Quote of the Day by Thabisa Mjo

March 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“When we don't view each other as competition, but rather as potential partners, I think we have the ability to create beautiful compelling work that benefits us all.”

Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash.T Design Studio (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Andiswa Silinga: Recognize your weak points

March 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Andiswa Silinga, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa) — **Andiswa Silinga,** co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa)

Recognize your weak points….

“Surround yourself with a team that will compliment your weakest points, collaborate with other entrepreneurs, and avoid working in silos.”

Andiswa Silinga, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Devotha Ntuke Minzi: Mentoring is key

March 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

Mentoring is key....

"You need people to support you in one way or another. It can get very lonely at CEO level. People think you have made it, while you know how much there still is to pursue and solve. I have learned so much from good mentors in my industry."

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Kenya)

Quote of the Day by Filipa Carreira

March 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"There will always be a million reasons not to do it, so just start."

Filipa Carreira, founder of Wamina (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bernie de Le Cuona: Stay focused on the important things

March 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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

Stay focused on the important things….

“… before you start doing any of the cool things like marketing or packaging, be damn sure the sales are coming in. Be aware of your financials. You might want to be creative and fun, but unless you know how much money you’ve got, how much you owe and how much you’re making on your products, you’ll never succeed. I know those things every day.”

Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of De Le Cuona

Quote of the Day by Dana Mroueh

March 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“I would advise you to keep in mind that perseverance and patience will be greatly needed.”

Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco (Côte d’Ivoire)

Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Surround yourself with positive energy

March 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Being an entrepreneur is hard, so it's important to surround yourself with lots of positive energy....

“Having peace around you, positive energy, people who are positive, who are doers and want to achieve. I love that energy so that it further energises me.”

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

Quote of the Day by Johanna Mukoki

March 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Business success is built on the shoulders of those who have walked before us, and it’s important, in my view, to offer that to the next generation of entrepreneurs who follow.”

Johanna Mukoki, co-founder of Travel with Flair (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Katy Valentine: Get help

March 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Katy Valentine, founder of Katy Valentine Collection (South Africa) — **Katy Valentine**, founder of Katy Valentine Collection (South Africa)

My biggest piece of advice…

“… have a business plan from the very beginning and get help when and where you need it. I am not so good at running my accounts, so I have an accountant to help me keep everything in order. It’s relieved a lot of pressure and I think it’s incredibly important to make sure that every aspect of your business is running smoothly, especially the areas you struggle with.”

Katy Valentine, founder of Katy Valentine Collection (South Africa)

Women entrepreneurs Lean In to celebrate International Women’s Day in South Africa

March 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

A packed audience of passionate, ambitious women entrepreneurs with growth on their minds gathered together in Johannesburg on the morning of 6 March for the second Lioness Lean In event of the year - and what an inspirational morning it was. The event provided the perfect early celebration of International Women’s Day, and what better way of marking the occasion than with a gathering of 150 amazing women entrepreneurs, all looking to share, inspire and connect.

International Women’s Day encourages everyone to help build a gender equal world

March 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Feature

International Women's Day on 8 March is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. International Women's Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day in 2020 is #EachforEqual.

Nicola Luther, a pioneer of South African eco-fashion

March 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nicola Luther, ceo and creative director, LUNAR (South Africa)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

At the latest Start-Up Night Africa London event in January, one eco-fashion brand got people talking, with its timeless luxury design combined with a strong sustainability story. LUNAR headed by CEO and Creative Director, Nicola Luther, launched its new SpringSummer2020 collection at the event, and is now promoting it to its global customer base.

Abiola Olaonipekun, a Nigerian entrepreneur providing an insight into consumer behaviour

March 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Abiola Olaonipekun, founder of BanahGrace Nigeria Limited

Startup Story

Many companies need to better understand what drives their customers to make their purchasing and lifestyle decisions. In Nigeria, entrepreneur Abiola Olaonipekun, founder of BanahGrace Nigeria Limited, is providing the insights needed.

Aurelie Kapinga Tshimbombo, an entrepreneur building an impact-driven luxury lifestyle brand in South Africa

March 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Aurelie Kapinga Tshimbombo, founder of Afrinique-Chic (South Africa)

Startup Story

In pursuit of luxury African excellence, entrepreneur Aurelie Kapinga Tshimbombo and her business Afrinique-Chic, are on a mission to create personal, conscious, sustainable fashion that helps consumers to boldly express their own stories.

What is an entrepreneurial mindset?

March 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa

Entrepreneurs are those innovators among us who identify a need, any need, and meet it.

Individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset are often drawn to opportunities, ingenuity and new value-creation, and have the ability to take calculated risks. They also accept the realities of change and uncertainty.

Be an InventHer: An Everywoman's Guide to Creating the Next Big Thing by Mina Yoo and Hilary Meyerson

March 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

The fascinating book, Be an InventHER, coauthored by Mina Yoo and Hilary Meyerson, is a complete guide to inventing, geared towards any woman who wants to bring her invention, innovation, or creation from idea to the marketplace.

Aim to be the best, not the cheapest

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds

Invest in becoming the best in your industry. Offer the extras that nobody else does. Be the expert that people want to buy from. Focus on quality and not quantity. Price yourself fairly but know your value.

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka receives prestigious St Andrews Prize for the Environment

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Awards and Accolades

This week, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), headed by social entrepreneur and renowned gorilla conservationist, Dr Gladys Zikusoka, has been announced the winner of the prestigious St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2020. The prize was set up by the University of St Andrews and ConocoPhillips in 1998 to recognize significant contributions to environmental conservation.

Celebrating two entrepreneur sisters from Burundi

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Martine Irakoze

Life made them both sisters and lionesses. In this article, I will cover the stories of two sisters, Ines & Gisele, both driven by an ingenious flair for entrepreneurship and innovation. Ines is an expert in the beauty products industry and Gisele creates beautiful handmade accessories using beads.

Let your future self show up to you

March 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

How many times have you set you yourself New Year’s resolutions goals only to fall off the wagon within a few weeks? Mainly this is because you left it up to motivation and willpower which I hate to tell you is not a good strategy for success. Firstly – willpower is like a muscle and it becomes fatigued from overuse.