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Lionesses of Africa

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The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Lethumusa Kulube, a South African entrepreneur driving change through digital communication

August 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Lethumusa Kulube, founder of Stractiv8 Impact (South Africa)

Lethumusa Kulube, founder of Stractiv8 Impact (South Africa)

Startup Story

These days, digital communication has become the most powerful tool for any business to reach those all important customers and markets. But for many non-profit organisations, the process of building a digital communication strategy and tools can be overwhelming. In South Africa, entrepreneur Lethumusa Kulube, founder of Stractiv8 Impact, has the specialist solution and approach that is needed.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags South Africa, Business Services, Media PR & Communications
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I’m harnessing all that creativity and positive energy

August 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Kabira Dewan

We are inevitably heading to the so called “new normal way of doing business” but I must admit I am still spinning with all the creativity and positive energy that I experienced during Lockdown.

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In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Kabira Dewan, BU Inspiration & Motivation
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Quote of the Day by Victorine Sarr

August 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Victorine Sarr, founder, Lyvv Cosmetics (Senegal)

Victorine Sarr, founder, Lyvv Cosmetics (Senegal)

“I have 100% of my destiny in my own hands, I set the vision.”

Victorine Sarr, founder, Lyvv Cosmetics (Senegal)

Read more
In Quote of the Day Tags Vision & Mission
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Entrepreneur Advice from Prudence Seya / Do not be afraid to dare

August 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Prudence Seya, Founder, Web Training Academy (Cote d’Ivoire)

Prudence Seya, Founder, Web Training Academy (Cote d’Ivoire)

Do not be afraid to dare!…

“If you are looking for someone who can help you realize your dreams, look in the mirror. Do not be afraid to dare.”

Prudence Seya, Founder, Web Training Academy (Cote d’Ivoire)

Read more
In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Dream
Comment

Feeling overwhelmed by news and social media? Develop a Mindful Media approach.

August 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Dr Ashika Pillay

“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind”

— Jim Morrison

Social media is pervasive. Even the fact that you are reading this - is evidence of how much content is out there. The question is, are you “choice-full” about what you consume or are you a victim to relentless barrage of news items, posts about other people’s lives, polarized journalism, political agenda, and conspiracy theories.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Ashika Pillay, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Own your morning. Own your day.

August 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Lori Milner

The most important habit I have developed over the years that has given me more time in my day, more ‘me time’ and more energy, it’s this – waking up earlier. This is sacred time when no one else is awake and it’s the only gap I have in my day to truly focus on developing myself. Self-leadership can’t be found in a one day seminar or a book you read a few years ago, it is a daily discipline. Now, no one is going to give you this time. It has to be consciously carved into your day. I know you are thinking ‘It’s easier said than done’ – fair enough. So here are some tips on how to actually get yourself to wake earlier.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Mindful Entrepreneur
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How to Boost Your Motivation

August 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker

It’s not easy to maintain self-control, especially when things are difficult. Personally, I’ve found life very difficult over the past few months with the pandemic, lockdown and load shedding in South Africa. I’ve noticed that many people have abandoned their diets and have had difficulty staying focussed on their business objectives. So how can we keep motivated and working towards our goals?

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Kathy Mann, Health & Wellbeing
Comment

Quote of the Day by Ncheta Dasilva

August 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Ncheta Dasilva, founder, Zola Eve, (UK/Nigeria)

Ncheta Dasilva, founder, Zola Eve, (UK/Nigeria)

“Your WHY has to be strong, as people need to know, like and trust you before they'll part with their money.”

Ncheta Dasilva, founder, Zola Eve, (UK/Nigeria)

Read more
In Quote of the Day Tags Vision & Mission
Comment

Entrepreneur Advice from Nontobeko Bee Mbuyane / Be a problem solver

August 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Nontobeko Mbuyane, Founder, Bees Beauty Haven (Eswatini)

Nontobeko Mbuyane, Founder, Bees Beauty Haven (Eswatini)

Be a problem solver!…

“Never expect gains as reward in the first years of your business, just fall in love with seeing the solution to the problem that your business is solving.”

Nontobeko Mbuyane, Founder, Bees Beauty Haven (Eswatini)

Read more
In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneurial Journey
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Quote of the Day by Michelle Adelman

August 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Michelle Adelman, founder of Accite Holdings (Botswana)

Michelle Adelman, founder of Accite Holdings (Botswana)

“Our aspiration is to use new food and agriculture technology as a catalyst to solve some of Africa’s most pressing social issues.”

