"Don’t let anybody else define what you can or cannot do!"
Bhavya Kalsi, founder of KONA (Uganda)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Bhavya Kalsi
Bhavya Kalsi and Nimisha Kalipurayath, founders of KONA (Uganda)
Entrepreneur Advice from Deborah Hartung: Find a balance between work and life
Deborah Hartung
Find a balance between work and life…
“It’s going to take some time and some planning, but you can definitely make time to find a more healthy balance between work and life. Do it for your health. Do it for your sanity and stress levels – your future self is already thanking you for loving yourself enough to take time out to rest.”
Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech (South Africa)
Read moreSo, now you’re at home. How to show up to your online meetings.
by Lori Milner
So, now you’re at home, life has done a 360 and you’re getting used to the ‘new normal’. I want to share some thoughts on how to show up to your meetings as your best self, because this will all come to an end at some point and life will resume back to what it once was. You need to take ownership and accountability for how you conduct yourself over this period, especially when it comes to your online meetings.
Read moreCOVID-19 lock down and the law in South Africa. What it means for your business.
by Aleshia van der Ploeg LLB. (RAU), Director VDP Legal Consulting (PTY) Ltd
The current worldwide crisis with Covid-19 and the latest announcement by the President regarding the upcoming 21-day lockdown has ALL South Africans in a spin. Everyone has questions regarding the personal impact, the financial impact and especially the legal impact of the impending lockdown.
Read moreDo business differently and be a disruptor
by Jolene Roelofse, Owner of Bludoor Market and Co-founder of Fluence
Given the current status quo globally and the State of Emergency declared this past weekend in South Africa, it is far from Business as Usual for businesses. But it is the ideal time to do business differently, change the course, be a disruptor, and use the current situation to your advantage.
Read moreHow does one survive the chaos of the Corona Virus?
by Paula Quinsee
With many people going into self-quarantine, being asked to work from home, schools and businesses shutting doors to do their bit to try and contain the impact of the Corona virus, it also brings with it a lot of change, anxiety and fear. If you missed our discussion on the Expresso Breakfast Show, you can view it here.
Read moreWhat’s at stake for you with Coronavirus?
by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker
Stress researchers define stress to be what happens when something we care about is at stake. This definition allows us to understand our values and motives and to uncover what’s happening beneath the surface when we feel stress or anxiety.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: How I find strength in difficult times
Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble, Nigeria
On finding strength in the difficult times....
“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 'Nike' Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria. Nike started out modestly in 1996 selling the clothes she made from the boot of her car and in bazaars. Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is an instantly recognisable brand in Nigeria and has a reputation for being one of the top manufacturers of children's clothing throughout West Africa. Ruff 'n' Tumble successfully caters to the unique fashion sense of today’s youngsters, from new born to age 16, happily mixing indigenous lifestyle trends with an international appeal.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Lizl Naude
Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)
“In my experience, the most potent killer of creative thinking is fear! It can absolutely choke creativity…”
Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Selassie Atadika
Selassie Atadika, founder of Midunu Chocolates (Ghana)
“The real sign of an entrepreneur is falling to the ground and being able to get yourself up, time after time. It can be a bitter sweet journey.”
Selassie Atadika, founder of Midunu Chocolates (Ghana)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Candice Johnson: Stay grounded and centred
Candice Johnson, founder of Miss Knitwear (South Africa)
Stay grounded and centred....
"My advice would be to know that you will go through ups and downs in your business and to let that be okay. Not to get swept away by the difficult times but to keep focused and know that those you can weather. There will be expansion on the other side. Keep going and don't worry too much about making mistakes. There will be many but staying grounded and centred can allow you to see that there is learning in each step of the way and to trust the process. 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)
Read moreMessage of support from Melanie Hawken. As a Lioness of Africa, you are not alone!
Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa
From Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa
What turbulent and uncertain times we are living in. The COVID 19 virus outbreak globally has created a new and challenging reality for us all. Businesses are feeling the pain already, and the true impact of the crisis is still unknown. As entrepreneurs, we are dealing with a multitude of issues, from managing cashflow, through to trying to get sales when the market is struggling. At Lionesses of Africa, we understand what our community of 1 million+ women entrepreneurs is going through, and we are committed to playing our part in trying to help.
Read moreGet It Developed: Design the Business of Your Dreams by Sorana Blackfoot
Book Review
Entrepreneur Sorana Blackfoot’s new book Get It Developed: Design the Business of Your Dreams brings experience and insights from eight experienced entrepreneurs who pool their collective knowledge and share their best personal tips with you, so you too can benefit from their journeys to success.
Read moreVicki Bain, a South African artisan chocolate maker creating luxury and jobs
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
In Johannesburg, South Africa, true chocolate lovers who are constantly on the search for the purest of taste sensations and the highest quality ingredients, know there is one destination to choose for their chocolate fix. Chocoloza, the brainchild of entrepreneur and passionate chocolatier, Vicki Bain, combines the best Belgian chocolate with the finest local, fresh African ingredients. The result is a taste sensation unlike anything else you will taste in the chocolate world.
Read moreCoronavirus - Leadership is the number one superpower during times of crisis
From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept.
Last week we looked at the most important aspect of any business when times turn tough - that of Cash Flow. Please note those practical steps have worked for our team in other businesses around the globe, and although not guaranteed to work in every case, will at least encourage thinking in our Lionesses to preparing for the threat coming.
Read moreCustomer experience design and an agile approach
Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Tina Playne, Managing Executive: Sectors and Segments, Private & Business Banking, Absa Retail and Business Bank
There is a marriage made in heaven between two practices that have been around for a while, and it is time to formally unite them. Welcome to the merger of Customer Experience (CX) and Agile management practices.
Read moreAnabela Marcos, an Angola entrepreneur on a mission to develop people talent
Anabela Marcos, founder of Gestão Profissional (Angola)
Startup Story
Everyone knows the phrase, ‘a company is only as good as it’s people’. But developing, nurturing and connect people to the right career opportunities so they fulfill their potential is key to achieving that goal. In Angola, Anabela Marcos, founder of Gestão Profissional, has built a business that is helping both companies and employees alike with their talent development needs.
Read moreDarshani Persadh, a South African entrepreneur driving R&D innovation technology
Darshani Persadh, co-founder of Darjyo (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)
Startup Story
As 4IR becomes the key talking point for business, ushering in the second wave of the internet, South African entrepreneur Darshani Persadh, co-founder of Darjyo (Pty) Ltd is bridging the gap between ideas and reality.
Read moreThe boundary breakers
by Catia Mondlane
We were taught to play safe and within pre-established limitations that brought blockages to our mindset and how we approach things in life. As a result we have those that are scared of taking risks to go after their dreams, especially when this requires breaking established behavioral patterns and unconscious boundaries.
Read moreLeading from the heart
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
Last week, I got an enquiry on my phone about us making a dress for a collection on Thursday - the problem was this message was coming in on a Tuesday. I immediately responded with the message that we unfortunately wouldn’t be able to make a dress by Thursday. This, of course was not a lie. The entire process of making a dress is just not possible in 1 day. Even one week is not enough. So many things can and will go wrong.
Read more