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Lionesses of Africa

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The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Ana Belmonte, a Mozambican entrepreneur turning a passion for gardening into a business

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Ana Belmonte

Startup Story

Creating a unique service offering is always a great starting point for a successful business, and Ana Belmonte is certainly doing that with Malachi Garden Service Lda. She brings her considerable expertise and passion for gardening to every job she undertakes for her clients, and her reputation for great service is growing as a result.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Business Services, Green Business
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Dr Mejury Chipato, a Zimbabwean medical doctor and entrepreneur building multiple businesses

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Dr Mejury Chipato

Startup Story

Dr Mejury Chipato is a Medical Doctor, a Microbiologist, a Philanthropist, and a growing force in the world of entrepreneurship through her multi-faceted business, ProMJ Incorporated Company. She is also a Pastor, a Life & Business Coach, a Mentor, a Leader, a Published Author of the Book “I’m in charge of my Narrative“, and a multi-Award Winner both in Business and as an Author. Recent recognition includes the Zimbabwean Achievers Award Winner for Fashion Designer of the Year 2021 (China Edition). She was also honoured as one of The Most Inspiring Women Awardees of 2022, won The Young Achievers Award presented by the Pride of Africa Awards and received The Leadership & Inspiration Award from Gumiguru Achievers Awards 2022. She is also the Founder of Patience of Hope Foundation which is a non-profit organization whose aim is to pay school fees for orphans and underprivileged children in Zimbabwe and across Africa.

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In Startup Story Tags Zimbabwe, Fashion
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Beyond computer screen engagements with the Lionesses of Africa

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Langelihle Simela, Business Development Manager, Absa

Since the onset of COVID-19, many engagements went to electronic platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams. One benefit from this experience is that we learnt that we do not have to drive, fly or Uber to each and every meeting; there are some instances where it is sufficient to engage over virtual platforms and save on travel time and costs. By the same token, the downside is that digital meetings constrain the establishment of meaningful connections. The human part of the relationship is not as easy to establish across the screen. So, following the successful Business Agility Webinars and taking advantage of the decline in COVID-19 infections and the easing of social distancing measures, Absa and the Lionesses of Africa (LoA) are moving to face-to-face engagements, where authentic professional relationships can be established. After all, Absa is a relationship-driven bank.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Nailed It!: How one woman turned a dream business into a huge success by Jeanette Sklivanou

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Building your own business and brand in a competitive market can be intimidating and scary, but entrepreneur and author, Jeanette Sklivanou, has written Nailed It! to give you some solutions. This inspiring book is packed with practical, step-by-step strategies for breaking the cycle of fear and creating a dynamic brand that can compete with the best.

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In Essential Tags Books
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The Struggle is where greatness comes from

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We have been reading far too much bad news from the global economy recently. So in an attempt to lighten our load, we reached deep into our collection of reading material thinking there must be something brighter. Sadly it seemed as if fate was working against us as nothing light and entertaining appeared, rather an article by the legendary investor and co-founder of the massive tech investing firm ‘a16z’ Ben Horowitz appeared. This was guaranteed to be serious stuff from a business guru who never lets a fear of telling it straight get in the way of any positive mood he might have at the time - so much for our wish for a bit of light reading! He is the author of one of our favourite business books - ‘The Hard Thing About Hard Things’ (here) which is described as follows: “There are lots of people talking about how great it is to start a business, but only Ben Horowitz is brutally honest about how hard it is to run one.” Note the ‘brutally honest’ - you have been warned!

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In Team Lioness Tags Entrepreneurial Journey
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3 Ways To Enhance Your Customer Experience Using Augmented Reality

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by FutureSoft Team

We can all agree that tech has become an integral part of our lives, especially with the COVID-19 reality. Many brands have been forced to rethink their strategy and infuse tech in almost every step of the way. When we hear about new tech developments, it’s easy to get excited about what’s coming next; often, though, these inventions have little impact on our lives. Most turn out to be fun party tricks, while only a few are real game-changers.

