Sandra Mauricio Vuvu, an entrepreneur from the DRC, now building an organic beauty brand in South Africa

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Sandra Mauricio Vuvu, founder of Vuvu Organic Beauty (DRC/South Africa)

Startup Story

The rapidly growing global market for organic beauty products is one that Vuvu Organic Beauty, founded by Sandra Mauricio Vuvu, is now tapping into. Born in Angola, originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, and growing up in South Africa, Sandra’s passion for beauty and skincare started when she was 17 years old. She watched her mother have such beautiful fashion sense and the beauty products that she used made her want to know more about beauty herself. Sandra qualified as a beauty therapist where she gained more insight in beauty before launching her business.

Ijeoma Onuoha, a Nigerian fashion brand builder creating stylish yet affordable fashion for women

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ijeoma Onuoha, founder of Asoebigirl Limited (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Every woman wants to feel and look good, and finding the right stylish clothing for any occasion plays such an important part in that process. In Nigeria, entrepreneur Ijeoma Onuoha, founder of fashion business Asoebigirl Limited and creator of the brand, Touchbyasoebigirl, is bringing her stylish designs within reach of every discerning woman.

Now is the time to focus!

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

The world famous free solo (alone and with no rope!) climber Alex Honnold as pictured above (whilst climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock, the 3,200ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park) yes, we’ll just say that again - with no rope, says that often his most dangerous moment on any climb is just before the end when the climb starts to level off towards the top of the mountain and he starts to relax. That is when he is far more likely to slip and fall than when he is vertical, clinging to a crack a thousand metres above the ground. See the terrifying trailer from National Geographic here of the film by Jimmy Chin of this amazing assent. The film, "Free Solo" even won an Oscar for best documentary.

Levelling the playing field

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Usha Maharaj

Unemployment rates are on the rise, retrenchments are commonplace, the job market is transforming, and hope turns to despair everyday as graduates face the reality of a saturated job market. Levelling the playing field matters more today than it ever has before.

Digital Marketing 101

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Geraldine Eve

There are basic questions that you need to answer before you embark on your digital marketing journey, and in this article we shall go through them. You may need a pen and paper or better still just open your notes app on your device and answer the questions.

Practicing Mindfulness in Entrepreneurship

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Zodidi Jewel Gaseb

Last week I almost quit because of exhaustion. My body and mind were operating in overdrive, a state all too familiar to many of us running a business. We strategize daily, from operation, marketing and financial opportunities to explore, as well as making your third cup of coffee to keep up with it all. Surviving a global pandemic in the midst of running a business can also be tiring.

Beyond their day jobs in the world of Tech, 7 women unpack their private passions sharing their ‘how’ and their ‘why’

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Moyosola Kara

In celebration of International Women’s day this month, I spoke to 7 women holding senior positions in the Tech industry while concurrently running thriving side businesses and (or) social enterprises despite their incredibly demanding schedules.

Ahead Of Her Time: How A One Woman Startup Became A Global Publishing Brand by Judy Piatkus

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Ahead Of Her Time: How A One Woman Startup Became A Global Publishing Brand is the inspiring memoir of female entrepreneur Judy Piatkus, who acquired the book series that inspired the global #1 Netflix hit, Bridgerton. She founded her business, Piatkus Books, in her spare bedroom back in 1979. Determined to empower women’s voices as a single-mother with a child with learning disabilities at a time when being a self-made, female entrepreneur was rare, Judy defied expectations. Through her determination, Judy influenced, shaped, and gave rise to the cultural and professional perception of personal growth and mind, body spirit publishing.

Lioness Launch / Pristine Home Interiors launches its new showroom and interior design service for discerning clients in South Africa

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

A South African black-owned small business since 2015, Pristine Home Interiors has had a singular goal since its inception; to create signature and statement pieces and spaces. Each design in its showroom has been personally selected by the company’s boutique team with the South African lifestyle and aesthetic in mind. Founder Samukelisiwe Moralo, together with her co-founders Sthembile Ndaba and Sphamandla Ndaba have carefully curated a selection of designs that reflect their incredible country and way of life. Pristine Home Interiors is launching its new showroom based in the trendy design district of Kramerville in South Africa, with an Interior Design service that offers custom made furniture at a reasonable price.

