Lioness Launch / Uhuru Botanicals launches a new range of natural Chebe shampoo and conditioner bars

December 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Neo Mkwebane Chatyoka, founder, Uhuru Botanicals (United Kingdom)

Lioness Launch

Natural and organic skincare brand, Uhuru Botanicals, founded by Neo Mkwebane Chatyoka in the UK, has launched its new 100% natural Chebe hair shampoo and Chebe hair conditioner bars. Neo decided to launch the shampoo and conditioner bars in order to reduce plastic use, wastage and to encourage customers to use more sustainable products. Millions of plastic shampoo bottles are destined for landfill each year, but these shampoo and conditioner bars from Uhuru Botanicals help to reduce wastage and cut down on the carbon footprint of the business.

Become a Fashion Insider: A modern-day guide to launching and growing a fashion brand by Dessy Tsolova

December 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Dessy Tsolova

Fashion business expert, mentor, coach, and the founder of Fashion Insiders & CoDo, Dessy Tsolova, says in her book Become a Fashion Insider, that every fashion entrepreneur wants to feel like they belong in the fashion industry. They have dreams of their brand becoming a worldwide success. But how do they learn from fashion industry insiders? Dessy shares what fashion insiders know and do to grow successful brands and provides a roadmap to fashion business success.

Unexpected Shift Catapults Your Confidence: The Hospitality Mindset

December 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho, PhD

So many clients share with me that they feel super confident speaking up in their team meetings, when sharing with their boss, and even other stakeholders. But there are always certain situations where their minds turn to mush and they feel like confused second graders being hauled to the principal’s office. And those are precisely the meetings that can boost your visibility and let executives perceive your leadership potential.

Keep the Faith and Hold your Head High

December 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Sibongile Mtsabe

Better ideas, solutions, and innovations are inside of you. When you were born, you were born to impact others. It is up to you to discover your talents and work on them to grow and be better, day by day.

Press On!

December 22, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Didintle Moreki

The year is at its peak, my hand shakes as ink spills over this paper. A lot has happened. I have lost to gain, gained to lose. l have cried to laugh only to find myself laughing to cry again. I do not know if the ink is half full or half empty all l know is my hand has grown weary, over the lessons l have jotted down through the past months. I still amaze myself with the question; Is it really worth it?’ I know it’s a subject of mind, l know this is not how hope felt in January. I know it felt so much like possibility. But this thing, this thing called life has found its way to my feet, rained itself to my door step only to show me l am a pawn in a Chess Game and there is a Mastermind behind it. So l decide to Press ON.

You Cannot Do Your Life Wrong

December 22, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

I give thanks to all the teachers that came to me in the form of my mistakes.

Say after me: 'You cannot do your life wrong!'

This is a truly tough one. For ALL of us! Especially if you've become addicted to self-deprecation and self-persecution. One of the biggest inhibitors of self-love and personal power is shame. The online dictionary defines shame as "a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behaviour". No doubt, Shame is a powerful emotion that can cause us to feel defective, unacceptable, even damaged beyond repair.

Step Aside and Rise by Andrea Callanan

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Step Aside and Rise by author and business coach, Andrea Callanan, is a book for all those who find themselves feeling lost and stuck in their own businesses. Andrea believes that if women entrepreneurs allow themselves the freedom to step aside and rise, they will create a new emotional and financial legacy for themselves, their families, and those who came before and after them.

Lioness Launch / Ostibel Africa launches new limited edition range of seasonal candles

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lebitso Ramphore, founder, Ostibel Africa (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

Holistic Beauty and Wellness brand, Ostibel Africa, founded by Lebitso Ramphore has launched a limited edition of seasonal candles made with 100% soy wax and essential oils. Ostibel Africa was founded with holistic wellness in mind, to nourish the mind, body, and soul and this new range falls under the brand’s home and wellness gifts category.

Tshegofatso Tau, a South African hospitality entrepreneur creating a home-from-home for guests

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Tshegofatso Tau, owner, The Catwalk Lodge (South Africa)

Startup Story

Visitors to the Pretoria area in South Africa who are looking for a luxury guesthouse but with a real personal touch, The Catwalk Lodge owned by entrepreneur Tshegofatso Tau, is just the place. Offering a combination of great accommodation and a wide range of event hosting facilities, Tshegofatso and her team are ready to extend the warmest of welcomes.

Zena Akuwa, a Tanzanian entrepreneur empowering people with disabilities through culinary skills

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Parachefs Tanzania is the brainchild of entrepreneur Zena Akuwa, an impact-driven business that creates training and career opportunities for people who want to learn how to cook.

