Entrepreneur Advice from Patricia Majule: Be patient

March 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania) — **Patricia Majule**, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania)

Be patient….

“Being a woman is an added advantage for you to be successful as an entrepreneur in Africa, because we are naturally strong and can endure hardworking tasks. The only thing you need to add is to be patient with your business as it takes 5 to 10 years to grow a brand. So to be successful one needs to be consistent with the idea and the business for it to grow; avoid procrastination; put God first in everything you do; and do not give up.”

Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania)

Quote of the Day by Julian Adyeri Omalla

March 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"I want to appeal to fellow women, we have to look back at our culture and mentor our young girls to have a bright future."

Julian Omalla, founder of Delight Uganda Limited (Uganda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Abai Schulze: Think big, but start small

March 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia) — **Abai Schulze**, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia)

Think big, but start small....

"Find something that you are truly passionate about and build a vision for it – think big, but start small. Surround yourself with people who can challenge you and hold you accountable for your actions and progress."

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia)

Quote of the Day by Aïssa Dione

March 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"I strongly believe in small-scale industries, as a way to bring development to West Africa. "

Aïssa Dione, founder of Aissa Dione Tissus (Senegal)

Quote of the Day by Phindi Msomi

March 2, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"My greatest satisfaction is being able to provide jobs for other people."

Phindi Msomi, founder of Olwazini Consulting Services (South Africa)

Meet 4 of South Africa’s Women Entrepreneurs of the Vine

March 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Special Feature

For years, South Africa’s Cape region has been synonymous with producing and marketing some of the finest wines, and in the process, exciting consumer palettes and markets around the world. Now, there is a growing number of women entrepreneurs in the country who are building exciting businesses and brands in the wine industry, winning legions of local and global fans along the way.

Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, eco-innovators reviving Egypt’s weaving industry

March 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Reform Studio was founded by Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, an internationally awarded lifestyle brand based in Cairo, Egypt. Directly after the 2011 revolution in Egypt, they were excited to be part of the great change around them, eager to make a stand and to make a difference, and this is how Reform Studio was born.

Thobile Nyawo, a powerhouse entrepreneur building a legacy civil construction business in South Africa

March 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Thobile Nyawo, founder of Nyawo Construction (South Africa)

Startup Story

The civil and building construction industry sectors are traditionally tough industry sectors to break into as a young, ambitious entrepreneur. But for Thobile Nyawo, founder of Nyawo Construction in South Africa, she believes there are no hurdles in business that cannot be overcome with hard work and tenacity.

Ubong Agina, a Nigerian creative fashion entrepreneur with a passion for training others

February 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ubong Agina, founder of Nubeeka Concepts (Nigeria)

Startup Story

As many entrepreneurs know, training and development can empower women to fulfill their potential, something Ubong Agina, founder of Nubeeka Concepts knows all too well. She is building a successful fashion design business and fashion training school to help others to realize their goals in the industry.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Emeraldstone Events launches a one-stop-shop for wedding fashion and event design

February 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Khomotso Talane, founder of Emeraldstone Events (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

In South Africa, entrepreneur and creative design force, Khomotso Talane, founder of Emeraldstone Events, has launched a one-stop-shop to make the whole wedding outfit design and event planning experience so much easier for happy couples and their families.

Women in Leadership

February 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa | by Tina Playne, Managing Executive: Sectors and Segments, Private & Business Banking, Absa Retail and Business Bank

Our brave new world demands brave new leadership - leaders who understand their purpose in life and in business, and who are able to inspire and motivate others. But how do you make the shift, find your purpose, and successfully transition from manager to leader. Tina Playne shares her insights on what makes great leaders who can move business forward.

Reboot: Probably More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Starting A Global Business by Jodie Fox

February 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Jodie Fox, founder of Shoes of Prey, launched her business in 2009. It allowed people to design their dream shoes online, get them expertly manufactured, and have them shipped to anywhere in the world within two weeks. The startup broke even at two months, hit multi-million dollar revenues in under two years, raised tens of millions in funding from top-tier investors and shipped to more than 100 countries. It sounds like a fairytale business story, but that’s not where it ended. Her new book, Reboot, Jodie shares her very personal entrepreneurial journey.

7 Lessons I Learnt from Network Marketing

February 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds

My journey into entrepreneurship started in 2006 with a nervous breakdown (if you want the story, it’s on YouTube) and a subsequent interest in personal development.

The reasons I got tired

February 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

During the festive season people talk about how exhausted they feel; that they have been working hard the entire year and need a break. Most people are referring to the period of a year, 12 months of constant working and no rest. These people are mostly in corporate, makes sense! Then there is us; and those other brave souls that do corporate and business! We have been working 24/7 every day of the year, with random rests brought upon us by the flu! Then on a more personal level, there was me last year who was exhausted from 5 years’ worth of work. Constant, continuous, painful work. With doses of stress sessions in between as to whether we would make it. To say I was exhausted is an understatement; I felt depleted.

Finding the optimal balance in your cash flow management

February 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Thandekile Moloko

An integral part in the running and growing of a business is finding an optimal balance of managing revenue and expenses. This is one aspect of financial management that cannot be disregarded. In most cases, the management of your revenue and expenses can be the lifeline of the business. It allows for a longer runway to achieve the financial and expansion goals set out for the business.

Quote of the Day by Mo Abudu

February 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"Anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur must know that bright ideas are great, however, they are not even half of the work; execution is everything.”

Mo Abudu, founder of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Discover your 'why'

February 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Discover your 'why'....

“Before going into a business, you must discover the reason for going into the business. You need to ask yourself the following questions; why do I have to do this, why am I here, what is my purpose and what is it that I want to achieve in this business?”

Adenike Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Tania Reid

February 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“... stop making excuses about your 'small' business, all empires started off small.”

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

Quote of the Day by Lynette Hundermark

February 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"Don’t feel intimidated, trust in your abilities, follow your passion and go with it.”

Lynette Hundermark, co-founder of Useful & Beautiful (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bernie de Le Cuona: You can grow and fund your business through sales

February 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of de Le Cuona — **Bernie de Le Cuona**, founder of de Le Cuona

You can grow and fund your business through sales….

“(My business) was totally self-funded. I never even used an overdraft. It was literally selling something, investing the money from that in something else and selling that.”

Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of De Le Cuona

"I want to appeal to fellow women, we have to look back at our culture and mentor our young girls to have a bright future."

"Find something that you are truly passionate about and build a vision for it – think big, but start small. Surround yourself with people who can challenge you and hold you accountable for your actions and progress."

"I strongly believe in small-scale industries, as a way to bring development to West Africa. "

"My greatest satisfaction is being able to provide jobs for other people."

"Anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur must know that bright ideas are great, however, they are not even half of the work; execution is everything.”

“Before going into a business, you must discover the reason for going into the business. You need to ask yourself the following questions; why do I have to do this, why am I here, what is my purpose and what is it that I want to achieve in this business?”

“... stop making excuses about your 'small' business, all empires started off small.”

"Don’t feel intimidated, trust in your abilities, follow your passion and go with it.”

“(My business) was totally self-funded. I never even used an overdraft. It was literally selling something, investing the money from that in something else and selling that.”

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