Entrepreneur Advice from Mariana Agness Francisco Eria: Entrepreneurship unlocks a new and exciting journey›

June 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique) — **Mariana Agness Francisco Eria**, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Entrepreneurship unlocks a new and exciting journey....

"The tools of your future lay in your hands, grab the wheel and start the engine. You might not know how to get there, you may not have all the answers and that is okay. The mistakes along the way are going to be the bricks to build the foundation of your business. People will doubt you, and sometimes you will doubt yourself but it will all be worthwhile in the ‘never-ending’ end. Entrepreneurship is like a destination that unlocks a new and more exciting journey."

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Lien Potgieter: Know yourself well

June 21, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Lien Potgieter, founder of The Colour Option (South Africa) — **Lien Potgieter**, founder of The Colour Option (South Africa)

Know yourself well….

“Make sure you know yourself well! Know what your habitual reactions to challenges are and how that can affect your business and decisions. And then learn how to better deal with obstacles!”

- Lien Potgieter is the founder of The Colour Option in South Africa, a company offering consulting services and online programmes on how people can use the gentle power of colour to help them live their best lives in business. Lien’s clients are women who are life-long entrepreneurs, and who have built successful businesses that are aligned with their personalities, purpose, strengths, and values. Read Lien's startup story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Christine Wanjiru: Your heart needs to be in the right place

May 23, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)

Your heart needs to be in the right place…

“Question your reasons for why you want to start a venture, ensure that your heart is in the right place, do your research, and brace yourself for what may come. Finally just do it.”

Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Joy Ndungutse: Passion can get you to where you want to be in business

April 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda)

You need to be passionate about what you're doing....

“Something small can create an impact, .... You don’t have to have a lot of money to start a business. You can start small, but you must have a passion for what you’re doing.”

Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Adenike Ogunlesi: Dream big

February 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria) — **Adenike 'Nike' Ogunlesi**, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Dream big....

"The size and clarity of a person’s vision are very important. It is very important to dream big and be single-minded about the dream. Also, you must love this dream and be passionate about it."

Adenike Ogunlesi, founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tabitha Karanja: The customer is always king

February 5, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Always treat your customer as king....

"For me the customer is always king. They are and always will be my number one priority. I am up at night wanting to make sure they are happy and satisfied with the products we produce for them.”

Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mo Abudu: You must be able to execute your ideas

December 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mo Abudu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria) — **Mo Abudu,** founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)

The most important piece of advice I can give to any entrepreneur….

“You must make sure your ideas are grounded, make sure they are realistic, and you must be able to execute them. Why are they going to switch to your channel? Why are they going to buy your product or your service? What makes you different? What makes you unique?”

Mo Abudu, founder & ceo of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Essma Ben Hamida: Maintain a balance

December 21, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Essma Ben Hamida, co-founder and Executive Director of Enda Inter-Arabe (Tunisia) — **Essma Ben Hamida**, co-founder and Executive Director of Enda Inter-Arabe (Tunisia)

It's essential to maintain a balance....

“Maintain a balance between your private life and your work. Do what you are passionate about so you can give more. I am happy and passionate even if I work a lot. Take care of your health so you will be able to see the results of your hard work.”

Essma Ben Hamida, co-founder of Enda Inter-Arabe (Tunisia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nonkuthalo Thithi: Keep moving forward

December 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nonkuthalo Thithi, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa) — **Nonkuthalo Thithi**, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa)

Keep moving forward….

“Just start! There are so many reasons why you shouldn't but the important ones are why you should. The reason you have that idea is reason enough, and the world needs more women entrepreneurs. Every yes you get is a step forward and every no you get is a lesson for the next opportunity. Do not get caught up in the no's, just keep moving forward.”

Nonkuthalo Thithi, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Bernice Dapaah: It takes patience and persistence

December 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bernice Dapaah, co-founder of the Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative — **Bernice Dapaah**, co-founder of the Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative

It takes patience and persistence....

