Build a successful personal brand….
“When you wake up each morning, you have to think of yourself as a brand and act accordingly. How well you do that will define the brand’s success. If you live the brand well, people start to believe in it and buy into it. Over the years, people have shown great confidence in the Bassie brand and that’s been really humbling.”
- Basetsana 'Bassie' Kumalo is a South African television personality, beauty pageant titleholder, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Her career began in 1990 when she was crowned Miss Soweto and Miss Black South Africa at the age of 16. Since then, Bassie has become a formidable force in the business world and is widely respected as both an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. In 2011 she was honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Read moreHave a big why....
"You need to believe in what you are doing - have a big why - to keep you going. Learn some basic business skills, preferably before you give up the day job. Having a vision is only the start, you need a strategic plan on how to get there, otherwise too much time is lost dithering about what the next step should be. Budget for help as there will be times you need professional skills you don't have."
- Marion Nixon is a natural health practitioner with over two decades of experience caring for the well being of her clients. Marion empowers women who are struggling to do, achieve, be what they want, to reach their full potential by demonstrating to them what is possible, encouraging them to believe their dreams are possible, and giving them the confidence to take the action needed to reach their goals. Before she discovered the world of natural health her love of learning took her into the academic world, and to a Masters Degree in Religious Studies.
Read moreYou need a game plan to handle success and money....
“I don’t think there is anything more difficult to handle than success. I think success is harder to handle than failure. In failure you wallow, you just cry and life goes on. Success has to be sustained and it is harder to sustain than to get it. So when you get your money, what is your game plan?”
– Joanne Mwangi founded Professional Marketing Services Group in Kenya in 1996. Today her company has five subsidiaries and a presence across East Africa. Joanne has steered the PMS Group from a small agency to a leading full service marketing and communications group. In 2010, PMS was voted number one in the Top 100 SME competition in Kenya. Joanne also won the Lady Entrepreneur of the Year award at the same competition sponsored by the Nation Media Group and KPMG. She is also the chairperson of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Associations (FEWA), an organisation that seeks to create an enabling business environment for women.
Read moreNever fail on your vision....
"Look beyond your competition and never fail on the vision you aspire to for your brand and yourself! Eventually someone will believe in you….and your product!"
- Brenda Wilkinson is the co-owner and Marketing Manager of Rio Largo Olive Estate, a multi-award winning estate, situated in the Scherpenheuwel valley between Worcester and Robertson in South Africa. The Estate comprises olive orchards, vines, an olive specific nursery and a state of the art OLIOMIO olive processing and bottling plant. Brenda is a never say no, serial entrepreneur and marketing specialist who has previously created Leisure Seekers Guide to Hotels and Lodges in Zambia, run her own school, and produced wicker and wrought iron furniture in Malawi. A natural collaborator, Brenda is also currently working with Sarah Taylor and Zikhona Tefu, two women entrepreneurs who are using olive oil to build their own beauty and skincare brands.
Read morePassion will carry you through....
"If you plan to go into business, choose something that you are absolutely passionate about. The passion will carry you through when the going gets tough. I still get joy from sitting behind the machine and making a special piece as I do designing the special pieces."
- Narcissi Madisha is the founder of Kameo Kids in South Africa, a company that manufactures and sells girls wear, from ages 2-12 years. All of Narcissi's clothing items are produced locally in South Africa. Inspired by her own daughter, Narcissi is passionate about creating stylish, comfortable and unique children's fashion. She has a strong business and retail background with 13 years’ experience in Retail Buying in both Fashion and FMCG with some of the biggest retailers in the country.
Read moreJust do it now!...
"My sensible side says: start your business on the side, then, when you've replaced at least part of your fixed salary, go full-time. My irresponsible side says: sod safety, just do it now!"
- Clare Appleyard is the founder of Katannuta Diamonds in South Africa, a company specializing in the manufacture of bespoke diamond and precious gemstone jewellery, with a strong emphasis on consumer education and empowerment. Clare pursued a Masters Degree in Geology from the University of Cape Town following she spent time working as a geologist for De Beers and Anglo American. In 2007, Clare co-founded Katannuta Diamonds, developing a reputation within the industry for exceptional workmanship, competitive prices and outstanding service in the engagement ring and wedding ring market.
Read moreBelieve in your plan and stick to it....
" Believe in your idea even if other people are trying to convince you otherwise. It is great to incorporate people’s feedback into your work, but if you do not agree with them, stick with your plan."
- Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is a Nigerian entrepreneur and innovator, and founder and CEO of WeCyclers. This Lagos-based company is focused on giving low-income communities in developing countries a chance to capture value from waste and clean up their neighborhoods through an incentive-based recycling program. Bilikiss holds an MBA from MIT and a Masters degree from Vanderbilt University. She is also a 2013 Echoing Green Fellow.
Read moreIt's all about working hard....
"We need to quit this ‘microwave results’ mentality. Media has not reminded us enough of the value of working hard. There is nothing you will gain from not working hard. If you want to be successful, then you have to work hard and whilst at it, it would also help a lot if you work smart!"
- Eva Muraya is the founder and CEO of Brand Strategy and Design, an East African brand, advertising and communications agency. Her entry into the business world came only after a great personal tragedy – the loss of her husband. Eva has won numerous awards, including the premier Goldman Sachs Fortune Global Leaders Award. She is an influential advocate for the economic empowerment of women and she co-founded the Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO).
Read moreNever give up....
"Start now. Do not postpone your dream to tomorrow, thinking that you are not experienced enough. The best is always to learn on the ground, and in mining more than anywhere else it is key to spend as much time as possible in the field. Surround yourself with experts, work hard and always remain professional. Most of all, never give up."
- Tiguidanke Camara is a former model turned mining entrepreneur, and the founder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) and Camara Diamond & Gold Trading Network (CDGTN). Tigui is one of the youngest women mining executives and one of the few women mine owners in Africa. A visionary and proactive businesswoman, she uses her entrepreneur background to pursue her objective of creating a conglomerate of natural resources and innovative technology companies. She is passionate about empowering women to take a more active role in the development of Africa's mining industry. Tigui has been featured in numerous high profile magazines, videos, and movies.
Read moreKeep learning....
"Keeping up with what you don't know has the amazing ability to transform what you do know into the next million buck idea. Constant learning is the grease we need to stay competitive."
- Beth Malatji is the founder of Wealth Ladder Magazine in South Africa, a digital publication that provides awareness amongst both the young and old around the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship, self-employment, and of their role in shaping their future and that of their country’s economic development. Beth enjoys building businesses, learning and helping people while connecting with extremely talented individuals.
Read moreWe are all unique and gifted....
"I believe we are all unique and gifted and can be successful entrepreneurs in our own right. It is important not to lose focus, regardless of the trials you will encounter on your journeys. Use your gift of your uniqueness, invest in it, nourish it, create a win–win environment where your team and your clients are your top priority..."
- Lee Chisale is the founder of Belle Afrique in Malawi, a company that promotes healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments. Lee offers a range of health care treatments, from skin treatments, waxing, GP Consultations and Aesthetic treatments, massage therapy, to name just a few. She is also passionate about training people and improving the quality of service in her industry, offering a series of vocational qualifications in beauty and wellness. As a market leader, Lee aims to further expand Belle Afrique in the future through a franchise model.
Read moreFind that thing that you're good at....
"If you don't yet know what it is that you want to pursue, but think you want to start up a business, be yourself and it will come to you. Often times, we tend to want to "start up" what someone else is already doing. Don't just copy a business idea. It may have worked for someone else, but that doesn't mean it will automatically work for you. Each of us is good at something. Most times, you need to just find that thing that you're good at or passionate about, regardless of whether it’s big or small or different. And ask God to bless it and make it originally and uniquely yours."
- Tina Byaruhanga is the founder of Buzz Events Ltd, a youth, culture and experiential marketing agency in Uganda. Tina develops strategies and concepts to bring clients' brands and businesses to life with the aim of building lasting connections with their customers through well-crafted executions in the market-place. She is passionate about youth marketing and publishes a popular youth publication, Buzz Magazine, and also hosts several annual youth events.
Read moreFocus on what defines your values....
"Focus. Establish a thread that defines your values, one that crosses every contact point of your value chain. Have this notion in your mind, constantly. Learn to draw significance in all you do from this 'thread'. What this thread does is define your DNA; it teaches people how to treat you and sets you apart from all others. With this focus you're able to define the journey you want to go on."
Kelebogile Makhafola is the founder of Maruapula Brand, a South African brand strategy agency. Kelebogile graduated from University of the Witwatersrand with a honours degree in Fine Arts and saw prospects in merging art with her interest in brands. She went on to complete her second honours at VEGA, school of Branding, doing her post graduate studies in Brand Leadership. She launched her own business where she now uses these platorms as tools to help develop brands in South Africa.
