Understanding your electricity bill better could be a way to quickly save money

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Vishay Rabbipal, Head: Renewable Energy, Retail and Business Banking, Absa

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has affected all areas of our daily lives – the way we work, the way we manage our finances and how we interact with each other. In these unprecedented times, many have concerns about the future, their income and are looking at ways to save costs in monthly household budgets. One cost that continues to put pressure on households, is utility tariff increases, and given that most families are home for extended periods, their personal energy use may have increased. Added to this the fact it is winter (there is a usual, seasonal use increase), and costs are being increased to reflect this seasonal peak in demand.

Private Equity is not for everyone!

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Finance Dept

So we had a very interesting and busy week. It got us thinking that the issues we were seeing from the Lionesses sensible enough to give us a call and get our Head of Finance (‘HoF’) to simply ‘kick the tyres’ of deals before they sign (including one that was initially refused finance and has now gone back with a tighter and more rounded application) were probably representative of many issues that our larger membership was also facing and having to decide upon.

Quote of the Day by Annette Cassy

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Believe in yourself! No one will have a vision of your dream better than you.”

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

Entrepreneur Advice from Sophia Richter / Do not give up!

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sophia Richter, founder, Section Thirty-Five Legal and Business Solutions (South Africa)

Do not give up!…

“It is not an easy journey, and can be a very lonely one at times, however do not give up. It is all SO worth it at the end.”

Sophia Richter, founder, Section Thirty-Five Legal and Business Solutions (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Tapiwa Matsinde

July 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tapiwa Matsinde, founder of atelier 55 (UK)

“Now more than ever is the time to stand firm in your values. Our values are like roots, they provide a firm foundation that enables our businesses to grow and flourish.”

Tapiwa Matsinde, Founder, atelier 55 (UK)

Entrepreneur Advice from Gisele Shabani / Execute your plan, step by step

July 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Execute your plan, step by step!…

“Do not be scared to take risks to start your own enterprise. Business comes from an idea, but you must take the next step which is execution of the plan, step-by-step. From there, prepare to be confident, work hard, and communicate your passion with an open mind.”

Gisele Shabani, founder, Giselle Q Accessories (Burundi)

Quote of the Day by Priscilla Addison

July 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Never underestimate the importance of having a conversation and networking. Everyone is important, from the President of the country or organization, and the taxi driver.”

Priscilla Addison, co-founder, ’57 Chocolate (Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Farida Yahya / Work hard and work smart!

July 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals (Nigeria)

Work hard and work smart!…

“Work hard and smart enough to have those doors open for you. When you do succeed, look back and lift up others - mentorship and support is crucial for female founders.”

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera

July 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Never underestimate your gift or talent - develop it and make use of it to the fullest.”

Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera, Founder, Glo Creations (Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Emily Kandanga / Step into your greatness!

July 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Emily Kandanga, co-founder, Sweat Fitness (Namibia)

Step into your greatness!…

“Free yourself from all those excuses that are keeping you from stepping into your greatness, fear tends to paralyze more than inspire.”

Emily Kandanga, co-founder, Sweat Fitness (Namibia)

Quote of the Day by Claire Holden

July 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Positive beliefs, produce positive action, that generate positive results.”

Claire Holden, Empowerment Coach (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Deyzes Pereira / Challenge yourself

July 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Deyzes Pereira, founder, Startups Consulting (Mozambique)

Challenge yourself!…

“The human being has the ability to develop various skills, so don't just stay in your comfort zone for one skill! Explore, investigate, be curious, experiment, and above all challenge yourself!”

Deyzes Pereira, founder, Startups Consulting (Mozambique)

Lioness Business Agility Webinar series talks brand building post COVID-19

July 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

lioness-business-agility-webinar-19 June-2020-twitter-card.001.jpeg

Event Report

Many businesses are trying to relaunch following the recent lockdown in South Africa, and importantly ensure their brands are visible in an increasingly competitive marketplace. However, without having the luxury of big ad spend budgets to achieve that visibility and customer connection, some innovative thinking and reinvention is required. The 2nd Lioness Business Agility Webinar, in partnership with Absa, took place on 19 June 2020 - the aim was to bring together leading women entrepreneurs with years of experience in brand building, to share their very personal insights and experiences on how to build a brand to last, post the COVID pandemic.

Shaida Seni, a Mozambican entrepreneur creating access to markets for small businesses

July 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Shaida Seni, founder of WELELA (Mozambique)

Startup Story

One of the toughest challenges facing entrepreneurs is getting products and services into the hands of customers. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Shaida Seni, founder of WELELA, has the answer, with her online platform showcasing companies and products to potential customers.

Meg Faure, a South African entrepreneur and author reimagining early childhood education

July 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Meg Faure, founder of Play Sense (South Africa)

Startup Story

Any parent with young children knows just how critical it is to encourage early emotional development as the basis for a strong learning journey. In South Africa, well-known author and entrepreneur, Meg Faure, founder of Play Sense, has created a unique business focusing on unique play-based learning programmes for 2-4 year olds.

Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, pioneers of artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturing

July 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, founders of ’57 Chocolate (Ghana)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Meet the founders of ’57 Chocolate, Ghana’s luxury chocolate brand

Africa needs women entrepreneurs who really understand the power of the entrepreneurial value chain in their countries, and in Ghana a great example can be found in Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, founders of ’57 Chocolate. The company’s philosophy is based on a bean-to-bar approach to manufacture and distribution, adding value to everyone along the value chain, from cocoa bean grower to consumer. ‘57 Chocolate is a world-class brand that believes in not merely trading the country’s natural resources in their “natural” state, but instead using creativity to transform these resources by developing made in Ghana products of premium value. Lionesses of Africa spoke to these pioneering sisters this month to find out more.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s leading sustainable and ethical product design brand, The Joinery, launches its Together Again essential care pack

July 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Natalie and Kim Ellis, founders of The Joinery (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

The Joinery, founded by sisters Natalie and Kim Ellis, together with their team of change makers, innovators, creators and activists, has built a formidable reputation for its ability to find impactful solutions to environmental and community issues through design. It achieves that goal by creating luxury products made from recycled plastic bottles, turning potential waste into something positive. In response to the current Covid-19 pandemic and the changing world we now find ourselves in, these enterprising entrepreneurs have now launched their impactful Together Again essential care pack for their customers.

Mumpreneur Evolution: On our terms: An inspirational book for women in business: 23 success stories of building businesses around family life

July 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Mumpreneur Evolution, by Erin Thomas Wong, is a collection of insightful and inspiring interviews with 23 women who share their stories of building businesses around family life. Millions of women around the world are choosing a different way of working. They are not opting to return to a full time career working 60 hours a week, but they are instead carving their own paths, building businesses which allow them to be a mother and a business owner side-by-side.

Be True to Yourself with the Lionesses of Africa Team!

July 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

from the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

“Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t,

Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t,

Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes,

It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul.”

….and that was what greeted us as we arrived in our office this morning, blaring from our Head of Finance’s open door!

Building Awareness of Covid-19 Cyber-Attack Ransomware

July 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Adv. Lufuno Khorommbi, Cyber Law Consultant and MD: Orizur Consulting Enterprise

Did you know that internet users are not only having to protect themselves from Covid-19; but from online vulnerabilities as well? During the wake of Covid-19 being declared a world crisis; cyber criminals (hackers) jumped at an opportunity to deceive internet users? It does seem that internet users are not only having to fight against Covid-19 virus, but against cyber-attacks as well. Since everyone is genuinely seeking to know more about Covid-19, they saw an opportunity to defraud internet users.