Over the centuries, generations of people have been defined by historic events, such as wars, economic depressions, financial crises, to name but a few. I myself am a member of the baby boomer generation, defined by the post World War II population spike that occurred globally. Our daughters are millennial and Gen Z members, born in an era of global financial and environmental crises. We are all shaped by the environments into which we are born and raised. Today, as we are dealing with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, and it has disrupted the world that these generations have come to know, changing their future seemingly overnight. These generations are growing up with a different view of the world. They have seen career and job security change; they are seeing the way they learn change, moving to digital and virtual; they are viewing travel differently; they are demanding social and economic equality for front-line and essential workers, placing greater value on their work in society; and they are blaming previous generations for not caring or taking action sooner. The next generation of entrepreneurs will be shaped by Coronavirus and their desire to create a better, kinder, safer world.

I am a big fan of supporting local food supply chains, buying produce from local urban farmers and small businesses that create niche food products using that produce. One of my favourite things in life has always been going to outdoor food markets, meeting local independent farmers, buying produce that has been lovingly grown and made. It might not be possible right now to go to such markets, but it is still possible to buy from our local urban farmers using some of the fast growing digital delivery services that support them. One of the challenges of modern living is that often residents of sprawling industrial and commercial cities often become detached from where their food comes from and how it is produced. In South Africa, entrepreneur Josephine Katumba, founder of Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions, is reconnecting people with their food and the environment through urban agriculture. She has a vision of growing a community of 10,000+ urban farmers in the country’s cities who are conscious about producing great, fresh food for city dwellers, and encouraging local supply chains to buy from these independent urban farmers. This type of model is growing elsewhere in the world, it has such great potential in African cities if we as consumers are prepared to support them through our own personal buying habits.

I have found myself becoming a huge consumer of news through this pandemic, watching incessant media coverage and analysis, reading vast numbers of newspaper articles, and trying to make some kind of sense of it all. I am sure like you, it has certainly made me reflect on how fragile life is, and how it is so critical that we all support one another to get through these difficult times. One thing that has become apparent is that a crisis of this magnitude brings out both the best and worst in human beings. I have seen courageous women entrepreneurs supporting each other through the toughest of times, offering help and business advice, and just being there as a shoulder to cry on when needed. And yet, I have also seen the worst of human behaviour - for example, at the peak of the pandemic, people clearing supermarket shelves and bulk buying hand sanitizer and toilet paper for themselves, meaning that others have to go without. Ultimately, we are all human beings sharing the same planet, depending on one another as a species. By respecting one another, and working together for the benefit of everyone, we will get through this pandemic, hopefully stronger and more resilient.

For the greater part of this year, we have all been faced with the dilemma of not being able to shake hands with people we meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gone are the days when the business handshake was a pivotal part of relationship building - remember when ‘sealing the deal with a handshake’ was the norm? Instead, we see world leaders and entrepreneurs alike having to find new ways to greet one another courteously and in a friendly manner when doing business. The reality is that, even when this current crisis is over, the tradition of shaking hands with a business colleague, client, or partner, may be a thing of the past. It is quite possible that a new generation of young people who are starting on their entrepreneurial journeys now, will never know the handshake as a traditional business greeting. They are already finding new ways of doing things - they communicate differently, they engage with one another digitally, they greet one another differently. In business, it will be the same. So, it might well be that the new generation of entrepreneurs will never know the business handshake as we have known it.

My early morning walk always makes me notice something new, or gives me the opportunity to think about things differently. This week, on one of my walks through the park, I was surprised by the increasing number of entrepreneurs who were reinventing their business offerings and taking them outdoors to their clients. During my walk, I noticed women yoga instructors holding live outdoor sessions; energetic fitness instructors guiding their clients through their work-outs; personal development consultants meeting with clients for one-on-one sessions; videos being filmed; and business advisors meeting with entrepreneurs to brainstorm new strategies. The days when business can only be done in the workplace are over. Instead, there is something fresh and life affirming about reinventing business models to work outdoors, where clients feel safe and inspired at the same time. It’s another practical example of how entrepreneurs are responding and adapting to this new business environment we find ourselves in.

