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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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Lioness Launch / ASPIRE Luxury Magazine launches two new digital features 

November 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Bella Ikeme, founder of ASPIRE Luxury Magazine (Nigeria)

Bella Ikeme, founder of ASPIRE Luxury Magazine (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

For all those lovers of luxury brands and products on the African continent, ASPIRE Luxury Magazine in Nigeria, founded by entrepreneur Bella Ikeme, is already a destination of choice for online readers. This month sees the launch of two new digital features which aim to share more positive narratives about African luxury brands and showcase some of the most exciting luxury brands to emerge from the continent.

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In Lioness Launch Tags Nigeria, Media PR & Communications
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Adenike Ogunlesi, Africa’s foremost children’s fashion and retail entrepreneur

November 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Adenike Ogunlesi

Adenike Ogunlesi

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Ruff ’n’ Tumble, a trailblazing premium children’s clothing brand on the African continent

Adenike Ogunlesi, who has been redefining and blazing the trail in the children’s fashion industry with over 35 years’ experience in the Fashion and Retail Business, is the founder and Creative Director of Africa’s leading Premium children’s clothing brand, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble. Ruff ‘n’ Tumble has shared happiness with over a million children and families across the globe, because she dared to dream and pursue her vision fearlessly.

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In Cover Story Tags Nigeria, Adenike Ogunlesi, Children's Clothing
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Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, an information technology pioneer bridging the digital divide

October 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Future Software Resources Ltd (Futuresoft), a Nigerian technology provider scaling African enterprise.

Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho is a seasoned Information Technology professional with over 15 years of industry experience in Africa’s largest emerging economy. She has a deep purpose and focus on bridging the digital divide and transforming Africa by harnessing the benefits of digital. At home in technology from childhood, Nkemdilim is walking in her fathers’ footsteps as a second-generation Nigerian Information Technology expert.

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In Cover Story Tags Nigeria, Nkemdilim Begho, Technology
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Kofo Akinkugbe, a Nigerian innovator and technology market leader

September 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Kofo Akinkugbe

Kofo Akinkugbe

Lionesses Weekender Cover Story

Secure ID, Africa’s market leader in smart card technology and digital security.

Kofo Akinkugbe is a Nigerian innovator and technology market leader. This remarkable woman entrepreneur founded a company that today is recognised globally as a market leader in Africa's smart card technology and digital security industry.

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In Cover Story Tags Nigeria, Kofo Akinkugbe, Technology
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Lioness Launch / LifeBank announces first expansion outside Nigeria into Kenya

September 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Temie Giwa-Tubosun

Temie Giwa-Tubosun

Lioness Launch

LifeBank, the innovative business founded by Temie Giwa-Tubosun in Nigeria that uses data, technology, and smart logistics to improve the discoverability, delivery, affordability, and safety of essential medical products like blood and oxygen for health systems across Africa in order to save lives, has announced its first expansion outside Nigeria. The company’s next city of operations is Nairobi in Kenya as it strives to continue saving more lives while strengthening the supply chain engine for health systems across Africa.

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In Lioness Launch Tags Temie Giwa-Tubosun, Nigeria, Healthcare
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Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro, an innovator transforming aquatic weeds into natural fibre products

August 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro

Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

MitiMeth, tackling a growing Nigerian environmental challenge and creating sustainable jobs.

Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro is a Computer Scientist turned Social Entrepreneur. She is also the Founder and CEO of MitiMeth, an award-winning Social Enterprise transforming waste and building livelihoods through the transformation of invasive aquatic weeds and agricultural residues. To date, MitiMeth has trained over 400 women from communities across Nigeria and Ghana to make eco-friendly home décor and lifestyle products from these natural fibres. She is passionate about creating employment opportunities through sustainable textiles and accessories from renewable materials and working with multi-stakeholders to push these into the mainstream. Her story has been featured on TED, BBC, Deutsche Welle TV, CNBC Africa and CNN’s African Start-Up.

