The Power Of Habit

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

For a long time now I have had a healthy appreciation for the power of habit in my life, in the lives of others as well as in the lifespan of businesses. I can’t say that I absolutely believe that what you put into something determines what you get out, but for the most part I am in agreement that what you get out of any endeavour strongly correlates with what you put in. The only challenge is that we are quite often completely oblivious to what exactly we put in.

Naike Moshi, a woman entrepreneur in Tanzania passionate about empowering women in business

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Naike Moshi, founder of Women in Management (WIMA) (Tanzania)

Startup Story

Closing the gender gap and promoting visibility from women leaders on the African continent is key to making positive and lasting socio-economic change happen. In Tanzania, Naike Moshi, founder of Women in Management (WIMA), is playing her part through her work in business management and human resources.

Didintle Leatile Moreki, an organic skincare manufacturer celebrating nature’s ingredients in Botswana

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Organic Natural Skincare-Collage.png — Didintle Leatile Moreki, founder of Organic Natural Skincare (Botswana)

Startup Story

Many people battle acne in their youth and throughout their lives and it can be challenging to find a solution that is both effective and natural. This was a challenge that entrepreneur Didintle Leatile Moreki, founder of Organic Natural Skincare in Botswana, successfully took up in starting her business.

Olga Mundangepfupfu, a South African entrepreneur building a niche software consulting business

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Olga Mundangepfupfu, founder of CM Solutions (South Africa)

Impact Partner Content - Absa

Companies large and small know that harnessing the power of technology to get business done can pay dividends, but getting the right tools and advice is key. In South Africa, Olga Mundangepfupfu, founder of specialist software consulting and data management business, CM Solutions, has the solutions to meet every need.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s luxury skincare brand, L’abeille, launches its new IonActive Deep Cleansing Brush

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

L’abeille, the South African luxury skincare brand founded by entrepreneur Karen Potgieter, has built a reputation for combining exceptional luxury skincare experiences with science-proven actives. This month sees the launch of its new IonActive Deep Cleansing Brush, which has a cleansing action that lifts even the most stubborn of impurities, providing a much deeper clean than your hands alone can. The brush has three different speed settings which allow you to set it at a speed that suits your skin sensitivity and area you are cleansing. The more gentle the vibration, the better it will be on sensitive skin and delicate face areas.

Risk is Relative!

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We have to immediately state (for those of a fearful nature) that the Lioness cub in the above incredible picture by Sarah Skinner that won the Comedy Wildlife Photograph of the Year 2019, did survive unhurt (somehow!). But it shows clearly that for all of us there are differing levels of understanding and appreciation of risk, in this case both for the cub and for the unsuspecting male who would assume that no one is that daft. As Einstein would agree, Risk is Relative! (Feeling brave? Zoom in and see those claws!)

She Made It by Angelica Malin

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

For all those aspirant women entrepreneurs who want to go out and launch the business of their dreams, award-winning rising star entrepreneur and author, Angelica Malin, shows you how in her new book She Made It.

The Awakening of the Mind

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Elizandra dos Santos

About the book “Ho'oponopono", today I come to share the insights I had after reading the work three times, at different stages of my life. Written by three authors of different backgrounds, it is a very interesting and easy-to-understand book. I recommend it to all who seek to live a life with more love and lightness in their hearts.

A simple guide to building your dream team

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Farida Yahya

Let’s face it, building a team is nerve wrecking for most founders. It’s a cross between anxiety and excitement and it’s usually as a result of projected fear, usually from experience, and sometimes just from hearsay. I am sharing these simple tips with you to broaden your horizon, and make you realize that it’s possible to build your dream dream.

Tips for Tax Year-end

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

When you plan and prepare for tax year-end, you can utilize tax savings more effectively and experience less stress and hassle when submitting your tax returns.

Will you become Money Savvy this year?

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

Everyone’s life is different, but many have still been impacted in similar ways because of the impact of COVID-19. 2020 was a mean teacher but the lessons were clear. In some way or another, you and your family have probably been impacted by a job loss or reduction in income. 2021 is promising a bit of the same and the potential for more job losses, pay cuts and reduction in income is prominent. I join you in shouting “this sucks!”

