"As we like to say Africa accounts for only 2% of global trade... give us the chance to compete and WIN some market share, just like TIMBERLAND or PUMA, or NIKE or any of these global brands, and watch what we can accomplish..."
- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year. soleRebels has been expanding rapidly and today exports to no fewer than 45 countries and is targeting 50 stand alone soleRebels retail stores across the United States by 2018 and 500 worldwide by 2022.
Read moreIf, like me, you start your entrepreneurial day with a cappuccino, or in my case a hot chocolate, in your favourite local coffee shop, then you are part of a growing global trend of coffee shop entrepreneurs who use this relaxed environment to network, brainstorm or just work quietly amongst other like-minded entrepreneurial souls.
Read moreYou can make a massive impact as a social entrepreneur....
"We began soleRebels to bring jobs to our community, a place where there literally were NONE."
Read moreA letter from Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu the founder of soleRebels
Dear friends, my name is Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu and I am the founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Bostex PLC) here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is my immense pleasure to introduce myself and soleRebels to you.
Read moreEssential Video
Watch this video where Richard Branson tells the inspiring story of how he started Virgin as a 15 year old with just $200 given to him by his mother.
Read moreSource: Movers & Shakers | Published on May 14, 2013
Jenna Clifford Designs represents the apex of high fashion jewellery design and the epitome of rare quality and superlative craftsmanship. Established in 1992, the company has steadily grown its clientele and improved its profile to institute itself as a powerful force in the jewellery industry. The premium designed and handcrafted range of rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and many other outstanding products has attracted international appeal.
Read more"There are probably no more market-oriented individuals on the planet, than low income people."
- Jacqueline Novogratz founded and leads Acumen, a non-profit organisation that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. Read her profile here.
Read more"Very small investments can release the infinite potential that lies in all of us."
- Jacqueline Novogratz founded and leads Acumen, a non-profit organisation that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. Read her profile here.
Read more“It hasn’t been easy, it’s been a huge task but it’s been worth every sleepless night I’ve endured. The company is now well established and is a growing enterprise, with an annual turnover of R54 million. To me, that alone is an incredible achievement.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
Read moreNetworking and gathering market intelligence are powerful weapons....
“Doing this hasn’t always been easy, but as soon as men are aware that you’re as intelligent as, or more intelligent than they are, they take you seriously. So I stay knowledgeable; I read continuously and attend conferences and industry events regularly.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
Read moreYou have to think and act globally....
“No matter what the size of your business, no matter what the generation or iteration of your business, you are in a global business”. “We all compete globally – no matter what we manufacture, no matter what we deliver as a service or a solution, there is someone else in the world also doing that –and technology has brought us together into a single community.”
- Janice Bryant Howroyd, CEO of Act-1 Group, is the first Black woman in the United States to have founded and own a billion-dollar company.
Read moreSource: CNBC Africa | Published on May 9, 2014
Women empowerment in Africa has still got a long way to go and the economic emancipation of women is a continuous effort. CNBC Africa speaks about gender empowerment to Essential Medicines analyst, Olajumoke Adekeye, fellow leading woman and CEO of Afroes Holdings, Anne Githuku-Shongwe and Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of Leap Africa.
Read more"Each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And it's in the total of all those acts that the history of this generation will be written."
- Jacqueline Novogratz founded and leads Acumen, a non-profit organisation that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. Read her profile here.
Read more“I just want you to be yourself. Be a bigger yourself.”
- Tyra Banks is the founder and CEO of Bankable Productions and the Tyra Banks Company. This former Victoria's Secret model has leveraged her media profile to go on to build a sizeable entertainment and business empire. A savvy entrepreneur, she is the founder and CEO of Bankable Productions - the production company behind 20 seasons of America's Next Top Model. In addition, her investment firm, Fierce Capital (a subsidiary of the Tyra Banks Company), is funding startups.
Read moreGo with your gut....
"Engage your emotions at work. Your instincts and emotions are there to help you. They are there to make things easier. For me, business is a ‘gut feeling’, and if it ever ceased to be so, I think I would give it up tomorrow."
- Richard Branson. This English business magnate and investor is surely one of the world's most prominent entrepreneurs. He is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies.
Read moreSource: In2EastAfrica.com | May 6, 2014
Most young people are unemployed because they have a misconception that one can only start an income-generating venture when they have a lot of money. Lydie Hakizimana, the chairperson of Rwanda's Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs at Private Sector Federation, said this mindset was partly responsible for the increasing rate of unemployment in the country.
Read moreSource: KTN News Morning Express | Published on 6 May 2014
Dr. Jennifer Riria, CEO Kenya Women Group talks with Sophia Wanuna of KTN Morning Express discussing women entrepreneurship in Kenya.
Read moreOn receiving awards and recognition as an entrepreneur ....
“These awards show that I’m heading in the right direction. It also means that the business of aviation is my playground. I plan to take SRS Aviation to greater heights and become the leader in this business.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
Read more“Discipline is not a dirty word. There is far more freedom and opportunity for creativity and success in enjoying discipline. Years ago someone I very much respect told me the reason they were successful is that they embraced doing what other people resent or are reluctant to do.”
- Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first black woman in the United States to have founded a billion-dollar business. Her company, Act 1 Group, is an international recruitment and business management firm with revenues of $2 Billion.
Read moreSource: Punch | May 4, 2014 by Kemi Ashefon
Tara Fela-Durotoye is Africa's leading make-up and beauty industry entrepreneur and the Creative Director of House of Tara. With many branches in major cities across Nigeria and West-Africa, this pioneer female entrepreneur talks about her remarkable journey.
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