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In Cover Story Tags Nigeria, Achenyo Idachaba, Social Entrepreneur
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Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, an entrepreneur building a leading natural baby skincare brand in Nigeria

August 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care (Nigeria)

Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care (Nigeria)

Startup Story

When you are a mother to triplets, you have first hand knowledge of just what babies need when it comes to natural skincare, and that is certainly the case with Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care. She has a big vision to be a leading natural baby skincare brand in Africa.

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In Startup Story Tags Nigeria, Natural Wellness, Baby Clothing & Products
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Lioness Launch / MitiMeth launches its new Concept Showroom in Lagos marking an exciting new milestone 

August 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro, founder of MitiMeth (Nigeria)

Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro, founder of MitiMeth (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

MitiMeth is an award-winning, cause driven brand, transforming waste and building livelihoods in Nigeria via the Creative Economy. The company has just opened its new “All Things Water Hyacinth” Showroom in Lagos. The new retrofitted “for-purpose” Showroom and Production Hub will be a centre for the transformation of water hyacinth into Home Goods and Accessories.

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In Lioness Launch Tags Nigeria, Achenyo Idachaba, Social Entrepreneur
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Elohor Thomas, a techpreneur in Nigeria passionate about helping African software engineers find dream jobs

August 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Elohor Thomas, co-founder of CodeLn (Nigeria)

Elohor Thomas, co-founder of CodeLn (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Companies know how tough it can be to find the right tech hire, those highly trained and experienced software engineers from the African continent who are a good fit for the job. CodeLn, co-founded by techpreneur Elohor Thomas, is there to help. This specialist software company helps companies seamlessly find, test, and hire the right skilled African tech talent at the right time.

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In Startup Story Tags Nigeria, Business Services, People Management
Comment

LifeBank’s Temie Giwa-Tubosun named Cartier Women’s Initiative Laureate 2020 for Sub-Saharan Africa

June 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Temie Giwa-Tubosun

Temie Giwa-Tubosun

Awards and Accolades

The 2020 Laureates of the Cartier Women’s Initiative have just been announced, and the inspirational LifeBank Founder, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, has just been named as the Sub-Saharan African Laureate. LifeBank is a medical distribution company that uses data and technology to discover and deliver essential medical products to hospitals in Nigeria.

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In Award Winner Tags Temie Giwa-Tubosun, Nigeria, Healthcare
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Tara Fela-Durotoye, a professional make-up pioneer in Nigeria

June 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Tara=Collage.jpg

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Beauty Entrepreneur who pioneered the professional make up industry in Nigeria in the late 90's. She is the founder and current CEO of House of Tara International. She is considered a major force in the Nigerian female entrepreneurship community having created an impact business that has empowered tens of thousands of beauty entrepreneurs through the "Tara Beauty Entrepreneur" initiative. Tara continues to be a thought leader and major influencer through several in classroom and on line courses that focus on sharing her 20+ year experience with other budding entrepreneurs.

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In Cover Story Tags Nigeria, Beauty & Wellness
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Femi Olayebi, a champion of African luxury and craftsmanship

May 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Femi Olayebi, founder of FemiHandbags (Nigeria)

Femi Olayebi, founder of FemiHandbags (Nigeria)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Femi Olayebi is a self-taught handbag and accessories designer, trainer, mentor and the creative force behind the eponymous FemiHandbags brand. A translator turned designer and manufacturer, her entrepreneurial journey started in 1992 when she tried her hands at making a diaper bag for her first daughter. Since then, she has poured all her energies into building her business, consistently pushing the boundaries and emerging as a leader in the Nigerian leather space. Renowned for her statement, colour-drenched pieces, Femi has received several awards, and in 2013, her business became a case study for MBA students at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos.

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In Cover Story Tags Nigeria, Fashion, Handbags
Comment

Mariam Lawani, a Nigerian entrepreneur tackling poverty and unemployment through recycling 

May 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Mariam Lawani, founder of Greenhill Recycling (Nigeria)

Mariam Lawani, founder of Greenhill Recycling (Nigeria)

Startup Story

In Nigeria’s rural communities, poverty and unemployment are major challenges, as is the issue of waste management. For entrepreneur Mariam Lawani, finding solutions to all of these challenges was the motivation for her business, Greenhill Recycling.

