Isis Mbaga, a fashionpreneur building an exciting ready-to-wear women’s clothing brand in Mozambique

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Isis Mbaga, founder of Isis Mbaga (Mozambique)

Mozambique has some exciting design talents emerging on the entrepreneurial scene, and Isis Mbaga, founder of the brand that carries her name, is one such talent. Her fashion brand has appeal to local and global consumers who are looking for unique designs with local flair.

Davina Toale, an entrepreneur taking dog walking to a whole new business level in South Africa

October 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Davina Toale, founder of Power Paws (South Africa)

As any dog owner knows, it can often be difficult to fit into a busy day the amount of walking that your precious pet needs to stay fit and healthy. But in Johannesburg, South Africa, expert help is at hand, thanks to Power Paws, a specialist dog walking business founded by entrepreneur Davina Toale and her co-founder Ondine.

Julia ‘Masina Mafike, an entrepreneur in Lesotho inspired by bees to build a successful business

October 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Sr. Julia ‘Masina Mafike, founder of JMM Beekeeping (Lesotho) — **Sr. Julia ‘Masina Mafike**, founder of JMM Beekeeping (Lesotho)

Lesotho is renowned for its natural beauty, attracting visitors from around the world. Today, however, it is also renowned for the quality of its honey production, thanks to an enterprising business, JMM Beekeeping, founded by Julia ‘Masina Mafike.

Linda Dempah, an entrepreneur building a natural beauty brand in Cote d’Ivoire that is empowering women across the globe

October 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Linda Dempah, founder of Adeba Nature (Cote d’Ivoire)

Empowering women to feel chic and beautiful is the mission of Ivorian natural beauty brand, Adeba Nature. Formulated using fewer than five ingredients, this product range created by beauty entrepreneur, Linda Dempah, is creating a brand that is rooted in the existing traditions preserved in Ivorian villages.

Adele Cutten, a pioneer in South Africa’s mohair industry, creating luxury products for the world to enjoy

September 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Adele Cutten, founder of Adele’s Mohair (South Africa)

Discerning visitors to the Eastern Cape know that it is not only renowned for its beautiful landscapes, its unspoilt beaches, and its wildlife. Those in the know also have an additional destination in their sights - a visit to Adele's Mohair, founded by passionate entrepreneur Adele Cutten. She has built a highly successful, high impact business that celebrates the much sought after mohair found on Angola goats, transforming it into luxury yarns, scarves, shawls, sweaters and much more. Adele and her team are an inspiration to those who visit, and those who depend on the business for jobs in the local community.

Karen Potgieter, a South African entrepreneur creating a high performance, natural skincare brand

September 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Karen Potgieter, founder of L’abeille (South Africa)

Everyone loves the idea of youthful skin but it can be hard to achieve in our busy lives. But help is at hand, thanks to L’abeille, a South African natural skincare brand that works at a cellular level, created by entrepreneur Karen Potgieter.

Taleszia Pillay and Candice Perkins, entrepreneurs building a community of wellness warriors to create a superfood brand in South Africa

September 22, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Candice Perkins and Teleszia Pillay, co-founders of Happy Earth People (South Africa)

As consumers are becoming more educated and conscious about the need to make healthy eating choices that are also kind to the environment, a South African company is opening minds to the health benefits of legumes. Happy Earth People, founded by Teleszia Pillay and Candice Perkins, is exciting consumer tastebuds with their wonderful range of handmade, healthy legume based food products.

Farida Yahya, an entrepreneur in Nigeria building an award-winning haircare solutions brand

September 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Farida Yahya, founder of Lumo Naturals (Nigeria)

The challenges facing many women in Africa of how to manage and care for their natural hair is one that entrepreneur Farida Yahya is all too familiar with. It was the inspiration for the launch of her business Lumo Naturals, which today creates a range of specialist hair products that both cleanse and treat the hair gently. Today, the brand is winning scores of fans who are looking for a natural solution for their natural hair.

Tia Linda Zuze, an entrepreneur in South Africa making research excellence count across the African continent

September 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Tia Linda Zuze, founder of Chimango Research (South Africa)

To make change happen in Africa and to make the right decisions at the right time, you need to understand the facts, you need access to accurate information, and you need to hear people’s stories and opinions. In South Africa, Chimango Research, a specialist consultancy launched by entrepreneur Tia Linda Zuze, is undertaking research initiatives that provide the essential data needed by those in change-making positions on the continent.

