Entrepreneur Advice from Tapiwa Matsinde / Let your creativity flow

May 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tapiwa Matsinde, founder, Atelier 55 (UK)

Let your creativity flow…

“In times of uncertainty, stress and anxiety levels increase. Make looking after your health and well-being a priority. I encourage you to let your creativity flow and do more of what brings you joy and what you can do safely to soothe your soul and take your mind off all the turmoil.”

Tapiwa Matsinde, founder, Atelier 55 (UK)

Entrepreneur Advice from Laura Camacho / Take a calculated risk

May 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Laura Camacho, founder, Mixonian Institute (USA)

Take a calculated risk…

“When you get things wrong, you learn. Be sure to congratulate yourself on trying something, on getting out of your comfort zone and taking the calculated risk. Not everyone does that and your failure is testament to your personal courage.”

Laura Camacho, founder, Mixonian Institute (USA)

Entrepreneur Advice from Kulani Shiluvane / Embrace change

May 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kulani Shiluvane, founder, Shiluvah (South Africa)

Embrace change…

“As an entrepreneur, change needs to be one of your board members. It is in the ability to embrace change or having a change mindset that allows us to find new solutions for the challenges we’ll face.”

Kulani Shiluvane, founder, Shiluvah (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Damaris Nyabuti / Show your customers you care

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Damaris Nyabuti, founder, Dharkemmy Corporate Communications Limited (Kenya)

Show your customers you care…

“Don’t stop providing services because of the pandemic, adapt to cater for the public’s needs. Show them you care and want to serve them, just with better precautions and the same efficiency.”

Damaris Nyabuti, founder, Dharkemmy Corporate Communications Limited (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mariam Lawani / Don’t get easily discouraged

May 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mariam Lawani, founder, Greenhill Recycling, (Nigeria)

Don’t get easily discouraged…

“I would say do not see the limitations, they are there deliberately to discourage you. Engage in sufficient research, ensure your solution meets a need, and just do it!”

Mariam Lawani, founder, Greenhill Recycling, (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Celine Uwineza / Find people to support your dream

May 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Celine Uwineza, founder, Right Seat, Rwanda

Find people to support your dream…

“Start! Surround yourself with people who believe in your dreams and support you.”

Celine Uwineza, founder, Right Seat, Rwanda

Entrepreneur advice from Antoinette Stoltz / Take time to reflect and improve

May 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Antoinette Stoltz, founder, Bobby Yarn, South Africa

Take time to reflect and improve…

“Take this time to reflect and see where you can improve, change or help in your business or even personally. This is the time for CHANGE!”

Antoinette Stoltz, founder, Bobby Yarn, South Africa

Entrepreneur Advice from Annette Cassy / You must like what you do

May 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Annette Cassy, founder, Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil, Mozambique

You must like what you do…

“Do something that you really enjoy doing and preferably in your area of expertise.”

Annette Cassy, founder, Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Abiola Olaonipekun / Do something that will outlive you

May 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Abiola Olaonipekun, Founder, BanahGrace Nigeria Limited

Do something that will outlive you…

“If you love it so much, go for it! Be ready to do something that will outlive you. Be excellent”

Abiola Olaonipekun, Founder, BanahGrace Nigeria Limited

Entrepreneur Advice from Tadziripa Madzima / Start with whatever you have

May 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tadziripa Madzima, founder of IGNITE Youth (Zimbabwe) — Tadziripa Madzima, founder of IGNITE Youth (Zimbabwe)

Start with whatever you have…

“Start with whatever you have, and with commitment and perseverance, you will see your business grow and expand tremendously.”

Tadziripa Madzima, founder of IGNITE Youth (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Denise Umunyana / Listen to your heart

April 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Denise Umunyana and Celine Uwineza, founders of RightSeat (Rwanda) — Denise Umunyana and Celine Uwineza, founders of RightSeat (Rwanda)

Listen to your heart…

“Listen to your heart, find what you care most about, and don’t be afraid of making a decision to follow your passion.”

Denise Umunyana, co-founder and managing partner, Right Seat, Rwanda

Entrepreneur Advice from Bukky Asehinde / Start with what you have

April 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana, Nigeria

Start with what you have…

“Start with what you have, who you know, and where you are. The hardest thing in life is actually to start”

Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana, Nigeria

Entrepreneur Advice from Adele Dejak / Have a clear strategic plan

April 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Adele Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak, Kenya

Have a clear strategic plan…

“Don’t start a business without doing proper market research, having clear strategic plans, and adequate capital.”

Adele Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak, Kenya

Entrepreneur Advice from Brenda Katwesigye / Build teams and partnerships

April 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Brenda Katwesigye, co-founder and CEO of Wazi Vision Limited (Uganda)

Build teams and partnerships…

“I would advise other women to build teams, partnerships, and also find a mentor. Going it alone can sometimes stifle the growth of a startup”

Brenda Katwesigye, co-founder and CEO of Wazi Vision Limited (Uganda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Georgina Angélica / Have a clear vision

April 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Georgina Angélica, specialist education and professional development consultant, Angola

Have a clear vision…

“I strongly believe that you need to have a clear vision and mission to drive all your steps, so you don’t get lost when challenges come. I feel that a mentor to guide you is also a great asset to success.”

Georgina Angélica, specialist education and professional development consultant (Angola)

Entrepreneur Advice from Femi Oyedipe / Have big goals

April 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Femi Oyedipe, founder, Loshes Chocolate, Nigeria

Have big goals…

“Show up every day, no matter what. Have the BIG goals but break them down into smaller ones that you can execute day-to-day.”

Femi Oyedipe, founder, Loshes Chocolate, Nigeria

Entrepreneur Advice from Farida Yahya / Lead with empathy

April 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals, Nigeria

Lead with empathy…

“As a female founder, you should never feel pressured to lead like the boys. There is nothing wrong in leading with empathy.”

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals, Nigeria

Entrepreneur Advice from Faith Dzwinamurungu / Push yourself

April 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Faith Dzwinamurungu, founder, Fay’s Kitchen (Eswatini)

Push yourself…

“To any woman out there with a passion for anything, I say to you the sky is the limit. Push yourself, do not procrastinate, just be a go-getter and everything will work out, only if you push, push, push!”

Faith Dzwinamurungu, founder, Fay’s Kitchen (Eswatini)

Entrepreneur Advice from Eki Okubanjo / Focus on your strengths

April 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Eki Okubanjo, founder of Eki Oris Fashion Company (Nigeria)

Focus on your strengths…

“Information is power, equip yourself with the necessary knowledge needed to grow your brand. Develop yourself, know your strengths and weaknesses - focus on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.”

Eki Okubanjo, founder of Eki Oris Fashion Company (Nigeria)