Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst

April 17, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

No one can be in any doubt now about the impact the Russian attack on Ukraine and subsequent horrific war is having on our day-to-day lives. Two countries that provide a huge amount of the world’s basic staples such as wheat, sunflower oil and many other food essentials, at war, was always going to be felt in our weekly shop, no more so than in Africa given its massive imports of those basics. Many in the West have never experienced inflation of this kind, although for our Lionesses in Zimbabwe, there is still a long way to go as they sadly know only too well. The battle scars gained through having to cram Trillion Zim$ notes into their pockets and then fight their way to the front of the queues at the shops will never go away…

You make choices and your choices make you: a perspective on goals

April 17, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

For many of us, by now, New Year’s resolutions have become a distant memory. Research says that of the 41% of Americans that set resolutions at the beginning of the year only 9% are successful at keeping them. Perhaps the fact that we set our resolutions, often misty eyed, in the afterglow of a holiday, festivities, rest and fun could be a factor? However, the New Year promises a new beginning, a time to reset and inspire ourselves into what we believe our potential is. In my view, even a small step towards a positive change is an improvement. So, are you in the large majority whose goals are now fading slowly? This is not a disaster. I have recently been helping MBA student clients review their goals for their year ahead, and also experimenting with my own.

Get Paid!

April 17, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile

In 2021 I made a decision to go retail. I have been thinking about this for maybe a 100 years LOL! In line with my creative procrastination talent, I think and ponder and wonder and eventually go in scared. After this decision I had to decide how; I then approached my options and received 2 yesses. So now, we are mainly online with Shopify and Zando. This sound easy right, like just two more sales channels. Alas, my brain has been fried with set up on both platforms, it took 4 – 6 weeks to complete the set up. Even with help!

My journey of “heart-breaks” in choosing business partners and associates - what I have learnt

April 17, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

In my line of work, as a sole business owner of my consulting business, I often rely on a professional network of associate consultants to get some of my work done. Example - if there is a specific project that I want to work on, be it responding to a published tender or putting together a proposal for a specific project, I often prefer to gather professionals in my networks to ensure we put our best foot forward and we offer a team with as diverse skills as possible. I also welcome other consultants approaching me to work with them on their own projects, especially if I can add value to their projects.

Benefits of Using Proper Business Language

April 17, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila

Language is the art of communicating with others in any situation. Using proper language in each context is vital to ensure that the message is clear, received and understood well by the intended recipients. In a business context, it is a must that proper business language is utilized to portray professionalism and business language etiquette. The use of proper business language should be embraced by all in the business environment. The usage should also be done and applied in all forms of communication, be it verbal or written.

Erica Paiva, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a strong personal media brand

April 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

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.

Eliana Silva, a Mozambican communications specialist with a passion for storytelling

April 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

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.

The Future of Collaboration by Nicola Cooper

April 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

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.

Access to funding for Africa's women entrepreneurs requires a more innovative digital approach

April 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

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.

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.

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