The Cages We Live in!

June 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nontobeko Mbuyane

I am currently reading a book by Glennon Doyle titled, 'Untamed.' It’s the first time I am reading anything by this author and frankly I didn’t go through any reviews prior to this read. The title of the book just captivated me and surely as an untamed one myself, I thought let me see what it’s all about. And oh gosh, I felt as if it had changed my life, not because it made me think of all the things I was capable of, but because it made me realize how capable I had already been.

Victorine Sarr Awuah, a world-class natural beauty brand builder from Senegal

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Lyvv Cosmetics, a leading natural cosmetics brand for women of colour

With over 8 years corporate experience, Victorine Sarr Awuah worked as a marketing executive for industrial giants Apple & Loreal. After being selected by President Barack Obama to be a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2015 under his flagship program YALi , she decided to start her own beauty company Lyvv Cosmetics. She holds a Master in Management - Specialisation in Strategy Marketing from ISG school of Management in Paris. With a passion to share and train young people, she has been volunteering as a mentor for programs like TEEP, AWEC. Outside of work, she loves to travel and has under her belt 156 countries visited. She is also a wife and mom of two beautiful girls.

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi, a cyber law specialist helping clients to deal with cyber security challenges

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi, founder, Orizur Consulting Enterprise (South Africa)

Startup Story

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi is a Cyber Law Specialist, a former public servant, and an award-winning thought leader who founded Orizur Consulting Enterprise in South Africa. She is a highly skilled knowledge worker with nearly two decades of experience working in a multi-disciplinary Cyber Law space. In her current role as a Cybersecurity Governance Specialist, she has pioneered unique solutions that creatively bring together cyber security governance, ICT procurement, and contract management. These regulatory compatible solutions give clients the ability to reduce cybersecurity and financial risks, whilst achieving cybersecurity regulatory compliance.

Adanne Uche, a Nigerian agro-processing entrepreneur on a mission to improve consumer nutrition

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Adanne Uche, founder & CEO of Ady's Food Mart (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Adanne Uche is the founder/CEO of Ady's Food Mart, an agro-processing company in Nigeria that ensures families choose a healthier option in cooking ingredients and Spices. A graduate of Foreign Languages and Literature, she started Ady's Food Mart in 2017 in a bid to improve nutrition and well-being of consumers.

She Markets, A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs: Five Simple Steps to Attract More Clients, Make More Money, and Have More Impact by Cynthia Trevino

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Author and entrepreneur, Cynthia Trevino, knows how to attract more clients and ensure they stay with you, and in her book, She Markets, she shares her expertise to help other women entrepreneurs achieve the same results. Marketing to bring in dream clients can be a complex process for life and wellness coaches, consultants, and services-based business owners, but She Markets: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs, Cynthia teaches you exactly how to do it, step-by-step, without feeling salesy or overwhelmed.

Let’s Dance!

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Negotiation, a word that brings fear into many, not least because it usually involves two or more parties that are not close, don’t know much about each other, and are not sure as yet if their counterpart can be trusted to ‘negotiate in good faith’. Easy to be overwhelmed.

Digital Transformation: Why Companies Must Innovate Bottom-to-Top & Drive Stability Top-to-Bottom

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

In a recent study by Forbes, 52% of Fortune 500 companies went bankrupt, were acquired, ceased to exist, or dropped off the list due to digital disruption since the millennium. In the 21st century an organization’s survival is almost wholly dependent on its ability to strategically use digital initiatives to achieve business goals. Digital is no longer an option, but a necessity to succeed in the world of business.

5 Easy Ways to Better Manage Working from Home with Load-shedding

June 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Alice da Silva

If your business is affected by the challenge of load-shedding right now, and you work from home, here are 5 easy ways to better manage the situation as an entrepreneur. With just a relatively low cost compared to other options, and no disruption of your home systems, you can continue working with a smile and being productive instead of using your energy to complain, blame and feel stressed. You will also feel proud of being self-sufficient and managing your deadlines under all conditions. These small victories add up and contribute to an elevated mood, which flows into all areas of your life, enabling you to face life with a more positive mindset.

Arise Africa and Succeed!

June 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

A Business Owner’s Guide to Successful Email Marketing

June 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Nisha Ligon, a social entrepreneur making an impact through edutainment

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Makhosazana Megan Ngubane, a South African edupreneur committed to empowerment through skills development

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Zanele Hobongwana, a South African edupreneur uplifting young people through maths and science

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Only WE can change the narrative

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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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.

Turbocharge Your Business for Women Entrepreneurs by Terri Levine

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

How to delegate more effectively

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

How are you preparing for a 100-year life?

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

Procrastination is not about time management

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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.

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.

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