Heleen Henriques, a design focused furniture sales business builder

April 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

MOBI Lda, a home and office furniture solutions business for the Mozambican market

Heleen Henriques has the title of Financial Director at MOBI, and being one of the co-founders, she has a hand in most parts of the business operation. She has an architectural degree from the University of Cape Town where she met her husband, Sérgio, who is her partner in business and in life. In 2006 she left South Africa for Sérgio’s native Mozambique, learned Portuguese and slowly assimilated the new culture. With him she co-founded architectural firm Estúdio Quatro Arquitectos in 2007 and MOBI Lda. In 2011. Most recently Heleen led MOBI’s successful bid in Standard Bank’s competition “Acelere o seu Negócio” which has a cash investment and mentorship program as prize. MOBI is a job creator and employs 18 people in the business.

It gets better - just persevere

April 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Following on from our article last week about changing the flow of Luck through working on the ‘little things’, this week we look at how this can actually be achieved. We’ve all heard the adage - ‘How do you eat an Elephant? - One bite at a time!’, to show that even the most monumental task can be brought down to bite-sized chunks and indeed at that level the chances of success if you persevere is far greater than sitting in front of a massive ‘Nellie’ and wondering what next?! This has been recognised through time and it is certainly no wonder that one of the most famous and well-known Chinese sayings is "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

Just Wait!

April 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Nontobeko Mbuyane

I read in some book sometime ago that waiting is not mere empty hoping, but It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. And with time I surely agree with that as well. Coming from me that is really something big because I have been an impatient person for much of my life. I wanted things to happen to me. I sort of had a flow chart of how my life should go and I really didn’t know much about waiting. I thought it was something you did if you didn’t have courage or conviction. It was just an excuse not to take action. But at least I know better now.

Can We Continue?

April 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Manini Mbongwa

I find myself surprised that we are almost ending the first quarter of the year 2022 so suddenly. For many entrepreneurs there has been a confusion of whether they should try to revive their businesses or just give up. After going through the tough period of closing their doors due to the pandemic, and furthermore being affected by looting, it has not been an easy ride. According to Stats SA almost 1000 businesses were liquidated in 2021. It is unfortunate that the current financial situation, not only in our country but globally, is giving us no options. We have to hustle on as employment opportunities are almost non existent. We are in a swim or sink situation.

How to Set a Goal?

April 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Deyzes Pereira, founder of Startups Consulting in Mozambique

Many entrepreneurs are aware that one of the most important things required to start a business is the definition of goals. But what often happens is that many of them do not understand very well the importance of goals and how to define them correctly. Today I will talk about goals! After all what is a goal?

Do You Know How To Wait?

April 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Elizandra dos Santos

Do You Know How To Wait? It is the challenge that I bring to the present moment. It’s worse for the quick fixers who want instant results, quick effects, quick responses, goals achieved in the shortest time and miraculous resolutions. I wish life were like this. Many people, because they don't know how to wait, end up frustrated, immersed in anxiety, anger, depression, becoming impatient. They are overwhelmed by their own emotions, counting the days, hours, minutes, and crazy seconds, until the time comes to get out of this confinement, go back to traveling, or have a supposedly normal life.

Aurora Matavel, an award-winning Mozambican entrepreneur building a successful eco-cleaning business

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Aurora Matavel, founder and CEO, SCS, Lda (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Aurora Matavel is Founder and CEO of SCS, Lda (Mozambique). She is an experienced and award-winning entrepreneur. The business of SCS, Lda is focused on providing ecological cleaning services and integrated pest control that preserve the environment. She founded the business 2 years ago and now employs 5 people, many of them women from the Local Community. She has 5 years of experience in business and as customer service with one of the main banks in the country.

Self-Made Boss: Advice, Hacks, and Lessons from Small Business Owners by Jackie Reses & Lauren Weinberg

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

When it comes to getting practical advice, small business owners too often don’t know where to look, but Longtime Square executives Jackie Reses and Lauren Weinberg, authors of the book Self-Made Boss: Advice, Hacks, and Lessons from Small Business Owners, want to change all that. Part starter-kit, part encyclopedia, and part inspiration, Self-Made Boss is an essential survival guide for small businesses. Sure, you can find all sorts of high-level strategic tips from Fortune 500 CEOs. But what if you own a restaurant, and you’re trying to figure out how to source good fish, or if you’re looking to increase revenue from your plumbing supply store? You’ll be running a lot of Google searches before you hear from someone who’s actually stood in your shoes.

