Making a necessary change

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

I think we are surely all extremely “bored” by the whole Covid 19 pandemic, although we cannot change the heartache it brought. We still mourn loved ones and we still pray for the world. Let’s talk about a bit of a different point of view today. As hikers, we know that we can go and hike the same road and see many different sceneries every time, although it stays the same route. Somewhere you get that urge to do something totally new and different. The exact same can and maybe should happen in our finances and our businesses.

How to Get Money Savvy – Step 2: Snakes & Ladders

May 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

Life is like a game of snakes and ladders. You never know what the next roll of the dice is going to give you. It could be a snake (threat) that could cause you to regress in your financial life. Or it could be a ladder (opportunity) to take you to the next financial level of success.

The art of speaking in future tense

May 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Elizabeth Otieno

Business is booming! You are at the top of your game, your clients have fallen deeply in love with your product and services and now, new clients are diving in because let’s face it: you are just that good!

Critical Phases of a Go-To-Market Strategy

May 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kelebogile Makhafola

We spent the majority of 2020 learning new skills, joining courses, and committing to hours of virtual engagements. We, as business owners and brand leaders, had time and energy set aside to acquire new knowledge and pursue agile solutions for our business and brand activities. Let this year (moreover, this time of the year) be dedicated to processes that position your brand in the mind of your customers. It is time for the rubber to meet the road, it is indeed the time to make those insights work for your brand.

The Fearless Woman's Guide to Starting a Business: What Every Woman Needs to Know to be a Courageous, Authentic and Unstoppable Entrepreneur by Ameé Quiriconi

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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Book Review

The Fearless Woman’s Guide to Starting a Business: What Every Woman Needs to Know to be a Courageous, Authentic and Unstoppable Entrepreneur by Ameé Quiriconi is a book for freedom-seeking female entrepreneurs and solopreneurs who want to know how to connect with their true passions, skills, and desires. It’s a book for startup business women who get honest with themselves about their reasons for wanting to start a business.

Iris Lezi Munguambe, Mozambique’s wedding and event planner extraordinaire

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Mariée Eventos Lda, a specialist business creating happy endings for clients with big event dreams

Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos, is a 31 year old Mozambican woman entrepreneur, dreamer and Event Planner. She built her company, originally named Mariée Boutique, but now known as Mariée Eventos in 2013. Her inspiration came from watching the well-known movie, "The Wedding Planner.” She then designed her business specifically to meet the needs of, and to appeal to, Mozambican culture. Since a young age, she planned small events and designed invitations, so perhaps the entrepreneurial bug was there from the start. As someone who loves happy endings, Iris chose to build her business in the wedding and events industry as a way of helping to make clients’ dreams a reality.

My own truth will set me free

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Andiswa Silinga

There are times in life where we look for validation from other people, whatever we need to do has to be supported by somebody else for us to believe that it is the right thing to do.

Lessons from a Lifetime

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Paula Quinsee

Have you ever drawn up your Life Line over your lifetime? Drawing up your life line is a great way to identify both positive and negative experiences in your lifetime that have contributed to where you are today.

All change is messy in the middle..

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

Being an entrepreneur, especially a female one is not all pretty business. We see the stories on the LinkedIn and Facebook, and perhaps even on Lionesses Of Africa, and we get a good case of either Imposter Syndrome and or Mrs. Doubt (Fire). Sitting in the aftermath of that hit can become ugly and unsettling. We question the choices that we’ve made, and paths we’ve chosen, and wonder if it’s all really worth the effort, and the not-so-prettiness. How can we find help to get out of the hole when we find ourselves there.

How to finally take the plunge into your courage zone

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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by Lori Milner

“As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.” - Robin S. Sharma

If you want to start running, you aren’t going to put your hand up for a monster marathon. You’ll begin with some light jogging and build your way up slowly. When you want to get into a swimming pool, you tend to dip your toes in first to test the water. Even though you know it’s not the best strategy to get in so slowly, it still feels easier than taking the plunge and jumping in. Why not adopt the same approach when it comes to stepping out of your comfort zone?

Embrace Training!

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.”

Jessica Mkondiwa, an entrepreneur in Malawi creating an on-demand clothing business and creating jobs

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

An account that grows with your business

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Lionesses of Africa launches The Business of Funding Podcast in partnership with Enygma Ventures

May 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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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.

Dream First, Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking & Make It Happen! by Ellen Marie Bennett

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Lioness Launch / Mozambique’s House of Agness launches new bespoke, luxury tea collection

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Aisha Pandor, a digital innovator solving problems at scale

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Should I stay or should I go?

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

We were shocked to hear of the passing of Model and Singer Nick Kamen this week at the tender age of 59. The Levi Jeans model and singer shot to fame in the iconic ‘Laundrette’ ad (here).

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