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Bootstrapping – the often “unsung hero” of funding your business

May 17, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

It is no secret that there is a huge challenge in access to funding generally and specifically for women-owned businesses. In fact, I recently read somewhere that the funding gap globally is $300 billion for funding women-owned businesses. Access to traditional funding remains skewed, with women entrepreneurs receiving a fraction of available capital globally. We therefore need to look at other means, where possible, of funding, especially our start-ups, on our way to building our businesses.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Funding
Comment

South African Business Deregistration Alert: Make sure your business is not at risk!

March 23, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

Fellow Lionesses, it’s been a minute! As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting deeply on my journey in 2024—the lessons I have learned and the priorities I am setting for the year ahead.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

Happy 2025 - My Lessons from 2024

January 5, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

Fellow Lionesses, it’s been a minute! As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting deeply on my journey in 2024—the lessons I have learned and the priorities I am setting for the year ahead.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

About being ghosted

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

What does the term “ghosting” even mean? I looked it up on Google and this is what comes up: “Ghosting is when someone who used to be friendly or even romantic with you suddenly cuts off all communication without explanation. While most people think of ghosting in a digital context, meaning a friend or dating partner stops responding to texts, emails, calls, etc., it can happen across all social circumstances.” For me, where it says it can happen across all social circumstances, this is true. However, I daresay it happens across the spectrum, professionally too.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Ethics
Comment

Let’s talk about payment, late payment or non-payment issues

September 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

All in the day of a small business owner in South Africa.

It’s been a minute and my creative writing juices dried up while I was chasing some business opportunities and non-paying clients out there. So, these past few weeks, I have been finalizing some projects, dealing with good news of funding applications I submitted on behalf of clients being successful and all sorts of other things. My spirits have been high after landing these successes and I was excited at the prospect of my bank balance swelling, if only a little bit.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Management Advice
Comment

Should it be more about attention management and less about time management?

March 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

Counting the number of hours spent on any given task, is it really practical? I know that in some management consulting firms, pay is arrived at using time-sheets of how much time you have spent on a particular project. I have also come across APPS that help you manage your timesheet to make it easier to collate and send to those who will be paying you for your time and maybe vice-versa - it could be you paying a consultant/contractor you have hired, based on time.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, People Management
Comment

Being bullied and harassed in the workplace - My Story

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

There have been a lot of articles, social media posts and research done on this topic of bullying and harassment in the workplace. It seems that this is a huge challenge festering and lurking out there and one is left wondering if, like issues of sexual harassment, discrimination etc, which some companies even go to the extent of having an HR Policy about, are the ones that occupy our minds more.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, People Management
Comment

Is there such as thing as divorcing a client?

November 5, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

I am an independent business consultant, meaning I earn my revenue from paying clients, who are prepared to pay for my time and expertise. I get most of my clients from word-of-mouth, followed by social media. In the last few years since I started this consultancy, I have realized that it is very important to know your worth and be confident in what you can deliver. If you don’t know your worth, you will be chopping and changing things such as your fees, the minute a client complains about your fees. You don’t want to get into such a debate with a client, especially if the client is not even one of those that contribute a lot towards your monthly revenue. Once you get into such a debate, then rest assured the client will always come back to you with this line of cornering you into lowering your fees.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Customer Management
Comment

Why is it so difficult to ask for help?

July 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

In an article that I recently read, which led me to a TED talk with the same topic by Heidi Grant, I came across some very useful tips, coupled with a deeper understanding of why I am always struggling to ask for help. I used to be the top student in my class since primary school and getting a prize at every prize-giving ceremony was etched in my childhood memory. Seeing my parents sitting there and watching with pride as I stood up to claim my prize. I never participated in any sports. Could it be that the individual achievement was an incentive for me to perform well and that all the praises were for me and not a team? Could it be that I valued being viewed as an independent person who was good at solving her own challenges without “bothering” others and asking for help? Luckily, as I progressed in life, I quickly learnt that collaborating and asking for help is very normal and was not a sign of weakness on my part.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

My journey of “heart-breaks” in choosing business partners and associates - what I have learnt

April 17, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

In my line of work, as a sole business owner of my consulting business, I often rely on a professional network of associate consultants to get some of my work done. Example - if there is a specific project that I want to work on, be it responding to a published tender or putting together a proposal for a specific project, I often prefer to gather professionals in my networks to ensure we put our best foot forward and we offer a team with as diverse skills as possible. I also welcome other consultants approaching me to work with them on their own projects, especially if I can add value to their projects.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

Are New Year’s Resolutions Still Relevant in My Life? 

January 16, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

2021 is gone and here we are in the first days of 2022, with 52 weeks at our disposal. The first weeks of January, that crazy time when we are tempted to put together some new year’s resolutions that we may never look at again until 2023 comes, and we do the same exercise again.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Personal Development
Comment

Funding - The F’ Word in Business

October 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Serotlo

Often in my line of business I come across lots and lots of small business owners who are looking for funding for their business. Clearly access to funding is one of the biggest challenges that small businesses are faced with. To begin with, I think the big question is, actually do you really need the funding? Have you looked at other options? What are these other options?

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Raising Capital
Comment

Three Lessons Learnt - My life from Corporate to Business Owner of a Franchised Store

January 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken
pablo-1398.png

By Teboho Seretlo

A little bit about me. I have worked for more than 25 years in corporates since 1989. These included Unilever, SAB, The Coca Cola Company, Momentum and finally Nedbank. I held various positions from being a technical trainee going through the brilliant graduate programmes of these illustrious companies. These positions offered me very well-rounded general management skills, from logistics, financial management, project management, human resources as well as transformation/B-BBEE.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Entrepreneurial Journey
Comment

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series - Navigating Artificial Intelligence In The Workplace

Lioness Radio Show Special Episode: Navigating AI in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe

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