Dibo Ndumbe-Eyoh, a Cameroonian entrepreneur building an award-winning luxury fashion brand

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh is the co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African brand in Cameroon. Eloli means "it is beautiful" in Bafaw, a language spoken in Cameroon. This unique brand has featured in publications like Vogue and Elle and has been worn by numerous celebrities. Dibo founded the business in 2012 with her sisters Sume and Fese, and it now employs 15 full-time employees, many of whom are young women and mothers. The brand also works with various local artisans and skilled tailors. Dibo has almost 20 years of business experience working internationally for leading banks and other financial services as well as consultancy firms.

Lindiwe Nakedi, a South African diversity-focused mining entrepreneur

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lionesses Weekender Cover Story

Gubhani Trading (Pty) Ltd, a South African surface diamond drilling business making its mark in the mining sector

Lindiwe Nakedi is a wife, a mother, and the Owner and Managing Director of Gubhani Exploration, a South African surface diamond drilling company, with over 10 years’ experience in the surface core drilling in the mining industry since 2009. The business employs 20 people. She holds a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Industrial Psychology and Philosophy from the University of the Witwatersrand and completed the New Managers Program from Wits Business School focused on Business Management. Lindiwe served as Chairperson of WiMSA in 2017 and 2018 and is now a Patron in the Organization. She is also the founder and Director on the board of WIMBIZ. On a personal level, she has been married for 17 years to her all-time crush and has 3 children aged 15, 12 and 5.

The odds sadly say No!

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Last weekend we looked at our latest South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey launched by the Lioness Data Unit (sponsored by ABSA and once more working with New York University to dissect the information), announcing (amongst other things) that of the 1,340 women entrepreneurs surveyed in RSA, they employed a massive 8,503 people, mostly women, and because of this have an incredible impact across their local communities. A clear sign of the multiplier effect of Lionesses (here).

Access to Information – the quest of getting to the truth

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

Evidence is the basis for establishing probabilities of a specific event or sequence of events occurring. In enforcing your rights, this becomes critical. This can take many forms, including witness testimonies, documents, recordings and other forms of data. But what happens when you suspect a particular position or do not have a specific record?

To get different outcomes ask different questions

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

If you want a different outcome, ask a different question. That’s how real change happens. It’s also an easy way to start a more interesting conversation or bring up a delicate topic.

How to build credibility with media coverage

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Felicity Cowie, The Media Relations Coach

In my earlier blog for LoA, 'What Exactly is Media Relations?', I said there are at least eight mega benefits of media relations for any business to consider…

The importance of positioning your business

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Cindy Maléombho-Codo

In business, it is essential to have a clear brand strategy and positioning. Your position in the market will determine the success of your business. Therefore, the importance of positioning your business cannot be understated. By having a clear brand and positioning strategy, you will be able to reach your target market better and achieve your desired results. In the business world, first impressions are everything.

2nd South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey reports key insights

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Data

The key insights from the 2nd edition of the South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Report, produced by Lionesses of Africa in partnership with New York University, and in collaboration with Absa, were shared with attendees at a special Lioness Business Agility webinar on 18 November 2022. The report once again provides key insights into the pivotal role women entrepreneurs play as job creators in the country. These insights are important as the South African National Development Plan (NDP) estimates that the country will need to create an additional 11 million jobs by 2030. 90% of these are expected to come from new and expanding SMEs.

Mindset of an Entrepreneur: Strategies, Skills and Mindset for Achieving Business Growth and Success by Toyin Umesiri

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Those who aspire to build globally relevant brands and businesses must adopt winning mindsets, according to business coach Toyin Umesiri, author of Mindset of an Entrepreneur: Strategies, Skills and Mindset for Achieving Business Growth and Success. She believes that to master entrepreneurship is fundamental, and in her book she shows you how to adapt business growth strategies and develop the skills to monetize and structure commercial ventures.

5 Ways to get your business to run without you

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Nthabiseng Maidi, Principal Director, MMCP Wealth and MMCP Business Advisory Services

Some owners focus on growing their profits, while others are obsessed with sales goals. Have you ever considered making it your primary goal to set up your business so that it can thrive and grow without you?

Look for a Good Feeling

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

I feel so happy sharing this blog with you. For a while I have been involved with the 3 Principle community on a global scale and have been involved in getting the 3P Africa interest going. I wrote this blog post for the 3P Africa website, which will be published very soon but I couldn’t wait to share it with you. I would love to hear from you with a message of what you got from this blog. As a part-time writer, I’m still exploring my voice and wondering how things are ‘heard’ by those that read my blog post. So please let me know at sharon@sharoncastle.co.za – I truly love receiving your messages and read every one.

