In the thick of it – why women are such exceptional leaders during a crisis

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Linda Zuze (PhD)

When your company is in free fall, or when painful retrenchment discussions are underway, and when productivity is at an all-time low, who would you put in charge? Well, it turns out that women are considered better leaders during complex times. That’s right. Opportunities for promotion actually improve for women when things are going horribly wrong in a business and when the risk of failure is high. This happens far more often than most of us realize (think Carly Fiorina at Hewlett-Packard or Carol Bartz at Yahoo). Researchers have coined the term glass cliff to describe women breaking through a glass ceiling and into senior positions during an organisational crisis.

5 Ways Content Marketing Can help Your Brand

July 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

A lot of brands are winking in the dark without crafting and sharing the organization’s brand story in a way that connects with customers. Content Marketing is that form of marketing that provides your customers with useful & relevant information, in an engaging, and not “sales-ish” way.

Elevate HER

July 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Shato Babitse

Today, women comprise nearly half of the global workforce. The additional productive power of women entering the workforce from 1970 until today accounts for about 25% of current GDP. This makes women a strong force in the global economy, one that is growing as more women across the world enter the workforce in greater numbers, than ever before.

Is your inability to say no holding you hostage to your calendar?

July 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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by Lori Milner

“Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter” - Greg McKeown

For many of us, turning down a request or invitation can be extremely difficult. One small word can trigger emotions in us like guilt and shame. Ultimately, we are scared that someone won’t like us or reject us because we said no. The reality is you need to maintain healthy boundaries. You cannot possibly say “yes” to every request and invitation that comes your way, and if you try to do that, you’ll only burn yourself out. If you haven’t already…

How to identify an entrepreneurial idea?

July 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Deyzes Pereira, founder of Startups Consulting, Mozambique

In the scope of the work that I have been developing, many people ask me, “But how can I identify a business idea?” My first answer to that question is, "What are your skills?" and then secondly, “How can you make money from them?”. When I talk about skills, I mean what you like and know how to do. Note that this need not be complicated or scientific - it can range from cooking, decoration, data analysis, painting, photography, dance, sports, sales, among others. Many people make the mistake of focusing only on the scope of their academic training, and end up not exploring different things and as a result, end up completely distant from their desired horizon.

‘May you live in interesting times’ is a curse

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Our thoughts currently go out to all our incredible and inspirational Lionesses and indeed all business owners in South Africa as we see the terrifying impact of riots, looting and destruction of property. More than 800 retail shops have been looted, more than 200 shopping malls have been looted, damaged or destroyed, and in KwaZulu Natal, it is estimated that goods worth between $400m and $1bn have been stolen or destroyed. To see Lionesses who have had all their hopes, dreams and aspirations stolen from them is heartbreaking. How can one prepare for such events - indeed if one could even afford it, how many insurance companies even offer insurance against this?

Permission: To Do Life & Business Your Way by Sarah Stone and Jane Baker

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

If you are an entrepreneur who feels like you need to build a business on your terms, doing it your way, then you are not alone, according to Sarah Stone and Jane Baker, authors of the new book, Permission: To Do Life & Business Your Way.

Am I the only one struggling to get business funding?

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Linda Zuze (PhD)

Mbali had taken longer than planned to leave her corporate job and pursue a lifelong dream of running a catering business. There was always a reason to put it off. She was too young. She needed the financial security. She would be crazy to walk away from a steady salary when so many people depended on her. Finally, she took the leap. She never looked back. Mbali’s business was growing so quickly that she needed larger premises and additional staff. There was just one problem. She couldn’t pin down the funding that she desperately needed and she had used up all of her personal savings. She had tried everything – from traditional loans, to credit card applications and even equity financing. Nobody seemed as excited about her ideas as she was.

Dr Patricia Nzolantima, a transportation market disruptor in Africa

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Bizzoly Transport & Logistics, an innovative business empowering women in Democratic Republic of Congo

Dr Patricia Nzolantima is a pure Africa product with over 18 years of experience in entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. As a serial entrepreneur, Patricia is a seasoned leader in market disruption initiatives on the African continent. She is the founder and chairwoman of Bizzoly Holdings, a women-owned company and foundation. She is also the co-founder and managing director of EXP-Comuni-cart, a Sub-Saharan Africa marketing agency. Patricia founded the first women’s economic empowerment hub in Kinshasa, an accelerator program for women entrepreneurs to scale up their business; and also a driving license school for women and young women. She is the owner of the Bizzoly Transport and Logistics company that operates under Ubizcabs, the first female-driven taxi company in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and “Ubizdelivery”, the first women logistics services.

