“Most people don't realize that leadership is fundamentally about service, about a dying to self and loving others into their true potential. It isn't about us personally. It isn't about what we can get, or consume. It isn't about elevating ourselves above others. It isn't about ego. Leadership is about lowering ourselves such that the people who work with us, and our organizations can thrive in ways that create value (economic and social).”
- Binta Niambi Brown is an American corporate lawyer and Mossavar-Rahmani senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School who regularly advises early stage technology, media and entertainment companies. She is also a human rights advocate and nascent angel investor and regularly works on technology and internet IPOs and transactions. She also advises senior management and corporate boards of media, technology, telecom, and entertainment companies on corporate governance matters.
Read moreIf you want to keep learning and evolving as a leader - then pay attention to what you are doing wrong....
“There’s a lot of talk about being a born leader … having natural leadership. I think that’s a myth. My experience is that if you are not paying attention to the things you’re doing wrong, then you’re not evolving and learning. I would say that leadership is something that is learned. It can be learned and should be learned. Leadership is something you’re always honing and learning and reflecting to see ways you could have been better at it. Anyone who thinks they’re a natural leader is probably horrible to work with.”
- Rachel Sklar is a writer and social entrepreneur based in New York. She is the co-founder of Change The Ratio, which increases visibility and opportunity for women in tech & new media, and TheLi.st. A former lawyer who writes about media, politics, culture & technology, she was a founding editor at Mediaite and the Huffington Post. Rachel was named to the Silicon Alley 100 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, FastCompany’s “League of Extraordinary Women,” and listed on Forbes’ “Women Changing The World”.
Read moreTrust your instincts to lead....
“Most people think leaders are some sort of ‘all-knowing-beings,’ but in reality we often don't know the answers. The difference is that leaders trust their instincts to lead them to an answer.”
- Kathryn Finney is an American entrepreneur and the founder and managing director of digitalundivided (DID), a social enterprise that develops programs that increase the participation of urban communities, especially women, in the digital space. DID’s programs have reached over 4 million people. In 2013, Kathryn received the Champions of Change Award from The White House for her working in increasing inclusiveness in tech. She was also named one of AOL’s Top Women in Money and Black Enterprise’s “40 Stars Under 40″.
Read moreYou need to find ways to rejuvenate yourself and your work energy levels....
“You need to hit Monday ready to go ... To do that, you need weekends that rejuvenate you, rather than exhaust or disappoint you. Cross-training makes you a better athlete, and likewise, exercise, volunteer work, and spiritual activities make you a better worker.”
- Laura Vanderkam is a internationally recognized writer who questions the status quo and helps her readers rediscover their true passions and beliefs in pursuit of more meaningful lives. She is the author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think. She blogs at www.lauravanderkam.com.
Read moreTwo key things you must do to be successful as an entrepreneur.....
"One, you need to persevere on the business you’re running. Two, you need to network; you can’t stay in isolation. You need to network at conferences at the same level. This also gives you an opportunity to give input to other people and stay abreast of politics."
- 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 moreSELFINA was developed out of a need to overcome the barriers that social norms and customary law often impose on women entrepreneurs in the East African country.Dr. Victoria's personal experiences along with her academic interests have inspired her to serve widows without land or significant assets. She was motivated to launch a business to provide women entrepreneurs, specifically micro-entrepreneurs in rural areas of Tanzania, with the financial support they needed to create and sustain their own business.
Read moreHere's how entrepreneurs can avoid procrastination when tackling that big project....
"Procrastination often happens when you feel flummoxed and overwhelmed. Breaking the project into manageable chunks, as well as getting help and advice, will get you over the hump."
- Minda Zetlin is an American author, speaker, and journalist whose work has appeared in publications from Inc. to New York Magazine to Computerworld. She is the author or co-author of several books, most recently The Geek Gap: Why Business and Technology Professionals Don’t Understand Each Other and Why They Need Each Other to Survive. She is the president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Check out Minda’s blog Marriage & Other Adventures about life, love, long-term relationships, and relocating to the Pacific Northwest.
Read moreThis iconic woman opened the doors to her property business in the 1970's and went on to become one of the most admired and respected female entrepreneurs in the world.
Read moreSource: ARISE Entertainment 360, hosted by Lola Ogunnaike, published on Feb 14, 2014
Nigerian fashion pioneer Deola Sagoe celebrated 25 years in the business with a solo exhibition at the 2014 New York Fashion Show. ARISE Entertainment 360, hosted by Lola Ogunnaike sat down with her moments before the festivities began.
