Media Release
17 August 2023
Getting access to funding can be a real game-changer for women entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses to the next level. It can help them to take control of the future trajectory of their businesses and fulfill their potential. Yet, applying for funding support from a bank can be a daunting process for many women entrepreneurs. But it doesn’t have to be, according to Lionesses of Africa, a fast-growing community of 1.7 million women entrepreneurs on the African continent. This month sees the launch of the latest in the series of digital Playbooks, this one titled, Get Your Business Funding Ready. Produced by Lionesses of Africa, in partnership with Absa, the new Playbook helps women entrepreneurs to prepare their businesses to be ready for those important funding conversations with their bank or other financial organizations.
The Lioness Playbook Series - Get Your Business Funding Ready Playbook has been created for women entrepreneurs to use as a practical guide, to help them to focus on important information that needs to be prepared, steps to be taken, and conversations to be initiated. Importantly, it provides the opportunity to gain much-needed insights and advice from fellow women entrepreneurs who have already walked the journey to getting funding ready in their businesses.
Speaking about the launch of the new Get Your Business Funding Ready Playbook, Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken, said:
“With the right funding support and advice, women entrepreneurs are empowered to confidently make important strategic decisions, expand their businesses into new markets, and invest in growth opportunities. Bank loans can provide the capital needed to purchase specialist equipment, increase inventory, and hire new talent to drive business growth. As woman entrepreneurs in the Lionesses of Africa community, it’s time to get our businesses funding ready. Accessing funding and support when we need it will help us to grow our businesses, create much needed jobs, and help to advance women's economic empowerment through entrepreneurship.”
The Lioness Playbook Series provides practical business advice combined with insights delivered directly by Africa women entrepreneurs. These experienced women business builders share their proven hacks, tactics and strategies for getting things done in business. Hard won, tried and tested business knowledge is presented in an easy-to-read and engaging format for women entrepreneurs to learn from and apply in their own businesses. Relevant, agenda-free, pragmatic advice and strategies that are sure to help women entrepreneurs to drive successful change in their businesses and take them to the next level of growth.
Speaking at the Lioness Business Agility Webinar for women entrepreneurs held on 16 August about the launch of the new Get Your Business Funding Ready Playbook, Ronnie Mbatsane, Managing Executive for SME Business at Absa Relationship Banking, said:
"One of the ways in which we support women entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential is by meeting their needs holistically through our wide range of innovative products and services and our enterprise development programme. We have a highly experienced team of dedicated sector-specific specialists with an in-depth understanding of the industry within which SMEs operate, offering knowledge, skills and experience as well as personalised services to help them succeed and grow.”
Sanah Gumede, Managing Executive for Strategy and Customer Value Management, Absa Relationship Banking, adds:
“The Lionesses of Africa Digital Playbook was a natural fit as one of the ways we can support women-owned businesses. We believe appropriate resources and sharing of experiences can go a long way in unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs.”
The Lioness Playbook Series - Get Your Business Funding Ready Playbook is available to all women entrepreneurs as a digital download from Lionesses of Africa - https://issuu.com/lionessesofafrica/docs/get_your_business_funding_ready_playbook?fr=xIAEoAT3_NTU1.
For more information on funding support for women entrepreneurs from Absa SME Business Team at Absa Relationship Banking - https://www.absa.co.za/business/funding-my-business/short-medium-solutions/explore/