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In Startup Story Tags Nigeria, Social Entrepreneur, Eco-preneur
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Bukky Asehinde, a Nigerian entrepreneur with a platform that enables creative businesses to thrive 

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana (Nigeria)

Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Getting products noticed by global consumers is always difficult for Africa’s creative women entrepreneurs, but this challenge represented an opportunity for Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana. Her platform is giving visibility to Nigeria’s creative business owners and their quality products.

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In Startup Story Tags Nigeria, Online Service
1 Comment

Abiola Olaonipekun, a Nigerian entrepreneur providing an insight into consumer behaviour 

March 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Abiola Olaonipekun, founder of BanahGrace Nigeria Limited

Abiola Olaonipekun, founder of BanahGrace Nigeria Limited

Startup Story

Many companies need to better understand what drives their customers to make their purchasing and lifestyle decisions. In Nigeria, entrepreneur Abiola Olaonipekun, founder of BanahGrace Nigeria Limited, is providing the insights needed.

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In Startup Story Tags Business Services, Nigeria
Comment

Ubong Agina, a Nigerian creative fashion entrepreneur with a passion for training others

February 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Ubong Agina, founder of Nubeeka Concepts (Nigeria)

Ubong Agina, founder of Nubeeka Concepts (Nigeria)

Startup Story

As many entrepreneurs know, training and development can empower women to fulfill their potential, something Ubong Agina, founder of Nubeeka Concepts knows all too well. She is building a successful fashion design business and fashion training school to help others to realize their goals in the industry.

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In Startup Story Tags Nigeria, Fashion
Comment

Aramide Ajayi, a Nigerian entrepreneur creating an engaging e-commerce platform for children’s products

February 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Aramide Ajayi, founder of Futureshoppers (Nigeria)

Aramide Ajayi, founder of Futureshoppers (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Being laser-focused on making shopping for children easier for busy parents was the inspiration to start a business for Aramide Ajayi, founder of Futureshoppers in Nigeria. Today, her e-commerce platform is a one stop shop for children’s products.

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In Startup Story Tags Nigeria, E-commerce
Comment

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, a medical pioneer saving lives through innovation

February 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of Lifebank (Nigeria)

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of Lifebank (Nigeria)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Every year in African hospitals, people die because health workers could not find the essential medical products needed on time and in the right condition. This problem affects pregnant women, children under the age of 5, victims of traumatic accidents, and people suffering from sickle cell anemia and other chronic conditions. For entrepreneur Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of Lifebank, these statistics needed to change. She did the math and found that over 14,965,000 people die annually in Africa from the shortage of essential medical products. Today, Temie’s business is working to harness the power of technology and innovation to find life-saving solutions.

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In Cover Story Tags Nigeria, Healthcare
Comment

Modupe Sanders, a Nigerian restaurant consultancy entrepreneur helping clients to startup their businesses

February 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Modupe Sanders, founder of Mo Consult (Nigeria)

Modupe Sanders, founder of Mo Consult (Nigeria)

Startup Story

The restaurant business is an exciting one to enter for any passionate foodie entrepreneur, but it is also potentially one of the most challenging. Getting access to expert advice in starting up a successful new restaurant or turning around an existing one is key. Mo Consult, founded by Modupe Sanders, is a business offering just such a specialist service to its clients.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags Nigeria, Consulting Services, Food & Drink
1 Comment

Lioness Launch / Nigerian bean-to-bar chocolate company, Loshes Chocolate, launches new ranges of chocolate bars and gift boxes

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Femi Oyedipe, founder of Loshes Chocolate (Nigeria)

Femi Oyedipe, founder of Loshes Chocolate (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

The renowned and fast growing Loshes Chocolate, a bean-to-bar, single-origin, craft chocolate processing company in Lagos, Nigeria, is expanding its range to include some exciting new chocolate bars and gift boxes. Founded by entrepreneur, Femi Oyedipe, the company is building a reputation for its production of fine chocolates and baking products for both individual and commercial consumers.

