What is all the fuss about Digitization…and how does it affect us as estate agents?

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Pam Snyman

When my husband and I decided to start our own real estate agency in an entrepreneurial fashion in 2012, we already went ‘digital’ with REDZetc. We did not want to use the existing real estate business model as we felt that we needed some change in order to provide opportunities for entrepreneurial agents with a keen business sense to work in an environment that speaks to our clients’ needs and not necessarily those of our company alone. Our aim was to train our agents to self-promote by utilization of personal branding and providing outstanding service in order for each individual to build his/her own database of satisfied and loyal clients.

Margaux Rusita, a luxury jewellery designer passionate about sustainable design

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Margaux Wong, a Burundi-based brand turning cow horn into unique luxury accessories

Margaux Rusita is the founder and creative director of the Margaux Wong international, multi-cultural jewellery and accessories brand founded in 2000 and based in Burundi, East Africa. Margaux Wong`s artisans transform discarded cow horn and brass into luxurious, beautiful treasure. Margaux is originally from Guyana, South America. She and her Burundian husband, Simba, and their 5 amazing children, have lived and worked in Burundi for the last 12 years. Margaux Wong's ethos is one which embraces responsible innovation and the brand aims to create its beautiful jewellery using locally acquired, sustainable materials. Margaux Wong is a true representation of Margaux`s cultural background and life experiences, spanning 38 amazing years, across 3 beautiful continents.

A Lot Alike: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Branding and Purpose by Maranda Joiner

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Join brand strategist and public speaker, Maranda Joiner, author of A Lot Alike: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Branding and Purpose, as she gives you the secret to identifying your brand’s message, your purpose, and your voice on social media. Through working with over 200 entrepreneurs in just over two years, Maranda has discovered that the road to purpose is found by examining our past memories. From that, we can use our purpose to connect to our target audience.

First South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creation Survey reports optimistic green shoots

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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Lioness Data / Research Report

The first South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey report was released on 6 June, providing key insights into the pivotal role women entrepreneurs play as job creators. Top line findings from the report indicate a deep commitment to job creation among South Africa’s women entrepreneurs, with 90% reporting that job creation was an important consideration in starting their business. In addition, despite all the challenges and setbacks of the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey reveals ‘green shoots’ of optimism in terms of future job creation. The majority of respondents anticipate that their businesses will recover from the impact of COVID-19 within two years; they anticipate growth in revenues, and are either actively recruiting new staff now or planning for new, near-term hires. The survey was undertaken by Lionesses of Africa, a network of over 1.3 million women entrepreneurs across the African continent, in partnership with New York University, and in collaboration with Absa.

Caley van der Kolk, a South African entrepreneur connecting makers to markets

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Caley van der Kolk, founder, AYA Africa (South Africa)

Startup Story

One of the biggest challenges facing small creative goods makers and manufacturers is getting access to markets. Caley van der Kolk, founder of AYA Africa, has created a digital platform that allows small-scale makers and manufacturers to market and sell their goods online.

Kulukaya Sadiki, a sustainable fashion designer making an impact in Malawi

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Kulukaya Sadiki, founder, Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio (Malawi)

Startup Story

The fashion sector is one of the most important sectors from a job creation and economic contribution perspective, and for Kulukaya Sadiki, founder of Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio in Malawi, sustainable fashion is key. Her business approach is to incorporate fabric recycling and reuse into the production process to create timeless fashion pieces with minimal environmental impact.

Why do I feel so lost?

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

If you have been feeling lost, out of sorts, not quite yourself, or like a lone survivor on an island in the middle of nowhere lately, you are not alone. We all have moments of despondency when things that should inspire us just feel boring or unstimulating. The tasks on our list don’t get a second look, and some days even getting out of bed is too much effort.

6 Numbers you should always know in your business

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

Finances are an integral part of any business. Let us be honest, there is no sense in running a business that is not profitable unless it is for a charity cause. The sad reality is that plenty of business owners don’t spend a lot of time on managing and analyzing their finances. Finances are often perceived to be boring, complicated, or only a support function within a business. The truth is, the better you manage your finances, the more successful your business will become. The better you know your numbers, the more powerful decisions you can make.

It’s never too late to reinvent your personal brand, here’s how….

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

7 ways to create the best version of yourself...

I have coached and trained hundreds of people on personal branding and the number one question I get asked is: “Is it too late for me to reinvent my brand and change perceptions?” The good news is that it is never too late.