Over the past few months, since this pandemic started to wreak havoc on the retail business sector globally, I have seen at first hand just how it is changing the face of shopping as we know it. I can speak from personal experience and tell you that my own shopping habits have changed completely. I now buy everything online and I make carefully considered purchasing decisions, looking to support smaller, independent retailers who align to my values. It seems I am not alone. This crisis is creating a new ‘kindness economy’, one that puts a value on knowing how something has been produced, who created it, what impact it had on a local community or industry sector. Our high streets are already changing due to the economic impact of the pandemic. As big retailers are going out of business or changing their business models to adapt, it creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive in this new retail reality. Consumers are looking to make their purchases count, to support small businesses that resonate with their values, to make kind retail decisions. As entrepreneurs, we need to embrace this new kindness economy and make it work for us.

Has this ever happened to you? I was reading the New York Times and a headline article caught my attention - it said “air travel surges by 123%”. I was compelled to continue reading as it suggested that the aviation industry was beginning to bounce back from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As someone who usually spends a lot of time travelling by plane, I was interested to know more. However, upon closer reading, this headline and the data was misleading. Yes, the percentage of air travel had indeed gone up 123% over a 7 day period, but the reality is that is was already down by 96% because of the pandemic, and the resulting planes and people not flying. A 123% increase in travelers from a very low base is actually not something to get excited about. So the real data behind the headline told a very different economic impact story. The lesson to learn from this misleading headline is this: as we are trying to readjust to this ‘new normal’ in life and business, we need to take a close look at all the data which could affect us, and make decisions based on fact, not a good headline.

I was watching a CNBC interview with Eric Ries this month, the author of The Lean Startup, a book I am sure many of you will have read - it has sold over a million copies after all! He was speaking about how many really innovative companies that changed entire business sectors and models, such as Airbnb, were created during a crisis. In their case, it was the global financial crisis in 2008. He made an interesting observation, noting that after a crisis, people are hungry for change, they want things to be done differently. As a result, this creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate, to create new ways of thinking and doing things. He pointed to an incredible flourishing of entrepreneurs who have emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, finding solutions to specific and urgent challenges - for example, pivoting businesses to produce much-needed medical supplies via 3D printing. Eric believes that there’s plenty more scope for aspiring business leaders to “take the plunge and give it a shot.” I couldn’t agree more, I think we will see a new generation of women entrepreneurs across the continent creating innovative solutions to the new challenges we are facing in this post-pandemic time.

This week, I was reminded about how the small things in life are actually some of the most important to our physical and mental wellbeing. During the past two months of lockdown and not being able to go for my usual daily sunrise walk in the park, I turned to home workouts. Like many of you, I am sure, I found some great online workout videos and turned my lounge into my temporary gym and meditation room. For an hour each morning, getting some exercise and some quiet meditation time to just reflect before starting the day, brought a sense of peace. However, now that lockdown is gradually starting to lift, the joy of being able to go out for that early morning walk is immense. There is a reason that numerous studies show that walking outdoors, getting close to nature, and being in the sunshine, are great for our health and wellbeing. I realize just how much I have missed the simple act of walking outdoors in nature each day. So if there is one positive I can take away from this lockdown crisis period, it is to appreciate the small things in life that we so often take for granted.

I am always humbled by just how incredibly supportive our Lionesses of Africa community members can be - and this has certainly been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns. When we gave a rallying cry to our community that we all needed to come together, to share our experiences, insights and advice for our Business Unusual portal, so many of you rose to the challenge. Each week, we publish your stories, your blogs, your video chats and your podcasts. You honestly share how you are all feeling and coping with the challenges that this crisis has created in your businesses and in your lives generally. It is this open-hearted sharing and connecting with one another that has proved to be such an inspirational life-line for so many of our Lionesses who have been taking real strain. As we all now adapt to the new normal in our lives and businesses, more than ever it is important that we are there to support and inspire one another. So please keep sharing your thoughts, experiences and advice on our Business Unusual portal - that’s the power of community in action.

