Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, a creative force in contemporary floral design

July 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of The House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Mozambique’s The House of Agness, a pioneer in floral design luxury and modernism

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is the founder of The House Of Agness in Mozambique, a unique contemporary floral design company inspired by minimalism and sustainability. She is passionate about all things minimal and meaningful, and her business reflects that passion. The House of Agness focuses on contemporary floral design thats seeks to become evermore sustainable in the techniques used in its designs, such as foam free arrangements. Another notable characteristic of The House Of Agness brand is that it seeks to empower women through its supply chain, being that 90% of their suppliers are made up of women-owned businesses. With 5 years in the marketplace, this brand has surely become a reference point for Luxury and Modernism, both in Mozambique and beyond its borders.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Nuel Lifestyle Concepts launches new safety Visor Hat for school children

July 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lebitso Ramphore, founder of Nuel Lifestyle Concepts (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

As safety is now a key priority for everyone as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to keep school children safe is now top of mind for parents. In South Africa, entrepreneur Lebitso Ramphore, founder of Nuel Lifestyle Concepts, has launched a functional alternative to wearing masks for school children.

The Remote Era and New Partnerships

July 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, Founder Isabella - Estética & Cosméticos

The COVID-19 driven economy has brought major challenges to many industrial firms and business owners. Now makes it the perfect time to re-evaluate what really creates value, what is critical to clients at this moment, and what would those new offerings and capabilities look like after all.

Review, Readjust, Reset, Reboot Yourself

July 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Marjon Mayer

Review, readjust, reset, reboot – ready? Nothing will ever be the same, I hear so many people say. It may be true to some extent, but I think that many things may settle back to more or less where they were – perhaps we just would have learnt to appreciate these more. So, nothing will even be the same again, or closer to the expression – The more things change the more it stays the same?

Insights and lessons from a pandemic

July 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Claire Holden, Empowerment Coach

I was in a meeting yesterday where we all agreed that we’re sick and tired of the Covid-19 pandemic. We’re tired of talking about the need to ‘pivot’, the ‘new normal’ and the uncertain future. Our news feeds are filled with stories of loss, blame, uncertainty and recriminations. It’s exhausting. The constant anxiety and barrage of bad news shuts down our thinking and saps our energy. We need creative, innovative thinking and an abundance of energy to be successful entrepreneurs, so it’s imperative we change the conversation!

NOtivation: Use the Power of NO to Make Your First Million Dollars by Dr Kristin Kahle

July 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In her new book, NOtivation: Use the Power of NO to Make Your First Million Dollars, Dr Kristin Kahle explains why she has a love/hate relationship with the word “no.” It’s not her favorite word. As a female entrepreneur in a male dominated industry, Kristin has heard the word “no” more times than she can count. Sound familiar?

Nozipho Mvulane and Arisha Rajaram, two legal entrepreneurs helping clients to find support in their times of need

July 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Arisha Rajaram and Nozipho Mvulane, founders of Rajaram Mvulane Attorneys (South Africa) — Arisha Rajaram and Nozipho Mvulane, founders of Rajaram Mvulane Attorneys (South Africa)

Startup Story

Everyone needs legal advice and assistance at some time in their lives, but finding the right law firm that understands your needs and that you can relate to can be hard. But in South Africa, two enterprising lawyers, Nozipho Mvulane and Arisha Rajaram, founders of Rajaram Mvulane Attorneys, are making legal advice and specialist support accessible.

Information as your primary asset and today's security challenges

July 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya (née Kortjass), founder & ceo, Tsoabelo Security Solutions

Today's businesses are confronted with an ever-changing set of tasks when it comes to securing the assets of an organisation. While the safekeeping of traditional physical assets is familiar ground for many, the new wired economy has thrust upon us a whole new realm of security challenges.

How to end an unhealthy business relationship

July 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources specialist

A relationship means a connection. In the business world one can never be an island, business connections are needed as part of networking and for growth. Connections through ventures, partnerships, supplier-procurer, mentor-mentee, and a whole lot of different connections are worth the while as long as they serve their purpose and result in a healthy and productive relationship.

Are you making movies?

July 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

June was a very full and busy time in my coaching practice. Online programs, interviews and workshops, plus many hours of coaching, and one dominant theme has emerged: most people make Oscar-winning movies in their heads and then get themselves into a whole heap of trouble when they live as if these made-up movies are real!

Nametso Matlhaga, a jewellery manufacturer in Botswana creating precious memories for clients

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nametso Matlhaga, founder of Matthan Jewellery Collection (Botswana)

Startup Story

Those special occasions in life deserve a beautiful, custom made piece of jewellery, and in Botswana, entrepreneur Nametso Matlhaga, founder of Matthan Jewellery Collection, is making memories come true. Her team of craftsmen transform every client’s personal design ideas into bespoke and highly individual pieces of jewellery, making every piece memorable.

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.