How to Get Money Savvy – Tip 3: Multiple Income Streams

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

Gone are the days when the mom stays home to take care of the kids while the dad goes to work. I was fortunate when I was younger because my mom stayed at home. She on the other hand was totally unfortunate. When her and my dad divorced at 40, she had to start her life with nothing, never having worked and having no real skills.

Manufacturing Sector Working Capital Cycles: What entrepreneurs should be planning for

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content - Absa / by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sector Development, Absa Retail and Business Bank

Business conditions are improving but supply chain frictions remain

This week the latest Absa Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data showed further evidence of the continued recovery of the sector with the PMI improving to 57.8 in May. This is the tenth consecutive month that the Absa PMI has been above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion and contraction and shows some promising resilience in the sector. Output and new sales orders continue to see strong reads in this survey.

You have power over your mind

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” So wrote Marcus Aurelius (seen above in a statue in Rome fittingly with a beautiful Blue Sky above him) in his book Meditations (here), which without doubt would have been a global best-seller at the time had he actually published it, given he was the last of the ‘Five Good Emperors of Rome’ at the end the era ‘Pax Romana’, controlling most of the known world at the time. However it was not published, they were writings only for him and him alone, which in a way adds great strength - they were not written to impress or to dictate or even to guide others, but more of a personal daily exercise, a mantra.

Emilia Banda Tambatamba, a Mozambican coffee brand builder helping SMEs to grow

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Emilia Banda Tambatamba, founder, Dvyn Treat Batamba’s (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Dvyn Treat Batamba’s is a Mozambican coffee brand and business, co-founded by Emilia Banda Tambatamba with the aim to assist SMEs with tailored coffee machinery solutions and premium fresh roasted coffee beans. She manages the daily operation of the business and also works a full-time job as a business assistant for an international company, working with sales and after-sales.

Ntsiki Gwendolyn Bereng, an entrepreneur building an early childhood development legacy in South Africa

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ntsiki Gwendolyn Bereng, founder, Apple Tree Montessori (South Africa)

Startup Story

Providing a stimulating, safe learning environment for young children is key in Africa if they are to fulfill their potential. For entrepreneur and educator, Ntsiki Gwendolyn Bereng, founder of Apple Tree Montessori in South Africa, this need provided her with the inspiration to start her impact driven education business.

Kevine Kagirimpundu, a passion driven producer of eco footwear in Rwanda

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

UZURI K & Y, a rising star of African footwear, creating beautiful shoes and skilled jobs

Kevine Kagirimpundu is the CEO & co-founder of UZURI K&Y, the eco-friendly footwear brand in Rwanda. She obtained her degree in creative designs & environmental build, and she also acquired her business development and leadership skills from global entrepreneurship accelerators. She is passionate about sustainable environment and leverages her skills to educate youth & women from urban vulnerable communities. In 2019, the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative named her among top 10 business heroes creating change across Africa.

Innovation and Technology: the Future of Agriculture

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content - Absa

The world faces opposing challenges, feeding just under 10 billion people by 2050, whilst also minimizing the effect of this on our planet. To meet these challenges innovation and technology plays a key role in generating efficiencies and conserving scarce resources.

Launch Your Inner Entrepreneur: 10 Mindset Shifts for Women to Take Action, Unleash Creativity, and Achieve Financial Success by Charlene Walters

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In her book, Launch Your Inner Entrepreneur: 10 Mindset Shifts for Women to Take Action, Unleash Creativity and Achieve Financial Success, Charlene Walters covers exactly what women in business specifically need to know - from “Dealing with Haters” and “Closing the Confidence Gap” to “Overcoming Impostor Syndrome” and “Tips to Fight Self-Sabotage.” She addresses 10 specific Mindset Shifts and provides hands-on workbook activities, giving women the tools needed to embrace an entrepreneurial attitude, as well as actionable, practical advice on everything from crafting a USP to finding a work-life balance.

The First Cut is the Cheapest

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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By Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Every so often we come across real life practical issues amongst our Lionesses and even from outside of our inspirational membership as we talk, mentor and occasionally consult to these companies. Sharing the issues and the practical solutions we find, helps others who are in the same position. Obviously no names will be mentioned, but these are all generic problems that can potentially hit us all and from the experiences of others, we all can learn.

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.

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