“I have come to learn to be patient and not to give up too quickly. It takes patience and persistence to bring a new and innovative product and ways of doing things to a community. There are early adopters who immediately embrace the product and there are traditionalists who resist the change that the initiative represents.”

Bernice Dapaah, co-founder of Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative (Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Christella Kirezi: Never give up

December 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Christella Kirezi, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique) — **Christella Kirezi**, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique)

Never give up….

"The greatest advice is to never give up even though it seems difficult or impossible to reach your ultimate goal. There will always be obstacles and difficulties to overcome.”

Christella Kirezi, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nita Chivwara: Keep up with trends

December 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nita Chivwara, Business Development Consultant (Malawi) — **Nita Chivwara**, Business Development Consultant (Malawi)

Keep up with trends....

"There is more than one way of growing a talent, a skill or an enterprise. Keeping up with trends and emerging online market places is key to growth."

Nita Chivwara, Business Development Consultant (Malawi)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mireille Karera: Follow your inner voice

December 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates — **Mireille Karera**, founder of KORA Associates

Follow your inner voice....

"My advice to women starting up is to follow that insisting inner voice that has already been nudging you to follow the dream inside of you. It is the hidden treasure that only you can find. You may come from a tough background or a privileged one, no matter how you started, if you persevere and stay true to YOUR own desires and dreams, you will eventually turn your dreams into reality."

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates (U.A.E/Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Chinwe Ohajuruka: Success and failure

December 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Chinwe Ohajuruka, founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services (Nigeria) — **Chinwe Ohajuruka,** founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services (Nigeria)

Success and failure…

“Every entrepreneur will experience both success and failure along the way. I try to use success as a springboard for even greater success and likewise learn from failure, and use it to leverage success going forward.”

Chinwe Ohajuruka, founder and CEO of Comprehensive Design Services (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Devotha Ntuke Minzi: Hold onto your dream

December 12, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

Hold onto your dream....

"The dream - that burning urge inside that drives your momentum. This is critical. If you don’t have it, it is very easy to give up. Doing business and for that matter being your own boss, is not easy."

Devotha Ntuke Minzi, founder of K-finance Limited (Tanzania)

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Camara: Follow your passion

December 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) (Guinea)

Follow your passion…

“Follow your passion. Do not let gender-related issues define you. Work hard, have faith and persevere. You will face difficulties, challenges and setbacks. It will help you grow. Always be professional. Surround yourself with mentors who will guide you throughout your career.”

Tiguidanke Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) (Guinea)

Entrepreneur Advice from Benji Coetzee: Need help? Then ask

November 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa) — **Benji Coetzee,** founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa)

Need help? Ask...

"Don't be scared to ask. You will be surprised how willing people are to help, when you humble yourself."

Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Hanneli Rupert: Trust your gut!

November 23, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Hanneli Rupert, founder of Merchants on Long — **Hanneli Rupert,** founder of Merchants on Long

You need to have the confidence to trust your gut....

"Soak up as much advice as possible from as many people as possible - but trust your gut at the end of the day"

Hanneli Rupert, founder of Okapi (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Akosua Afriyie-Kumi: Begin NOW!

November 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS, Ghana — **Akosua Afriyie-Kumi,** founder of AAKS, Ghana

Begin NOW!…

"It is really easy to get wrapped up in the planning of your business but sometimes you have to know what you want and just go for it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin now!"

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS (Ghana)

Entrepreneur Advice from Christelle Kwizera: Listen to our inner voice

November 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Christelle Kwizera, founder of Water Access Rwanda (WARwanda) — **Christelle Kwizera**, founder of Water Access Rwanda (WARwanda)

Listen to our inner voice....

"My biggest piece of advice is to listen to our inner voice and do what we think is good for us. As women we tend to hear others over ourselves, but in the end during our hard times we only have ourselves left. So make sure you are not being misguided by others or letting other people's comments reduce your self-esteem. One more thing is to surround yourself with other succesful women and to find role models without necessarily trying to fit into a masculine mould."

Christelle Kwizera, founder of Water Access Rwanda (South Africa)