Echoes of Influence: Harnessing The Power of Storytelling As A Leadership Strategy by Mimi Kalinda

December 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In her new book, Echoes of Influence: Harnessing The Power of Storytelling As A Leadership Strategy, author Mimi Kalinda provides an essential guide to navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of global business, where technological leaps and socio-political shifts redefine traditional leadership paradigms. Mimi is a seasoned expert in global public relations and strategic communications, and her book explores the profound power of storytelling to transform leadership from a mere role into a resonant, impactful presence. Mimi’s insights teach leaders how to deeply connect with their teams, align with evolving organizational values, and navigate the complexities of a dynamic corporate world.

Women are uniquely situated to be agents of change, so should we not be asking more of those who control the money?

December 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa’s Operations Department

Lionesses of Africa is now ten years old. An incredible decade of serious work and deep-rooted support from so many inspirational leaders, not only across the continent, such as our 100 Lionesses and many, many others within our incredible community, but also the various Governments, banks, DFIs and corporates. All of them have tirelessly supported us and driven to the fore the need for African female founders to be taken seriously by all who profess to care about building our incredible continent from within, and with African businesswomen at the helm strengthening communities and delivering sustainable tax-paying businesses and of course, ‘good jobs’.

Veronique-Chantelle Mew, a South African entrepreneur building a superior quality clothing brand tailored for tall women

December 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Veronique-Chantelle Mew, founder, Tall Story (South Africa)

Startup Story

Veronique-Chantelle Mew is a Chartered Accountant, a certified Life Coach and Personal Trainer, a breast cancer survivor, and the founder of Tall Story, based in South Africa. While working as a Chartered Accountant in the corporate world, she felt limited by conforming to someone else's vision and knew deep down that she wanted to start something of her own. In 2016, she resigned from her directorship position at an international company, and decided to embark on her entrepreneurial journey. She was determined to pursue her passion, knowing that this was where her heart truly belonged. Veronique launched Tall Story in 2022.

Lilian Maira, a Kenyan sustainable fashion brand builder creating high quality, uniquely designed, and handcrafted bags

December 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lilian Maira, founder, Pambo Letu (Kenya)

Startup Story

Lilian Maira is a passionate advocate for sustainable fashion with nearly two decades of experience in the Kenyan fashion industry. As the founder of Pambo Letu, Lilian combines traditional African craftsmanship with modern design to create eco-friendly, handcrafted bags. She collaborates with a team of talented artisans to produce high-quality products using sustainable materials, empowering local communities through fair wages and global exposure. Driven by a deep commitment to environmental and social impact, Lilian continues to champion ethical practices and innovative solutions in the fashion world. The business was launched in 2019 and has created jobs for 15 people.

Screen your house and pet sitters

December 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

The holiday season is coming up and it’s time to start thinking about house sitters and pet sitters. These people will have unsupervised access to your home and your pets for the duration of your holiday. Many things could happen in a couple of days you’re away.

Discover Your Passion and Turn It into a Business

December 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Discovering your passion and turning it into a sustainable business is a journey that requires courage, self-awareness, and, above all, action. It's not uncommon to feel the pressure to follow a conventional path, but it's when we connect with our true passions that we find personal and professional fulfilment. On this journey, we not only learn how to generate income but also how to impact lives.

The Myth of Risk Aversion: Women in Business

December 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Daphney Klopper

In the world of business, the narrative that women are more risk-averse than men has persisted for decades. But is this perception rooted in reality, or is it a convenient stereotype that overlooks deeper, systemic issues?

Plan for Your Personal Growth

December 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

It was the question “What is your plan for your personal growth?” that made world-renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell ponder about his career aspirations and that has ignited his journey becoming one of the most respected authors about leadership and personal growth.

The Unstoppable Woman's Manifesto by Rochel Marie Lawson

November 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Author and entrepreneur, Rochel Marie Lawson, has written a book for all those women who are eager to elevate their entrepreneurial journeys. Dive into the pages of "Unstoppable Women's Manifesto", and harness the power of principles, perfectly curated for black women business leaders, to transform mere ideas into profitable ventures that run seamlessly without daily intervention. Join the journey with a seasoned entrepreneur as she unveils her potent formula, making this one of the essential small business books for women. Discover how to sculpt an unstoppable empire, designed particularly for ambitious women, without nearing the brink of burnout.

Echika Obijiaku, a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria

November 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Echika Obijiaku, founder, Mwanga (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Echika Obijiaku is the founder of Mwanga - a digital-first ethical debt recovery and business process outsourcing (BPO) firm dedicated to promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria. Trusted by some of the continent’s leading lenders, Mwanga is on a mission to get at least 10 million Africans out of debt by 2030. Echika’s Obijiaku background is multidisciplinary with experience in leading high-performing teams across industries. Echika is also a chartered accountant with the ACCA, UK . She has 16+ years of combined consulting experience with leading firms like Deloitte & Touché, Alexander Forbes Nigeria & South Africa and others.

Irina Samade, a floral design entrepreneur creating beautiful flower arrangements and gifts for every occasion

November 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Irina Samade, founder and floral designer, Frangipani Flores (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Irina Samade is the founder and floral designer at Frangipani Flores in Mozambique. She has been working with Floral Art for 15 years having taken a number of specialist floral arrangement courses in Portugal, Brazil, USA and Mozambique. Her passion for flowers started very early with her mother growing violets in their garden. Then, unconsciously, she started toying with making floral arrangements for family and friends' birthdays, but at that time was very far from thinking about being a florist or opening a floristry business. However, all that changed with the launch of her floral design business, Frangipani Flores in 2014. Today, she remains curious in this specialist area of floral design and is constantly inspired by the work of renowned florists around the world.

