the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Lynda Smith
There are several macro trends that are currently impacting the way we work. Each generation is impacted differently. These trends are longevity and technology. These trends have positive and negative implications. Awareness and action are key drivers to understand how to navigate the future.
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by Ashika Pillay
So often, I hear from my clients, friends and family and myself, of how I need to “get over my procrastination”, or “I don’t understand why I am putting this off?”. It’s a disease that plagues many, and is often misunderstood. Deeper enquiry and insight can lead to transforming this way of being, and open us to becoming more effective, productive and impactful. After much research and case studies with my own clients, I have some ideas on why we put things off, and why we appear to get in our own way.
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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.
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Margaux Rusita
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.
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Maranda Joiner
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Kevine Kagirimpundu
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.
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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.
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Charlene Walters
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.
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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.
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