Ana Gonçalves, a Mozambican entrepreneur dedicated to providing specialist services to expectant families

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ana Gonçalves, founder of Magambi – Consultoria (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Every parent-to-be knows what an exciting time it is, awaiting the birth of that much anticipated new child. Yet it can also be a very stressful time, requiring lots of specialist knowledge, expertise and advice. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Ana Gonçalves, founder of Magambi – Consultoria, is that specialist service provider that parents-to-be need at this important time.

Shepreneur: Business Lessons for the Determined Female Entrepreneur by Kristin Cripps

March 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book review

Entrepreneur and author, Kristin Cripps, founder of Cripps Realty, went from bartender and massage therapist to millionaire real estate mogul by 30! Her new book, Shepreneur, tells the story of how she did it.

Women entrepreneurs, stress and chocolate cravings

March 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Hlengiwe Moepe, founder of Marpemed

Have you ever wondered why, when we are stressed (and we know that the entrepreneurial journey can get stressful at times), some of us feel compelled to reach for the chocolate bars for comfort. Here are are a few possible reasons behind those chocolate cravings.

Reframing stress could extend your life

March 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker

Stress is pervasive. We are bombarded with deadlines, challenges at work and relationship conflicts. We are told by popular media that stress kills and indeed many people have developed chronic illnesses triggered by stress, including me.

Can your business survive ‘Speak-Up Culture’?

March 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

You’re busy. We get it. You don’t have time to listen to everyone, and frankly some contributions just don’t seem very bright, and you sometimes feel like you just wasted a lot of time and energy on nothing. Then there are the ones who have good ideas but need to be coaxed and cajoled into sharing them - makes you feel like a therapist or a journalist or both! What you really want is for every one on your team to speak up, speak swiftly, speak smartly, so you can make the right decisions promptly and move on to the next big thing. And then after that, you want to keep it moving.

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.