Itumeleng Tshikalaha, a South African art entrepreneur sparking curiosity in the visual arts

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Itumeleng Tshikalaha, founder of 132 Art Gallery (South Africa) — **Itumeleng Tshikalaha**, founder of 132 Art Gallery (South Africa)

Startup Story

If you have ever visited an art gallery in Africa, you will know that there is a vibrant and growing art scene on the continent and one that is exciting art collectors both at home and abroad. In South Africa, the 132 Art Gallery, founded by entrepreneur Itumeleng Tshikalaha, aims to promote the work of talented established and emerging African artists to discerning collectors.

Millicent Motsoeri, a South African entrepreneur making vacations affordable for working people

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content - Absa

Everyone loves to take a vacation during the year, but often when the time comes to stop work and take a trip, funds can be in short supply. In South Africa, entrepreneur Millicent Motsoeri, co-founder of Heita Ngamla Holidays, has created a vehicle for customers to pre-pay for their vacations over time, making them more accessible to everyone.

Christine Khasinah-Odero, a Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to support new mums

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Christine Khasinah-Odero, founder of Supamamas (Kenya) — **Christine Khasinah-Odero**, founder of Supamamas (Kenya)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Every mum and mum-to-be knows how important it is to learn as much as possible about being a parent and caring for those precious little ones. Seeing a gap in the market for a focused online and event platform that would bring the best information, networking and support for mums in Kenya, led to entrepreneur Christine Khasinah Odero creating Supamamas, a destination of choice for discerning mums.

ESG anyone?

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

March 10th was a big day in Europe. On that day the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulations came into force, requiring “…investment funds to show how sustainability risks are incorporated into their investment decisions. This applies not only to fund managers, financial advisers and many other regulated firms in the EU, but also to non-EU [finance] managers marketing into the EU.”

Shine Your Light - Yes, Lets!

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Angelique Adcock & Dr Alison Hofer

Yes, let’s talk about YOU. The minute you were born, your life in this world began and things and people around you changed to accommodate and support you. As you grew up and started taking responsibility for yourself you started to recognize who you are and what drives you and what makes you happy.

Over 92% of New Year’s Resolutions fail within 6 weeks, don’t become a statistic

March 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Emily Kandanga

There’s a reason why most fitness and health goals turn into pure and utter nothingness in a matter of a few weeks, especially this time of year. Sure, change is hard, but it’s also not acceptable to pigeon hole your goals before they even start with magical quick fix mindsets that leave you worse off than ever before.

A New Year, A New You

March 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Jess Mostert

Boy! It really doesn’t take much thought or consideration to identify 2020 as a STINKER of a year. In fact, at first thought and at a glance, it is probably the WORST year most of us have ever experienced. There is no denying that it has been filled with loss, devastation, and broken moments (maybe even days, weeks or months). The hardest loss faced by far too many people would be that of loved ones: friends and family gone far too soon. It is difficult to see the beauty in anything with that amount of pain. Overcoming loss of that magnitude takes great courage, but the grieving process often offers us the beauty of reflection; reflecting on a life lived, a person loved, memories shared and lessons learned.

My ABC of Business: Tips on how to plan for the year ahead

March 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude

2021 is underway and it couldn’t have arrived sooner and come as a lifeline for most, as we all struggled to make sense of 2020. Just imagine we didn’t have TIME. Or imagine that we didn’t measure time in years and it just kept on going - an on-going year that never ended!!!

Embrace Thinking…

March 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

“If knowledge is power, knowing what you don't know is wisdom.”, so wrote Adam Grant, the renowned professor of psychology at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in his new book, “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know,”. One of the basic frustrations he has is that: Too many people in the world listen to opinions that make them feel good, instead of ideas that make them think harder.

Lioness Launch / Themba Travel launches The Beautiful Mix Tour experience for visitors to South Africa

March 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Themba Travel, founded by entrepreneur Chantal Potgieter, designs and offers transformational tours to give guests an authentic South African experience. The company offers tours in Cultural, Conservation, and Volunteering within South Africa, and is intentional in what it wants visitors to see and experience as it takes time in crafting our tours. The company is launching The Beautiful Mix tour, a combination of three main experiences (Cultural, Community, and Conservation) This 12 day, 11-night tour is designed to give guests a taste of the diverse culture, connect them with local community projects, and experience a Safari within a wildlife conservation area. It is also a great opportunity to explore the best of cosmopolitan Cape Town in the south and the best of the north in Johannesburg.

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