Sticking to My Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups by Donna Griffit

April 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Donna Griffit’s new book ‘Sticking to My Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups’ answers one of the big challenges for startup founders. You dream of standing in front of a group of investors pitching your startup while they shower you with money and praise. The reality, unfortunately, is vastly different as most founders fail to raise capital from venture capital firms or angel investors. A lot of this is down to an underwhelming pitch in a crowded sea of startups. Donna has a solution by learning the alchemy of storytelling.

Gwen Addo, a Ghanaian entrepreneur passionate about hair processing

April 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

The Hair Senta, a leading human hair processing and wig manufacturing business in Africa

Gwyneth Gyimah Addo, often called Gwen by many, is the ceo of one of the leading Human Hair processing/manufacturing companies in Africa, The Hair Senta, headquartered in Ghana and shipping across the globe. The business was started in 2012 and today employs 40 people. Gwen is also a wife, a mother, a philanthropist, and a business strategist.

Pichulik celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary with the launch of an iconic Silver Jewellery Collection

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Pichulik is an ethical jewellery atelier based in Cape Town, South Africa and founded by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, and is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary in style - with the launch of a new Silver Collection featuring five of its most iconic jewellery pieces. Inspired by ancient cultures and mythology, Pichulik uses the language of African artistry and ornamentation to create sculptural accessories that celebrate empowering feminine narratives. Each piece is a talisman, handcrafted from its signature rope, combined with cast-brass elements, precious stones and unexpected organic materials, to create distinctive and unique forms.

Are employees feeling burnt out already?

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

We're hearing a lot of feedback in our networks that so many people are feeling exhausted already and it's only April....what are they going to feel like when we get to December....burnt out, stretched and hanging on for dear life?

Some do’s and don'ts when it comes to your bank account

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

We often read about banks, clients and scams. Often we see litigation between the bank and its Client. So, where does the reciprocal duty start and end?

Marketing Strategies Explained

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila

It is said that, it is not known until it is said, seen or shared. Therefore, as entrepreneurs, we should make our businesses known to others. We do this by using various marketing strategies. We should do this for all customers to be able to know our businesses using an inclusive approach of using both traditional and modern marketing strategies.

4 Ways to say no without saying no

April 22, 2023 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.

The IMF and World Bank Spring meeting - should we care?

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Melinda French Gates writing in the FT recently and ahead of the IMF/World Bank spring meeting was quite clear (here): “There are two interlocking stories to be told right now about the forces shaping the economic outlook in the world’s poorest places. One is of billions of people on the cusp of crisis — reeling from climate change, pandemic fallout, skyrocketing food prices and crushingly heavy national debt burdens. The other is about the enormous unrealised economic potential of the women who live within these communities…”.

Ifeoma Uddoh, a Nigerian fintech entrepreneur positively changing lives

April 16, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Shecluded, a female-focused fintech dedicated to creating economic prosperity for women through access to financial services.

Ifeoma Uddoh is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Shecluded, a female-focused FINTECH dedicated to creating economic prosperity for women through access to financial services. Since inception, Shecluded has been recognized internationally and was selected as one of NASDAQs milestone makers for its contribution to reducing inequality. Ifeoma is a Halcyon Fellow and her career spans over a decade in Consulting, Analytics, and Seed Funding for notable companies including PwC, and IROKO Partners Limited. Thanks to her hands-on experience with gender-lens financing, Ifeoma has featured on several entrepreneurship panels and master-classes hosted by First Bank, JohnHopkins University, Tekedia Institute, etc. She started her business in 2019, and today it employs 15 people.

Absa to extend energy grants to SMEs amid crises

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ronnie Mbatsane, Managing Executive, SME Business, Absa Relationship Banking

Struggling businesses will soon be able to apply for their share of the R50 million in grants to keep their businesses running. In a move aimed at supporting and growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Absa will be providing up to R50 million in energy subsidy under its Green Asset Finance programme for qualifying SMEs.

Unpacking the Contempt of Court process

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

Many litigants often find that getting recourse at Court only partially resolves all issues between them. It usually calls for referring the matter back even after it was concluded and is typically where a contempt of court application would follow.