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In Lioness Launch Tags Nigeria, Chocolate, Food & Drink
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
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
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Nebü

Pure gold heritage…Helen Viljoen is the founder of Nebü, a transparently priced, pure investment-grade gold jewellery brand inspired by and made in South Africa. Helen creates legacy pieces for clients that w
Image of the Day / Afropian

Statement dressing…If you want to make a fashion statement, then how better to do that than with this dramatic bark-cloth dress by Afropian, the Pan-African lifestyle brand founded by Cameroonian entrepreneur Horte
Image of the Day / Vanhu Vamwe

Marvellous macrame…We have always been big fans of the uber-talented Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, co-founder of luxury Zimbabwean accessory brand, Vanhu Vamwe, together with husband Simba Nyawiri. This show-stopping co
Image of the Day / Midunu Chocolates

Chocolate love…We are big chocolate lovers at Lionesses of Africa, so we love these beautiful looking and fabulous tasting chocolates from Midunu Chocolates in Ghana, handcrafted by entrepreneur and chocol
Image of the Day / Adele’s Mohair

Mohair magic….Lovers of fine mohair will adore these beautiful, luxury yarns, courtesy of Adele’s Mohair, founded by Adele Cutten in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. She has built a highly succes
Image of the Day / Kwesh

Relaxed style…We love these stylish yet relaxed Kwanza pants and matching tops from Juliana Nasasira, the Ugandan fashion designer and founder of Kwesh. Juliana launched Kwesh in 2012, a fashion brand focused on creat
Image of the Day / Dvyn Treat Batamba’s

Premium Coffee Experience…We love a great cup of coffee in a morning at Lionesses of Africa, and so we are fans of Dvyn Treat Batamba’s great coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia
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 / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind
Image of the Day / Yococo

Vegan ice-cream heaven…If you are ice cream lovers like we are here at Lionesses of Africa, you will love the vegan ice cream from Yococo in South Africa, created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela. She is proving t
Image of the Day / Nebü

Pure gold heritage…Helen Viljoen is the founder of Nebü, a transparently priced, pure investment-grade gold jewellery brand inspired by and made in South Africa. Helen creates legacy pieces for clients that w Image of the Day / Afropian

Statement dressing…If you want to make a fashion statement, then how better to do that than with this dramatic bark-cloth dress by Afropian, the Pan-African lifestyle brand founded by Cameroonian entrepreneur Horte Image of the Day / Vanhu Vamwe

Marvellous macrame…We have always been big fans of the uber-talented Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, co-founder of luxury Zimbabwean accessory brand, Vanhu Vamwe, together with husband Simba Nyawiri. This show-stopping co Image of the Day / Midunu Chocolates

Chocolate love…We are big chocolate lovers at Lionesses of Africa, so we love these beautiful looking and fabulous tasting chocolates from Midunu Chocolates in Ghana, handcrafted by entrepreneur and chocol Image of the Day / Adele’s Mohair

Mohair magic….Lovers of fine mohair will adore these beautiful, luxury yarns, courtesy of Adele’s Mohair, founded by Adele Cutten in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. She has built a highly succes Image of the Day / Kwesh

Relaxed style…We love these stylish yet relaxed Kwanza pants and matching tops from Juliana Nasasira, the Ugandan fashion designer and founder of Kwesh. Juliana launched Kwesh in 2012, a fashion brand focused on creat Image of the Day / Dvyn Treat Batamba’s

Premium Coffee Experience…We love a great cup of coffee in a morning at Lionesses of Africa, and so we are fans of Dvyn Treat Batamba’s great coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia 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 / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind Image of the Day / Yococo

Vegan ice-cream heaven…If you are ice cream lovers like we are here at Lionesses of Africa, you will love the vegan ice cream from Yococo in South Africa, created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela. She is proving t

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
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
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul

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