Entrepreneur Advice from Jacqueline Rogers: You need to adapt

July 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Jacqueline Rogers, founder of Label of Love (South Africa) — **Jacqueline Rogers**, founder of Label of Love (South Africa)

You have to be open to adapting....

".... you might have one plan in your head but your journey or business might have another plan for you. You need to adapt to where your business and journey goes. And just never, never, never give up. I still have to push and work hard to keep my business alive and push to the next level, and most of the time it's not easy, so its important to realize that. But when you hard work and effort comes together, it makes all the pain and sweat worthwhile. And ask for help, ask anyone and everyone that can help you - put yourself out there and talk about your business - you never know who might hear you or your story."

- Jacqueline Rogers is the founder of Label of Love, a South African company that designs feminine comfortable maternity wear. Jacqueline is on a mission to create the most beautiful clothes that make any mum-to-be feel special during this important time in their lives, whilst at the same time designing each garment to be comfortable, practical and long-lasting.

Essential Read: Regroup - The How-To of Never Giving Up by Jaunique Sealey

July 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Real, relatable and raw - an unflinching look at what it takes to live life on your own terms. Written in the words of a savvy best friend and packed full of emotion-stirring moments, Regroup is the entertaining and uplifting read that we all need in these days of uncertainty.

Lindiwe Mafavuneh, a Botswana based entrepreneur on a mission to help companies to manage their risk and maximize their investments

July 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Lindiwe Mafavuneh, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana) — **Lindiwe Mafavuneh**, founder of LCM Capital (Botswana)

Every company and organization needs to manage its risk profile whilst at the same time maximizing its ability to drive business success, but it’s a fine balancing act. For many, specilalist help and advice is needed to get that balance right, and that’s where LCM Capital has found its niche, thanks to founder Lindiwe Mafavuneh.

In the footsteps of the Caesars

July 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Every year in July I travel, but this time I won’t be, so allow me to do so vicariously through nostalgia of a past sojourn’s images etched colourfully in my mind. Though I traversed the breadth of Italy, it is Rome’s smells and spirited tales that beckon to be revealed and re-explored and I find myself willingly teleported to strange yet familiar sounds from my history books and daily business Latin phrases.

Quote of the Day by Rapelang Rabana

July 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Rapelang Rabana, founder of ReKindle Learning and co-founder of Yeigo Communications — **Rapelang Rabana**, founder of ReKindle Learning and co-founder of Yeigo Communications

"...to improve and support innovation in Africa, the single most powerful thing to do is to deliver quality broadband internet to the majority of Africans. That, I think, will do a lot more than any 'Ministry of Innovation,' than any innovation fund, or any kind of innovation vehicle that we can think of....Access to information and communication is the most empowering thing we can do to support innovation. It opens doors for greater innovation in farming, education, health, and financial services."

- Rapelang Rabana is an internationally recognized technology entrepreneur, a thought leader and business speaker. She is the founder of Rekindle Learning, a learning technology company, and previously co-founded Yeigo Communications, South Africa's first free VoIP mobile services provider. In 2012 Rapelang was named on Oprah Magazine's O Power List; in 2013 she was listed on Forbes's 30 under 30 list for best entrepreneurs of Africa, and in 2014 she was named one of the Entrepreneurs of the World by the World Entrepreneurship Forum.

Become a master asker!

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In general, people like to mind their own business…excuse the pun. But I will tell you something about small town people…they love to help! We live in a society where we are trained to be self-sufficient and independent. Although it has merits, is it all that healthy?

Why not be the first?

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

I watched the movie Hidden Figures recently and there is a scene in the movie where the character goes to court to fight to be able to attend a school she cannot go to. When asked why she was doing it, she told the judge that because it had never been done, she would have to be the first.

Awards and Accolades: 5 Young Women Entrepreneurs Recognized by the Keroche Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Mentorship Programme

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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The Keroche Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program is one of the tangible ways that leading Kenyan entrepreneur, Tabitha Karanja, founder of Keroche Breweries, is fulfilling her vision of empowering a new generation of young entrepreneurs in her country. Five young women entrepreneurs have just been recognized for their business building activities in the second cohort to graduate from the program.

100 Lionesses: Nigerian entrepreneur Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV, honored with journalism award

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV (Nigeria) — **Mo Abudu**, founder of Ebony Life TV (Nigeria)

This week, on 6th July 2017, the 4th Women in Journalism Conference takes place, honoring the outstanding work done by women in their own individual fields in the media sector. Nigerian game-changing media entrepreneur, Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV, is to be recognized for her work in changing the media landscape in Africa.

Quote of the Day by Caryn Formby

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Caryn Formby, founder of Power Plastics, South Africa — **Caryn Formby**, founder of Power Plastics, South Africa

"The starting point for entrepreneurship is for aspiring entrepreneurs to adopt a 'can do' attitude within existing companies. There are so many of us with opportunities within our current jobs.”

- Caryn Formby is founder and CEO of Power Plastics a South African company that joins, welds, shapes, sews and seals various plastic materials to fabricate high quality and cost effective end products. The company is well known for its plastic pool-covers and Caryn is passionate about child safety around pools. She is the driving force behind TopStep, the home of pool safety – an educational platform for all things relating to child drowning prevention. In November 2014, Caryn was an awardee at the prestigious global IWEC (International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge) ceremony held in Stockholm.