The Key to Your Self-Care Goals Is Thinking Small and Here’s Why

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

When making progress on self-care goals, having a good intention is not enough. In my work as a coach and trainer, I know people genuinely have every good intention to show up on the calendar without guilt to make time for their self-care goals. They make promises to themselves, intending to honour them, but ultimately these agreements get broken. The excuses are coming from a good place — my boss needed something, I didn’t have enough time or my bed was too warm.

Building a Brand. What is branding, exactly?

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

What is branding, exactly? Contrary to popular belief, branding is far more than just a logo. Your customers’ first impression of your company is formed through your brand. Therefore, your brand experience should be encapsulated and epitomised in your branding. This can be achieved through various elements such as…

Is a Nocturnal Work Style Good For You? Here are 5 reasons why it’s not so bad - or is it?

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

I recently read an article with a lengthy discussion about people that are early risers and the positivity around that. Early birdies and worms. How a person can get lots more done in the early hours of the morning and that it is good for your body, soul and mind to jump up, get some sunshine at the early stage of the sunrise in the morning, feeling fresh and get so much more done. Right!

Embracing the Calm in the Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration by Stacy Igel

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

If you want to know how to protect your assets, from your brand, to your customers, to your cash flow, then Embracing the Calm in the Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration by Stacy Igel is a great read. This book will walk you through the highs and lows of creating a business: how to rise up from the midst of discouragement, what it’s like to hire and fire employees, collaborations with celebrities and philanthropic organizations, and the rollercoaster ride of making deals and partnerships.

Kenechukwu Augusta Okafor, a Nigerian entrepreneur passionate about women's empowerment and accessible, affordable healthcare

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Kenechukwu Augusta Okafor is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Gusta-Vines Global Limited and Africa Medical Marketplace Enterprise in Nigeria. She is passionate about women's empowerment, Africa, growth, and quality, accessible and affordable healthcare at the grassroots level. Kenechukwu has strong skills in organizational management, customer service relationships, and building positive human relationships.

Rebecca C. Sani, a Malawian entrepreneur building an organizational development consulting business

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Rebecca C. Sani, founder & Managing Director Resani Consulting (Malawi)

Startup Story

Rebecca C. Sani is the Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Consultant of Resani Consulting in Malawi. The name Resani incorporates her first name and her father's name as a tribute to his contribution to her professional development. She started off as an independent consultant who realized that she could not achieve the mission of Resani alone and therefore expanded her team. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Management (USA), an MBA in Finance (USA) and a Master of Management (DISTINCTION, USA). She is passionate about building teams and helping organizations run more efficiently. She is also the Financial Director and Board Member of Good Shepherd International School.

Tania Tome, a Catalyst in Leadership in Africa & Lusophone Countries

April 2, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Ecokaya, a one-stop-shop for building an entrepreneurship and leadership eco-system in Mozambique

Tania Tome is a serial entrepreneur, international speaker, elite coach and mentor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author in Mozambique. She is in demand as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and leadership in Africa and Lusophone countries. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience having co-founded Ecokaya and working with Ecokaya Corporate for the last 5 Years focusing on training, coaching, mentoring, and lectures in many countries. She also co-founded Womenice which focuses on women’s economic and leadership empowerment, and the fintech startup company focused on emerging markets. She is a published author, board member, and strategic advisor for several non-profit and social enterprise boards.

The Spirit of Warriors: Conceived in South Sudan, Born in Uganda, Discovered in America by Lilian Okech

April 2, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Lilian Okech is the author of The Spirit of Warriors, a book about how a young woman draws from her experience as a refugee and designs a successful life. She shares how she spent the first 15 years of her life in a refugee camp in Uganda, and her journey to the United States. She also shares how she survived sickness as a child, sexual abuse, constant hunger, and forced marriage to become a successful entrepreneur. This book will excite, inspire and most importantly help you to truly cultivate the spirit of a warrior.

Loyalty Programs. Everyone seems to be doing it, so it must be easy…

April 2, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Loyalty programs are all about one thing - keeping and increasing your top value customer base whilst avoiding the race to the bottom through cheaper pricing (which as we know, has no winners, although Walmart would probably beg to differ). If through skillful marketing you are also able to persuade customers that they are ‘saving up’ for the free cup of coffee or flight or… in the age of inflation and high interest rates, then that’s a serious home run!

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.