FASA Conference provides platform to discuss empowering African enterprise through women’s entrepreneurship

September 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

The Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA), in partnership with Absa, hosted its first virtual conference since before the pandemic on the 25th and 26th August. The aim was to review, reset and revive the franchise sector in the country. 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. One of the key topics for discussion at the Conference was empowering Africa's women entrepreneurs and recognizing their role as critical job creators. Lionesses of Africa was invited to present its findings on this important subject from its recent South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey, undertaken in partnership with New York University, in collaboration with Absa.

The Emotional Entrepreneur by Scout Sobel

September 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Comprised of 25 lessons, The Emotional Entrepreneur by Scout Sobel will guide Millennial and Gen Z women through the emotional challenges of launching, running, and scaling a business such as fear, risk, uncertainty, and anxiety. Each of the lessons outlined are inspired by Scout Sobel's healing journey from living with bipolar disorder.

Salma Abdulai, a visionary agribusiness entrepreneur changing lives in Ghana

September 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

AMAATI Co. Ltd, an agri-business processing Fonio to empower small-scale women farmers

Salma Abdulai is the Co-Founder and CEO of AMAATI Company limited, a company that reflects her experience and passion for agriculture and social consciousness. She has her background in Agricultural Economics and has 10 years of experience working on different projects with International non-profit organizations. Her extensive experience in the agriculture sector is particularly focused on working with small scale rural farmers and women groups across Africa. She has managed AMAATI CO. Ltd since 2013 to become profitable, an agri-business company she co-founded which is into the processing and marketing of Fonio for local and export market.

Sara Bouazza, a Moroccan entrepreneur providing web services to small businesses

September 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Sara Bouazza, founder of SOSdigital (Morocco)

Startup Story

For those small businesses in Morocco that are looking to digitize their product and service offerings, Sara Bouazza, founder of SOSdigital, has the solution. She has a range of virtual digital platforms that provide showcase opportunities for those clients who are trying to connect with key markets.

Omotola Olaniyi-Omosebi, a Nigerian fashion educator empowering others through training

September 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Omotola Olaniyi-Omosebi, founder, Gmoty Fashion Academy (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Gmoty Fashion Academy in Nigeria, founded by the passionate fashion entrepreneur Omotola Olaniyi-Omosebi, is changing people’s lives by giving them training in fashion manufacturing skills and business. Her work is accelerating her students’ ability to access jobs and business opportunities in the fashion industry on graduation.

Surfing the Emotional Waves

September 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

Have you ever surfed at the seaside or perhaps watched people surf? One minute an incredible high, and then diving down into a blinding low. The ups and the downs. The high highs and low lows. Living and working in the world right now, feels that way. Riding the waves of uncertainty where we see the glimmer of hope and then plunge back into not knowing and fear. How can we manage these waves? Is it even possible?

Afraid to say no!

September 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nontobeko Mbuyane

As the very observant soul that I am, I have been observing so many things lately, especially the behavioral patterns of most people. I learnt so many lessons from just that this week. Do you know that what you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it? Are you afraid of saying no in your professional life because you think you will miss out on a big opportunity? I have learned that a quick yes can sink a lot of ships. God only knows I have taken on too much at times because I feared I would miss out on something life changing. It is for that reason now that before I say yes to anything I have to consult, and my consultations are with God through prayer and fasting. I never say yes to anything that is life changing until God tells me so, be it business prospects, relationships, job opportunities and so many others.

How to keep your motivation on track

September 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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by Lori Milner

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.”

- Anatole France

The fuel tank of inspiration and motivation is often directly proportional to the month of the year. In January and February, it’s pretty full because we have a clean slate and a renewed sense of energy. Fast forward a few months and the levels tend to go up and down depending on the season and what is going on for you. Don’t leave your internal fuel tank up to the mercy of external factors. How can you keep a steady gauge despite what the year holds for you?

Staying Relevant in a Changing World

September 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Thuli Zikalala

Why interpreters should embrace change

It’s hard to think of relevance when things are going well in our lives and businesses; we have systems in place and often know what to expect. This is usually the time when people and organisations slow down and take a break because they’ve established predictable processes that satisfy clients and yield financial return – it works. However, this controlled and sometimes relaxed approach has dire consequences for people who don’t see the need to evolve; leaving organisations at risk of becoming professionally obsolete.