Zebeline Ertance, an impact driven agribusiness builder in Madagascar

November 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Videeko Vanilla, a business growing and exporting the highest quality premium Vanilla in Madagascar and creating economic opportunities for local women

Zebeline Ertance is the founder and managing partner of Videeko Vanilla ZP in Madagascar. Videeko Vanilla is a licensed exporter in Madagascar that grows, cures, and exports premium vanilla beans from its farms, it’s family-owned farms, and its cooperative in the Mananara Madagascar. Videeko support the local community in Mananara by employing over 100 local families, specifically woman, with high paying wages. Zebeline founded Videeko in 2019 and now employs over 100 people, many of them women from local communities. She has 20 years of experience in the vanilla industry.

The Power of Integration: Aligning Passion and Purpose in Entrepreneurship

November 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Sarah Dusek

Embracing who we truly are unlocks our true potential. As women entrepreneurs, we often face immense pressure to fit into certain molds—to appear a specific way, to act within socially accepted boundaries, and to pursue goals that align with what’s considered appropriate for us. We’re encouraged to be successful, but only in ways that fit society’s expectations. The truth is, when we bring our whole, authentic selves to our businesses—beyond those imposed limits—we can create opportunities not just for growth but for building something deeply aligned with who we are and the impact we want to make in the world.

Black Friday is coming: is your business ready to shine online?

November 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Vuyelwa Gxakushe

As Black Friday approaches, one thing is certain: your customers are already on the hunt for deals. They’re researching products, comparing prices, and planning their purchases. For you business owners, this is a golden opportunity. But here’s the catch—you won’t just magically appear in front of your customers. To stand out, your business needs to be found online, and your competitors are thinking the exact same thing. So, how do you make sure you’re the first choice when customers start searching for Black Friday deals? It all starts with getting prepared early and adjusting your marketing strategy for the busiest shopping season of the year.

Finishing 2024 strong and planning for 2025: you can’t hit a target you can’t see

November 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

As we approach the final weeks of 2024, now is the perfect time to reflect on the year so far, assess how far we've come, and set our sights on finishing strong. But as we look ahead, we must also think about how to position ourselves for success in 2025. After all, you can’t hit a target you can’t see.

The first steps to starting a business

November 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Starting a business can seem challenging, but with passion and dedication, it's possible to turn an idea into a successful reality. The key lies in identifying a problem you can solve, developing an effective solution, and from there, building something that makes a difference in people’s lives. I'll share a bit about my personal journey, which began with my own struggle and transformed into a skincare business focused on oily and acne-prone skin.

Celebrating 10 Years of Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Across Africa

November 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

A special 10 Year Anniversary message from Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

Today, 19 November 2024, marks a truly special milestone—Lionesses of Africa’s 10th anniversary! We began this incredible journey exactly a decade ago, launching on Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, 19 November 2014. It feels like just yesterday, yet the progress we’ve made together has been extraordinary. Throughout the years, one thing has remained steadfast: our commitment to our mission and Public Benefit Statement—to positively impact the lives of Africa’s women entrepreneurs, helping them grow and achieve their fullest potential, always free of charge.

The Abundance Decision: The Intersection of a Thriving Business and Fulfilling Life by Malorie Nicole

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Entrepreneur and author of The Abundance Decision: The Intersection of a Thriving Business and Fulfilling Life, Malorie Nicole, believes that abundance is an active choice, one we must consciously make every day if we aim to build a thriving business and lead a deeply fulfilled life. This choice hinges on gaining a clear understanding of your own identity, your values, and what drives you. However, in the world of entrepreneurship, maintaining such clarity can prove challenging, and visionary individuals often find themselves misaligned.

Nonceba Ndukula, a South African social entrepreneur with a vision to break the cycle of poverty and gender based violence

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Nonceba Ndukula, founder, Nabai Foundation (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nonceba Ndukula is the founder of Nabai Foundation in South Africa, a social impact organization with a vision to break the cycle of poverty and empower underserved communities through education. The foundation's Afternoon Enrichment Program, mentorship initiatives, and community projects reflect Nonceba’ s dedication to making a positive impact. She is a GBV-F Survivor, Coach, Business Administrator, Philanthropist and Mentor and an inspiring individual whose life journey has transformed adversity into a beacon of hope. As the founder of Nabai Foundation, Nonceba is a passionate advocate for education, community empowerment, and survivor support. Her personal experiences have fuelled her commitment to addressing the root causes of GBV-F and providing support to survivors. She is a Nominee of Sociopreneur of the Year 2023, Finalist in Women of Stature Awards, and a Nominee of Leading Women of Africa Awards.

Isabel Messias Tonela, a young Mozambican entrepreneur building a food processing business turning tubers into flour and chips

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Isabel Messias Tonela, founder, SBEL & Farinhas, SU, LDA (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Isabel Messias Tonela is a young Mozambican entrepreneur and the founder of SBEL & Farinhas, SU, LDA, a company focused on processing tubers for the production of flour and Chips. The company was founded in 2024 and is in its embryonic phase after Isabel won the Business Plan Competition implemented by (SEJE), through INJ and with the support of the World Bank. She is also a final year student on the Aquatic and Coastal Marine Biology course at Eduardo Mondlane University.

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