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In Guest Blog Tags Nkemdilim Begho, Digital Transformation, Digital Marketing
Comment

4 Ways to Say No Without Saying No

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Saying no is challenging; most of us dread it because it questions our identity as being a good person. We fear saying no because we are afraid people won't like us or will let them down and disappoint them. We attach so much guilt and dread to this little word that we end up giving away our yes too quickly.

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In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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The key to success

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Elizandra dos Santos

I don't know what your dream is. But even though I don't know you, I know that there are some things we have in common that end up being non-absolute truths. I would venture to say collectively: we all want to be happy, and we seek to have results in some area of our life. For some, it’s in the areas of love, health, professional, spiritual, financial, physical appearance, intellectual, and so follows an infinite list of things in common.

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In Guest Blog Tags Elizandra Dos Santos, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Success
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Breathe

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Deep, slow, rhythmic breathing is a powerful tool when it comes to stress, anxiety and overwhelm. And I get it. Your life is complex, and you have demands being batted at you from all corners of the universe, figuratively, and now thanks to the internet, literally as well. [Thank you Internet]

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Transforme as suas ideias em oportunidades!

September 1, 2022 Melanie Hawken

por Josefa Massinga

Estamos a viver tempos dificies e novos, onde da noite para o dia as nossas vidas e actividades mudaram. É tempo de cada um de nos pensar em desenvolver alguma actividade e comquistar boas oportunidades de negócio. Encontre a seguir algumas dicas de como desenvolver um MINDSET EMPREENDEDORA e conquistar boas oportunidades com o seu negócio?

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In Guest Blog Tags Josefa Massinga, PT
Comment

Auto-confiança

September 1, 2022 Melanie Hawken

por Altina de Jesus Lisboa

É bem sabido que nem sempre temos dias bons, há aqueles dias ruins. Dias que parecem que nada vai dar certo, uma pilha de trabalhos por fazer, aquela ligação por atender e um monte de problemas por resolver. Sim há aqueles dias, dias em que nos sentimos um completo fracasso, dias que surgem com pensamento de querer retroceder, dias que parecem que os negócios não vão a frente. Para esses dias: Relaxe e acredite.

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In Guest Blog Tags Altina de Jesus Lisboa, PT
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Desafio...

September 1, 2022 Melanie Hawken

por Mircea Neto

É uma palavra que todo mundo conhece que tem cerca de 39 sinónimos e que carrega um significado imenso, porque sem apercebermo-nos todo novo dia há um desafio a ser enfrentado.

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In Guest Blog Tags Mircea Neto, PT
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Tsitsi Mutendi, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur passionate about business legacy

August 28, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Tsitsi Mutendi

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

DanTs Investments, a multi-faceted business group focused on family business and legacy planning in Africa

Tsitsi Mutendi is a family business and family office advisor, and the Founder and Lead Consultant at Nhaka Legacy Planning in Zimbabwe. She is also Co-Founder at African Family Firms (A non-profit Africa Family Business Association). Tsitsi is a well-versed, award winning business woman with over 12 years’ experience building her own successful software development, publishing and education businesses. During this time, Tsitsi developed a passion to assist family businesses in building multi-generational businesses which translate into multigenerational legacies. Tsitsi is recognised globally for her business acumen and world class delivery.

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In Cover Story Tags Zimbabwe, Consulting Services
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Jazeera Suwani, a serial entrepreneur creating vacation bush experiences in Kenya

August 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Jazeera Suwani, co-founder, Drunken Elephant Mara (Kenya)

Startup Story

Jazeera Suwani, a serial entrepreneur and previously the founder of Say it with Chocolate, is now the co-founder of Drunken Elephant Mara in Kenya. She has been featured in Africa's Top 40 under 40 in 2018. The concept behind Drunken Elephant Mara, is to provide a complete vacation for the individual looking to disconnect from the world of technology and immerse themselves in Nature. The business was launched in 2021 and today employs 7 people.