Quote of the Day by Kah Walla

August 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

“It is how well you learn from your failure and how quickly you recover from it that will build your success.”

Kah Walla, founder, STRATEGIES! (Cameroon)

Entrepreneur Advice from Fauzia Malik / Don’t overthink things

August 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Fauzia Malik, founder, Pure Fitness Activewear (Tanzania)

Don’t overthink things!…

“Just start, don’t overthink it. If you have an idea and your research shows there’s a need for your business idea, don’t waste time overthinking the finer details.”

Fauzia Malik, founder, Pure Fitness Activewear (Tanzania)

Carmen Stevens, a South African award-winning winemaking pioneer

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Carmen Stevens, founder, Carmen Stevens Wines Pty Ltd (South Africa)

Startup Story

Carmen Stevens, founder of Carmen Stevens Wines Pty Ltd, is the first black person accepted to study winemaking in South Africa and qualified in 1995 as South Africa's first black winemaker. She was recognised with a Top 10 Pinotage award in 1998 for her very first red wine production. Carmen's industry awards include International Decanter Trophy winner, 2015 Winemaker of the Year California, 2018 - Winemaker of the Decade UK (Naked Wines.com). In 2019, Carmen registered the first 100 % black-and-woman owned winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa and was awarded South Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and 2019. The Carmen Stevens NPO was registered in 2015, the foundation to date, have provided 11 622 731 plates of food to 41 363 learners at school.

Fauzia Malik, a fitness enthusiast building a high quality activewear brand in Tanzania

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Fauzia Malik is the Managing Director of Cool Blue Pure Drinking Water, Tembo Tiles Limited, and the recently launched Pure Fitness Activewear. Despite having two companies to run, Fauzia has gone ahead and launched a new company selling active wear. She has successfully implemented policies, strategic plans and financial controls which allow her to work as a visionary leader for the businesses. Fauzia believes in learning and is constantly on the lookout for learning opportunities. In 2014, she joined Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) which has been a stepping stone to accessing a wealth of knowledge from the global community of entrepreneurs. Away from office, Fauzia is a mother of three children and a fitness enthusiast who strives to promote a workout culture among women for improved physical, and mental wellbeing.

Kah Walla, a Cameroonian solution-driven entrepreneur and political leader

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

STRATEGIES!, a consultancy firm specializing in leadership and management solutions

Kah Walla is a Political Leader, Activist and Entrepreneur from Cameroon. She is the founder and CEO of the 26-year old consulting firm, STRATEGIES! and the current president of the Cameroon People’s Party (CPP) she joined in 2010. In 2011, she became the first woman to ever run for President of the Republic of Cameroon. She has been recognized with several awards: The Vital Voices Global Leadership Award in public Life (2012), the DVF Award (2014), and the Vital Voices Vanguard Award (2015).

Lioness Launch / Addisson & Western (Pty) Ltd in Botswana launches new KYC (Know Your Customer) web and mobile app solution

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

One Oreeng, founder, Addison & Western (Botswana)

Lioness Launch

In Botswana, Addison & Western (Pty) Ltd, founded by One Oreeng, is a company known for providing marketing and project management services to its clients, It’s sister company, Certus, which provides technology-driven service as a software solution to ease the traditional KYC onboarding process, is now offering a KYC (Know Your Customer) solution that digitizes the AML compliance process. Certus is 100% citizen owned and woman led.

Market Your Genius: How to Generate New Leads, Get Dream Customers, and Create a Loyal Community by Nikki Nash

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

If you want an expert-preneur's guide to building your audience in business, then look o further than the new book from Nikki Nash - Market Your Genius: How to Generate New Leads, Get Dream Customers, and Create a Loyal Community. She shares how you can tap into your own personal experiences and expertise to make a profound difference in someone else's life. Nikki believes it’s possible to create a profitable business from your own personal stories, and build a simple plan for growing your audience.

In the meantime

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Linda Zuze (PhD)

Is it just me or does it feel as if we spend an awful lot of our time waiting for things to happen these days? Waiting for lockdowns to be lifted. Waiting for schools to re-open. Waiting for financing to keep our businesses going. Waiting to feel better. Waiting for ‘pandemic pivot’ to be yesterday’s buzzword. Waiting for things to get back to ‘normal’.

Let’s keep it simple…

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

When times are tough, when times are uncertain, indeed, when times are frightening, let us not make our lives anymore complex - let’s just keep it simple.