Purity Gakuo, a Kenyan entrepreneur making refrigeration affordable to small-scale fishers in Africa

November 13, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Purity Gakuo, founder, Kuza Freezer (Kenya)

Startup Story

Purity Gakuo is a climate change advocate and founder of Kuza Freezer in Kenya. Her business bridges the cold chain gap in the fish value and supply chain by making refrigeration affordable to the small-scale fishers of Africa. She has a zeal for improving the livelihood of people in her community and Africa at large, especially women and youth, through affordable refrigeration. She has a professional background in business management with 4 years of experience, and has won several awards including the AFCFTA Caravan Prize, in recognition of her role as a community champion.

Stacey Menga Onyango, a Kenyan entrepreneur building a visionary construction business

November 6, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Minkoti Agencies Limited, a specialist, high-growth, Kenyan construction company specializing in building and civil works

Stacey Menga Onyango is the Director / Founder of Minkoti Agencies Limited in Kenya. Stacey is the sole director of the company that was founded in 2009 as a small enterprise business dealing in general supplies, and has since grown into a middle enterprise business with over 60 employees. Stacey has a background in Human Resources and Strategic Management but decided to defy the odds and get into the construction sector in 2018. The company offers quality building and civil construction services both to the government and private sector, and has in the past year upscaled the operations of the company to South Sudan.

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.

Umutoni Thuku-Benzinge, a luxury jewellery brand builder changing the lives of Kenya’s artisans

June 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Umutoni Thuku-Benzinge, founder and creative director, Umutoni (Kenya)

Startup Story

Umutoni Thuku-Benzinge is the founder and creative director of Umutoni, a luxury jewelry brand where every piece is handmade with love by the best artisans from the heart of Kenya. She is on a mission to empower the disenfranchised through her ethically driven jewellery. With a degree in Economics and background in the IT industry, Umutoni is utilizing skills developed in her professional background to share the narrative that jewellery can be an agent for social change. Having spoken at Cambridge University, being featured in Forbes and BBC, she's keen to share the brand story and continue to make an impact as she continues to amalgamate her worlds together.

Jane Maigua, Kenya’s macadamia nut agri-processing pioneer

June 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Exotic EPZ, a Kenyan macadamia nuts processing and export company supporting smallholder farmers

Jane Maigua is the CEO of Exotic EPZ, a macadamia nuts processing and export company based in Nairobi Kenya. The company was restarted in 2017 under Jane's leadership and has grown its supply of high quality nuts from Netherlands to a growing customer base in USA, Spain, Germany, Italy and China. Jane has two business partners, Charity Ndegwa and Loise Maina, and together they have established the only solely woman-owned processing and export company in the macadamia value chain in East Africa. Exotic EPZ employs over 100 workers giving them a decent employment, and it sources its raw nuts from over 5000 small holder farmers. Of the company’s workers, 85% are women and 75% are youth. Exotic EPZ’s commitment to environmental sustenance has been demonstrated in its use of solar power to run its processing factory and recycling of shells as boiler fuel, in addition to use of energy efficient processing systems. Currently the company is launching a campaign for planting of macadamia trees as a source of income as well as for carbon sequestration.

Flacia Wanjiru Nyamu, a Kenyan entrepreneur with a passion for training and consulting to elevate opportunities for the youth

June 12, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Flacia Wanjiru Nyamu, founder & ceo, Woven Link Africa (Kenya)

Startup Story

Flacia Wanjiru Nyamu is the founder and ceo of Woven Link Africa, with 19 years of combined experience in youth capacity building programs. Her greatest accomplishments are in setting up systems and structures for design, delivery and management of vocational education, entrepreneurship, and employability programs. She has worked with various organizations in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and UK.

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.