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In Startup Story Tags Hospitality, Kenya
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Mendy Lerato Lusaba, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur creating opportunities for domestic workers

August 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Mendy Lerato Lusaba

Startup Story

Mendy Lerato Lusaba is a social entrepreneur and a decent work advocate with special interest in the domestic work sector. She is the founder of Chris and Geo Placements a domestic placement agency based in Zimbabwe. Chris and Geo recruits and places marginalised and economically disadvantaged persons as domestic workers. To date, she has placed over 2000 workers whilst impacting over 4000 families. Mendy also runs a team of 19 contract domestic workers. She is also the founder of the Domestic Workers Association of Zimbabwe a network of Zimbabwean domestic workers working in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and United Arab Emirates. DWAZ runs the first domestic worker training centre in Zimbabwe offering trainings in housekeeping, cooking and baking, gardening and care work. They also have a domestic worker netball team for the mental health of domestic workers.

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In Startup Story Tags Zimbabwe, Business Services
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Lioness CoLab / New UNafraid limited edition rug collection launched to celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa

August 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Joy Ezeka and Rosie Bradshaw

Lioness CoLab

New UNafraid limited edition rug collection launched to celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa

A collaboration between South Africa’s ZURI and IMANI, a passion-driven surface and textile design studio, and decorative flooring specialist, Airloom Decor, has resulted in the launch of a limited edition rug collection. The 'UNafraid' limited edition rug collection is a collaboration between ZURI and IMANI founder, Joy Ezeka and the founders of Airloom Decor, Rosie and David Bradshaw. This collaboration was launched on 1 August 2022, in honour of South Africa Women's Month, a celebration of resilience - as communities, as individuals, and particularly as women.

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In Lioness CoLAB Tags South Africa, Interior Design
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Relationship Bankers in Profile / Absa / Maureen Ntsane

August 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Maureen Ntsane

Impact Partner Content / Absa / Relationship Banker Profile - Maureen Ntsane

In this week’s edition of Lioness Weekender, we are publishing the fourth in a series of regular profiles featuring Absa Relationship Bankers whose role it is to support entrepreneurs. The fourth of our profiles introduces Maureen Ntsane, Regional Head: Sales & Service Enablement - Central Region.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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The Founder's Survival Guide: Lead your business from start-up to scale-up to grown-up by Rachel E Turner

August 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Rachel E Turner, serial entrepreneur and author of the new book, The Founder's Survival Guide: Lead your business from start-up to scale-up to grown-up, understands all too well that start-up leadership skills and experience will only get you so far. The founder path is isolating, stressful and overwhelming, and few founders survive the scale-up journey unscathed. If you don’t scale your leadership as you scale your company, you’re unlikely to survive.

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In Essential Tags Books
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The Problem with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

August 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We were in London this week, the global centre for Insurance, in discussions with a seriously senior insurance guru in charge of major Financial and Professional Lines. What that means is that he insures major financial and corporate customers (the Fortune 500/FTSE100 types) for (amongst other things), securities lawsuits (those bought by shareholders) and external class action suits. Heavy duty stuff.

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In Team Lioness Tags ESG
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Don’t do more, do better

August 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Tapiwa Matsinde

Busyness and working hard are often aligned with an assumption of making progress. That, however, isn’t always the case. In fact, they could be doing just the opposite by lulling you into a false sense of productivity and distracting you from nurturing the specific tasks that are moving your business forward.

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In Guest Blog Tags Tapiwa Matsinde, Productivity Time & Energy
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Afrobotanics

Nature inspired haircare… Banish dry hair with the Afrobotanics Hemp Seed Oil moisturising conditioner created by Ntombenhle Khathwane, a South African entrepreneur and advocate for natural hair and body produc
Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind
Image of the Day / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho
Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka
Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa
Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Afrobotanics

Nature inspired haircare… Banish dry hair with the Afrobotanics Hemp Seed Oil moisturising conditioner created by Ntombenhle Khathwane, a South African entrepreneur and advocate for natural hair and body produc Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind Image of the Day / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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