Betelhem Abebe, an Ethiopian entrepreneur building a high street fashion brand

January 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Betelhem Abebe, founder, ZEWD Design (Ethiopia)

Startup Story

Betelhem Abebe is the founder and creative director of ZEWD Design based in Ethiopia, a growing high street fashion brand. She studied electrical engineering at Addis Ababa University and also fashion design at SITAM Fashion and Design School in Addis Ababa to sharpen her skills in fashion design after having partially developed the ZEWD concept in her final year at the university.

Siba Mtongana, a culinary entrepreneur tour de force

January 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

The Siba Co and SIBA - The Restaurant, multifaceted food and hospitality businesses in South Africa

Siba Mtongana is a food authority, restaurateur, The Siba Co-Founder, a television Celebrity Chef, Judge and Mom. From aspiring home cook in the semi-rural Eastern Cape to restaurateur in one of the most prestigious hotel venues on the African continent, there’s simply no stopping the food authority and culinary tour de force that is Siba Mtongana. And it’s not just her loyal fans and patrons who say so. From academics and peers to international industry authorities, judges and newsmakers, the accolades keep accumulating for this humble, acclaimed chef who has her roots firmly grounded in her mom’s kitchen, her proudly South African food heritage, and her family.

Scaling Up Simplified by Shannon Teague

January 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Scaling Up Simplified by Shannon Teague is a book for small business owners who are serious about growing their businesses to the next level. Building a successful business is a difficult job; people put in everything to come out victorious. However, a few businesses scale up effortlessly because they practice a series of steps that makes them more proficient, productive, and profitable. In this new book, Shannon shares the roadmap to being among those incredible organizations.

‘Arch’ of Joy

January 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The South African Nobel laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu (“Just call me ‘Arch’) who sadly died on December 26th 2021, was according to the Financial Times (here)“…a beacon of honesty, conviction, inclusiveness and human decency.” He was also one of those rare people in public life to be totally consistent. His battles were against injustices, any injustice and this drive of his, through his words and indeed actions remained constant and consistent throughout his life: “We cannot afford to be silent in the face of injustice, inequality and poverty, and we may not falter in the face of oppression.” (here)

You can never change with a Resolutions List. Here’s what actually works

January 8, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.” - Tony Robbins

2021 required a new set of tools for working and a new way of being. In order to thrive in 2022, you need to follow the same theme. Do not approach your new year’s goals with the same thinking as last year - you know it well, ‘This year I am going to get healthier, start running, write that book or do that course”. Inevitably after about two weeks, your motivation wanes and you drag up the same list the next New Year’s Eve. How about ditching the resolution list and replacing it with a ‘drop list’?

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.

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