A Woman's Work: The book every successful businesswoman wishes she'd read

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

A Woman's Work: The book every successful businesswoman wishes she'd read — by Sonja Leason, Dr Areej Khataybih, Clare Downes, Jeannie McGillivray, Jill Martin, Lorraine Gannon, Mary Grant, Natalie Jameson, Steph Middleton-Foster and Vicki Wusche.

As a woman, it can feel that the odds are stacked against you in business and when more women than ever before are self-employed and starting businesses, why is it that so few of them are able to scale and get the success they deserve? A heated discussion on this subject by ten super-successful businesswomen led to the creation of this book.

Lioness Enterprise events go online with the first live Webinar

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

lioness-enterprise-webinar-screenshow-images.001.jpeg

Event report / Lioness Enterprise

At Lionesses of Africa, we know how tough this lockdown has been on women entrepreneurs in our community across the African continent. It’s more critical now than ever that we remain agile to survive and thrive - and importantly to stay connected with each other. So it was exciting to launch the first in a series of special Lioness Enterprise Webinars on Thursday 30 April in partnership with Absa.

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, an entrepreneur lighting up the world

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

It’s often said that lighting makes a space or a room come alive, and for design entrepreneur Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home, lighting is her inspiration. She is creating beautiful, statement lighting pieces that not only celebrate the centuries-old techniques and designs that are uniquely Moroccan, but is elevating them to a whole new level.

Jess Henrich, an entrepreneur in South Africa creating the world’s first ocean water distilled gin

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Aliza Rajan, an entrepreneur in Kenya renowned for hosting the annual Miss India Worldwide Kenya competition

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

The power of clarity

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Food delivery in the restaurant and quick-service restaurant industry

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

The World after COVID-19. My Positive Outlook.

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Now is the time to stand firm in your values

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Recovery Part II / Adapting your plan whilst remaining relevant

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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…”.

Re-align your money mindset during lockdown

April 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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!

Juliet Madamombe, a Namibian entrepreneur helping people gain essential skills

April 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Sonto Pooe, a South African entrepreneur harnesses the power of mother nature in her hair and body care brand

April 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Ntsiki Biyela, a passionate South African winemaker changing the face of the industry

April 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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!

LIONESS LAUNCH / South Africa’s House of Cinnamon launches its Autumn/Winter 2020 collection

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Coronavirus. Thinking of the early next steps.

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

The importance of an ecommerce strategy

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

I am my brand: How to build your brand without apology by Kubi Springer

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Sophia the Humanoid

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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’.

18 Books, podcasts and videos to help you (and your business) grow

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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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