Andiswa Silinga, a South African pioneer of data analytics using drone technology

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Gemini GIS and Environmental Services, a leader in Geospatial data management solutions

Often the impetus to start a business stems from identifying opportunities where you can fully utilise your specialist expertise and knowledge, and where gaps in the marketplace allow you to make your mark. For Andiswa Silinga, co-founder of Gemini GIS and Environmental Services, this came in the form of harnessing cutting edge technologies to hep companies with their geospatial data management.

Chipo Aaron, an entrepreneur in Botswana building a cosmetic manufacturing brand and spa

February 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Chipo Aaron, founder of Cutikles (Botswana)

Startup Story

Frustrated by the uninspiring, chemical-intensive, highly synthetic formulas which have pervaded the skincare market for too long, entrepreneur Chipo Aaron, founder of Cutikles, decided to do something to change the situation. Today, her cosmetic manufacturing brand is creating high quality spa products that harness the healing power of Africa’s indigenous oils.

Ashley das Rosas Massingue, a Mozambican entrepreneur turning a passion for cashews into a business

February 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ashley das Rosas Massingue, founder of Shez Snacks Comércio & Serviços, E.I (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Consumers’ love for snacks, in particular for healthy nuts, means a growing market and one that entrepreneur Ashley das Rosas Massingue, founder of Shez Snacks Comércio & Serviços, E.I in Mozambique, is keen to capitalize on. Her new business is packing appetizing flavours into a range of snack cashew nuts which are winning over fans of these tasty treats.

Phumzile Mthembu, a South African entrepreneur inspired to create a natural baby skin care brand

February 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Phumzile Mthembu, founder of PureB Baby Care (South Africa)

Impact Partner Content - Absa

Inspired by her son who was diagnosed with eczema as a baby, South African entrepreneur Phumzile Mthembu created a natural baby skincare brand, PureB Baby Care, providing a solution to her own family and many others too. Today, her company Ingcweti (Pty) Ltd, trading as PureB Baby Care, is a wholly black-owned manufacturing company that specializes in producing coconut oil based baby ointments that are 100% natural and without harmful chemicals.

Quote of the Day Leidemara Ramos

February 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

“Our company is a family, which grows and strengthens itself, and this expands our horizons constantly.”

Leidemara Ramos, co-founder, Resermar Reservas Online (Cape Verde)

Entrepreneur Advice from Chita Mumba Zulu / Look for a gap in the market

February 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Chita Mumba Zulu, founder,  Eternal Jewellery Zambia (Zambia) — Chita Mumba Zulu, founder, Eternal Jewellery Zambia (Zambia)

Look for a gap in the market!…

“Look out for a unique business idea that will help bridge the market gap of a missing business opportunity in the market place.”

Chita Mumba Zulu, founder, Eternal Jewellery Zambia (Zambia)

Voguepreneurs: Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Built Million Dollar Brands Through Digital Platforms by Andrea Siracuse

February 7, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Can everyone build a brand through digital platforms? Andrea Siracuse, author of Voguepreneurs: Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Built Million Dollar Brands Through Digital Platforms, sets out to find out why some women rise to the top and others flop at building brands through digital platforms.

Adeola Ade-Ojo, a trailblazer putting Africa on the global luxury fashion map

February 7, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Deola Sagoe Limited, the premier authentic African based luxury products provider

Adeola Ade-Ojo is a Nigerian born fashion designer who is popularly known by her design name, Deola Sagoe. Whilst studying Business Administration at the University of Miami, Florida in the mid 1980’s, Deola fell in love with fashion. On graduating in 1987, she returned to Nigeria ostensibly to begin a Masters degree in Finance. Deola’s Mother had been running tailoring operations called Odua Creations which was known for producing meticulously embroidered traditional menswear. In 1989, Deola joined her Mother with a view of expanding the label’s repertoire to encompass more contemporary designs for the ever developing, cosmopolitan Nigerian society. The following year, Deola began designing under her then married name Deola Sagoe, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Susan Nel, an entrepreneur building a creative business that harnesses her passion for photography

February 7, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Susan Nel, founder of Susan Nel Photography (Namibia)

Startup Story

There is a well known saying that a picture says a thousand words, and in Namibia, entrepreneur Susan Nel, founder of Susan Nel Photography is helping her clients to tell their own unique stories through powerful images.