Nunu Mugyenyi, Angel Nkwaya and Janet Mugume, three Ugandan entrepreneurs building an award-winning retail outlet

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

In Uganda, if you are looking for the most exciting apparel and home decor brands, then you need go no further than the Bold in Africa retail outlet, launched back in 2012 by co-founders Nunu Mugyenyi, Angel Nkwaya and Janet Mugume. Today, the business is going from strength to strength, now showcasing over forty emerging apparel and home décor brands from countries across the African continent including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Birthmark of Africa Wines launches its new collection

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Miranda Abrahams, founder, Birthmark of Africa Wines (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

South Africa is renowned around the world for its fine wine-making, and this month sees the launch of a great new collection of wines from Birthmark of Africa Wines, founded by Miranda Abrahams. Customers can select from a great choice of Red and White wines, Blends and Champagne. The new collection includes Brut Chardonnay MCC – Méthode Cap Classique; Heritage Premium Red Blend; Heritage Premium White Blend; Premium Chardonnay; Premium Chenin Blanc; Premium Merlot; Premium Pinotage; and Premium Pinotage Rose.

Gladys Kgorane, a South African agripreneur supplying farm fresh produce to her customers

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Gladys Kgorane, founder, Caleb's Farm (South Africa)

Impact Partner Content - Absa

Gladys Kgorane is the founder and owner of Caleb's farm in Potchefstroom, South Africa, a niche agri business that supplies farm fresh products, eggs, free range chickens, sheep packages and pork packages for its customers. As a family oriented entrepreneur, Gladys is married with three children, she started her farming business on her smallholding back in 2013. Today she has seen it grow substantially from those early days, and now supplies 30 trays of eggs daily to customers, in addition to a wide range of farm fresh meat and fresh vegetables.

Be seen… and heard on ESG

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Since our previous letter in March on the EU’s move to legislate ESG to all via the financial world (here), where financial companies marketing their products within the EU now have to prove if they are ESG compliant (or not, they do have the choice). To take this seriously at a high level and to show this is not just a tick-box exercise, there is no doubt now (as we foretold) that this will filter quickly through to corporations and their supply chains. The finance world (if it wants the ESG tick) must pay attention, research, investigate and invest with ESG in mind.

Self confidence

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Altina de Jesus Lisboa

It is well known that we do not always have good days, there are those bad days too. Days that seem like nothing is going to work, a pile of work to do, that call to be answered, and a lot of problems to solve. Yes, there are those days, days when we feel like a complete failure, days that arise with the thought of wanting to go back, days that seem like business is not going ahead. For those days: Relax and believe.

How to achieve your goals while feeling lonely

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Usha Maharaj

When chasing a challenging goal, it is possible to feel lonely or alone even when there are people all around you. Being the first in my family to go to university was an honour and a privilege. But, university was unlike school. Being the first to experience it meant that, in many respects, I was doing it on my own.

Women and Resilience

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Elsa Figueiredo Tchikanha

Due to the financial crisis the country is facing as a result of the fall in oil prices, and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic, part of the strategy of companies to avoid bankruptcy and remain competitive is to reduce costs, among which are lay-offs. The layoffs have been throwing a significant number of people into unemployment, and thus many women have no choice but to become entrepreneurs and start small businesses, from catering to personal shoppers and influencers.

Use the gift of hindsight to let go of the past and reframe your future

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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By Lori Milner

“If a problem can't be solved within the frame it was conceived, the solution lies in reframing the problem.” — Brian McGreevy

I started my career at an advertising agency at the age of 21 as an account executive. I was privileged to work on a luxury car brand as part of my first portfolio. A few months into my role, an international client was visiting from Germany and the agency needed to present some work rather urgently one Friday afternoon. My boss was unavailable so I took it upon myself to go through to the client’s office and present to this executive. The following day I get called into my MD’s office and asked me to explain why this client is so furious.

The Mystery of the Squashed Self: How to stop self-sabotaging and make your business thrive by Trisha Lewis

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

The Mystery of the Squashed Self: How to stop self-sabotaging and make your business thrive by author Trisha Lewis, is a book for frustrated female small business owners who deserve more rewards for their efforts. If you are suffering from a sudden confidence dip; or you sense that life as an entrepreneur is resulting in you having your personality squashed; or you are losing your motivation; then this is a business book with a difference that is well worth a read.

