How to turn your fear into fuel for entrepreneurial success

May 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

Sometimes when you’ve taken a big leap, you are so conscious of the magnitude of what you’ve done that you don't think you can or should take any more major steps. That was me after leaving home at 22 years old - I was so determined to make my life work and validate the choices I had made, that I found it difficult to think beyond my immediate activities. This kind of paralysis can also hit entrepreneurs in the early stages of building their business, particularly when a huge risk has been taken to get to the start-up stage.

Unlocking Your Potential: Sales as a Career

February 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

No one has ever taken selling as a subject at school, yet over 90% of all business involves selling of one kind or another. When you hear the word salesman what usually comes to mind is a slick looking, fast talking, slimy person who is trying to take your hard-earned money from you. Well today and especially at Hirsch's Homestore, nothing could be further from the truth. Our salespeople are very kind, considerate people and they are known as "professional solution finders.” All day is spent finding solutions to other people’s problems. Be it from the perfect piece of toast for breakfast, to the most cost-efficient washing machine for a family of two, or ten; to the latest fridge/freezers which actually send you a message when your food is about to expire or run out! We have to know the model numbers, the features and benefits and of course the prices!

Is Fear Holding You Back from Living the Life of Your Dreams?

January 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

The only thing holding you back from living the life of your dreams is FEAR. Now fear comes in many different forms. I always tell my team members that it can either be:

False Evidence Appearing Real … or… Forget Everything And Run

5 Types of fears that were holding me back in building my personal brand

July 31, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Naike Moshi

Like many of you, fear is not a stranger in our lives. Fear is a powerful force that can keep us from achieving our goals and live to our fullest potential. Is fear holding you back in pursuing your goals and dreams? Is fear holding you back in trying new things? Do you make excuses when it comes to start building your brand? If the response is YES, to above questions, you are not alone. I was like that and am still a work in progress.

A Life Worth Living

February 6, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Elizandra dos Santos

Living is the biggest challenge that human beings face, and most of them exist and are driven by the feeling of fear. Fear is not bad if it is used as a feeling that moves us to take action, which is not the case I am referring to in this article. I speak of fear as a paralyzing feeling, a feeling that makes us uneasy, no matter if it is in our imagination or real facts.

Quote of the Day by Marta Mulongo

January 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

“I get satisfaction when I see women move out of their comfort zone, face their fears, and create a life full of purpose”

Marta Mulongo, founder, MM Coaching (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Krystal Bella Shabani / Learn to conquer fear

November 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)

Learn to conquer fear!…

“Fear is one of the major barriers for young women to start a business. My advice would be that, in business, failure will be their best friend. So, they should start getting used to that.”

Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nereyda Ah-Hoy / Become the best version of yourself

June 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nereyda Ah Hoy, writer, author & founder of Indika platform and digital magazine (Mozambique)

Become the best version of yourself...

“Bet on Self-Knowledge! Overcome your fears and become the best version of yourself.”

Nereyda Ah Hoy, writer, author & founder of Indika platform and digital magazine (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tshiamiso Kgomanyane: Don’t let fear hold you back

March 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tshiamiso Kgomanyane, founder of SHE Legal Co. (South Africa) — **Tshiamiso Kgomanyane**, founder of SHE Legal Co. (South Africa)

Don’t let fear hold you back….

“Don't let fear get the better of you. Because in as much as we want to be perfect in everything that we do, the mistakes we make shouldn't make us fearful to try again, they should fuel us to keep going and do better.”

Tshiamiso Kgomanyane, founder of SHE Legal Co. (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tania Tome: Don’t be afraid

January 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tania Tome, founder of Ecokaya (Mozambique) — **Tania Tome,** founder of Ecokaya (Mozambique)

Don’t be afraid….

“Don’t be afraid to be afraid, have the courage to face fear, and jump - there are lots of great things that happen when we decide to take risks. Take small steps and actions, instead of waiting for the right moment, you only make this walk learning by doing.”