With everything the world is going through at the moment, I have become very conscious of how incredible human beings are at becoming stronger when faced with real adversity. I suppose that’s where the quote, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” comes from. I read an article which used the analogy of how pushing through adversity is like exercising our bodies. When we want to get fitter and stronger, we push ourselves to our limits on the treadmill, on the exercise bikes, or lifting weights. We take ourselves out of our comfort zones and instead of jogging we run - faster and over longer distances. We demand more from ourselves and our bodies to cope with the hard work that needs to be done to achieve our goals. So, when we are faced with real adversity and challenging, stressful circumstances, we are forced to generate greater strength to cope. Whilst it doesn’t make the situation any easier, it does mean we can rise higher to meet it and find the necessary solutions to survive.

I was reading through my morning news recently when an article on managing entrepreneur stress caught my attention. It quoted the famous saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” meaning that when we get really stressed and are heading for burnout, we are not helping ourselves, our businesses, or our employees. As hard as it is right now, trying to keep our businesses going through these tough times, taking care of ourselves is also imperative. It is essential to dedicate time to ensuring we stay healthy, calm, energized and focused. We will need all of these attributes to get us through this situation. So, no matter how much work there is to do, how many challenges you are dealing with, you need to also recharge yourself at the end of each day. Remember that as an empty cup, you are no use to anyone. You have a responsibility to yourself, the business and your employees, to manage your stress levels and take care of yourself. The calmer you are, the better you will be able to make the necessary decisions to steer your business forward into the future.

During this pandemic and its lockdowns which we are experiencing in our different countries, I am sure like me you have been reflecting on how much we miss our human connections. It seems like such a long time since many of us got together in person. For me, the last time I met with my fellow Lionesses was at our Startup Night! Africa London event in January. Since then I have become very aware of how much I miss our community. I miss the opportunity to get together in person for laughter, hugs, news sharing, celebrating, and so much more. Making and maintaining positive human connections are vital to our personal wellbeing and that of our businesses. So in these very different times, we need to improve our ability to communicate and reach out to our fellow Lionesses. We need to get more innovative and harness the power of digital to connect. We need to do the small things, such as reaching out to organize a virtual coffee catch up. We need to check in with our fellow entrepreneurs to see how they are doing in business, and how we can help. And, we need to be there with virtual hugs when things are hard.

How often do you hear someone say that individual people can’t change the world? I was reminded this week about how that is simply not true. We all have it in our power to make change happen in our own way. I needed to buy a new toothbrush, and being conscious about being kind to the planet, I wanted to find one that was sustainable, vegan, and not made of plastic. (Did you know that 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are produced every year? Shockingly, the majority of these end up in oceans and landfills.) I came across The Humble Co. a socially conscious business in Sweden, led by a passion-driven dentist, which is leading a small revolution in personal care products. The Humble brushes are 100% biodegradable and made from bamboo; the packaging is recyclable; and the company supports a global children’s oral care programme through its Humble Smile Foundation. It is a business that is positively changing lives each day. The company is a great example of how it is possible for one person to make a difference in the world - having a big vision to do good business whilst also doing good for society. Now every time I brush my teeth I think about The Humble Co. slogan, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”

I love mornings! Those of you who have met me in person will know that I am a real morning person, full of energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead. Just don’t ever invite me to a late night event, I would struggle to stay awake! I have learned over the years that I am at my most productive early in the morning - it’s also my best writing and reflection time. So, to start my day on the most positive note, I have developed my own personal morning ritual. I thought I would share it with you this morning. My alarm goes off at 5am, I jump out of bed to turn it off and I immediately start my routine. I make a cup of my favourite Rooibos tea and I open all the windows to breathe in the fresh morning air. I sit at my favourite table in the window, taking a moment to look at the city waking up. I carefully place my Kindle, my notebook, my pen and my laptop in front of me, and I gather my thoughts. I write in my journal for one hour to work through any challenges or to gain essential insights, and then I am ready to start the day in earnest. My daily morning ritual works for me! I would love to hear about your morning rituals that kickstart your business day - drop me a line here.

