the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Erica Paiva
Startup Story
Erica Paiva is a creative woman entrepreneur from Mozambique who decided to use her own unique skills as a tv host, writer, actress, master of ceremony, and event planner to create a niche, personal brand in the marketplace. Erica’s brand has been in the market for 7 years, but she has been working for a total of 15 years.
Read more
Eliana Silva, founder, Marcas Por Escrever (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Eliana Silva is the founder of Marcas Por Escrever in Mozambique, an online publication focused on Lusophone communication, marketing, entrepreneurship and social responsibility. She is a communication specialist with a career spanning more than a decade working in journalism, public relations, and advertising. Her professional experience is currently focused on advertising, brand activation and strategic communication. Eliana began her career in the Portuguese media industry, at Revista Máxima in 2009, and then migrated to the world of public relations. Over the years, Silva has always been interested in storytelling and has developed her media tools by working with video, writing and photography. In Mozambique since 2014, Eliana completed a degree in Journalism in Lisbon, and after a postgraduate degree in the same city in Digital Marketing, she attended courses in London and São Paulo.
Read more
Nicola Cooper
Book review
The Future of Collaboration by Nicola Cooper is the definitive guide on how to do collaborations better in business, especially given that boundaries between workspaces are further faded by ‘at home’/remote working’ driven by COVID 19. The global and seismic catalyst for change has created opportunities for a new form of business and has further accelerated the trends of new methods of working. These shifts have opened our imaginations and the world with endless possibilities for cross-category, cross-brand, cross-country and cross-creative partnerships without even having to leave your country, home or office. Welcome to the future of collaboration.
Read more
Lioness Radio / The Business of Funding Podcast Ep.4
For Africa’s women entrepreneurs in both startup and growth mode, getting access to funding can be a tricky and often frustrating experience. That’s why a more innovative approach is required, and fintech has a definite role to play in creating more accessible funding platforms for women business owners. In Episode 4 of The Business of Funding, Sarah Dusek, co-founder of Enygma Ventures, shares her insights on how funding and investment support for growth oriented women owned businesses in Africa can be a game-changer. Also on the programme are two successful women business founders who are in the business of fintech, and both based in Zambia. So two fascinating conversations on the business of funding from a number of perspectives.
Read more
Heleen Henriques
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.
Read more
Janine Petersen, J9 Wines
Lioness Launch
#WINEOFCOLORSA, founded by Janine Petersen of J9 Wines and Mbali Masike-Malebye of ngiyiMbali Wines in South Africa, is launching its exciting new membership program for emerging wine brands of colour. #WINEOFCOLORSA is a platform that promotes and empowers young emerging wine makers and entrepreneurs in the wine industry through collaboration, education and acceleration by building a transformative sustainable ecosystem in the wine industry for emerging businesses. Since it’s launch, 20 emerging wine brands of colour are already on the program.
Read more
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”.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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?
Read more
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.
Read more
Kemi Olawoye, ceo & co-founder, Babymigo (Nigeria)
Startup Story
Kemi Olawoye is the ceo & co-founder of Babymigo, Nigeria's largest pregnancy and parenting community. She is a veteran entrepreneur and an award-winning business leader. Kemi's business focuses of building an easily accessible online community for mums to gain information and bridge the communication gap on maternal health in Africa. She founded the business in 2018 and has over 150,000 members across Africa. The business employs 12 people.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Gwendolyn Mahuma-Madida
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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!
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more