Thandi Hillie, a South African entrepreneur building a successful logistics and transport business leveraging the power of rail

September 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Thandi Hillie, Co-founder & CEO of Sbhekuza Rail (South Africa)

In South Africa, getting products safely and efficiently transported across the country can often be a challenge. But for entrepreneur Thandi Hillie and her company Sbhekuza Rail (a division of Sbhekuza Women Investments (Pty) Ltd), she is focused on solutions and providing a world-class service to her customers.

Boineelo Moyo, a green-fingered entrepreneur from Botswana creating beautiful gardens and landscapes for her customers

September 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Boineelo Moyo, founder of B&B Garden Masters (Botswana)

Every proud homeowner longs to have a beautiful garden to enjoy, but not everyone has the knowledge or experience in creating landscapes that are both lovely to look at and easy to maintain. In Botswana, entrepreneur Boineelo Moyo, founder of B&B Garden Masters, has the answers and the experience to match.

Paula Matsinhe, a fashionpreneur in Mozambique creating a fashion accessory and clothing line that celebrates Capulana

September 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Paula Matsinhe, founder of Uzuri Creations (Mozambique)

For many consumers, when they think of Mozambican fashion and fabrics, they immediately think of Capulana. And that unique design heritage was the inspiration for Uzuri, founded by entrepreneur Paula Matsinhe, a growing fashion accessory and clothing business in the country.

Lubaina Momade, a Mozambican entrepreneur passionate about creating access to microfinance and financial education in her country

August 31, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Lubaina Momade, founder of Luzacredito, Ei (Mozambique)

Many people find it difficult to access finance and also ways of becoming better educated in managing money, particularly on a small scale. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Lubaina Momade, founder of Luzacredito, Ei, has built a business to respond to that need.

Ivandra José, the startup story of a floral design business in Mozambique that makes every event special

August 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Ivandra José, founder of Silva Kuphatima (Mozambique)

For entrepreneur Ivandra José, founder of floral design business Silva Kuphatima in Mozambique, her inspiration came from a passion for nature, flowers and an interest in crafts. Today, she is building a business that creates lasting, beautiful memories for her clients through her floral designs and jewellery.

Lynda Aphing Kouassi, a powerhouse entrepreneur in Cote d’Ivoire, helping businesses to build capacity through training and coaching

August 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Lynda Aphing Kouassi, founder of KAIZENE (Cote d’Ivoire)

Businesses that want to grow the leaders of today and tomorrow need support when it comes to maximizing their people potential. In Cote d’Ivoire, one company is providing the solution. KAIZENE, founded by the inspirational entrepreneur, Lynda Aphing Kouassi, is taking her passion for human capital development and turning into an innovative, successful business that makes a difference.

Nonny Penelope Wright, an enterprising agripreneur from Botswana building a great dairy processing business

August 18, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Nonny Penelope Wright, founder of Lopey Inc. and Sereledi Dairy Brand (Botswana)

Botswana has a great agriculture heritage, but the exciting opportunities for young entrepreneurs in country are to be found in taking that heritage and creating innovative value-add businesses. For one young woman entrepreneur in Maun, Nonny Penelope Wright, founder of the Sereledi dairy brand, this was the inspiration for the creation of her agri business, Lopey Inc.

Krystal Bella Shabani, a Burundian fashion designer creating exciting clothing, jewelry and accessories

August 17, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)

My goal in writing this first article in what will become a series of Startup Story features for Lionesses of Africa is to shine a light on Burundian female entrepreneurs who are moving things in their country. My first interviewee is Krystal Bella Shabani, an ambitious Burundian young woman who is revolutionizing the fashion industry in the country.

Cecilia M Kapasula, a South African entrepreneur turning her passion for African fabrics into a great home decor business

August 11, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Cecilia Kapasula, founder of Home Of Sweet Savannah (South Africa)

The big global trend right now for incorporating the beautiful, bold and luxurious textiles created in Africa into home and office decor, is growing rapidly. Harnessing the power of that trend is South African decor entrepreneur, Cecilia Kapasula, founder of Home Of Sweet Savannah, a growing decor brand that is proving a hit with interior designers and home owners alike.

Amanda Aminah Masire, an entrepreneur in Botswana creating a turnkey model for local horticultural farming

August 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Amanda Aminah Masire, founder of Greenhouse Technologies (Botswana)

Many entrepreneurs are inspired to start their businesses by seeing a gap in the market or a need in their communities. In the case of Amanda Aminah Masire from Botswana, she started her business, Greenhouse Technologies, in response to the gap between government and local people in the agricultural value chain.

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