Checklist for Healthy Finances in 2023

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

Many people set New Year resolutions at the beginning of a new year. Some people aspire to lose weight, to exercise on a regular basis, to eat healthier, to spend more time with their loved ones or to start a new business. We all have more energy, new ideas and new goals at the beginning of a new year. It is also the perfect time to get your personal finances in order for the remainder of the year. Definitely a resolution that you want to turn into reality, because it will create financial security and stability for you and your family.

Being bullied and harassed in the workplace - My Story

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

There have been a lot of articles, social media posts and research done on this topic of bullying and harassment in the workplace. It seems that this is a huge challenge festering and lurking out there and one is left wondering if, like issues of sexual harassment, discrimination etc, which some companies even go to the extent of having an HR Policy about, are the ones that occupy our minds more.

The multiplier effect of Lionesses cannot be wasted

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“In the last two decades a large number of African countries have registered solid growth in per capita GDP. What is deeply worrying is that in most cases the impact of this growth on poverty and employment has been limited. Africa has the lowest elasticity of poverty reduction with respect to growth of any developing area of the world. And, despite growth, it is not creating enough good jobs.”, this was in 2015 in a paper entitled Aid, Employment and Poverty Reduction in Africa (here) by John Page and Abebe Shimeles for the AfDB’s excellent ‘African Development Review’ (‘ADR’) which brings study and analysis of development policy in Africa to the fore.

Rukudzo Mukwenha, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur creating a one-stop-shop for housekeeping solutions

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Rukudzo Hillary Mukwenha, founder, Hilsmag Corporation Private Limited (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Rukudzo Hillary Mukwenha is the founder of Hilsmag Corporation Private Limited, a research-based housekeeping solutions company in Zimbabwe providing solutions for both consumers and job seekers. She is also a passionate mother of four. Rukudzo is extremely motivated to constantly develop her skills and learn something new every day. She has an unapologetic interest in serving and empowering other young girls and women hence setting up of Hilsmag. She has managed to create a working value chain within her business which has been in operation since 2020. Rukudzo is a holder of a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting as well as a Human Resource Management Diploma from IPMZ. She is also a member of Junior Chamber International, Lionesses of Africa and PROWEB. The business has 6 employees.

Beatha Shitemba, an entrepreneur growing a specialist baby and kids product brand in Namibia

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Beatha Shitemba, Founder and CEO, Nel's Babies & Kiddies (Namibia)

Startup Story

Beatha Shitemba is the Founder and CEO of Nel's Babies & Kiddies in Namibia. She is a seasoned entrepreneur and award-winning business leader. Beatha's business is focused on manufacturing and providing high quality, affordable baby and kids products to the international and pan-African market. She founded the business in 2017 and now employs 3 people, all of them women from local communities. She has over 17 years of working experience in the financial industry as a former Risk & Compliance Manager.

Vera Osei-Bonsu, a Ghanaian children’s nutrition focused entrepreneur

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Eat smart Foods and Start Right Nutrition Ltd, a food business putting baby and children’s nutrition first

Vera Osei-Bonsu is the founder and CEO of Eat Smart Foods and Start Right Nutrition in Ghana. Back in 2012, she was looking for a vibrant local business that made nutritious local food products for babies that are naturally fortified. Seeing the lack of healthier local baby food options in the area, she saw an opportunity. Start Right Nutrition was created in 2012 to advocate for healthy balanced foods for children from the ages of 6 months to 5 years and Eat Smart Foods was created in 2021 with the goal of bringing and manufacturing naturally fortified local baby food options. Currently, the business has over five products selling across the retailing sectors in Ghana, and has created jobs for 10 employees.Vera was awarded as the Emerging Star in Agribusiness in Africa in 2022, and the International Business Award in Africa in 2022 by Women in Agribusiness and Guzakuza.

Quote of the Day by Marieme Esther Dassanou

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

“African Development Bank Group is committed to accelerating women entrepreneurs’ ability to access finance by unlocking up to $5 billion by 2026.”

Esther Dassanou, Manager, Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), African Development Bank Group

On Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Lionesses of Africa’s Business Confidence Report celebrates African women entrepreneurs’ optimism about business

November 18, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Press Release

On Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Lionesses of Africa’s Business Confidence Report celebrates African women entrepreneurs’ optimism about business

Women entrepreneurs in Africa are expressing widespread optimism and continuing resilience despite the prevailing economic climate, according to the 2022 Lionesses Business Confidence Report and Index launched on Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, 19 November 2022.

The Entrepreneur Advantage: Emotional Intelligence for Building and Growing Your Business by Elizabeth Miner

November 13, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Entrepreneurship is a Marathon, according to international business coach, global speaker, digital nomad, and author Elizabeth Miner. Her book, The Entrepreneur Advantage: Emotional Intelligence for Building and Growing Your Business, is a great tool to have in your personal business building race. Elizabeth shares her knowledge and encourages entrepreneurs to think more deeply and personally about how they operate and show up in their business to create complete and sustainable success.