the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
It was the morning after the night before and the Head of Finance (HoF) was in a pensive mood, finally calling us one by one into the Boardroom.
What was this all about?
Why all the secrecy from the HoF?
Had we possibly made a terrible error and put decaffeinated beans in the Coffee machine?
These questions and many other horrific thoughts rushed through our minds.
Read more
by Anja van Beek, Talent Strategist, Leadership Expert and Executive Coach
Missing that ‘happy feeling’? This article focuses on why your mental wellbeing matters. How would you rate your current mental wellbeing? We all have been challenged over the past few months and have experienced how our mental health (our emotional, psychological, and social well-being) can impact and affect our thoughts, feelings and actions.
Read more
Kerryne Krause, founder and CEO, I-Slices Innovations (South Africa)
Kerryne Krause, founder and CEO, I-Slices Innovations (South Africa)
Read more
Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)
Learn to conquer fear!…
Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)
Read more
Eugenia Langa, founder, Nweba (Mozambique)
Read more
Christelle Kwizera, founder, Water Access Rwanda (Rwanda)
Accept that mistakes are part of the journey!…
Christelle Kwizera, founder, Water Access Rwanda (Rwanda)
Read more
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 more
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 more
Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s (South Africa)
Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s (South Africa)
Read more
Nicoline Bole, founder of Bolnique Ltd (United Kingdom / Cameroon)
Just start your entrepreneurial journey!…
Nicoline Bole, founder of Bolnique Ltd (United Kingdom/Cameroon)
Read more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more