the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Sibongile Mtsabe
How will you define success? The dictionary defines success as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. I took time looking around me, in my community and friends. I saw people mark success milestones when they obtained material things like a modern car, a beautiful house, etc. I sat down and asked myself some deep questions within on this subject, and naturally answers came spontaneously.
Read more
by Wuraola Ademola-Shanu
Is email marketing dead? With all the talk about video marketing, virtual reality and chatbots, as well as artificial intelligence, it’s not surprising if you feel like email marketing is an ancient practice.
Read more
Nisha Ligon
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Ubongo, a Pan-African social enterprise creating localized edutainment for kids in Africa
Nisha Ligon is the co-founder and CEO of Ubongo, a Pan-African social enterprise that creates edutainment for kids in Africa. Nisha is a social entrepreneur with a background in media and science, and a passion for education. Before co-founding Ubongo, she was a media producer who created content for the BBC, the Guardian, online learning platforms and award-winning documentaries. She was part of the team who designed and launched Fuse School, and has also contributed to numerous e-learning initiatives across Africa. She studied at Yale University, University of Dar es Salaam, and Imperial College London, specializing in science media production.
Read more
Makhosazana Megan Ngubane, founder, Makhophila Training (South Africa)
Startup Story
To change people’s economic prospects, it’s essential to give them the skills they need to access jobs or to start their own businesses. In South Africa, Makhosazana Megan Ngubane has built a highly effective, specialist education business, Makhophila Training, to provide those essential skills, particularly to people in rural areas.
Read more
Zanele Hobongwana, founder, Swazi Tutor Academy (South Africa)
Startup Story
Every country knows that the education of young people is key to the alleviation of poverty and the economic growth of communities as a whole. In South Africa, Zanele Hobongwana, founder of Swazi Tutor Academy, is playing her role in tackling education in maths and science at a community level. Her work is helping to change young people’s lives as they open their minds and develop the key learning skills they need to become active contributing members of society.
Read more
by Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
Without doubt the above is a beautiful picture from the UN Economic Commission for Africa’s recent publication entitled: “Increasing women’s access to capital critical in Africa’s fight against poverty.” Sub-titled: “Women entrepreneurs continue to face greater barriers to accessing financing for their businesses”, see here.
Read more
Book Review
Terri Levine, the best selling author of Turbocharge Your Business for Women Entrepreneurs, is also a business consultant who has helped over 5,000 women business owners turbocharge their businesses increasing their revenue and profits, and their success. Her one-of-a-kind book aims to guide women entrepreneurs to achieve the business success levels they crave.
Read more
by Usha Maharaj
As a business leader, mastering the art of delegation is paramount in order to grow and scale your influence at work. Being unable to delegate effectively will limit your ability to successfully lead a team and increase your impact.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more