Read moreBe your own biggest fan....
"Just do it, believe in yourself and in what you offer. You should be your own biggest fan, if you don't believe in yourself nobody else will. Failing is also part of growing, learn from experience and try again. Positivity and doing what you love creates that natural spark that lights the fire within to succeed."
- Tania Shedden is the founder of Sweet Social Studio, a South African social media agency that helps its clients connect to modern day consumers in a meaningful way on social media. Tania is a Marketing Communications and Social Media Specialist who loves getting her clients' story out there on social media, allowing them to promote their own unique voice and giving their customers the opportunity to interact and contribute to the brand.
Read moreDare to dream....
"Dare to dream and start your business, you are absolutely capable. We need your vision, we need your dreams, please bring them to life. Africa needs you, the world needs you. Let us women be the unapologetic leaders of African growth."
- Wacy Zacarias is the founder of Karingana Wa Karingana Textiles in Mozambique, a company that designs custom prints, develops artisanal textiles, produces a customisable online print catalog, creates surface design and print textiles for fashion and homeware industry, and also provides supply chain management services. Wacy is passionate about designing luxury African textiles, challenging the status quo, and giving a voice and a platform to African artists to tell their stories through their textiles.
Read moreDon't do this alone....
"Your team is critical - don't do this alone. Do your research - see who is already undertaking the problems you want to solve, and join them if you can. Even if you start something later - you'll be that much more prepared in the meantime. Figure out where your passion is in the process, and look for a team that can round out the pieces that don't drive you. Make sure you have some cheer leaders as you will feel like a failure roughly 90% of the time."
- Megan MacDonald is the founder of SASA Designs by the Deaf, a social enterprise established in 2011 to provide employment and fair wages to deaf women in Kenya. Megan is a veteran of the Fair Trade arena, she is committed to empowering women through market access and design. Having lived and worked in Kenya since 2008, Megan has experienced many of the factors affecting both country and personal development throughout Sub Saharan Africa firsthand. She believes that education and jobs are the key factors in promoting country development as a whole. Megan studied Sociology at Chapman University in Orange, CA and holds a M.A. in Development Studies from the University of Nairobi.
Read moreThere are going to be curve balls....
"It's not easy but it is definitely worth it. Having a support system and mentor is a must. It helps during those stressful days and when you need some inspiration. There are going to be curve balls and you may have to make sacrifices, but there is no better feeling than having your own company, nurturing it and helping other people."
Nureshka Viranna is the founder of ShopLi in South Africa, a company that designs and develops beautiful, mobile-friendly online stores and catalogues to convert online window shoppers and browsers into customers. Nureshka started out as a teacher, studying for 4 years for a B.Ed specializing in Foundation Phase teaching. She eventually resigned from her teaching job to launch her startup and today has plans to grow her business nationally and then internationally.
Read moreYou 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.
Read moreYou just have to belief in yourself....
"If you do what you love, you will never have to work another day in your life because when you do what you love, it's not working, it's thriving! Follow your dreams, because if you don't, you will end up working for someone who did. Believe in yourself. Paint that portrait, bake that cake, cut that hair, knit that blanket, why? Because you can! You just have to have belief in yourself!"
- Tarina Du Plessis is the founder of SkyRidge Business Solutions in Namibia, a company that specializes in Financial, Marketing and Business Consulting Services for startup business clients. Tarina offers a wide range of specialist services, from the moment a client has a business idea right through to the moment when that business opens its doors, as well as ongoing support. She launched her business at the age of 19 right after finishing her advanced diploma in Financial, Marketing and Business Management. Tarina is passionate about helping other people in Namibia make their dreams of owning a successful business come true.
Read morePersist and collaborate....
"There is never a better day than today to start. Collaboration over Competition. And lastly, you may get a hundred "No's" but all you need is one 'Yes'."
- Chantelle Beukes is the founder of La Fede in South Africa, creating handcrafted heirloom toys. This 'Maker' and Mompreneur started La Fede in November 2014, after her 12 year career in the corporate world ended abruptly when the company she worked for shut it's doors. With the meagre capital at her disposal she decided to purchase a few meters of fabric and a small straight stitch sewing machine. Out of these negative circumstances La Fede, which means 'Faith' in Italian, was born literally as a leap of faith. Today, Chantelle is successfully producing a range of unique handcrafted toys that inspire imaginative play for kids.
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