Read more"If you talk about economic development, it is odd that we, the producers, the creators of employment, do not have access to credit and do not get the kind of tax breaks the traders get."
- Aïssa Dione, a renowned Senegalese painter and textile designer, founded the company that bears her name, Aissa Dione Tissus back in 1992. Her mission: to revive Senegal's traditional and unique fabric weaving craftsmanship and build a production chain that is truly '100% Made in Senegal'. Her approach is to combine unique design, know-how and artisan craftsmanship to transform African grown cotton into a valuable product. She has succeeded in this, building a high-end fabric brand underpinned by centuries old cotton processing and weaving skills. Today, Aissa has more than 100 employees whose traditional handwoven fabrics are delivered to the absolute top-end interior design brands across Africa, Europe and the United States. Aissa's designs and fabrics grace major design salons and brands such as Hermés, Fendi, Christian Liaigre and Peter Marino.
Read moreSource: eNCA | Published on Aug 29, 2014
eNCA profiles remarkable women in a series called August Women. Sibongile Sambo turned her dream of flight to reality by becoming the first black female to own an aviation company in South Africa.
Read moreSource: Walmart | Published on 7 March 2013
Walmart and Full Circle Exchange connect shoppers with quality products made by the network of women basket weavers in Rwanda, allowing customers to help the lives of their families and communities.
Read moreThis inspirational woman has risen from difficult beginnings in life to build along with her husband a major retail success story.
Read moreLet’s face it, life as an entrepreneur can often be stressful. From cash flow challenges to handling difficult clients, or managing impossibly long working hours and trying to find that elusive work-life balance, there are so many possible stress points that have to be dealt with each day. The key to success is to manage stress, rather than letting it get the better of you. So, here are 10 stress busters to help lighten the load....
Read moreSource: SABC Top Billing, published on August 3, 2013
SABC's Top Billing show brings you all the glamour of the launch of entrepreneur, Khanyi Dlomo's new department store, Luminance. Khanyi shares the background to what inspired her to take the leap into the high-end retail business.
Read moreSource: Inspired Citizen, Anthony Berklich, published on Feb 17, 2014
Anthony Berklich sat down with Khanyi Dhlomo at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa in Johannesburg to discuss her entrepreneur story, her philosophy and her advice to those who have big dreams and ambitions.
Read moreSource: Destiny Magazine, published on March 13, 2013
Want to know more about Khanyi Dhlomo's new luxury retail venture Luminance? Then watch the behind-the-scenes cover shoot with DESTINY Founding Editor and Ndalo Media CEO, Khanyi Dhlomo, and businesswoman and Luminance investor, Dr Judy Dlamini on DestinyTV here!
Read more"We are extremely entrepreneurial and adaptable in South Africa, qualities essential to success in a developing market. We have a lot to share with the world.”
- Khanyi Dhlomo is the Managing Director of Ndalo Media, which she founded in 2007. She is also the founder of DestinyConnect and the founding editor of Destiny Magazine. Before starting her own media company, Khanyi was editor of True Love magazine for eight years. In 2013, Khanyi ventured in retail and launched Luminance, a high-end fashion and lifestyle department store. Khanyi was named most influential woman in South African Media by The Media Magazine in 2003 and made the 2011 Forbes list of 20 Young Power Women in Africa.
Read moreWhat is your key to success?....
"Focus, hard work and being good to others and to yourself.”
- Khanyi Dhlomo is the Managing Director of Ndalo Media, which she founded in 2007. She is also the founder of DestinyConnect and the founding editor of Destiny Magazine. Before starting her own media company, Khanyi was editor of True Love magazine for eight years. In 2013, Khanyi ventured in retail and launched Luminance, a high-end fashion and lifestyle department store. Khanyi was named most influential woman in South African Media by The Media Magazine in 2003 and made the 2011 Forbes list of 20 Young Power Women in Africa.
Read more"At 21, I started at the bottom, literally, … I was on my knees putting tape on the soles of models' shoes and steaming clothes and serving snacks at photo shoots. It was my chance to break into magazines and that outweighed everything."
- Khanyi Dhlomo is the Managing Director of Ndalo Media, which she founded in 2007. She is also the founder of DestinyConnect and the founding editor of Destiny Magazine. Before starting her own media company, Khanyi was editor of True Love magazine for eight years. In 2013, Khanyi ventured in retail and launched Luminance, a high-end fashion and lifestyle department store. Khanyi was named most influential woman in South African Media by The Media Magazine in 2003 and made the 2011 Forbes list of 20 Young Power Women in Africa.
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