Sibongile Mongadi, a young South African trailblazing entrepreneur creating prosthetics for amputees

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Sibongile Mongadi, founder, Uku’hamba (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Startup Story

For those living with a disability as a result of being an amputee, life can be challenging and independence is something longed for by many. But hope is on the horizon, thanks to Sibongile Mongadi, founder of Uku’hamba (Pty) Ltd, a company producing lightweight prosthetics for amputees living with disability. Her work is helping to give amputees their independence and their dignity back, and improve their life conditions in general.

South African bespoke fashion brand, Roka Roko, launches new Ladies Fashion Design Individual Tutoring Programme

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Brigette Mashile, founder, Roka Roko (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

Many people are interested in learning how to make women’s fashion clothes, but simply don’t have the skills or knowledge to know how to start. In South Africa, entrepreneur and experienced fashion designer, Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko, has the answer - a new Ladies Fashion Design Individual Tutoring programme.

Ethel Cofie, a leading woman entrepreneur influencing IT in Africa

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, Founder & CEO, EDEL Technology Consulting (Ghana)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

EDEL Technology Consulting, combining strategy and technology to bring business success to clients.

Named one of the Top 5 Women influencing IT in Africa, Ethel Cofie is CEO and Founder of EDEL Technology Consulting, an IT Consulting Company in West Africa and Europe which was recently named IT Consulting Firm of the year by the Telecoms and IT Industry. Ethel is also the Founder of Women in Tech Africa, the continent’s largest women in tech group with members in over 30 African countries and in the diaspora and growing, and the 2018 UN Equals in Tech Award Winner, Leadership Category. She created Women in Tech Week, a global event that impacts over 10,000 women globally. Ethel currently sits on the Advisory Board for Ghana’s Vice President, helping to design a Digital Strategy for Ghana. She also sits on the Tech Advisory board for the Graca Machel Trust. She has been featured on BBC/CNN/FT/Wired UK giving her thoughts on the topics of doing business on Africa, technology in Africa, Africa technology ecosystems and women leadership in business in Africa.

Shamilah Damons, a South African data scientist helping companies with their digital solutions

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Shamilah Damons, founder, Shammah Innovative Solutions (South Africa)

Impact Partner Content - Absa

Shammah Innovative Solutions is an information technology company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is an EME with 100% black women ownership and Level 1 B-BBEE rating. Shammah aims to provide digital solutions to small and large companies. Data is currently considered as any organisation's most valuable commodity, and Shammah’s goal is to use intelligent data processing techniques to provide integrated business solutions that deliver accurate, efficient and timely results.

Know your audience

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By The Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Easter is for many across the world a time of hope and new beginnings, but what if the world is in a dark place at the time? There have been times when something small but positive has ballooned into something huge and the globe has grabbed this light and given itself a new energy. Sometimes it can even be something daft, but the smiles and humour generated can do wonders for our mental well-being, that over the previous years had been sorely tested. We are herding animals, we are drawn to each other, we gain energy from each other and together (as we all know) we are stronger. How can this be harnessed for our businesses?

Leading With Authenticity

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Shatho Babitse

Have you ever encountered an authentic leader? Someone whose voice resonates with their heart when they speak, to such an extent that you get goose-bumps? Someone who, even if you disagree with, you respect and seek to emulate? Well, I have. And it is truly a remarkable experience.

Inga Sebata, a South African serial entrepreneur building clothing and hair salon businesses

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Inga Sebata, founder, StitchedByInga (South Africa)

Startup Story

For some women entrepreneurs, one business leads to another, and in the case of South African entrepreneur, Inga Sebata, her business success has led to the creation of not one but three businesses. She is the founder of two clothing businesses, StitchedByInga and StitchedbyInga_Kids, and also co-owns a hair studio.

Become a Smart Investor

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Ronel Jooste

Investments play a vital role in creating financial stability and adding muscle to your wealth portfolio. The more you can invest today, the stronger financial future you can create. To make smart investment decisions, you need to understand a few investment concepts and principles.

The Key to Women’s Success

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Usha Maharaj

Following decades of research and spend on women empowerment, women still hold fewer leadership positions and earn less than their male counterparts. In keeping with the reflective theme of International Women’s Day which took place on 8 March 2021 #IWD2021, let us #ChooseToChallenge the key to women’s success.

1 Choice + 2 simple words is all it takes to be successful

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“All overnight success takes about 10 years.” — Jeff Bezos

When you think about success, often it feels like it will come from one game changing decision or one significant event. Someone is finally going discover your talents or give you your big break. The problem with this way of thinking is that you are putting your happiness in the control of someone else’s hands, you are leaving your life up to external factors. When you keep waiting for things outside your influence to drive your sense of accomplishment, it tends to leave you despondent and feeling out of control. You are always future focused and this is where anxiety breeds so it’s definitely not a good strategy.

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