Who would have thought just a few months ago that the concept of remote working would become normal for most of us? And people’s response to this new reality has been really interesting to watch. Many businesses have seen their employees embrace the opportunity to manage their work lives in their home environments, and as a result, have become more productive without the usual distractions of the workplace. No more unnecessary meetings; no time consuming travel; all essential meetings taking less time; higher productivity levels; happier employees; embracing of new technology. Whilst this new way of working and running businesses remotely is not possible for everyone and every business, the potential advantages are definitely being felt by many. Having spoken to many women entrepreneurs across the continent during this challenging period, remote working is definitely going to become a permanent fixture for their businesses going forward once this crisis is over.

If the past few weeks has taught us anything, it’s that we need one another, we need our human connections, and we cannot get through difficult times alone. My faith in human nature has been reaffirmed during this pandemic. I have seen inspirational front-line workers tirelessly battling to keep patients alive. I have seen community members reaching out to support one another. I have seen fellow women entrepreneurs reaching out to one another across countries and continents to offer words of support and advice. And I have seen huge acts of kindness as women entrepreneurs have stepped out of their own businesses to donate their goods and services to those most in need. Social distancing may have made it difficult to make our usual human connections in person, but our need for interconnectedness has never been stronger or more necessary.

If you were one of the 100 women entrepreneurs who joined me at our recent Lioness Enterprise Webinar, you will no doubt have been fascinated to hear our special guest speaker, Bruce Whitfield, quoting a line by Captain Jack Sparrow, the film character from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In case you missed it, here it is again: “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” I noticed that a large number of women in the audience tweeted this quote immediately, sharing it with their networks. It definitely resonated. How often do we experience a problem and keep doing the same old things to try and solve it - and then we wonder why things never change. Having an inflexible mindset that is not open to new ideas or solutions holds us back, results in expending more effort and energy than is needed, and just ends up in frustration. So once again, to quote Captain Jack, the problem is perhaps your attitude about the problem - so try and change that first.

Probably like you, my attention has turned increasingly to ways of building resilience as a way of weathering life shocks. So I was fascinated to read an article on Tara Brach, who is a clinical psychologist and the creator of the RAIN method - a four-step process for practicing mindfulness and compassion when faced with challenging times. She speaks with such common sense and insight, so I thought I would share the 4 steps with you today - it might help you to build your own resilience reserves. R = Recognize what is going on, acknowledge your feelings and behaviours in relation to the situation. A = Allow life to be just as it is, do not attempt to avoid the situation, just recognize your negative emotions and the pain caused by the stress. I = Investigate with interest and care, allow yourself to lean in to your curiosity to discover the truth of the situation and how it could impact you. N = Nurture with self-compassion, find what reassurance, forgiveness, understanding or companionship might be needed to address the situation. RAIN is a great way to press pause and step back to deal with tough challenges.

How often do you hear people saying such things as, “I would love to try and help but one person can’t make a difference.” It is perhaps a natural human reaction to feel overwhelmed and powerless to be able to do anything to help. Yet the current global pandemic is showing that individuals can be truly inspirational when they step up to the challenge. There are many examples to share at the moment of people who are demonstrating ‘the power of one’, but one this week stood out for me. British news media have been inspiring the nation by telling the story of Captain Tom Moore, a 99 year old veteran who set up a fundraising page to raise money for the National Health Service in the UK to support hardworking doctors and nurses. Using his walker, he set out to walk the 82 feet length of his garden 100 times. He captured the attention and hearts of the nation, and at the time of writing this article, has raised over 38 million pounds for the British healthcare system. This month saw him celebrate his 100th birthday, and he is still walking to raise funds. Now, that’s The Power of One! So now who says we can’t all make a difference?