What we're loving this week

January 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

In this week’s Woman Made In Africa showcase this week, we introduce you to Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating world-class products that the world wants to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Adèle Dejak, founder of Adèle Dejak in Kenya; Maureen Obaweya, founder of Morin O Designs in Nigeria; Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, founder of Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique; Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, cofounders of Reform Studio in Egypt; and Alice Kivuva, founder of Five Stars Africa in Kenya.

Sonja Cilliers & Maryke Groenewald, co-founders focused on developing neuro-based resources specifically for legal practitioners

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Sonja Cilliers & Maryke Groenewald, founders, The Professional Mind Resilience Institute (South Africa)

Startup Story

The Professional Mind Resilience Institute, empowers legal practitioners to attain unparalleled excellence, find balance in their personal lives, and transcend the boundaries of traditional legal practice in South Africa. The business, which launched in 2024, is on a mission is to enhance cognitive abilities, personal resilience, and professional expertise through comprehensive courses and workshops tailored specifically for legal professionals.

Nonkululeko Williams, an entrepreneur building a South African-based skincare brand specifically formulated for melanin-rich skin

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Nonkululeko Williams, founder and CEO, Luminous Era (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nonkululeko Williams is the founder and CEO of Luminous Era, a South Africa-based skincare brand dedicated to addressing the unique skincare needs of individuals with diverse skin tones, focusing on effective solutions for issues such as sunburn, aging, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. Her vision is to expand the brand internationally and tap into the pan-African market. With over six years of entrepreneurial experience, Nonkululeko has dedicated herself to researching the skincare industry, identifying her target market, and honing in on her passion and niche.

Lioness Launch / Nigeria’s Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa brand launches three new revolutionary skincare products

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Mimi Whyte Femi, founder, Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa, the Nigerian skincare brand launched by Mimi Whyte Femi in 2012, and known as a sanctuary for skin healing and beauty enhancement, announces three new revolutionary products in its range. Founded by someone who understands the personal battle with skin issues, the brand’s mission is to provide holistic, personalized skincare solutions. From inception, the brand has been dedicated to transforming skin health through organic, scientifically-backed treatments and products, offering everything from facials to advanced laser therapies, all tailored to individual skin types and concerns.

The Whisper Way: The Secret Formula for Women Entrepreneurs to Scale and Sell for Life-Changing Money by Carrie Kerpen

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

The Whisper Way: The Secret Formula for Women Entrepreneurs to Scale and Sell for Life-Changing Money by Carrie Kerpen is a game-changing guide for women to turn their lifestyle businesses into sellable life-changing assets, closing the exit gap, and ensuring they earn as as much as their male counterparts—if not more.

Perhaps like Justice, VC and bank lending should be blind…

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Firstly, an apology. We had previously written that the amount of investment from the VC world that flows into all-women founded businesses each year was stuck firmly at 2%. There was nothing it seemed we or the world could do. No matter how large the amount of money that ticked the 2X Challenge boxes, no matter the amount of time spent on this iniquitous issue, and no matter the amount of times we highlighted this, 2% always seems to be the result. The other 98% consisted of a mixed founding teams (usually around 20% of total) or all male (making up the balance of 78-80%).

The Power of Small Daily Habits for Big Success

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

January is here, and with it comes the buzz of big goals, vision boards, and promises to ourselves that this year will be different. But let’s be honest—setting goals is the easy part. The real magic happens in the small, daily actions that bring those goals to life.

My QTR - My Quality Time Remaining

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

This year has been the year where I heard and adopted the phrase “MY QTR” - My quality time remaining. There comes a moment in life when we realize the clock is ticking - not in a way that feels rushed or urgent, but in a way that whispers of the preciousness of the time we have remaining. It’s a sobering and clarifying truth: life is finite. And in that realization lies a profound opportunity to live with greater intention, vitality, and joy.

Does the World Economic Forum Matter to SMEs?

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

The World Economic Forum (WEF) often seems to be the domain of large public policymakers and multinational corporations (MNCs). However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can learn from the conversations and insights shared at events like Davos—this year, particularly around geopolitics, the future of work, sustainability, social responsibility, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Customer Service Excellence: Handling Customer Complaints - A Process-Centric Approach

January 23, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates

Customer complaints are an inevitable part of business, but how an organization responds defines its reputation and future success. A process-centric approach to complaint handling ensures consistency, builds trust, and turns negative experiences into opportunities for growth.

The Art of Acceleration: How to create big opportunities for small business by Catherine Wijnberg

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

The Art of Acceleration, the groundbreaking new book by Catherine Wijnberg, entrepreneur and founder of Fetola, is a blueprint for entrepreneurs transforming economies. It provides key insights into how small businesses, driven by resilient entrepreneurs, can be the key to fostering economic growth, reducing inequality, and uplifting communities.

