the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Refilwe Sebothoma
Many times I have been criticised for not taking the time to celebrate big moments and winnings in my life. And here is why: Although research has shown that celebrating milestones increase our intrinsic motivation to keep pursuing our goals, I have seen how celebrating too early and too long can be detrimental and seductive. This can easily give us a sense of “we have arrived” and in turn make us too familiar, complacent, and arrogant.
Leslie Jaroschek, founder and ceo, Authentic Botswana Tours (Botswana)
Startup Story
Leslie Jaroschek is the founder and ceo of Authentic Botswana Tours, a travel agency that attracts tourists from all over the world and offers Wildlife safari, Photography Safari, and Tented Safari experiences. Having obtained an MBA in International Tourism Management from Cyprus University, Leslie started her business in 2021, just after the COVID era. The company is 100% owned by Motswana women. Authentic Botswana Tours operates from Botswana and employs only Batswana.
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Rofiat Komolafe, founder, ROFEEA K (Nigeria)
Startup Story
Rofiat Komolafe is the Nigerian founder of the international fashion brand, ROFEEA K, a business that blends African and Western styles in a sizzling showcase. As the proud owner of a sourcing and apparel production business that has been transforming designers’ dreams into reality since 2013, she has built a client list both at home and abroad. Rofiat is living proof that dedication and determination can make dreams come true. Rofiat’s fashion journey began with a simple blog and personal shopping business when she moved to the USA, which quickly opened the door to her passion for fashion design. With her savvy business skills, she was able to explore different sectors of the fashion industry to build her business. Rofiat is also a big believer in giving back to the community and empowering people by creating jobs and now employs 12 people.
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Rukssana Saide
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Dream Agrobusiness Lda, a high-impact business empowering local communities through an agri-value chain.
Rukssana Saide is the founder of Dream Agrobusiness Lda in Mozambique, an impact-driven business established in 2016 and employing 30 people. She balances life as a mother, woman, and entrepreneur. Rukssana has a degree in accounting and auditing and a master’s degree in business management, but with a passion for land and community. Throughout her professional career, Rukssana worked in financial areas, but it was her passion for agriculture where she felt the sense of contributing to transforming lives. Currently Rukssana works with the community and in the community looking for solutions for a prosperous future for future generations.
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Deborah Kevin and Jill Celeste
Book Review
In their new book, Heart-Centered Marketing, authors Deborah Kevin and Jill Celeste have a solution to all those women entrepreneurs who are tired of using traditional marketing methods that are misaligned with their values or mission. They share valuable insights on how to promote your business authentically and effectively while staying true to your purpose. If you would like to grow your business in a way that generates revenue and creates a positive change in the world, then this is the book for you.
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by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General says (here): “Better data is the indispensable scaffolding that supports progress across all the SDGs,” and the UN and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data have checked this and tell us (here) that there is “an average return of $32 for every $1 invested in strengthening data systems in low and middle income countries.”
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by Lori Milner
Some of us need accountability partners, like hiring a personal trainer to get us to the gym or joining a group so we have other people to motivate us. The problem with this approach is that you always rely on others to keep your promises to yourself. What happens if they don't show up? Will you keep the commitment or be silently grateful you got out of the run or the gym session?
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by Brigette Mashile
One of the biggest challenges we face as businesspeople is realizing that YOU DID IT. Most of the time it is because while the success of that is happening, another hurdle is appearing. Or the very success is coming with bigger challenges and you are aware you are not ready for all of them. Therefore, we don’t sit in the success, we don’t take the time to see that we have achieved a task list we set out to achieve.
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by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie
Our logical mind is an imbecile. Too slow to see what is happening right in front of of it, only to be gobsmacked when it finally catches up by the clues strewn all around it. This is the story of my logical mind this past week.
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by Phillipa Geard
The year 2024 is in full swing and stands as a crucial juncture in workplace dynamics, setting the stage for the future of work. Traditional, rigid work practices are fading into obscurity, making way for a landscape characterized by technology, skill diversification, and flexibility.
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Carla Mahumane
Lioness Launch
Mozambican environmental consultancy, Redes de Luxo e Servicos, founded by Carla Mahumane, aims to contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems through female and community empowerment. The business has launched a new product line of accessories and clothing using recycled fishing nets. The business is not only providing an environmental solution to the problem of discarded fishing nets, but is also upskilling local women and girls. Redes de Luxo e Servicos has also developed training programmes for women and girls in cutting and sewing techniques and weaving fishing nets to produce accessories such as bags, earrings, necklaces, wallets, and clothes from the reuse of discarded fishing nets.
