the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
By Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
Last weekend we showed that one of the best ways to keep good employees and to encourage them to invest their lives into your dream, was through training. We quoted the great Ben Horowitz, (in his book here) who found out that one reason employees left was “The company wasn’t investing resources in helping employees develop new skills.”
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Adri Williams, owner, Khayelitsha Cookies (South Africa)
Startup Story
Khayelitsha Cookies is an impact driven, hand-made cookie manufacturing business making a difference to reducing employment in South Africa, and empowering women to look after their families.
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Jessica Mkondiwa, CEO, Malawi Luxury Inc
Startup Story
Jessica Mkondiwa is a CEO of Malawi Luxury Inc, a ‘print on demand’ clothing line in Malawi. She started the business in September 2019 with the help of her friend, Harrison Soko, with whom she shared ideas and joined together. It has been almost two years so far and she has employed 15 people in the business, of which 91% of them are Malawians.
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Impact Partner Content - Absa
In a move aimed at transforming the banking experience for businesses, Absa has launched a brand-new transactional account called Business Evolve Zero. Specifically designed for sole proprietors’ businesses, it comes with no monthly account fee.
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Lioness Radio / The Business of Funding Podcast
In response to the challenges facing Africa’s women entrepreneurs in getting access to essential growth funding for their businesses, Lionesses of Africa has launched The Business of Funding Podcast series through its Lioness Radio division. This new quarterly podcast show aims to inform and inspire, and is powered by Enygma Ventures, a private investment fund focused on investing in women-led businesses in Southern Africa, and co-founded by entrepreneurs Sarah and Jacob Dusek.
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Ellen Marie Bennett
Book Review
Entrepreneur Ellen Marie Bennett, founder of professional apron company, Hedley & Bennett, knows what it takes to build a successful business, and the title of her new book, Dream First, Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking & Make It Happen!, says it all.
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Mariana Agness Francisco Eria
Lioness Launch
The House of Agness, founded by creative entrepreneur Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, is a contemporary Floral House based in Mozambique and specializing in bespoke, minimalistic floral arrangements. The company’s inspiration is based on minimalism and sustainability. The House of Agness range of products and services includes, but is not limited to, the delivery of signature floral boxes, bouquets, gift boxes and onsite floral services, as well as corporate event management and design. Signature flowers include roses, orchids, hydrangeas and peonies (seasonal). The company takes pride in the preserved flower collection where a rose can last for as long as 2 years in its lush acrylic boxes.
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Aisha R. Pandor
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
SweepSouth, Africa’s first online platform connecting home services providers to work opportunities
Aisha R. Pandor is co-founder and CEO of multi-award winning SweepSouth, Africa’s first online home services platform. Venture-backed, SweepSouth was the first South African startup to be accepted into the 500 startups accelerator based in Silicon Valley. Aisha completed her PhD in Human Genetics at the University of Cape Town. Following her studies, she worked as a management consultant in the telecoms and mining industries. SweepSouth is an advocate for financial and digital inclusivity, and has connected over 25,000 previously unemployed/underemployed home service providers to work opportunities.
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Startup Story
As the world’s population ages, the 50plus generation are looking to make a difference in the next productive phase of their lives, Lynda Smith is a thought leader in this space and founded 50Plus-Skills in South Africa. Lynda is a pioneer and has started a few businesses during her 40 years in business. She dreams about bringing social change while empowering others to grow.
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by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho
Have you ever tried writing a social media post and you simply can’t remember what you wanted to write about? Sometimes you are just all out of ideas or haven’t taken the time to outline relevant themes for your organization and sometimes your graphics simply don’t engage the way you would like them to. Do not despair, all your organization needs is a solid Content Strategy.
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By Phindile Ndlovu- Tapula
Hello Moms! Who else feels like stress loves them or they are in fact in love with stress? Does stress get you down, binge eating and moody? Does your mind race during the night fixing problems and anticipating for problems?
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by Marjon Meyer
The slow and sometimes passive lifestyle of Lockdown in 2020 encouraged me to spend more time running as our escape and entertainment options were extremely limited. Teams and Zoom also have their limitations for human interaction and stimulation. I have always been a lover of the Great Outdoors, so it felt good to apply my tekkies to tar with the added bonus of becoming fitter and staying healthy. An unexpected bonus was that I was introduced to a group of running enthusiasts who I now consider my tribe, my running family and dear friends. Hours on the road invariably lead to beautiful and interesting conversations, especially for those who can run and breathe simultaneously (just for the record, due to the latter, my listening skills have improved rapidly).
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By Paula Quinsee
Last year was supposed to be the year of #20plenty. This year, let it be the year of #20won.
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Impact Partner Content - Absa
For all those cooks who want to bring extra flavour into their meals, Mi Butter, founded by entrepreneur Vhongani Shumba in South Africa has the answer in a jar. Vhongani is the founder and CEO of mi butter SA, founded in 2016, a proudly local woman-led company introducing the market to the world of flavoured butters. She is a marketing and brand manager by day and small business developer by night. Vhongani has brought her company to life by her own hard work and tenacity, and today is involved in the daily operations of the business, providing strategic insights and ensuring that the quality of mi butter meets customers’ expectations.
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Eugenia Langa, founder, Nweba (Mozambique)
Eugenia Langa, founder, Nweba (Mozambique)
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Thokozile Mangwiro, founder, Nilotiqa (South Africa)
Focus on your vision!…
Thokozile Mangwiro, founder, Nilotiqa (South Africa)
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Claudia Castellanos
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Black Mamba, an award-winning, Eswatini-based, specialty food brand making a sustainable impact.
Black Mamba is an ethical business from Eswatini in Southern Africa, co-founded by Claudia Castellanos and her husband Joe, that manufactures specialty foods that are good-for-you, good-for-the-planet, and good for the rural communities they work with. The range includes chilli sauces, pestos, chutneys and jams, all made with organically grown ingredients and “no added nonsense”. Through a partnership with the local NGO Guba, Black Mamba trains small holders in permaculture and regenerative farming and buy their fresh produce to make our products. To date, 60 farmers are part of the value chain, and the direct positive impact reaches over 1000 individuals in Eswatini. Black Mamba has won several Great Taste Awards in the UK for its chilli sauces, and currently exports its range to countries such as South Africa, the US, the UK, Germany, Norway and Taiwan.
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Anna Parker-Naples
Book Review
If you are wondering why you don’t have the income or influence you want in your business and industry sector, then Anna Parker-Naples, author of Get Visible, believes she has the answer. Her new book teaches you to become visible, credible and scalable in your field.
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Startup Story
The beauty and wellbeing benefits of shea butter are well known, but now for those looking for a premium brand and product range which is organic, vegan, and suitable for the most sensitive skins, help is at hand from Kinapure1`. In Ghana, Kina Africa, founded by entrepreneur and health specialist, Mildred Mawusi Agbana (Millie), and trading under the brand name Kinapure, is creating a range of products that are handcrafted, organic, cruelty-free, 100% vegan, hypoallergenic and non-GMO.
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