“A goal without a plan is just a pipe dream – good to have, but worth little at the end of the day.”
Sylvia Walker, author, Smart Woman, (South Africa)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Sylvia Walker
Sylvia Walker, author, Smart Woman, (South Africa)
Entrepreneur Advice from Nereyda Ah-Hoy / Become the best version of yourself
Nereyda Ah Hoy, writer, author & founder of Indika platform and digital magazine (Mozambique)
Become the best version of yourself...
“Bet on Self-Knowledge! Overcome your fears and become the best version of yourself.”
Nereyda Ah Hoy, writer, author & founder of Indika platform and digital magazine (Mozambique)
Read moreTo Niche or not to Niche?
by Megan Hudson, Marketing & Business Coach
To niche or not to niche? This is the ultimate question for the modern entrepreneur, consultant and coach. Have you been wrestling with this niche thing? Won’t it limit your opportunities and chase away potential clients? Anyway, how on EARTH do you get to your niche, if you decide to go that route? It’s incredibly confusing.
Read moreValue your Time, Customers and Cash!
From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
The lockdowns are starting to be reviewed and in some cases reversed, but have we been making full use of our time to prepare our businesses for when the doors open and life returns to some semblance of normality?
Read moreFemi Olayebi, a champion of African luxury and craftsmanship
Femi Olayebi, founder of FemiHandbags (Nigeria)
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Femi Olayebi is a self-taught handbag and accessories designer, trainer, mentor and the creative force behind the eponymous FemiHandbags brand. A translator turned designer and manufacturer, her entrepreneurial journey started in 1992 when she tried her hands at making a diaper bag for her first daughter. Since then, she has poured all her energies into building her business, consistently pushing the boundaries and emerging as a leader in the Nigerian leather space. Renowned for her statement, colour-drenched pieces, Femi has received several awards, and in 2013, her business became a case study for MBA students at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos.
Read moreLioness Launch / South Africa’s Maua Blossoms launches new Shopping Concierge Service
Masana Sangweni, founder of Maua Blossoms (South Africa)
Lioness Launch
South Africa may be experiencing lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean business has to stop, it just has to reposition itself to meet market need. For entrepreneur, Masana Sangweni, founder of Maua Blossoms, a luxury floral designer and gifting service business, that meant providing clients which a solution to their shopping needs during the crisis. Her answer was to create a brand new Maua Blossoms Shopping Concierge Service for her customers.
Read moreRand volatility – manufacturers should be managing their exposure
Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Justin Schmidt
The manufacturing sector saw capacity utilization fall to 79.3% in February, a 7-year low, indicating that there was rising pressure on the sector even before COVID-19 enforced lockdown restrictions. This underutilization was driven by a lack of demand, as well as the high levels of load shedding.
Read moreDiana Sierra, a designer and social entrepreneur creating access to menstrual products for girls in Mozambique
Diana Sierra, founder of Be Girl Inc. (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Girls in Mozambique have a number of challenges to overcome, and one of those is getting access to menstrual products, menstrual education and addressing social stigma around menstruation. But that is now changing, thanks to entrepreneurs like Diana Sierra, a Columbian designer and social entrepreneur who is the founder of Be Girl Inc. in Mozambique.
a around menstruation. But that is now changing, thanks to entrepreneurs like Diana Sierra, founder of Be Girl Inc.
Read moreExperience: that most brutal of teachers
by Sharon Castle, Lifestyle and Wellness Coach
Just over two weeks ago, my sister of 72 died suddenly and in moments my life changed. Receiving a call from my niece (my sister’s only child) who lives in Australia, early on Friday morning the 10th of April, which was also Good Friday in the Christian calendar, was the alarm bell ringing that something was wrong. She called to let me know that my sister, who lived in a Care Community about an hour from where I live, was unconscious. It was 6.30am and I was still relaxing in bed with my husband enjoying our morning coffee.
Read moreGetting help with mending your nets
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.
Read moreThe Key Leadership Qualities It Takes to Be a Boss, A Woman Entrepreneur in Business Today by Judith Baker
Judith Baker
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.
Read moreLaura Struik, a leather boot brand-builder celebrating South African craftsmen
Laura Struik, founder of ROF-Style (South Africa)
Quote of the Day by Ntsiki Biyela
Ntsiki Biyela, winemaker and founder of Aslina Wines (South Africa)
“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)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Tatiana Da Encarnação Casaca / Create a consistent business plan
Tatiana Da Encarnação Casaca, co-founder of IMO NExT (Angola)
Quote of the Day by Eva Sonaike
Eva Sonaike, founder, Eva Sonaike, UK
“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
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Ruth Wewura Guribie / Be passionate about what you do
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
Read moreDon’t wait for your dream to show up in someone else’s plan
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.
Read moreMy ABC of business: Navigating through the different stages of lockdown
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.
Read moreSurvive or Die!
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.
Read moreSARS Relief to Benefit Cash Flow
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.
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