Michelle Adelman, founder of Accite Holdings (Botswana)

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In Quote of the Day Tags Innovation, Food & Drink, Michele Adelman
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Entrepreneur Advice from Lethumusa Kulube / Navigate your detours

August 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Lethumusa Kulube, Founder, Stractiv8 Impact (South Africa)

Lethumusa Kulube, Founder, Stractiv8 Impact (South Africa)

Navigate your detours!…

“You may hit a detour along your entrepreneurial journey, but understand why and use that time to rebuild that which made you take the detour.”

Lethumusa Kulube, Founder, Stractiv8 Impact (South Africa)

Read more
In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneurial Journey
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Learn the art of creative problem solving in business

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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Impact Partner Content: Absa

To celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa, Lionesses of Africa is launching a very special one-hour Lioness Business Agility Live Webinar for women entrepreneurs, hosted in partnership with Absa on the morning of Friday 14 August.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags Absa
Comment

Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, an artisanal dairy-free ice-cream maker serving love through scoops

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, founder of YoCoco (South Africa)

Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, founder of YoCoco (South Africa)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to make delicious artisanal dairy free ice cream.

For all those people out there who love the idea of gorgeous ice cream, but cannot eat dairy produce, help is at hand. YoCoco, an exciting artisanal dairy free ice cream brand created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, is tantalizing tastebuds in South Africa with fabulous flavour combinations and taste sensations.

Read more
In Cover Story Tags South Africa, Food & Drink
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Tlangelani Nkuna, a South African entrepreneur with a passion for recruitment

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Tlangelani Nkuna, founder of Placement Junxion (South Africa)

Tlangelani Nkuna, founder of Placement Junxion (South Africa)

Startup Story

Any business knows that it is only as good as its people, but finding the right people can be challenging. In South Africa, entrepreneur Tlangelani Nkuna, founder of specialist recruitment services company, Placement Junxion, is bringing her expertise to any people sourcing brief.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags South Africa, Recruitment Services, Business Services
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Tessa O’ Halloran, a South Africa ecopreneur transforming plastic waste into lifestyle products

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Tessa O’ Halloran, founder of plasticity. (South Africa)

Tessa O’ Halloran, founder of plasticity. (South Africa)

Startup Story

Discarded plastic waste is a problem for the planet and for humankind as a whole, and the need to find sustainable solutions to transforming that waste into useful products has never been greater. In South Africa, ecopreneur Tessa O’ Halloran, founder of plasticity. is playing her part in finding those solutions.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags South Africa, Eco-preneur
Comment

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Marpemed launches its new Online Health Store

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Hlengiwe Moepe

Hlengiwe Moepe

Lioness Launch

Marpemed is a South African health and medical solutions company founded by Hlengiwe Moepe, and specializing in Health and Wellness, Employee Wellness, Digital Healthcare Services and Medical Supplies. The company has launched its new Online Health Store, focusing on providing clients with the best natural supplements, remedies and health food!

Read more
In Lioness Launch Tags South Africa, Healthcare, Health & Wellbeing
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Digital Goddess: The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur by Victoria Montgomery-Brown

August 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Victoria R. Montgomery Brown, CEO and co-founder of Big Think

Victoria R. Montgomery Brown, CEO and co-founder of Big Think

Book Review

With women leading only twenty-four Fortune 500 companies, female founders receiving only 2.2 percent of US venture capital, and the continued presence of sexual harassment and double standards, the gender gap continues to hinder the advancement of women in the professional world. In Digital Goddess, Victoria Montgomery-Brown, founder of Big Think, a collection of experts across all fields and disciplines that are either at the top of their field or disrupting it - shares her story in an entertaining and educational light.

Read more
In Essential Tags Books
Comment

Caught in the headlamps

August 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Our Head of Finance (HoF) arrived this morning and made straight for our desk, sat down, picked up the spare coffee (which wasn’t spare as it happens), looked to the heavens as if for some divine inspiration, took a deep breath and started…

Read more
In Team Lioness, Business Unusual Tags BU Crisis Strategy
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The business of mask making

August 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Brigette Mashile

Why don’t we make masks for sale? That was the message from my mom recently. I decide to call her to talk to her about my thoughts. Her question is on point, this seems to be the only item anyone with a sewing machine should be doing currently. Ignore all the wedding, graduation, party or any other event outfits you had orders on; if the last time you touched your sewing machine is 10 years ago… now it’s the time to bring it out again. There is an advert flyer I say it said South Africa needs 36 million masks and you can get to make some of them. What a number!

Read more
In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Brigette Mashile, BU Pivoting
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Lessons from Burnout into Lockdown

August 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker

A few years ago, I experienced a burnout. I developed a stress-induced autoimmune disease and suffered from chronic fatigue for three years. It had a significant effect on my life. Lately, with South Africa being in lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I have noticed a few similarities and differences between that period of my life and now.

Read more
In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Kathy Mann, BU Wellbeing & Mental Health
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka
Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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