Lioness Launch / Burundi-based Margaux Wong launches its beautiful new Joy collection of wearable art pieces

October 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong (Burundi)

Lioness Launch

A highly personal and beautiful new collection of wearable art pieces has been launched by Burundi based designer, Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong. This new collection of wearable art pieces, Joy, celebrates strength & delight in two exciting capsules: Daisy & Veronica. Joy is named after and dedicated to designer Margaux Rusita’s mother, Joy Edlyn Frank Wong, who, this year, transitioned after an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Joy also battled mental health illness for many years. Being a beautifully gifted artist herself, Joy provided the love, inspiration and fighting spirit which Margaux today embodies.

Timing is everything!

October 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We often hear of ‘first mover advantage’ whereby the first one into a new industry, country or product, the ‘Pathfinder’, has a significant advantage that is not easy to beat. But is that true?

To a certain extent, yes. There is after all a reason we all still talk about “Hoovering our homes” (yet Hoover Inc (formed in 1908) has not been the market leader for years), but to stay at the top (as Hoover did for many decades) is not easy and takes serious effort.

5 Steps to Create an Effective Digital Marketing Strategy

October 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

There are over 3.5 billion people online and the current marketing reality is that digital is impossible to rule out. No growing business can afford to walk around in the dark without a clear plan to follow and expect to generate successful results. A digital strategy provides the framework your company needs to make the best decisions for strategy development and implementation.

How to become the Chief Energy Officer of your life

October 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“Memory with no emotional charge is wisdom”

— Rich Litvin

As we are rounding the corner of 2021, it is important to make time to press pause. Really stop, reflect and course correct to ensure you are not steam rolling into 2022 on autopilot. When you open up Waze or Google Maps, there are two basic requirements before you can begin the trip - a starting point and a desired end destination. Equally, you need to assess where you are at now in your life and where you want to go. Do not bring the emotional baggage of 2021 into the new year but rather learn from it and make sure you are charged and ready to tackle 2022 with a fresh perspective.

Your joyful purpose

October 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Angelique Adcock & Dr Alison Hofer

Did you ever ask yourself: “How did I get here?” or, “What am I doing with my life?” Some days it can feel like you work and love with all you have, and yet life can throw your efforts back in your face. And that can really hurt. And it can set you back. Sometimes, then, we have to dig deep to rediscover our purpose and our joy. Rediscovering what makes you joyful, and what enriches your life with purpose, can reinvigorate you. It can restart your engine and help you rev your way out of an emotional ditch.

My traumas made me better

October 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathy Mann

I recently read an excellent book, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. It’s about what happens to our brains and bodies as a result of trauma and how to treat it. Even events that seem fairly tame or punishments that parents deem reasonable, can be experienced as a traumatic event by a child. We are changed by these events. Not only in the way we think and behave, but we experience physiological changes. Van der Kolk writes, “trauma produces actual physiological changes, including a recalibration of the brain’s alarm system, an increase in stress hormone activity, and alternations in the system that filters relevant information from irrelevant.”

Upping the game: Digital innovation for better customer service delivery and experience in local government

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

Municipalities, along with many other public sector entities, are highly dependent on revenue generated from services rendered. As such, they are always looking at ways to improve processes, revenue collection and the overall customer experience. In response to this growing need by municipalities as well as to address concerns of the auditor general with respect to revenue collection by municipalities, Absa has embarked on a journey to provide digitally led solutions to municipalities.

Side Hustle in Progress: A Practical Guide to Kickstarting Your Business by Elizabeth Ogabi

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Author and entrepreneur, Elizabeth Ogabi, believes it’s time to make your ideas a reality, and in her new book Side Hustle in Progress: A Practical Guide to Kickstarting Your Business, she shows you how. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there about starting a side hustle; or you have a great business idea but no clue where to start; or you are looking for advice to help you build the portfolio career you desire - then her new book is just what you need to read.

Leila Kigha, a Cameroonian entrepreneur on a mission to help women build legacy brands

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Leila Kigha, founder and ceo, KARA Group of Companies (Cameroon)

Startup Story

Leila Kigha is the founder and ceo of the KARA Group of Companies in Cameroon. She is a seasoned journalist turned entrepreneur on a mission to help women embrace their authentic selves so that they can show up and impact the world confidently. The Kara Group of Companies is an expression of her love and passion for helping women build legacy brands, the African print and shoes. The brand was born five years ago and is steadily growing and looks forward to employing and empowering more women from the local communities. She has over 15 years’ experience as a broadcast journalist, PR person and event organizer.

Fonyuy Videc Leinyuy, a techpreneur and girls STEM education advocate in Cameroon

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Fonyuy Videc Leinyuy, founder of GirlsTEK Global (Cameroon)

Startup Story

Fonyuy Videc Leinyuy is the founder of GirlsTEK Global in Cameroon. She is a techpreneur and an advocate for developing more girls in the field of technology. Her passion for educating and empowering young people, especially girls with digital skills, led to the creation of her organisation GirlsTEK Global in 2017.