Lioness Launch / Nigeria’s The 1964 Brand launches its new Rebirth clothing collection for women

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Olakunmi Oni, founder, The 1964 Brand (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

In Nigeria, Olakunmi Oni, founder of The 1964 Brand, proudly promotes self-care through minimalist clothing for the modern woman. July sees the company launching its new collection titled REBIRTH.

Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur, transforming homes and spaces in Cameroon

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Manuela Kamadjou, founder, Kebe Home (Cameroon)

Startup Story

After finishing business school, Manuela Kamadjou started her career in Finance in a Big Four company. She then shifted to the cosmetics industry in search of more reality! An entrepreneur since 2019, Manuela founded Kebe Home, a passion project that became an interior laboratory and whose mission is to use the power of design and culture to inspire people.

Renee Beck, a South African entrepreneur passionate about personal development

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Renee Beck, founder, Pink Lemon (South Africa)

Startup Story

Whether you are an individual looking to fulfill your potential, or a corporate looking to bring the best out in your people, it’s essential to get the right development support. In South Africa, Renee Beck, founder of personal growth and business development company Pink Lemon, has all the expertise and experienced needed.

Failure is not death!

July 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nandi Odri Usher

In 2017, I came across an Instagram quote posted by South African actress, MC and presenter, Simphiwe Ngema, that read: “When you’ve failed many times before, you overcome the fear of failure because you realize that failure is not death,” by Pastor Given Ngema. I must have read it 5/6 times, trying to process these words and understand them.

An Entrepreneur’s Lessons from Gardening

July 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathy Mann

With the latest wave of COVID in full force in South Africa, our family has been spending a lot of time at home. Fortunately, we have a large property with a lovely garden, although it needs a great deal of work. At times when I’m feeling bored or I need a little escape from my family, I work on our garden.

Be a resourceful entrepreneur

July 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila

Being resourceful means you study, educate, stimulate your brain and inform yourself (SESI). Studying a business environment is imperative as it entails being able to detect environmental issues which could affect your business both positively and negatively.

What is around the corner?

July 15, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

Many of us long to take long walks in nature, go for hikes or even take a guided tour. Excitement is part of the little voice of fear deep inside of you. Nevertheless, off we go! This year kicked off, planning done, new projects to focus on, and lessons learned during the Covid pandemic embedded in our memories. Never will we forget the empty streets, the locked up feeling, and the great tears that we had for loved ones and many others who lost their lives. If only somebody could just have helped us all sooner!

Women pick up the baton to future success

July 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content - Absa

Women across the world have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and in many cases have been disproportionately impacted. A staggering 87% of women business owners said that they had been adversely affected, according to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE). If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed without any doubt, it’s the resilience and tenacity of women across the globe, from all walks of life and in every imaginable socio-economic setting.

‘Great’ Comes From YOU!

July 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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By Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

The pressure on the leadership of the company is already enormous as we navigate Cash Flow, Regulatory issues, Laws, Covid, HR, Supply Chain…. the list is endless. But having built the company that is producing good results, how do you move your company from ‘Good’ to ‘Great’.

The Female Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating Your Own Website in a Weekend by Ruthann Bowen

July 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

If you have ever wanted to know how to transform your website from DIY Disaster to a professional showcase for your business, then The Female Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating Your Own Website In A Weekend by Ruthann Bowen is for you. It is the go-to playbook for the DIY lover who desperately desires a professional website without breaking the bank.

Lizl Naude launches exciting new social experiment to celebrate sisterhood and create community

July 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Cape Town Designer, Lizl Naude, is known far and wide for her quirky, upcycled decor items through her business, Lilly Loompa. But more than that, she is known for her purposeful and environmentally-consciousness approach to design. In 2020, during the pandemic, she launched her "My Africa Lap Desk" made with discarded waste material. Now, she is embarking on an exciting new social experiment to celebrate sisterhood and create community.

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