Consistency

October 2, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile

Consistency: acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate - Google

Every guru in every speciality will tell you that you can do anything you set your mind to, and you will excel if you are consistent in it. If you have a strategy and you follow it religiously, over time it becomes easier and you start seeing the results of your efforts. The simplest example is gym. A lot of posts on social media on the subject of weight loss talk about being consistent. Even if the exercise is 5 minutes long, as long as you are consistent daily, at some point you start seeing a difference.

Perseverance is not always the answer

July 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Kathy Mann

I enjoy reading entrepreneurial books and articles. I have a fascination with people’s passions and what makes them do what they do. I’m also a fan of research and while running a business I wanted to know more and to ensure I was doing the right things. I remember reading some quote about how success is just on the other side of feeling like giving up. Reading that advice was really detrimental for me, in fact. You see, I’m not a quitter. I persevered so much that my health collapsed. To be fair, I didn’t heed the advice in the same articles of weeding out toxic elements and doing what you love.

Keep moving!

June 18, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Nontobeko Mbuyane

Most of us will experience hard choices, stressful events and difficult situations that will impact us in one way or another for the rest of our lives. Hard times happen and they teach us lessons, make us stronger, and give us a deeper sense of self. After all, would sitting in the sun mean as much if you hadn’t experienced the storm first? Elizabeth Taylor once said: “You just do it. You force yourself to get up. You force yourself to put one foot before the other, and darn it, you refuse to let it get to you. You fight. You cry. You curse. Then you go about the business of living. That’s how I’ve done it. There’s no other way.”

It gets better - just persevere

April 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

By Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Following on from our article last week about changing the flow of Luck through working on the ‘little things’, this week we look at how this can actually be achieved. We’ve all heard the adage - ‘How do you eat an Elephant? - One bite at a time!’, to show that even the most monumental task can be brought down to bite-sized chunks and indeed at that level the chances of success if you persevere is far greater than sitting in front of a massive ‘Nellie’ and wondering what next?! This has been recognised through time and it is certainly no wonder that one of the most famous and well-known Chinese sayings is "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

Keep Pushing

February 19, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Claudia Folgore-McLellan

It quite aptly feels like January and February are one long, drawn out month and I’m sure most of us are suffering latent fatigue from having had to push that much harder in the past year. As solopreneurs and freelancers, the demands on us are just that much greater, it’s literally a permanent no work, no pay situation. The ‘holidays’ also often feel like an extension of the year that casually morphs into a new one with the only change being the date. With Covid fatigue we’ve all felt the exhaustion from being hyper virus vigilant. The easy option is to simply give up (even just a bit to have a rest) – the better option, though, is to KEEP PUSHING!

Entrepreneur Advice from Chrissa Amuah / Get ready for the long haul

December 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Chrissa Amuah, founder of AMWA Designs (UK/Ghana)

Get ready for the long haul!…

“Be ready to be in it for the long haul; they say building a company from scratch takes 3-5 years. It may take longer. Dig deep and breathe deeply.”

Chrissa Amuah, founder of AMWA Designs (UK/Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bitania Amare / Just keep going

November 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bitania Amare, founder of Orbit Consulting PLC (Ethiopia)

Just keep going!…

“I have learnt it takes a lot of work and patience to succeed as an entrepreneur. The key is to keep going even when things do not go your way.”

Bitania Amare, founder of Orbit Consulting PLC (Ethiopia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka / Keep reaching for your dreams

October 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Keep reaching for your dreams!…

“There will be times when it becomes really difficult and you're thinking this is hard, but keep reaching for your dreams and the rest will follow.”

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder, Gorilla Conservation Coffee (Uganda)

Quote of the Day by Anita Quansah

September 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“You only know how strong you are when being strong is the only option you have.”

Anita Quansah, founder, Anita Quansah London (UK)

Entrepreneur Advice from Lisa Videira / Keep moving

September 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lisa Videira, founder of LV Digital Lda, (Angola)

Keep moving!…

“Whenever you feel you are sinking, ask for help, advice, tips - scream and cry if necessary - but keep in mind that the storm will pass and you will keep moving.”

Lisa Videira, founder of LV Digital Lda, (Angola)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Camara / Never give up

September 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Camara, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tigui Mining Group (TMG)

Never give up!…...

“Surround yourself with experts, work hard and always remain professional. Most of all, never give up.”

Tiguidanke Camara, founder & CEO of Tigui Mining Group (TMG)

Entrepreneur Advice from Shabana Habibo / Believe in yourself

August 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Shabana Habibo, founder, Enviro Green Lda (Mozambique)

Believe in yourself!…

“Just don’t give up. There will be days that we can't seem to handle, but believe in yourself and take that leap of faith that things will happen!”

Shabana Habibo, founder, Enviro Green Lda (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Kathy Mann / Remember why you started your business

August 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kathy Mann, author, speaker and stress management expert (South Africa)

Remember why you started your business!…

“Connecting with the reason you started the business is a great method to kickstart your enthusiasm in times of struggle.”

Kathy Mann, author, speaker and stress management expert (South Africa)

Quote of the Day Dana Mroueh

August 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“I get great satisfaction seeing my team strongly espouse courage and persistence.”

Dana Mroueh, founder, Mon Choco (Cote d’Ivoire)

Ignore the NO, focus on the YES

August 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

Two weeks ago I submitted my writing to an organization that is looking for content writers. I was referred by a friend. After 2 weeks I was about to ask if they had received my work for the opportunity but I received the reply first. And it was a NO. I will admit, I feared that it was a no before I opened the email; I tried to reprimand myself. Why am I expecting the worst? Well I did receive the worst.

Entrepreneur Advice from Petrina Auino-Mwandingi / Have patience and reap the rewards

July 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Petrina Auino-Mwandingi, Founder, KOVA (Namibia)

Have patience and reap the rewards!…

“They tell you it's hard to start a business, but often you don't hear about just how long it takes. It can take time, a long time, to really see your business thrive and it takes real patience to keep waiting to finally reap the fruits of your labour.”

Petrina Auino-Mwandingi, Founder, KOVA (Namibia)

Quote of the Day by Alisha Rabbipal

July 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Perseverance is all it takes. Never give in to defeat without a challenge. Claim your reign.”

Alisha Rabbipal, Managing Director, KZN Law Offices, (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Sophia Richter / Do not give up!

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sophia Richter, founder, Section Thirty-Five Legal and Business Solutions (South Africa)

Do not give up!…

“It is not an easy journey, and can be a very lonely one at times, however do not give up. It is all SO worth it at the end.”

Sophia Richter, founder, Section Thirty-Five Legal and Business Solutions (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Lisa Videira / Be flexible with your business plans

June 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lisa Videira, founder, LV Digital Lda, (Angola)

Be flexible with your business plans…

“Be flexible to adapt your plans to the reality and obstacles you will encounter on the way. Besides this, keep walking, it won’t be easy but it will definitely be worth it.”

Lisa Videira, founder, LV Digital Lda, (Angola)

Quote of the Day by Femi Olayebi

June 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Trust the process, and remember always that good things take time.”

Femi Olayebi, founder of FemiHandbags (Nigeria)