Navalayo Osembo, a Kenyan running shoe brand-builder with a big vision

January 30, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Enda, a proudly Kenyan running shoe brand on a mission to be one of the top three running shoe brands globally

Navalayo Osembo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Enda Athletic, Inc. Enda creates original men’s and women’s running footwear and apparel made in Kenya, for sale under its branded name, on both online retail and wholesale to running and athletic retailers. As a made-in-Kenya running shoe, Enda possesses a unique brand and selling point that no existing competitor can match. Navalayo is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has worked internationally, including in the US, UK, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya where she utilizes her diverse skills as an accountant, a lawyer, risk manager, and in international development. She is from a town near Eldoret, Kenya that has produced generations of the world’s greatest distance runners. Prior to creating Enda Athletic Inc., Navalayo started a sports academy in Bungoma, Western Kenya to provide sports proteges from disadvantaged backgrounds access to much-needed professional training without compromising their education. In order to maximize social impact in Kenya through sports, Navalayo teamed up with her Co-Founder to create Enda Athletic Inc., a made-in-Kenya running shoe brand that creates jobs, invests in local communities, and spurs economic development through exports.

Vivette Ayiaga, a Kenyan entrepreneur turning the art of crocheting into a business

December 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Vivette Ayiaga, founder, Vee Crafts (Kenya)

Startup Story

Like any specialist craft that requires key skills, a fine eye for detail, and a wealth of creative talent, the art of crocheting demands all three, and Vivette Ayiaga, founder of Vee Crafts in Kenya, has them in abundance. She is passionate about craft and particularly crocheting, and has turned that passion into a business, whilst also continuing her studies in statistical economics at Masinde Muliro University-Kenya.

Eva Muraya, serial entrepreneur, brand innovator, and women’s champion

November 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

BSD Group, a regional award-winning brand strategy and communications company based in Kenya

Eva Muraya is the Founder and CEO of BSD Group, a regional award-winning brand strategy and communications company based in Kenya. It comprises four companies: Brand Strategy & Design Limited, Avid Public Relations Ltd, Whiteboard Advertising Limited and Brandquad Africa Limited, a knowledge sharing and talent development consultancy. Eva is an entrepreneur widely known in marketing and communication circles as a brand innovator and builder, with at least twenty years now in her crown. She has most recently gained attention as an advocate and champion for inclusivity and growth of women markets. She is a co-founder of the Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO) and is currently a Director at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) – Gender and SMEs.

Lioness Launch / Africa’s luxury jewellery brand, Adele Dejak, launches its new Malaika Collection

October 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Adele Dejak, the brand, is an authentic jewellery and fashion accessories brand that offers a direct access to the true premium African experience. Founder Adele Dejak has built a powerful brand over the years, globally renowned for creating a wide variety of lovingly designed and handcrafted pieces including bracelets, earrings, necklaces and handbags. Every piece tells a story and is inspired by African textiles, cultures and traditions, with everything being produced directly in the Adele Dejak studio in Kenya or through collaboration with an established network of partners. On 5 November 2021, Adele launches the inspirational new Malaika Collection, a new capsule collection of jewellery and accessories for the modern warrior man and woman.

Alice Kivuva, a Kenyan entrepreneur building a unique African-inspired sports brand

October 17, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Alice Kivuva, founder, FiveStars Africa (Kenya)

Startup Story

All avid sportspeople, especially cyclists want to find comfortable, fashionable and stylish activewear that makes them feel and look good, and which inspires them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Entrepreneur Alice Kivuva, founder of FiveStars Africa, the unique African Inspired Sports Brand in Kenya, has created an activewear that does just that.

Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert, a leading Kenyan marketing and communications industry leader

July 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

PMS Group Africa Ltd, an award winning and acclaimed 360°marketing and communications agency

As the Founder and current Chief Executive Officer of PMS Group Africa Ltd and Chair of COMESA’s FEMCOM, present in 21 countries across Africa with the primary goal of enhancing women’s economic power, Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert brings more than 23 years of multi-faceted experience in pan African commerce, integrated communication and public relations within both the public and private sector. Her partnerships straddle the globe and create opportunities for top talent in over 24 countries and four continents. Kenyan by birth, she is a culturally astute and discerning royal Ghanaian Queen whose culturally sensitive approach to socio-economic challenges make Africa and the globe, her home. Joanne has won numerous local and International Awards. She is a 3rd time finalist at The All Africa Business Leaders Award, is an Organization of Women in International Trade Woman of the Year award holder, a KPMG and Nation Media Group Top Entrepreneur of the Year and bearer of the coveted Head of State Commendation for her extraordinary achievements in formalizing the efforts to include women, youth and persons with disabilities in the Kenya Government’s Procurement policy.

