Getting help with mending your nets

May 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

I read a quote recently that talked about how when fisherman can’t go to sea, they mend their nets. It got me thinking about how important it is to have someone to help you with your mending. One of the best decisions I have ever made in my business was to hire a coach. People often ask me questions about coaching, and they wonder why it’s important to have one. After my first session with her I became more certain than ever that I needed a coach, and that this was a necessity rather than a luxury.

The Key Leadership Qualities It Takes to Be a Boss, A Woman Entrepreneur in Business Today by Judith Baker

May 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Starting a business and running one is challenging. What do you do first? What should you pay attention to? What tools are there to help the modern woman entrepreneur? In her new book, The Key Leadership Qualities It Takes to Be a Boss, A Woman Entrepreneur in Business Today, Judith Baker brings you all the insights you need.

Laura Struik, a leather boot brand-builder celebrating South African craftsmen

May 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Laura Struik, founder of ROF-Style (South Africa)

Startup Story

There is always something powerful about seeing real craftspeople creating beautiful products with passion and love. Entrepreneur Laura Struik, founder of ROF-Style in South Africa, manufactures and markets 100% handmade leather boots by local South African craftsmen.

Quote of the Day by Ntsiki Biyela

May 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“I get most satisfaction from waking up and being an inspiration to other young people.”

Ntsiki Biyela, winemaker and founder of Aslina Wines (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tatiana Da Encarnação Casaca / Create a consistent business plan

May 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tatiana Da Encarnação Casaca, co-founder of IMO NExT (Angola)

Create a consistent business plan…

“Identify a real need, create a consistent business plan, and work hard.”

Tatiana Da Encarnação Casaca, co-founder of IMO NExT (Angola)

Quote of the Day by Eva Sonaike

May 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“If you have a passion, believe in something and work smart, you can reach your goals and make your dream a reality.”

Eva Sonaike, founder, Eva Sonaike, UK

Entrepreneur Advice from Ruth Wewura Guribie / Be passionate about what you do

May 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ruth Wewura Guribie, founder of Sava Shea Company Limited

Be passionate about what you do...

“You will have many reasons to quit at some point, but don’t. Be passionate about what you do and communicate it in the way that feels most inspired, natural and unique to you.”

Ruth Wewura Guribie, founder of Sava Shea Company Limited

Don’t wait for your dream to show up in someone else’s plan

May 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

In addition to being a speaker, trainer and author I am also a coach. This word coach has never sat well with me because I’ve realized what I truly am is a ‘permission agent’. I have had many conversations with people over the years from wanting to start a new business to taking on a new hobby like running.

My ABC of business: Navigating through the different stages of lockdown

May 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

If there is one thing this pandemic and subsequently this lockdown has confirmed, is that I am a TOTAL homebody! I am in my absolute element being at home.

Survive or Die!

May 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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

Indeed, our businesses are going through tough times, but the question is, are you only going to fold your arms, panic and watch your business crumble? The answer should be no, a great mindset now would be to try and turn every challenge into an opportunity to innovate and stay ahead of your business game.

SARS Relief to Benefit Cash Flow

May 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste CA(SA), Financial Consultant, Speaker and Author of ‘Financially Fit and Wealthy’

Concerns were rightfully raised about the various relief options which have been announced to help individuals and businesses who have been affected by the national lockdown in South Africa, enforced to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. It became evident that most relief funding options are in the form of a loan repayable with interest.

Quote of the Day by Sonto Pooe

May 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“There is nothing more fulfilling than walking the path you were designed to walk.”

Sonto Pooe, founder, NativeChild (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Aliza Rajan / Ask for advice

May 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Aliza Rajan, founder, Eventique Limited, (Kenya)

Ask for advice…

“Do it. Ask for advice. Use your passion to start what you love. It takes time to get somewhere but it's all worth it in the end.”

Aliza Rajan, founder, Eventique Limited, (Kenya)

Quote of the Day by Marta Roff

May 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“We have been given the gift of time to stop and think about what is important ... take advantage.”

Marta Roff, founder, Maputo Relocation Solutions, Mozambique

Entrepreneur Advice from Phillipa Geard / Put aside self-doubt!

May 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Phillipa Geard, founder, RecruitMyMom, (South Africa)

Put aside self-doubt!…

“Every day you have to decide to put aside self-doubt and choose self-belief if you are going to make a success of your business.”

Phillipa Geard, founder, RecruitMyMom, (South Africa)

Quote of the Day from Lilly Alfonso

May 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Failures make you unique, so use them and turn them into positives.”

Lilly Alfonso, founder, Lilly Alfonso, Malawi

Entrepreneur Advice from Satu Vienings / Don’t rush things

May 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Satu Vienings, founder, Air A Pet (Mozambique)

Don’t rush things…

“Don't rush things - starting small and doing things well pays off in the end when your company grows.”

Satu Vienings, founder, Air A Pet (Mozambique)

Lioness Launch / New co-working space and digital platform launched for women in Luanda, Angola

May 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Diandra Vaal Neto, founder of Clube Das Empresárias (Angola)

Lioness Launch

The journey to becoming a successful woman entrepreneur can often be a lonely one. But in Luanda, Angola, Diandra Vaal Neto, founder of Clube Das Empresárias, a leading platform for women entrepreneurs in the country, has the solution. She has launched SPACE by Clube Das Empresárias, a new co-working space in the city exclusively for women, providing a much-needed professional and personal development community.

First Pitch: Winning Money, Mentors, and More for your Startup by Debi Kleiman

May 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

For entrepreneurs, pitching is do or die. But many women find it tough to pitch. But help is at hand in Debi Kleiman’s new book, First Pitch. She understands that to succeed with your startup, you must persuade investors, advisors, customers, and other potential partners to join you on your journey. It can be intimidating, but First Pitch is here to help.

Patrícia Vasco, a Mozambican serial entrepreneur creating a brand of handmade, decorative candles

May 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Patricia Vasco, founder of Luminara (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Everyone loves beautiful perfumed candles to light up their homes and create a certain kind of ambiance - they are romantic and atmospheric. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Patricia Vasco, is building a new brand of beautiful, handmade, decorative candles called Luminara. She is also demonstrating that it is possible to build a new brand from scratch with little investment but a lot of creativity.