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Lovable Shiro Dladla, founder, Luvast emp (South Africa)
Startup Story
Lovable Shiro Dladla is the founder of Luvast emp in South Africa, the umbrella company for her two companies, Luvast Bakery and Luvast Baby Pureer. Luvast emp started in 2020 and has been growing ever since. Luvast bakery deals with baked goods and also teaches baking lessons and caters specifically for children’s events. Luvast baby food for now just deals with baby food puree, an organic baby food puree with no preservatives or sweeteners. The business makes its baby food in its most natural form, and is currently in the process of being approved.
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Roxanne Campbell, founder, designer & creative director, Victoria Orpen Jewellers (South Africa)
Startup Story
Roxanne Campbell is the founder, designer, and creative director of Victoria Orpen Jewellers, a luxury goods manufacturer and sales business launched in 2015 in South Africa. As an entrepreneur in the jewellery design and manufacturing industry, she is a goldsmith by profession. Roxanne recently completed an enterprise development programme in diamond manufacture and processing. Her work experience extends beyond a jeweller and diamantaires bench, to international trade shows in Paris, Miami, and New York, to liaising with clients in Scotland, London, Denmark, New Jersey, and Chicago for new business development and sales within the luxury goods sector.
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Amanda Etuk
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Messenger, a logistics platform that provides financing and aggregation for end-to-end logistics and supply chain operations in Nigeria
Amanda Etuk, co-founder of the Nigerian logistics solutions business, Messenger, is an accomplished, results-driven business management professional. She has a depth of experience in supply chain management, logistics and distribution, and sales and marketing. Amanda has a proven track record of business optimization. She has driven the competitiveness of organizations in the healthcare industry, the FMCG sector, e-commerce, and logistics, where her passion lies. In all her roles, she has delivered business and revenue growth and efficiency gains, and successfully strengthened client relationships.
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Liz Steblay
Book Review
Veteran solopreneur and nationally recognized mentor and advocate for self-employed professionals, Liz Steblay, knows what it takes to succeed in business. Her new book, Succeeding as a Solopreneur, is the definitive guide to launching and growing your own business as a self-employed professional. For current and aspiring solopreneurs, this book will help you master the critical steps for achieving success at every stage of your solopreneur journey, from determining if you’re ready to “go for it” to setting a marketing and pricing strategy to lowering your tax rate to keep more of what you earn.
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by Lori Milner
When my son was seven, he asked me for a guitar. I was elated because I thought he was tapping into some creative instinct, so I was happy to go along. He sat down with the guitar and then burst into tears a few minutes later because he had imagined he would pick up the guitar and instantly be able to play. He hadn't considered there would be lessons, hours of practice and feeling out of his depth in between. That's not what he signed up for. He wanted instant gratification! That's what TV and YouTube had sold him, and he wanted the dream. Now! He wanted the outcome without the messy process.
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by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw | SchoemanLaw Inc | Specialist Technology, Commercial and Contract Law Attorney
Whether a loan agreement or acknowledgement of debt ("AOD") falls under the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 ("NCA") and specifically meets the criteria of being at arm's length could be the line between enforcement of an agreement and it all falling apart.
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by Vuyelwa Gxakushe
Launching a business during the cold months can present unique challenges, but with the right marketing strategies, you can turn the chill into an opportunity for growth. As an AI-driven company specialising in Google Ads for small businesses, we understand the importance of leveraging technology and creativity to maximise your success. Here are five effective marketing strategies to help you thrive during the cold months.
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by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie
What enables some people to emerge from challenges with their lives recreated, and even strengthened, while others crumble in a crisis? This is such a vital question for anyone who is seeking a rewarding relationship with their career, leadership, loved ones, and life if general. We live in a world where things change at unprecedented speeds; and resilience and flexibility are becoming essential life skills, without which we never be able to live beyond our survival zones, let alone in our comfort zones.
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Suzanne Tregenza Moore
Book Review
In her debut book, Hang On Tight!, Suzanne Tregenza Moore addresses one of the key challenges of being an entrepreneur - how to navigate the ups and downs of the business building journey. She reminds us all that, when we feel like we are riding a roller coaster with its highs and lows—financially, physically, and emotionally - we are not alone. Women entrepreneurs experience all these things and more while building a business and concurrently caring for loved ones. So Suzanne says, buckle in and learn to ride with arms stretched high as you yell, “Woohoo” instead of gripping the safety bar in terror.
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