Entrepreneur Advice from Nikki Davies: Believe in yourself

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nikki Davies, co-founder of Orchard Baby and Toddler Foods (South Africa) — **Nikki Davies**, co-founder of Orchard Baby and Toddler Foods (South Africa)

Believe in yourself....

"Just keep on believing in yourself and don’t take no for an answer. Pursue your dream and pursue your customers. Don’t ever let them down."

- Nikki Davies is the co-founder of Orchard Baby and Toddler Foods, a South African company that produces convenient yet healthy baby and toddler food from 100 percent natural ingredients, seasoned with fresh herbs and spices, with no preservatives. When Nikki, a teacher at the time, began cooking meals for babies at her school parents loved the taste profile and convenience of these meals that this service very quickly turned into a thriving business. Today, Nikki distributes nearly 6000 jars of this convenient real baby food each month.

Entrepreneur Advice from Kendi Sapepa: Get the ball rolling

July 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Kendi Sapepa, founder of Barbara McKenzie (South Africa) — **Kendi Sapepa**, founder of Barbara McKenzie (South Africa)

Get the ball rolling....

"There is no perfect time to start. Just do it. Don't wait for anything, just get the ball rolling."

- Kendi Sapepa is the founder of Barbara McKenzie in South Africa, a Johannesburg-based clothing brand that provides classic-inspired yet modern and fashion-forward clothing for stylish and fashionable women, through offering: consulting for bespoke orders, seasonal ready-to-wear collections, and styling service. Established in 2013, Barbara McKenzie has been catering for all women of all ages, races, shapes and sizes, all over the country.

Entrepreneur Advice from Megan Richards: Collaboration is powerful

July 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Megan Richards, founder of The Authentic Girl (South Africa) — **Megan Richards**, founder of The Authentic Girl (South Africa)

Collaboration is powerful....

"Just start! So many times we delay projects for fear of being judged or not having a perfect product. When I started blogging, I didn't have a perfect product but I learnt as I moved along. I am a firm believer in supporting other women entrepreneurs, there's so much power when women collaborate!"

- Megan Richards is the founder of The Authentic Girl in South Africa, a lifestyle blog that aims to inspire women through 3 lifestyle products namely fashion, beauty, food and wine. Megan started the blog in 2014 as a platform to share the things she loves. She is currently furthering her studies in Industrial Psychology.

Kenya’s women entrepreneurs gather for the first Lioness Lean In event in the country

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

The Lioness Lean In Tour of Africa continued this month with a visit to Nairobi, Kenya, to bring 50 of the city’s leading women entrepreneurs together to inspire, share, connect and of course network. It was a great morning powered by Stanbic Bank, our impact partner in Africa, and we can’t wait to be back to host another of our popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events in this beautiful city.

Yolie Thela, a South African entrepreneur creating unique baby clothing that celebrates her love of African prints

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby (South Africa) — **Yolie Thela**, founder of GloryBaby (South Africa)

The global market for beautifully made, colorful and fun baby clothes that are loved by babies and moms alike is growing, and particularly in Africa. Tapping into that growing market opportunity is South African entrepreneur, Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby, with her proudly South African prints brightening up the wardrobes of babies across the country and the continent.

Liberty’s women intrapreneurs ‘lean in’ to learn about building a business

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Many people working as employees for major companies who enjoy their daily corporate lives also have a dream to one day kickstart an entrepreneurial idea into action and build a business. Recognizing this aspiration, Liberty Group is doing something proactive to help its women employees fulfill this dream.

Adèle Cutten, the startup story of a passionate South African craftswoman taking her love of natural yarns to a whole new level

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Adèle Cutten, founder of Adèle’s Mohair (South Africa) — **Adèle Cutten**, founder of Adèle’s Mohair (South Africa)

Successful businesses are often inspired by the passion of their founders, and in the case of Adèle Cutten, founder of Adèle’s Mohair, it was a passion for transforming sought-after natural fibres like Mohair, Wool, Silk and Alpaca, into beautiful yarns. Today, her company produces a wide range of yarns with interesting colours and textures, together with beautifully crafted end-products, all the while adding value to the lives of the people involved in the process.

100 Lionesses: Divine Ndhlukula appointed new Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce President

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of Securico — **Divine Ndhlukula**, founder of Securico

This month saw the appointment of Divine Ndhlukula, founder of game changing security services company, Securico, as the new Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) President, a post she will occupy for the next two years. She has committed to dedicating her time at the helm of the ZNCC to furthering the cause of small to medium sized enterprises, something close to her heart as an entrepreneur. Divine said: “It will be important to note that we will focus on helping SMEs to realize their full potential as they now anchor the country’s economy. In the same vein, we will also strive to ensure that the country’s economy can realize its full potential.”

How becoming a new parent has taught me important business lessons

July 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In May this year I became a mommy! What an honour and privilege it is to take care of this precious little one. And what an amazing journey it has been thus far. I went on maternity leave for 4 weeks and started easing myself back into work in the 5th week. This of course got me thinking, of how your time and priorities change, and what it’s truly like to be a working mom.