Luissandra Carvalho, a specialist aesthetics and makeup brand builder

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Maison de Beauté Luissandra, an Angolan beauty brand helping women find their best versions through makeup

Luissandra Carvalho is the founder of the Maison de Beauté Luissandra brand in Luanda, Angola. Her inspiration for starting in business came as a result of the desire to fulfill her personal dream of providing women with well-being. Luissandra always wanted to be a channel for the best that each woman can be in terms of beauty, self-love, self-validation. She has always wanted to help women be the best they can with the help of aesthetics, and has been working in the area for 6 years and serving only women. Luissandra has a degree in aesthetics and specialized in makeup.

2021 in Review….5 Lessons from the Digital Marketing World

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

2021 was an interesting year….especially in the world of Digital Marketing and Customer Experience. We saw platform algorithm changes, policy changes and fragmented audiences that required more and more personalization. We saw the rise of the use of data in a cookieless world and started to really see how meaningful context truly is.

Out-of-Office ON: This holiday season, will you leave by example?

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek

Enough has been said about the impact of the pandemic, burn-out and the “always-on” culture. We all had to unlearn things, adjust to working whilst being at home (and home-schooling kids), adapting to virtual ways of collaboration and using new technologies. In such a technology world, not all of us have mastered the skill (yes, I said skill) to switch off from work. Most of us will take a few days to really relax and ironically, this is generally the time most will go back to work. For some, it is especially difficult to switch off if your colleagues or manager, in other areas of the world, continue to work while you are on your holiday.

Best Possible Future Self

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathy Mann

I have always been a goal-driven person and instead of New Year’s resolutions, I’ve set goals. I pulled out an old journal in which I wrote them down and had quite a bit of fun reading about myself twelve years ago.

Bonolo Simon and Kefilwe Matake, two entrepreneurs building a natural haircare brand in Botswana

December 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Bonolo Simon & Kefilwe Matake, founders, Fro’Niques (Botswana)

Startup Story

Natural haIr and beauty products are increasingly in demand, and in Botswana, entrepreneurs Bonolo Simon and Kefilwe Matake, founders of Fro’Niques, are building a natural haircare business to meet customer needs. The brand specializes in formulating homemade natural hair products for discerning customers who want to know they are using organic and plant-based ingredients.

Vivette Ayiaga, a Kenyan entrepreneur turning the art of crocheting into a business

December 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Vivette Ayiaga, founder, Vee Crafts (Kenya)

Startup Story

Like any specialist craft that requires key skills, a fine eye for detail, and a wealth of creative talent, the art of crocheting demands all three, and Vivette Ayiaga, founder of Vee Crafts in Kenya, has them in abundance. She is passionate about craft and particularly crocheting, and has turned that passion into a business, whilst also continuing her studies in statistical economics at Masinde Muliro University-Kenya.

Swaady Martin, an impact driven brand builder and social entrepreneur

December 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Yswara, a social enterprise that seeks to transform African agricultural commodities.

Swaady Martin is the founder and ceo of Yswara, a social enterprise that seeks to transform African agricultural commodities. The SWAADY Group is made of: YSWARA, a specialty tea company made in Africa, the first to offer a curated experience of fine and artisanal African teas. THE LOVINGKINDNESS BOMA, an Independent Publishing House of Mindful and Diverse Books for Children. Tounché, a non-profit organization producing global and diverse consciousness summit & events seeding Communities for Change.

The Passion Entrepreneur: Business Mindset and Branding fundamental for creative souls by Adela Alonso Alonso

December 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In her book, The Passion Entrepreneur: Business Mindset and Branding fundamental for creative souls by Adela Alonso Alonso, she starts by busting the myth surrounding entrepreneurship. If you have been told: "Find a job you love, and you won´t have to work a day in your life,” Adela says this is a big fat LIE. She believes that the truth is, most passion-driven entrepreneurs end up working 24/7, and still struggle to get results. Adela provides some insights into how to do things differently.

Lioness Launch / New Silent Podcast series launched by Yellow Owl for South Africa’s deaf community

December 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Thuli Zikalala, founder, Yellow Owl (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

An exciting new silent podcast series for South Africa’s deaf community has just been launched by Yellow Owl in South Africa, the company founded by Thuli Zikalala, and a recent Silver Award Winner at the New Gen Digital Awards. The series, which premiered on 18 November 2021 is called 'Signs & Stories: the silent podcast' and it’s a visual podcast using South African Sign Language (SASL). This 10-episode podcast series captures the stories, experiences, culture and shared values within South Africa’s Deaf community.

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