Veronica Wekesa, a Kenyan entrepreneur building a new hospitality model for the travel and tourism industry

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Veronica Wekesa, founder & CEO of Cohost Kenya

Startup Story

Veronica Wekesa is a founder & CEO of Cohost Kenya, a start-up in the hospitality, travel and tourism sector that serves the needs of both property owners and guests on vacation. She has 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry where she acquired numerous skills that have helped her in running her business. Though the business started in 2017, it was formally registered in 2020 and has since grown from 1 employee to 4 female employees. She believes in uplifting women who necessarily don't have the vocational papers to get employment, and this has been one of the underlying tenets of the business.

Clara Njeri, a Kenyan entrepreneur creating a natural bath and beauty product manufacturing business

April 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Clara Njeri, founder, Naturalglam (Kenya)

Startup Story

Entrepreneur Clara Njeri is the Director at Naturalglam, a business which she started at the age of 21 as a result of trying to clear her own acne. The business started more like a hobby, but three years later, the company has grown to having one major physical shop in Nairobi and a network of distributors. Her Instagram Sensation business is slowly growing to be a powerhouse.

Christine Khasinah-Odero, a Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to support new mums

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Christine Khasinah-Odero, founder of Supamamas (Kenya) — **Christine Khasinah-Odero**, founder of Supamamas (Kenya)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Every mum and mum-to-be knows how important it is to learn as much as possible about being a parent and caring for those precious little ones. Seeing a gap in the market for a focused online and event platform that would bring the best information, networking and support for mums in Kenya, led to entrepreneur Christine Khasinah Odero creating Supamamas, a destination of choice for discerning mums.

Judy Maina, a Kenyan entrepreneur manufacturing bespoke leather goods

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Judy Maina, founder Siafu Leather (Kenya)

Startup Story

There is something rewarding in creating a bespoke product for a customer, especially when that product has been handcrafted using the finest raw materials. Siafu Leather, fouded by Judy Maina in Kenya, is doing just that, and her customers are loving the end results.

Mary Nyaga, an entrepreneur creating a floral business in Kenya with a difference

January 10, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Mary Nyaga, founder of LorMar Florium (Kenya)

Startup Story

Everyone loves flowers, for their homes and their offices, and in Kenya, entrepreneur Mary Nyaga, founder of LorMar Florium, is harnessing the power of technology to bring flowers to everyone’s lives. The business combines a flower subscription business using silk flowers, with a new app called Flowerhood, creating virtual floral arrangements and messages for customers to send to their family and friends.

Dr Dorcas Muthoni, a technology leader and innovator on the African continent

December 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

OpenBusiness Africa, a business transforming African enterprises through technology

Dr. Dorcas Muthoni is an entrepreneur, computer scientist, and founder of OpenBusiness Africa and OPENWORLD. She started her software business at the age of 24 and today it employs 50 people. She is greatly passionate about the transformation of African enterprises through technology. Dorcas is also the founder of the regional organization AfChix, a mentorship and capacity building initiative for women in computing across Africa. Globally, she has been involved and honored in technology leadership by the Internet Society (ISOC) as an Internet Hall Of Fame Global Connector, World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Young Global Leader (YGL), AnitaB Institute as a Change Agent Award Winner and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Spain as an Honoris Causa.

Catherine Mahugu, a change-maker revolutionizing Kenya’s coffee value chain

November 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Chiswara, reinventing the coffee supply chain through technology to benefit Kenya’s coffee farmers

Catherine Mahugu is a globally acclaimed entrepreneur. She is a software engineer by profession and change-maker by passion. Catherine is a certified human-centred design expert, a skill she acquired at Stanford University. Currently, she is the founder of Chiswara, a tech-enabled specialty coffee company launched in 2018 that offers an equitable coffee experience for both local farmers and global consumers. Partners committed to the company's growth and impact include Alibaba, UNCTAD, and IFC.

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