Leslie Okoye, skincare expert and educator for women of colour

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

L'Okoye Cosmetics, a skincare business for women and men of African descent in Nigeria

Leslie Okoye is the founder of L’Okoye Cosmetics in Nigeria. She is a skincare expert and educator and the founder of the CookieSkin brand - the melanin skincare line for women of colour to achieve healthy flawless skin the right way. The CookieSkin brand extends into a skincare Academy on Melanin Skincare Consulting. With this, the mother of two puts the power back in the hands of women and men of African descent to choose the right products, prevent skin damage, make money, get results, look great and feel great. With over fifteen years of hands-on experience with melanin skin issues, Leslie Okoye is the chosen skincare expert to many Nigerian and Ghanian celebrities. Her CookieSkin brand is sold on the website and all over Nigeria in top chain pharmacies and supermarkets.

Selling? Shift that Language!

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“…in theory there is no difference between theory and practice, while in practice there is…”, so wrote Benjamin Brewster in the June 1882 issue of The Yale Literary Magazine, and don’t we all just know it! That is why for all the articles we read from the global consultancy firms; for all the University papers written about our industries; for all the young consultants who approach us fresh from University clutching their newly printed MBAs; we know only too well that nothing beats the experience of working at the coal face and seeing the day to day problems, up close and personal.

Do You Have a Right to Renew Your Lease Agreement?

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nicola Mullineux

The following clause (with minor variations) is often found in lease agreements:- "The Tenant shall have the right to renew this Agreement for a period of 1 (one) year on the same terms and conditions, save that the rental shall be agreed to in writing between the Parties.” A clause of this nature seems to provide the tenant with a right to renew the lease agreement, however, the latter part of the clause unequivocally indicates that the tenant has a right to renew on condition that the rental amount is agreed upon, in essence, an agreement to agree.

5 Surprising Things You Should Have In Your “when I die” Folder

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Claire Keet & Sinal Govender

Having your legal life stuff organised and safely stored is more than being on top of your admin for “just in case”. It’s an empowered way of living your best life, knowing that if things go south for you, your loved ones won’t be left behind with an administrative nightmare on their hands. Things like your will, living will, insurance policies and a copy of your ID are the more obvious things to include in a life.file of all your important documents. A thorough life.file should have a few other things you may not have thought of...

It Feels Dark and Scary!

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nontobeko Mbuyane

This week I had heart to heart conversation with my younger daughter. Such conversations are usually deep and it’s from them that I get to ascertain so many things about her such as her feelings, how she perceives things and a whole lot that is going on in our lives. So, we had to engage since she will be going back to school where she stays. During our talk she mentioned how the world feels so dark and scary, she feels that generally the world is broken, we are broken and we all need healing.

Cheerleading in Business

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Tatenda Rungisa

A Cheerleader is someone who gives you confidence by reinforcing all the things that you seek to achieve, have achieved, and that you are good at. A cheerleader is someone who holds your hand from the beginning till the very end of the game, whether you have won or lost; they see you at the lowest point and are still able to cheer you on!

Fast-track your business success through digital transformation

September 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

lioness-business-agility-webinar-22-Sep-2021.001.jpeg

Lioness Business Agility Series / Live Webinar / In partnership with Absa

This has been a tough 18 months for business, and there is still so much uncertainty to deal with. So how do you now make the move from just trying to survive the current ups and downs as a business and instead fast-track your success? It’s all about harnessing the power of digital transformation. That’s the topic for the latest in the series of Lioness Business Agility Webinars taking place on Wednesday 22 September at 9.45am.

Koni Maliehe, a South African wine entrepreneur building her own private label

September 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Koni Maliehe, founder, Koni Wines (South Africa)

Startup Story

Koni Maliehe is the founding wine entrepreneur leading the Koni Wines brand in Cape Town, South Africa. The company was established in 2015 when Koni left her corporate job to become a business owner. It is now 5 years later, the Koni Wine brand is slowly gaining momentum and attracting a solid client base and exposure. Koni Wine will feature on a DSTV TV advert as one of the chosen SMEs by sponsor, Hollard Insurance. It is a 6 months campaign to boost selected SMEs in South Africa due to impact of COVID-19.

Fatim Marina Keita, an entrepreneur and accessory designer from Cote d’Ivoire combining modern and traditional design

September 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Aya Keita, founder and CEO, Aya K Design (Cote d’Ivoire)

Startup Story

Aya Keita is the founder and CEO of Aya K Design in Cote d’Ivoire. An entrepreneur and seasoned designer, her activity is focused on the creation of high quality traditional-modern accessory for the international and pan-African market. She founded the company almost 4 years ago and now employs 10 people.

Nabou Fall, an inspirational communications leader with a passion for coaching

September 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Vizeo, an advertising agency in Cote d’Ivoire helping companies get strategic about communications in Africa.

Nabou Fall is the CEO of Vizeo an advertising agency in Cote d’Ivoire which helps companies implement strategic publicity and public relations in Africa. She started her career as an executive board member for 15 years, as Sales and Marketing Director, Deputy Managing Director and Managing Director in Telecom companies such as MTN (Ivory Coast and Congo Republic), 2XTCOM Vodacom in DRC. She is a public speaker, personal development coach, and a coach of youth and women entrepreneurship, leadership and happiness. Nabou is a TEDx speaker, author and mentor in various empowerment NGOs, the President of Wimnet (NGO involved in women and youth empowerment ), and was recently appointed to be the president of the Women Investment Club in Ivory Coast. She is also the cofounder of Impact Hub Abidjan.

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