South African interior designer Kim Williams launches new RAKGADI African Toile Interior Range

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

South Africa’s vibrant heritage deserves to be celebrated every day, and the newly launched Kim Williams RAKGADI African Toile Interior Range powerfully encapsulates this essence. First unveiled at Decorex Cape Town in 2024, the range was born from the dynamic collaboration between esteemed Cape Town based interior designer Kim Williams and acclaimed fashion designer Jessica Jane Molebatsi. The collection, inspired by the essence of togetherness and the powerful role of South African women in our lives, beautifully blends the rich symbolism of local culture with modern design, showcasing a commitment to community, heritage, and beauty. Part of the stunning selection of home décor items includes elegant placemats designed to instantly elevate any table setting, along with a beautifully crafted carpet collection in partnership with Airloom.

What we're loving this week

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

At Lionesses of Africa, there is nothing we like to do more than celebrate all things Woman Made In Africa, showcasing the world-class products being created by Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs. Catching our attention this week are: Wunmi Olufeko, founder, Design for Love (DFL) Nigeria; Ana Alecia Lyman, founder, Oleos de Miombo, Mozambique; Rahel Mwitula Williams, founder, ILAVA (Tanzania/Kenya); Adenike Ogunlesi, founder Ruff n Tumble (Nigeria); Ntombenhle Khathwane, founder, Afrobotanics (South Africa).

Phindiwe Nqanqaru, a South African tech entrepreneur passionate about empowering women and girls with digital skills

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Phindiwe Nqanqaru, Co-founder & Director, BabesGotBytes (South Africa)

Startup Story

Phindiwe Nqanqaru is a passionate Full-Stack Developer, Co-founder, and Director of Operations at BabesGotBytes, an organization dedicated to teaching digital skills and coding to women and girls in underserved communities across South Africa. As a recognized Women TechMakers Ambassador and an award-winning leader, Phindiwe advocates for diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry and mentors aspiring developers. Driven by a love for tech and community impact, Phindiwe is shaping a brighter future for women in technology. BabesGotBytes was launched in 2019 and has created jobs for 9 people.

Yara Galiano, a passion-driven Angolan entrepreneur transforming coconuts into world-class processed products

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Yara Galiano, founder, Segredos do Paraíso (Angola)

Startup Story

Segredos do Paraíso, a business celebrating the authentic characteristics and purity of coconut, processed and beautifully packaged for the world to enjoy. What makes Segredos do Paraíso, founded by Yara Galiano, products special is that they are 100% natural, because the business only processes the coconut from one state to another in order to obtain its different products, using the cold press method. The business was launched in February 2023 and has created jobs for 3 people.

The Journey Toward Clarity in CSR Development for SMEs

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

In today’s dynamic business landscape, clarity is essential for the successful development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, particularly within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Drawing from the findings of my recent SME CSR Study, I aim to illustrate how clarity plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of CSR development across various phases and locations.

Brewing Change: Meet 6 Inspiring Women-Led Coffee Brands Redefining Africa’s Coffee Culture

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Spotlight

For true coffee enthusiasts, Africa is much more than the birthplace of coffee—it’s the soul of the global coffee story. From Ethiopia’s ancient highlands, where coffee cultivation began, to the bustling farms and cooperatives that dot the continent today, Africa’s coffee heritage is as rich and nuanced as the flavors it produces.

Wanjiru Mambo, a passion-driven Kenyan potato processing pioneer

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Wedgehut Foods Limited, a Kenyan business revolutionizing Africa's food security through a robust potato value chain

Wanjiru Mambo is a Kenyan entrepreneur focused on reshaping Africa's agrarian landscape one potato at a time. As founder and director of Wedgehut Foods Ltd, she combines entrepreneurial skill with a commitment to uplift farmers and enhance food security across the continent. She has forged key alliances with Equity Bank, Syngenta E.A, Seed Producers and the National Potatoes Council of Kenya, transforming the potato value chain and ensuring top-quality produce reaches every corner of the nation and beyond. Wanjiru’s hands-on approach extends from the boardroom to the fields, fostering sustainable growth with small-scale farmers. Honored with the Zuri Awards (Agriculture Impact) 2023, AGRA WAYA (Woman of the Year Agripreneur Award) 1st runners up. My leadership includes collaborations with KIEP 250+, the World Bank, and Partners in Food Solutions. My passion is revolutionizing Africa's food security through a robust potato value chain. Wedgehut Foods Ltd was started in 2021 and today has 35 employees.

Customer Service Excellence: How to Create Seamless Onboarding Processes for New Customers

January 15, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” – Will Rogers

A seamless onboarding process sets the tone for long-term customer satisfaction and retention. For SMEs, onboarding isn’t just about signing up new clients—it’s about delivering value quickly, building trust, and laying the foundation for lasting relationships. Here’s how to design onboarding processes that create a smooth experience and drive growth.

What we're loving this week

January 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

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