilroe: Follow your bliss

July 31, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bronwyn Kilroe, founder of Laughter Sessions (South Africa) — **Bronwyn Kilroe**, founder of Laughter Sessions (South Africa)

Follow your bliss....

"Follow your Bliss. Find the thing that makes your Heart Sing and jump in! If you would do what makes you feel good, you will be who you were born to be. There is no better way to achieve financial abundance than to do the things that you love, things that are fun for you and that make you feel good."

- Bronwyn Kilroe is the founder of Laughter Sessions, a South African staff skills training company focusing on Stress Management, Health Promotion and Happiness Development. Bronwyn is passionate about showing companies that incorporating more fun and laughter into the workplace not only boosts staff morale but also increases productivity and performance levels. She is a Certified Laughter Coach and was personallytrained by the ‘Founder of Laughter Sessions’ Doctor Madan Kataria, from India.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mary Njoki: Discover your passion

June 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mary Njoki, founder of Glass House PR (Kenya) — **Mary Njoki**, founder of Glass House PR (Kenya)

Discover your passion....

"Each woman has something to offer to the world, they just need to discover what they can do easily or what they are passionate about - they will then be able to create an authentic solution to a specific world problem that comes from who they are and what they can do."

- Mary Njoki is the founder of Glass House PR in Kenya, a communications and PR company that delivers professional communications strategy and support to their clients so they can reach their business and communication goals. Mary is on a mission to build a new kind of company; one that seeks to re-define Public Relations in Africa. Mary is providing the expertise, industry experience and the network needed to effectively manage today's corporate reputations.