“My dream is to be part of my country's growth on a level where everything can be sourced locally.”
Eugenia Langa, founder, Nweba (Mozambique)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Christelle Kwizera / Accept that mistakes are part of the journey
Christelle Kwizera, founder, Water Access Rwanda (Rwanda)
Accept that mistakes are part of the journey!…
“My advice for all ladies starting up is to go for it and accept with grace and humility that failure and mistakes are just one part of a journey.”
Christelle Kwizera, founder, Water Access Rwanda (Rwanda)
Read moreSuccess leaves clues – but are you looking in the right place?
by Lori Milner
Writing is my passion, but it wasn’t appearing in my calendar as regularly as I would have liked and I wanted to start dedicating a daily space for it. I looked to other professional authors on how they wrote their books and what tips of the trade I could implement. What do they know what I didn’t get the memo on?
Read moreConfession time: I have not cracked the code!
by Phindile Ndlovu–Tapula
When we switch on our phones and open our social media applications we are bombarded with many people who seem to just always get it right. We often feel the pressure to act as though we have cracked the code, our businesses are booming, and we are eating healthily.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Margaret Hirsch
Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s (South Africa)
“I am passionate about South Africa. We live in a country of wealth and abundance and it’s up to us as entrepreneurs to ensure this country goes from strength to strength.”
Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Nicoline Bole / Just start your entrepreneurial journey
Nicoline Bole, founder of Bolnique Ltd (United Kingdom / Cameroon)
Just start your entrepreneurial journey!…
“Nothing is born out of an idea without action. It’s better to start than not to start at all, because we all have the ability to do anything we set our minds on.”
Nicoline Bole, founder of Bolnique Ltd (United Kingdom/Cameroon)
Read moreEssma Ben Hamida, a pioneer of micro-finance in Tunisia
Essma Ben Hamida
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Enda inter-arabe and Enda tamweel, transforming lives through micro-finance
Getting access to finance and access to markets and opportunities continue to be significant challenges for women on the African continent, and in Tunisia, this was particularly a challenge for low-income women. For Essma Ben Hamida, this was the motivation and inspiration for her to embark on a journey of impact driven social entrepreneurship. Her aim, to change the narrative and change lives through the provision of micro-financing for women and young micro-entrepreneurs, empowering them to improve their lives through business.
Read moreAbsa Lionesses Xpo opens to corporate buyers virtually
Absa Lionesses Xpo
A wealth of opportunity is open for corporate buyers, CEOs and other decision-makers to connect and engage with 117 leading women entrepreneurs from a range of industry sectors in South Africa at the web-based Absa Lionesses Xpo, a sophisticated virtual exhibition platform, which went live on 29 October.
Read moreNonhlanhla Ditshego, a South African entrepreneur building an exciting craft gin brand
Nonhlanhla Ditshego, co-founder of Vuttomi Liquids (South Africa)
Startup Story
The craft gin market has exploded globally over the past few years with some interesting independent brands emerging, particularly in South Africa. One of those brands is Vuttomi Liquids, co-founded by Nonhlanhla Ditshego and her family, and they have big hopes and ambitions for the future.
Read moreBoikano Sikwane, a South African entrepreneur turning a family chilli recipe into a growing business
Boikano Sikwane, co-founder of Chuck Chilli Foods (South Africa)
Startup Story
South Africans love their condiments, especially those that have a chilli kick to them. So for all those consumers who are constantly in search of a new chilli taste sensation, look no further than Chuck Chilli, an exciting brand of chilli condiments from Chuck Chilli Foods, co-founded by Boikano Sikwane.
Read moreTania Moonsammy, an entrepreneur offering a bespoke product sourcing service to clients
Tania Moonsammy, founder of The Business Concierge (South Africa)
Startup Story
In South Africa, with more and more people choosing to work from home, sourcing essential products and services and, importantly, getting them delivered, has become a must-have. Tania Moonsammy, founder of The Business Concierge has the solution and the team to offer a bespoke product sourcing and delivery service for her clients.
Read moreLioness Launch / Ostibel Africa releases its new range of Helichrysum skincare products
Lebitso Ramphore, founder of Ostibel Africa
Lioness Launch
Ostibel Africa is a Holistic Beauty and Wellness brand founded by Lebitso Ramphore. Proudly made in Africa from indigenous, wildly-crafted, natural, and organic ingredients, the Ostibel Africa range of products are for dry, sensitive, combination, and allergy-prone skin types. If you’re sensitive to perfumed products or love natural skincare, you’ve come to the right beauty and wellness home.
Read moreNo Plan B: A Handbook for Incurable Entrepreneurs and Other Rebellious Souls by Heather Thorkelson
Heather Thorkelson
Book Review
In her brand new book, ‘No Plan B: A Handbook for Incurable Entrepreneurs and Other Rebellious Souls’, Heather Thorkelson is appealing to self-motivated humans willing to trade the "safety" of the 9 - 5 for the freedom to create their own livelihoods. As she documents in this fascinating handbook, Heather makes no bones about the fact that uncertain income, intermittent failure and self-doubt are guaranteed on the entrepreneurial startup journey. So are a deep sense of satisfaction and a well-lived life in event of success.
Read morePandemic burnout
by Elizabeth Otieno
It’s a difficult time for many business owners and employees. The handful of us who have managed to keep our jobs are grateful and ensure to work diligently to keep it that way. We either occasionally visit the office or permanently work from home, until this pandemic is over that is. Now that our safe haven, our home, has become our workplace as well, will our work efficiency rise or fall?
Read moreGrab that opportunity!
From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
The AbsaLionessesXpo opened with a bang to a VIP guest list on Tuesday and to the whole world on Thursday 29th October (although there will be other special invite days ahead - so keep an eye out for that VIP Gilt-Edged Invite from Melanie!).
Read more5 ways you’re sabotaging yourself without uttering one word
by Lori Milner
“All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” — Tom Peters
A brand is a promise and ultimately a sorting device. If I offered you two bottles of Cola, one being a no name brand and the other a bottle of Coca-Cola – naturally, you will go for the Coca-Cola.
Read moreManaging the cash crunch – small business survival
by Sylvia Walker
To say that it’s a tough business environment right now is an understatement. While many of us are trying to put food on the table, others simply have no income. Adaptability is key and we have to rethink how we operate our personal as well as business finances. New circumstances are creating a new normal for us. Some tips and pointers as to how to adapt and switch our thinking.
Read moreChanging the paradigm to flourish
by Dr Ashika Pillay
I have written previously about stress and there’s a lot that is known about what causes it, how we sense it in our bodies and that chronic stress can lead to downstream chronic disease and poor health. However, how do we shift the paradigm rather from managing stress, to optimizing wellbeing - so we can be healthier, live longer more fulfilling lives, perform at our best, have wholesome family and social relationships that support us, make a difference in the world and in this way - become true leaders - of ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Temie Giwa-Tubosun
Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder, Lifebank (Nigeria)
“Our vision is to be the supply chain engine for healthcare systems across Africa and save the lives of 1 million Africans in the next 10 years.”
Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder, Lifebank (Nigeria)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka / Keep reaching for your dreams
Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Keep reaching for your dreams!…
“There will be times when it becomes really difficult and you're thinking this is hard, but keep reaching for your dreams and the rest will follow.”
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder, Gorilla Conservation Coffee (Uganda)
Read more