Tear off the rearview mirror, because we’re not going back!

July 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Having screamed ourselves hoarse supporting the incredible Nigerian women's basketball team captained by the amazing @_thenigerianqueen Ezinne Kalu as they lost (only just) to USA in their opening game of the Tokyo Olympics, we remembered that sports has an incredible ability to allow us to transcend our normal, stress-ridden, coffee-induced sleepless nights (oh the joys of being an entrepreneur!). We imagine for a moment that we too could be on the court with Ezinne, obviously ignoring for a moment the 10,000 painful hours of training, gym circuits and mental drive (oh and the hours that our parents would have had to put aside driving us to games and training - as Melanie knows only too well!), that it takes to reach the top of sports or higher still - to have those immortal letters ‘OLY’ after your name…

Women the focus at FASA’s conference

July 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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Impact Partner Content - Absa

As the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) prepares to host the first virtual conference since before the pandemic on the 25th and 26th August, aimed at reviewing, resetting and reviving the franchise sector, the narrative of the success of franchising in South Africa is one that inspires the possibilities of this business system gaining momentum not just in South Africa, but also in the rest of Africa. South Africa stands out as the only country in Africa that embraced the franchising model way back in the 1960s and built it into the formidable business sector that has created 800 business brands operating through over 48 000 outlets and employing around half a million people.

Are You a Workaholic?

July 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

If 2020 were a person, he would no doubt be in therapy, and not simply because it has become the butt-end of countless jokes and the face of endless memes. No, 2020 would be in therapy because it has had to shoulder the blame for upending ‘normality’ and wreaking havoc on legions of lives, households, careers and businesses across the globe.

To All My Fellow Strong Women – It is okay to show some vulnerability!

July 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Edna Reis

Even though many of us associate vulnerability with weakness and being out there in the world fully exposed, Brené Brown tells us that “vulnerability is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful experiences”. Now we are being presented with a different view of vulnerability, on how it can actually be a deep important part of the human experience and not a sign of weakness, and although it can be extremely uncomfortable, we now understand that being vulnerable can put us in a place of joy, creativity, authenticity and love.

What do Sexual Education, the Environment and Peace have in Common

July 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Filipa Carreira, Founder of Wamina

There is a strong correlation between gender inequality, climate vulnerability, and state fragility. Exponential population growth is leading to rapid resource depletion. The populational pressure on the planet exacerbates the risks related to global warming, deforestation, and decreasing biodiversity. The ability of women to exercise their rights to family planning, deciding whether to have children, how many and when, is intrinsically linked to the health of our planet. It is in the best interest of everyone, men, and women, from developed and developing countries, that sexual health and rights education and family planning reaches all communities, especially those more vulnerable to the direct impact of climate change and conflict.

Entrepreneur, turn your ideas into opportunities!

July 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Josefa Massinga

We are living in difficult and new times, where overnight our lives and activities have changed. It is time for each one of us to think about developing some new activities and acquiring new good business opportunities.

Soukaina Bouba Dalil, an entrepreneur from Cameroon creating renewable energy solutions

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Soukaina Bouba Dalil, founder and CEO, Energie d’Afrique (Cameroon)

Startup Story

As the founder and CEO of Energie d’Afrique, Soukaina Bouba Dalil is an engineer in renewable energy. She is 26 years old and comes from the far north region of Cameroon, a rather vulnerable part of the country. It is important to know that the effects of climate change in this part of the region are unavoidable on crops, water and energy resources. As an advocate of sustainable development, Soukaina felt challenged and this is where the idea of her entrepreneurial adventure started in order to meet primary needs and bring sustainable economic and ecological solutions in areas with energy deficits. The company is young, dynamic and is deployed all over the country, and its activities fully contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives.

Lilian Makoi, an entrepreneur in Tanzania passionate about improving lives through technology

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lilian Makoi, Co-Founder & CEO, MipangoApp (Tanzania)

Startup Story

Lilian Makoi is a Serial Entrepreneur who is passionate about technology and the opportunities it has in improving the lives of especially the mass population in Africa. She is the Co-Founder & CEO of MipangoApp, the Founder of Jamii Africa, and the Co-Founder of Stripesnsigns & FroKid Technologies. Lilian has received multiple local and international awards for being highly innovative and creating solutions with regional impact. Lilian was named Most Innovative Woman in Technology by The World Economic Forum 2016 amongst other accolades. She has a Master’s in International Business.

Faraja Nyalandu, a Tanzanian social entrepreneur passionate about education

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Shule Direct, developing cutting edge educational programs to empower youth and children

Born and raised in Tanzania, Faraja Nyalandu, founder of Shule Direct, is a resourceful social entrepreneur passionate about developing cutting edge social and educational programs that empower youth and children. What inspires her the most is working collaboratively in social development and educational industry to develop and deliver innovative resources and solutions that prepare children and youth for a sustainable future. With over 15 years’ experience in engaging young people, she has dedicated her professional career and personal life to empowering them to achieve their full potential.

Lioness Launch / Female-founded African startup and legal technology company, life.file launches to help people handle the legal parts of life and death

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

life.file is a female-founded African startup and legal technology company launched by Claire Keet and Sinal Govender. They are on a simple mission to reimagine the way that people experience the legal parts of life and death. The law is a guest at life’s best and worst moments - like starting a business, beginning or ending a marriage, or burying loved ones. These experiences are universal. Claire and Sinal believe in using intuitive, people focused design and normal-people-speak to create a user experience of the law that is simple, educational and friendly. Their team works where law, design and technology meet and they have picked the best bits of all three to create life.file.

Built to Belong: Discovering the Power of Community Over Competition by Natalie Franke

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Natalie Franke’s new book, Built to Belong: Discovering the Power of Community Over Competition, is a fresh, inspiring call for other entrepreneurs to see the power in community and forming connections with other like minded entrepreneurs. It is the perfect read for those who are on their entrepreneurial journeys and feeling alone, but ready to set off on a journey to true belonging.

Business forecasting exists to make fortune-telling look good

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Back in March of this year we begged all to keep focus, that we were not out of the woods yet, that in spite of Africa as a whole having had a relatively ‘good’ Covid war (and there is nothing good obviously about any deaths or business failure, but it was significantly below the horrific expectations for Africa, thankfully) in our Weekender article (here) entitled “Now is the time to focus!” we urged all to not relax - it’s not over by a long shot.

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.

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