Tania Tome, founder of Ecokaya (Mozambique)

Why You Must Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat

I was inspired to write this article because of a book I am reading (for the second time). The title of the book is ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers. Fear comes up in our lives regularly and contrary to the belief that feeling fearful is a sign of weakness or lack of courage, this book enforces the fact that fear is a very normal emotion. It also offers great tips on how to act in spite of fear, when you are most likely to experience fear and a unique perspective on turning pain into power.

Quote of the Day by Lorna Rutto

August 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“Success begins with a will. Go out there. Start something. Be fearless!”

Lorna Rutto, CEO and co-founder of EcoPost (Kenya)

Be your own permission agent

July 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

Back in 2012, I knew I wanted to write a book that included interviews of amazing women to share their stories and insights. I didn’t know where to begin so I called Mandy Wiener, a well-known journalist. I had worked with her earlier that year on an event and reached out to her for advice. She was extremely helpful and at the end of coffee, I asked her which voice recorder she uses for her interviews.

Quote of the Day by Nira Sklair

April 5, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“Do not stop - envision yourself where you want to be. Pack only of the best ingredients, and never fear the mountain.”

Nira Sklair, founder of Nira Sklair Photography (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Yvonne Manyiki: Face your fears

September 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Yvonne Manyiki, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa) — **Yvonne Manyiki**, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa)

Face your fears....

"We all have dreams and talents, but fear always stands in the way of many people. My advice is to take the first move by starting small, face your fears, believe in God and in yourself and you will succeed."

Yvonne Manyiki, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Cecilia Mnisi: Don't let fear stop you

April 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Cecilia Mnisi, founder of MMJ Interpretation Services (South Africa) — **Cecilia Mnisi,** founder of MMJ Interpretation Services (South Africa)

Don't let fear stop you....

"Do not let fear stop you from achieving your dreams. Associate yourself with people who are already in the industry that you are interested in and learn from them."

- Cecilia Mnisi is the founder of MMJ Interpretation Services, a Gauteng-based Interpreting and Translation Company in South Africa. The company specializes in Interpreting, Translation, Transcriptions, Recordings and Minute taking. Cecilia graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 2002 and is a qualified Legal Interpreter and Translator. She registered the business in 2011 and operated on a part-time basis until she resigned from her full time job in 2014 to pursue the business full-time. Cecilia has attended the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship and is accredited as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) through WE Connect International in South Africa.

Quote of the Day by Deborah Sawyerr

January 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Feel the fear but do it anyway.”

- Deborah Sawyerr, founder of Sawyerrs’ House (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Divine Ndhlukula

November 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO — Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO

"Conquer your fears as that is what enslaves most women."

- Divine Ndhlukula founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy: Do not be afraid

November 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy, founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius) — **Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy,** founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius)

Do not be afraid...

"Do not be afraid to try. Do not be afraid to fail. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Find your added value and build your service offering on it. It is worth it!"

- Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy is the founder of The Talent Factory, a boutique Public Relations consultancy in Mauritius. Marie-Noelle leads a consultancy business that specialises in crafting tailor-made Public relations & Communication solutions for businesses, SMEs, and start-ups. Before launching her company she worked in the media industry for over 10 years at La Sentinelle, one of the most important media groups of the Island. As Chief Editor, she managed various publications and editorial teams and also created Essentielle, a glossy women's magazine.

Entrepreneur Advice from Judith Msonthi: You have to really want it!

April 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi) — **Judith Msonthi**, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi)

You have to really want it!...

"Do not be afraid of your dreams, everything you are dreaming of is going to come true. The catch is, you just have to really want it."

- Judith Msonthi is the founder of Judie Emcee in Malawi, a business that offers Presenter, Host and Master of Ceremonies services for corporate, social and festival events. Judith is a trained TV presenter who has led two prime-time television shows and anchored for TV news and radio. She is very comfortable in front of an audience, which makes talking to a room and crowd filled with strangers her speciality. Judith is rapidly breaking ground on local and international media platforms.