Invest For a Purpose

January 8, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

Investing certainly has multiple benefits: create wealth for yourself and your family, create financial security, prepare for unforeseen circumstances, and create passive income streams. Making investments even more attractive, is when not only you benefit but you can invest for a bigger purpose; when your investment can contribute to making South Africa a better country for everybody, when other people and the economy can benefit too. These types of investments are growing in popularity, and you can choose something that you can relate to.

What’s New?

January 8, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile

It’s a new year (grin emoji), and I honestly cannot tell if I feel it or not. I just feel like last week was December and today it is January. What I know for sure is that I am exhausted and need a new way. Those are the two things I am sure of. I need to rest more, no matter what is happening; and secondly because the world has changed and is changing every day, I too need to change. This is not a list of ‘what I wish for in 2022’, 2021 taught us to relax on the wishing and just hope we live to see the 31st of December.

New Year, new me?

January 8, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek

The start of a New Year exemplifies a new beginning. It is the first week of 2022 and most people are eager to set New Year’s Resolutions. Research indicates that people are more likely to pursue their goals during times that feel like new beginnings (such as a New Year, Mondays, and birthdays) in their lives. After a challenging 2021, people crave newfound hope and motivation and we could all use a little more positivity in our lives.

Nogaye Ndiaye Mourgaye, an entrepreneur professionalizing the beauty industry

December 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Fantaisika, a leading professional nail and beauty training academy in Senegal

Nogaye Ndiaye Mourgaye is a leading nail and beauty institute entrepreneur in Senegal. Today, she heads a business which includes Ongle Mania Senegal, a leading nail shop chain in the country, and Fantaisika, a renowned nails and beauty academy, her specialist training school in professional makeup and nail styling. Her achievements in the field of professional make-up are remarkable for their finesse and artistic rendering. She has built up a reputation as a specialist business services builder in ceremonial make-up such as artistic make-up for cinema or music videos.

Iolanda Almeida, a Mozambican coffeepreneur supporting local coffee farmers

December 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Iolanda Almeida is the founder and CEO of INMA LIMITADA based in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province. She is a coffeepreneur and award-winning enterprise leader in Mozambique for the NEPAD SAN Bio Phase II BioFISA FEM BioBiz Programme. Iolanda’s business is focused on processing coffee from Ibo Island in Mozambique´s World Biosphere Reserve for the internal market. She founded the business in 2015 to support almost 150 Ibo Coffee farmers, for social inclusion and local development.

Yasmina Benslimane, a Moroccan women empowerment coach teaching leadership skills

December 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Yasmina Benslimane, founder, Women Empowerment Coaching Program (Morocco)

Startup Story

Yasmina Benslimane is a coach and the founder of the Women Empowerment Coaching Program in Morocco, guiding women to developing their skills for leadership. She is also the founder of Politics4Her, a feminist youth-led blog and is a young human rights activist with a multicultural background. Her professional experience involves national human rights institutions, non-profit organizations, and United Nations agencies.

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.

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.