Gwendolyn Mahuma-Madida, a visionary in South Africa’s infrastructure sector

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Mahuma Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a South African investment business with interests in steel and infrastructure

Gwendolyn Mahuma-Madida is the CEO and founder of Mahuma Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, otherwise known as MIH, a South African based investment company with interests in the steel and Infrastructure sectors. Gwen is equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit which has helped her in building a portfolio of investments in line with her vision of becoming a major player in the infrastructure sector by being a supplier and manufacturer of steel and concrete products to the rail, civils and general infrastructure sector.

‘Luck’ flows in one direction

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

As far as business is concerned, ’Luck’, ‘Hope’, ‘Fear,’ are all four letter words (you know, the ones our Mothers always told us not to use), for a reason. In business we have to avoid relying, or getting carried away, or even dragged down by them. ‘Luck’ more often than not, is simply down to ‘Timing’ - good or bad, and timing we can work on (see our article here). ‘Hope’ is often involved because of bad planning on our part (and we have all been there at some point in our lives). ‘Fear’ is our sub-conscious telling us that we need to be more careful in the future before committing too far.

Write that book already!

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Clementina Busayo

Have you ever heard the saying that there is a book in everyone? Do you want to become an Author? There are several benefits to writing a book. From getting booked to speak; impacting lives beyond your current location; inspiring others to live their best lives through your story. The possibilities are endless, and the opportunities are matchless.

Confidence - learn to trust your instincts and never lose yourself

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile

The other day I was wondering why I am more comfortable to work with a lot of people today; and also why I am able to tackle any type of garment presented to me? In the beginning, in 2014, at age 27 I was more cautious, hesitant, and simply scared. Every enquiry I received, I had to analyze if it was something I had done before. Today my answer to the question, ‘Can you do this?’ is almost automatic. I believe I will be able to deliver on most challenges. That I think is confidence!

Confidence - 5 Tips to increase believing and trusting yourself

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek, Talent Strategist, Leadership & HR Expert and Executive Coach

As an entrepreneur, I’m certain that we can all relate to the emotional roller coaster of ups and downs. One day you are so excited that you have started your business. You are on purpose making a meaningful impact in the world and the next day you feel like you made the wrong choice, especially if the target for the month is behind. The following day, you land a big new client and you feel energized and happy that you’re not working for a boss.

10 Reasons why you need a business plan

April 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

A business plan is considered the most critical document for any business, whether you are starting a business or have an established business. There is a general perception that business plans are only required for funding purposes which is not true. A business plan provides the foundation layer of any business and can be effectively used for operational and strategic planning purposes.

Jessica Lairs, a Mozambican event planner creating memorable customer occasions

March 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Jessica Lairs, founder, D'Lairs Encantos E.I (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Jessica Lairs is the founder of D'Lairs Encantos E.I, an event planning and decoration company in Mozambique. She started her entrepreneurship journey in 2019 with a combination of passion and good leadership skills. Today she has six permanent employees and six employees for occasional events. Her team is composed of men and women aged from 21 to 57 years of age. She brings to her entrepreneurial journey 9 years of experience in the job market as a trader and manager and has always worked with women in different areas.

Gracia Bampile, a South African entrepreneur taking African fashion to the world

March 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Gracia Bampile is the founder of fashion brand, Haute Afrika based in South Africa. The company has built a reputation for creating clothes for every occasion and every kind of person, inspired by traditional fabrics that are authentically African.

Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business by Jenny Blake

March 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

For entrepreneur Jenny Blake, author of the new book Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business, she believes that ‘Time is not money. Time is life force.’ Jenny Blake, author of the award-winning book Pivot and co-creator of Google's acclaimed Career Guru coaching program, is back with her signature blend of heart-based operating principles and practical tools. This book will teach you how to move from friction to flow through smarter systems and the three-stage Free Time Framework.™

Jihan Abass, a Kenyan innovator in digital insurance

March 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Lami Technologies, democratizing insurance and helping improve the lives of millions in Africa

Jihan Abass is the founder and ceo of Lami Technologies, a game-changing B2B2C Insurance-as-a-Service platform and API. She grew up in Mombasa, Kenya and started out her career in finance as a commodities trader in London, trading on the New York and London sugar markets. After that short stint in finance, Jihan set up Lami with the aim of increasing insurance penetration in the developing world. She has an undergraduate degree in finance from Bayes Business School and an MBA from the University of Oxford. She started Lami Technologies in 2018 and today it employs 48 people.

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