the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Jess Henrich, founder of A Mari Ocean Gin (South Africa)
Startup Story
Taking a sustainable approach to business is a key in today’s changing world. For entrepreneur Jess Henrich, founder of A Mari Ocean Gin, sustainability was a key ingredient in her business.
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Aliza Rajan, founder of Eventique Limited (Kenya)
Startup Story
Being the winner of a major beauty pageant is one thing, but then taking over the franchise is quite another. Aliza Rajan, founder of Eventique Limited, hosts the annual Miss India Worldwide Kenya pageant. She uses this platform to support women-based initiatives such as Women For Cancer and The Hawkers Market Girls Centre. She also trains children and adults on runway walking and basic etiquette whilst organising the top fashion events within Kenya.
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by Lori Milner
If I asked you to describe your ideal day, could you do it in detail? It sounds like an obvious question but the answer is only clear when you have given yourself sufficient time to find the answer. The answer is not in Google, Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook (that’s everybody else’s curated lifestyle). A lot of the time, we have goals that create the roadmap for our days and years but have you stopped to ask yourself if this is your goal or are you trying to please someone else? That someone else can be the ‘you’ of 5 years ago and now your priorities have shifted but you haven’t sat down long enough on your own to catch up to this fact.
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Impact Partner Content: Absa
In spite of social and economic difficulties before the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African prepared food market remained resilient. However, as the pressure of the pandemic is felt heavily in the restaurant and quick-service industry; the shift to food delivery becomes more important as an option for these businesses to get to their consumers.
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by Marta Roff, founder of Maputo Relocation Solutions, Mozambique
I was challenged to write about my view of the world after COVID-19. Since I have no capabilities to predict the future, I decided to rather change the wording and write about my view at the moment and what I wish COVID-19 would change in humanity.
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by Tapiwa Matsinde, Atelier 55
There is a lot of advice coming at us right now. As entrepreneurs having to adapt in this time of crisis, we are being asked to read this, watch that, do this or buy that. And taking in all the information can at times be overwhelming. Understandably in this time of uncertainty, you want to shore up your business for what comes next but as you read, watch or listen are you considering what all this information means for you and your business’ future.
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
In the recent Lioness Enterprise Webinar, the brilliant Bruce Whitfield (voted by our team to have the second best radio voice on this planet - the first obviously being Matthew McConaughey…sorry Bruce!), reminded us of Mike Tyson’s famous quote (at the time he was the undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion): “We all have a plan, until we are punched in the face!” Although that is quite dramatic, we all agree that the business world has indeed had a huge punch to the face, but what we should also concentrate on from this quote is the: “We all have a plan…”.
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by Eldari Visser
Without a doubt we have been attacked. Many of us feel it in our core as humans. We hear of devastating news, people that mourn and people that suffer. This has a tremendous impact on the psychological thinking of a human as validation that we are still in control. We surely don’t feel in control. The only way to feel in control is to make a living. Work makes us feel that we are..... in control!
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Juliet Madamombe, founder of Global Edge Training Institute (GETI) (Namibia)
Startup Story
For all those looking to get a good job and build a successful career, they know that training and personal skills development will give them the edge. In Namibia, that’s where Global Edge Training Institute (GETI), founded by entrepreneur Juliet Madamombe, comes to the rescue.
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Sonto Pooe, founder of NativeChild (South Africa)
Startup Story
Anyone who suffers from skin allergies or has sensitive skin will know that getting back to nature in terms of the products used is often the best way forward. In South Africa, entrepreneur Sonto Pooe, founder of NativeChild, is building a world class natural hair care and body care brand for people of colour that is kind to skin and the environment.
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Ntsiki Biyela, winemaker and founder of Aslina Wines (South Africa)
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Many wine lovers from around the globe already know that South Africa is famous for producing some of the most exciting wines. But how many are familiar with the ground-breaking Aslina Wines, created by the country’s first black woman winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela? If you haven’t already read Ntsiki’s inspirational story, or tasted her award-winning wines for yourself, then you are missing out!
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Frances Edwards, founder of House of Cinnamon
Lioness Launch
This month in South Africa sees the proudly Afro-European accessory brand, House of Cinnamon, launching its exciting new Autumn/Winter 2020 collection. Inspired by enduring classics, the House of Cinnamon AW20 collection brings together classic and iconic pieces that will carry its customers through the seasons. The new collection features limited edition items that have been carefully designed with uncompromising attention to detail.
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
We have covered the initial shock and awe of this terrible virus. We did not have enough time to prepare (but there was never going to be enough time), yet whatever we managed to do in the short time we had, will have significant results.
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Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Absa Business Banking
An ecommerce strategy is vital, but the relevance of your offering remains key. Internet traffic has increased by 50% during the COVID-19 crisis, but ecommerce conversion rates are dropping. Having the right channels are key, but at the same time, constant re-evaluation of the relevance of your proposition will sustain your business in the long run.
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Kubi Springer
Book Review
If you ever wanted to find out how to build your own personal female brand to help you on your entrepreneurial journey, then award-winning global brand specialist Kubi Springer has the answer. In her new book, I Am My Brand: How to Build Your Brand Without Apology, Kubi brings all her experience and offers essential advice on how to develop and attain personal brand success.
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by Susan Frances, co-founder of Abilities
‘Sophia’ is not alone…we all need development.
In the past when organizations wanted to cut costs, they would take product specialists or salespeople and convert them into facilitators. Learning & Development (L&D) in many organizations was the business unit for ‘hospital passes’.
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by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds
We live in an information economy, where you can find virtually anything you want, somewhere on the internet. Want to learn how to bake a cake? There’s a recipe website for that. Want to learn how to change the battery in your computer? There’s a YouTube video for that. Want to learn how to meditate? There’s an app for that.
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by Lori Milner
In the practice of Yoga, there is a principle about contentment called Santosha. This quote sums it up beautifully - “From an attitude of contentment, unexcelled happiness and joy are obtained.”As a self-leadership expert, I make sure I implement the principles I read and study so I can internalise it and become the change I want to make. My favourite quote which I am paraphrasing is ‘Information is not enough – otherwise we would all be millionaires with 6 packs’. It’s not enough to read about these principles, we need to integrate them and apply them in order to see results of personal growth.
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Grace Stevens
Female entrepreneur, baker extraordinaire and mother of four, Grace Stevens understands that during lockdown many entrepreneurs are thinking about their business’ livelihood and sustainability. However, for many women managing their businesses in such an unpredictable climate whilst providing the love, care and comfort their families need can seem like a daunting task. So, what is Grace's secret to this seemingly superwoman status?
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by Kim Williams
Cape Town based interior creative and behavioural specialist Kim Williams says that during the lockdown we can be more creative with how we use our space if we are going to get the most out of spending more time in our homes. During the COVID19 pandemic, we should be able to connect with our domestic spaces on a deeper level, increase their functionality and adapt their aesthetics to suit our new needs.
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