The Wounded Child!

May 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Nontobeko Mbuyane, CEO & Founder of Bee’s Beauty Haven & Glutaspa Group

We might not know it or honestly aware but the cry we hear from deep in our hearts comes from the wounded child within and healing this inner child’s pain is the key to transforming anger, sadness, and fear. What might shock you is that we all have a wounded inner child. I missed out on a business deal that I was working on the other day and my wounded child was so pained and afraid that I wouldn’t have another great business opportunity coming my way. Feeling helpless and defeated, my wounded child wanted to just break down, yell or even scream. All we need to know is that the wounded child is never “wrong” or “bad.” It’s really just a child trying to take care of its needs in the best way it can.

Tips to Improve Business Cash Flow

May 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

Cash flow is critical to any business despite the size or type of business. Cash flow can be compared to a river. A river will always flow into a dam or the sea, and for the river to remain flowing there needs to be a constant inflow of water. At some point there might be a cascade where the water will be tumbling down over rocks and building up to that cascade the river needs even more water flowing in. When there is a strong inflow of water the cascade turns into a beautiful picture. Similarly businesses need a constant inflow of cash to support their cash outflows in the form of expenses, paying suppliers and repaying debt. When a business has a solid inflow of cash and manage the outflow of cash, the business can ultimately grow and thrive.

Quote of the Day by Jess Henrich

May 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Believe in yourself, we women are resilient and creative beings - you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Jess Henrich, founder, A Mari Ocean Gin (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Celine Uwineza / Find people to support your dream

May 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Celine Uwineza, founder, Right Seat, Rwanda

Find people to support your dream…

“Start! Surround yourself with people who believe in your dreams and support you.”

Celine Uwineza, founder, Right Seat, Rwanda

COVID-19 Funding Relief for South Africa’s business owners

May 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa

The recent global health crisis has many of us deeply concerned about the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and employees. Not to mention the impact it has on us as business owners. We may consider a multitude of strategies, tactics and angles, but at the end of the day it effectively comes down to one thing – the lifeblood of our businesses…cashflow!

How to show up to your health goals

May 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

I am fascinated by what makes some people set goals, show up and achieve them while others set goals, think about them and then make excuses and often blame external factors about why they haven’t.

Quote of the Day by Nkatha Gitonga

May 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Most success stories are defined by grit and adaptability, so equip yourself with these, and get to it”

Nkatha Gitonga, founder, Yakutti, Kenya

Entrepreneur advice from Antoinette Stoltz / Take time to reflect and improve

May 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Antoinette Stoltz, founder, Bobby Yarn, South Africa

Take time to reflect and improve…

“Take this time to reflect and see where you can improve, change or help in your business or even personally. This is the time for CHANGE!”

Antoinette Stoltz, founder, Bobby Yarn, South Africa

Quote of the Day by Natacha Nduwimana

May 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Every person is either a creator of fact or a creature of circumstance. They either put colour into their environment, or, like a chameleon, take colour from their environment.”

Natacha Nduwimana, founder, Jelim Premier Events, Rwanda

Entrepreneur Advice from Annette Cassy / You must like what you do

May 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Annette Cassy, founder, Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil, Mozambique

You must like what you do…

“Do something that you really enjoy doing and preferably in your area of expertise.”

Annette Cassy, founder, Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil (Mozambique)

Quote of the Day by Natasha Singh-Ally

May 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Be sensible, be creative and surrender to the processes and time at hand.”

Natasha Singh-Ally, founder, Business Ecology (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Abiola Olaonipekun / Do something that will outlive you

May 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Abiola Olaonipekun, Founder, BanahGrace Nigeria Limited

Do something that will outlive you…

“If you love it so much, go for it! Be ready to do something that will outlive you. Be excellent”

Abiola Olaonipekun, Founder, BanahGrace Nigeria Limited

Meet 5 African women entrepreneur health pioneers pushing the boundaries of innovation

May 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Feature | Healthcare

Around the world, there has never been a more heartfelt appreciation for the work that those in the health sector do for all of us, each and every day. So now is a great time to recognize the women entrepreneurs in the Lionesses of Africa community who are pioneers in their chosen health fields, pushing the boundaries of innovation to make all our lives better through their businesses.

Sarah Kennan, an award-winning South African distiller

May 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Many entrepreneurs are inspired by travel and unique experiences from other parts of the world. For South African entrepreneur Sarah Kennan, her inspiration came from her travels to Mexico and her experience of agave spirit production. She returned home on a mission to turn her new found passion and knowledge of turning locally grown agave into a unique product that the would would love - and so her brand Leonista was born.

New Startup Mindset: Ten Mindset Shifts to Build the Company of Your Dreams by Sandra Shpilberg

May 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In New Startup Mindset, Sandra Shpilberg will show you a new way to succeed as an entrepreneur! This provocative startup tale of success exposes Silicon Valley’s startup myths and sets forth a new approach for aspiring and current founders to build companies that make an impact.

Phillipa Geard, a South African entrepreneur helping to connect moms with employment opportunities

May 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Phillipa Geard, founder of RecruitMyMom (South Africa)

Startup Story

South Africa is suffering from tough economic times right now, and unemployment is on the rise. For skilled mothers who are looking to get work whilst also looking after their families, it is a challenge. That’s where Phillipa Geard’s business, RecruitMyMom, comes in.

Re-opening your business: A ‘how to’ guide

May 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Africa’s leaders have on the whole moved fast to shut their countries down to stop the spread of this virus. There is also discussion that with Africa’s low age of population (median age in Africa is tragically only 19.7 years), as seen here from the UN, and with its experiences of previous pandemics, these lockdowns will work and work well.

Working From Home: Four Things To Keep in Mind

May 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant – Shiluvah

The 1st of May 2020 saw South Africa move from level 5 to level 4 of the national lockdown, a measure taken by the South African government to curb the impact of COVID-19. This means that while essentials workers and an estimated 1.5 million workers will go about their business of work in this new normal, we find ourselves in the rest of the South African population working from home (WFH) for those that are able to and this will continue to be the new normal.

Coping with Covid-19: A financial perspective

May 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

The world is in crisis, grappling with a new reality. With lock downs and other rules to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, money issues have rocketed to the fore. Many business face ruin as they cannot operate, individuals find themselves off work with no pay, others may be on short pay and yet others are being retrenched as their businesses can no longer operate. Some are fortunate, though, in that they can work from home, or are being paid by their employers irrespective of whether they are working or not.