the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
You have worked hard to get to where you are and it feels good to be reaching your goals. However, you might not be alone in enjoying your success – many young professionals today feel pressurised to ‘pay back’ and support extended family members who may not be as fortunate.
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by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech
As the year winds down and we’re all tempted to start planning for the next year, it’s important to take a moment to do a bit of a retrospective and to celebrate the successes we have had to date. In fact, it’s an important aspect of our development as leaders, that we are able to celebrate the small wins and reinforce that we are on the path to success, no matter what that looks like in our business or personal lives.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
If you are on earth you have either heard or said the words ‘Why don’t you?’ to someone. If you are a first generation business owner in your family, you hear these words from everyone. Humans are kind, first. We are keen to help. Sometimes even when we are not asked. I cannot begin to tell you how many times people have asked the question “Why don’t you?” to me, believing that whatever they are saying is most definitely the answer to my challenges. Some even have contacts for me to action this idea they have come up with. It’s highly appreciated but most times not what we need. Sometimes we just need to vent - about our businesses!
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I consume books. Especially books that help me understand myself better; books that help me learn from other people’s journeys. Both their successes and their mistakes are invaluable ways to fast-track our own growth. These 7 books incorporate all that … and so much more. Happy reading!
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by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life
During any trip in nature so many things can happen. We have all watched movies of the unforeseen or the accident waiting to happen. We have also witnessed nail gripping stuff of someone who cannot hold their grip in certain circumstances.
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I came across a podcast recently where leadership guru, Simon Sinek, was being interviewed by Tony Robbins. He mentioned a concept I hadn’t heard of before ‘Care-frontation’. In my research, I came across a great definition that characterizes it as follows…
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by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
My response to the question “Are you not too young?” My age often comes up and people are not only shocked but worried about the responsibilities I have acquired. I am 22 years old, married, have a two months old son, and I am a social entrepreneur.
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by Paula Quinsee, Relationship Expert
Spring season has always been associated with decluttering, clearing out, spring cleaning and making space for the new. This gives us wonderful opportunities to take stock of what we have, what's working, what's not working, what is valuable and what has passed it's 'sell by' date. It's not that different when it comes to our relationships.
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by Laura Camacho, PhD
Fortune favors those who give their businesses Full Heart. Women entrepreneurs, more so than our male counterparts, tend to have several projects to manage beside their business. These projects can include children, parents (and other family members), a day job and perhaps running a home.
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I always know where my focus and head space is by the status of the wallpaper on my phone. Not quite what you were expecting to read right? So, a few months ago, I made myself a wallpaper with the word ‘Pause’. This was to remind myself to slow down, be mindful, not rush, not look 5 steps ahead but to just be in the moment and be present with those around me.
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by Eldari Visser, founder of PicketFence Life
Having a bird’s eye view brings to mind a very common concept. It shows you with one overall look at what you need to know about any situation. We use this in corporate situations and in our own lives. Most entrepreneurs have to take a couple of steps back from their work to take a good look at what they have created, what they are busy with, or their action plans towards reaching their goals. Access the progress and problems.
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By Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
A few months back I decided to remove myself from social media. Okay, let us say a percentage of me. Or, was it a decision to remove social media from my life? I made a conscious decision to limit my time on it for personal reasons. The biggest reason is social media is LOUD. And most of the time the loudness is so much negativity and pain happening all over the world. So much information filed into my mind on a daily basis, and in some instances I found myself interacting emotionally, it was just not good. One of the reasons our grandmothers have great skin is that they honestly didn’t know as much as we know about everything…and they made it through life!
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by Karen Wessels, founder of VA Connect and SnappSales
Life loves throwing us curveballs at the best of times. It’s going to happen and it will continue happening. So, the question is, how do we best manage this? As entrepreneurs we are solution-based thinkers. This means that we are continuously seeking solutions as opposed to looking straight into the problem. It could take years of figuring out, adapting, changing, making sure that your process and flow work for you.
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by Hlengiwe Moepe, founder of Marpemed
As an entrepreneur, are you fully aware of the importance of good nutrition, and avoiding becoming overweight or obese? Your food choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall health.
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by Tatenda Rungisa, Human Resources Practitioner and co-founder of Twin Connect Solutions
Women have been known for being nurturers by nature, and it is only with the emancipation and empowerment that women have started taking on roles traditionally thought to be for men, and also undertaking entrepreneurial activities. However, it is wise to note that there is still a need for women to balance their nurturing roles in the family, as well as their roles in the workplace and in their businesses.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
In the 4 years that Roka Roko has been in existence, I have hired 6 people and lost all of them, each for different reasons. I have learned how tough it is to find the right person to hire and keep them. A lot of us say hiring is growth and give it a status, making it sound fancy and grand. Well, it is the same as the fashion industry, nothing fancy but really challenging.
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
In our ‘always on’, technology obsessed world, we have started to lose the human element in our communication with others. People sitting in an open plan office, across from each other would prefer to send an email than to walk over and discuss the project, issue, fill in the blank. Firstly, the amount of time wasted in countless email trails, could be solved in less than 5 minutes of face-face time.
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
Last night, as I am yet again worrying instead of sleeping as per ‘normal human behavior’, I started scolding myself for worrying so much. And in turn helping the anxiety exist within me… and possibly assisting hypertension to revel! It is midnight or just after midnight, and yes as per ‘Brigette normal behavior’, I am awake. I am in bed counting all the orders I have for this week; and the how much it will cost to make them and whether I have all those deposits, etc. In my process of worry a voice says ‘worry about what you do have, and not what you do not have.’
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by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
Failure is a natural part of life and the journey to success – whatever that may mean to you. In my workshops on personal branding, I teach people that when you do make a mistake, the first step is to own it and then use that as an opportunity to exceed expectations. Be solutions orientated and always find a way to make a plan. If the situation is out of your control, then manage your client’s expectations and be as transparent as possible. We are human which means we are fallible. People are more forgiving when they are part of the solution and also when you don’t try play the blame game.
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by Phindile Ndlovu, founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
We are urged so many times to support our local brands, to support small businesses, and even support black female owned businesses. We are encouraged to support those who are from disadvantaged groupings, who have stepped out and took the risk of starting businesses. I concede - starting a business coming from a disadvantaged position is hard and you need a good support system. When that business does not go well that month, that means the bills will not be paid and the family will struggle to have food on the table. So yes, we need to support, local, small and black owned businesses.
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