the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Anja van Beek, Talent Strategist, Leadership Expert and Executive Coach
Leavism is a real trend, and a concerning one. As we are approaching summer holidays in the Southern hemisphere, I can’t help but think about employees not intentionally switching off from work during their well-deserved holiday – especially after such a different year like 2020.
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by Suret Alive, founder of Alive Wellness Company
Here are the top 5 things that I’ve been doing for myself during the pandemic that will make my business thrive.
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Anne Boden, ceo and founder of Starling Bank
Book Review
Banking On It by Anne Boden, ceo and founder of Starling Bank, is the first-hand account of one woman's quest to rebuild Britain's broken banking system. After a lengthy career at the top of some of Britain's leading banks Anne had become disillusioned with the status quo - the financial crash had broken trust in the whole sector but there seemed to be little appetite to make the most of emerging technologies to revolutionize customer experience. Increasingly frustrated with the inertia within the industry she decided to shake things up herself by doing something totally radical - setting up her own bank.
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Eunice Andrade
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
EA Comunicacao e Servicos, a powerful communications advisory service for Mozambique’s businesses and brands
Eunice Andrade is the founder of EA Comunicacao e Servicos. She is an experienced entrepreneur and multi award-winning business leader across the African continent. Her business is focused on branding, company advisory and public relations. She founded the company 22 years ago and now employs more than 10 people, many of them women. She has more than 25 years of experience in the area of public relations and company consultancy. Currently, she is a Brand Ambassador for Betway Mozambique, Jaba Mozambique, and is also a social activist and influencer for Wateraid in the fight against COVID-19. She bring a wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of marketing and public relations.
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Suraya Williams, founder of Design26 (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)
Startup Story
In South Africa, clothing manufacturing has always played an important role in the local economy, creating jobs and developing skills. Today, Suraya Williams, founder of Design26 (Pty) Ltd, is carrying on the legacy of her late mother by transforming a clothing manufacturing business to a CMT (cut-make-trim) operation, creating skilled jobs in the process.
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Angellah Manda, founder of Angelos Crochet (Malawi)
Startup Story
Crocheting is an art that many Malawians are taught at an early age, but for Angellah Manda, founder of Angelos Crochet, she was inspired to take the craft to the next level and into business. Today, her beautifully crafted crochet garments and accessories are desirable fashion items by her growing customer base.
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Babalwa Fatyi, founder of Myezo Environmental Management Services (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)
Impact Partner Content - Absa
In South Africa, the need to help developers to run projects that are sustainable, whilst at the same time protecting the environment, is key. Myezo Environmental Management Services (Pty) Ltd, founded by entrepreneur Babalwa Fatyi, advises developers on how to remain profitable and respect the socio-economic environment in which they operate. The company provides a range of specialist environmental advisory services to developers across a variety of sectors.
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By the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
“…a company cannot achieve long-term profits without embracing purpose and considering the needs of a broad range of stakeholders. A pharmaceutical company that hikes prices ruthlessly, a mining company that shortchanges safety, a bank that fails to respect its clients – these companies may maximize returns in the short term. But, as we have seen again and again, these actions that damage society will catch up with a company and destroy shareholder value.”
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by Usha Maharaj
It is no secret that during the last month of the year most of us struggle to stay motivated and productive at work. Some of us may feel the added pressure of family visiting, feel intimidated by shopping for gifts, and disheartened by tight deadlines before the office closes for the year.
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by Lori Milner
Do the same goals seem to repeat themselves on your vision board, new year’s resolution list and annual birthday reflection session? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why? What is holding you back from making progress? You may have put it down to a lack of willpower or motivation or some other self-defeating story that you now believe as fact.
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by Ronel Jooste
Facing the chaos of a world pandemic during 2020, the thought of the December period where we can scale down, relax and recharge is certainly something to enjoy. It is time to forget about what happened in 2020 – the good, the bad and the ugly – and get ourselves ready for 2021. Pure bliss!
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by Eldari Visser
There is a secret rule when exploring the wild or going on a road trip by foot or by car - you never go alone. Well duh! Yet... here in beautiful South Africa we hear of many hikers and mountaineers that unfortunately died whilst out on a hike. Most of the time it could have been prevented and most of the time it was due to the fact that they underestimated the terrain and the weather and more than 90% were alone. A friend, a group is always advisable.
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Bupe Chipili Mulapesi, founder of Farm23 Strawberry (Zambia)
Stay focused on your dream!…
Bupe Chipili Mulapesi, founder of Farm23 Strawberry (Zambia)
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Lynda Aphing-Kouassi
Lioness Launch
Kaizene, based in Cote d’Ivoire and founded by entrepreneur Lynda Aphing-Kouassi, has built up a reputation for helping companies and organizations to optimize their human capital, improve their services and their quality approach. To achieve this goal, Kaizene has been offering various training and coaching modules and courses for several years. This month sees the launch of a new Shared Services Solution specifically for women entrepreneurs and SMEs.
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Thuli Zikalala, founder of Yellow Owl (South Africa)
Startup Story
For the deaf and hard of hearing, being able to keep up to date with news, information and powerful digital content is so important to maintain those all important connections in life and in business. Thuli Zikalala, founder of specialist business Yellow Owl, is playing her part as a professional sign language interpreter.
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Siwinile Khumalo, founder of Sucxeed Projects (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)
Impact Partner Content - Absa
In South Africa, many people still do not have access to clean and healthy water supplies each day. For entrepreneur Siwinile Khumalo, founder of Sucxeed Projects (Pty) Ltd, addressing this challenge was the inspiration for her business building journey. Today she is a water solutions and services provider, changing lives and communities.
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Michèle Mianza, founder of 2mk Healthcare (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Startup Story
Technology has become a real gamechanger in the world of healthcare, providing those in need with access to medical advice and healthcare professionals via apps and digital platforms. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, entrepreneur Michèle Mianza, founder of 2mk Healthcare empowers people to manage their health journeys using technology.
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Mimi Shodeinde
Miminat Designs, a groundbreaking interior architecture and design business reimagining form and function
Mimi Shodeinde is a British Nigerian artist, designer and entrepreneur, born and raised in London, Mimi’s passion for art was developed at a young age. Winning awards for her artwork she went on to complete her degree in Interior Architecture at Edinburgh. She has worked and collaborated on a wide range of projects both nationally and internationally, from interior architectural projects, furniture design, lighting and product design spanning The UK, Europe, The Middle East and West Africa. Mimi’s drafting and painting skills together with her artist’s eye allow her to break down the relationship between form and function where art and design intersect. She draws on her diverse influences and background to manipulate the use of space through both form and placement defying categorization. Her style is fluid, sophisticated and functional but seeks to imbue each project with a personality of its own.
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Sam Shepard as Chuck Yaeger in The Right Stuff. Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive
From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
The Lionesses of Africa has a user community of over 1.1 million inspirational African Female Entrepreneurs owning and running businesses from all countries of Africa, from SME’s to large multinationals, employing thousands…and across all industries. We even have an ever growing membership in the Diaspora such as the US - currently above 100,000.
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Emma Isaacs
Book Review
Winging It by entrepreneur and author Emma Isaacs is a powerful call for women everywhere to forget perfectionism and start winging it. Emma forgot to draw up her life plan. She doesn’t have a list of five-year goals, and she doesn’t believe in work-life balance. Yet somehow she’s managed to found a multimillion-dollar global organization, become a highly sought-after speaker and media commentator, and be recognized as a prominent voice in women’s leadership―all while raising six young children. So how does she do it all? She dives in headfirst and wings it.
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