ESSENTIAL READ: Hunch - Turn Your Everyday Insights Into The Next Big Thing by Bernadette Jiwa

October 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Where will your next big idea come from? Analyzing hard data? A corporate brainstorming session? Customer focus groups? Or closer to home? According to author Bernadette Jiwa, successful people don’t wait for proof that their idea will work. They learn to trust their gut and go.

Evandra Cossa, a Mozambican entrepreneur addressing financial inclusion in her country

September 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Evandra Cossa, founder of Ezee Money (Mozambique) — **Evandra Cossa**, founder of Ezee Money (Mozambique)

Ezee Money Mozambique is a new business venture in the country that looks to further financial inclusion for its citizens by being largely telecom independent, enabling users to access pre-paid and money transfer services. Serial entrepreneur, Evandra Cossa, is leveraging existing technology based solutions originating from Malaysia to make a difference in Mozambique.

Own your time; show up on time

September 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

If you’re chronically late, how do you start showing up on time? Many people have the habit of constantly running late — and they drive themselves, and other people, crazy. Now, I have the opposite problem — I’m pathologically early, and often arrive places too soon. This allows me to arrive relaxed, calm and confident; I also always sure I keep reading material on me like my Kindle so I can feel productive while waiting. I make sure I don’t make it someone else’s problem that I arrive early and wait for the scheduled time before calling them.

Outsourcing 101 : Outsourcing for beginners – how, when and why

September 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

If you are a small business owner, I know that you are wearing different hats. After all, when you’re just starting out cash flow is at a minimum and so are your business resources. But there comes a point where you as the business owner can only do so much and it’s time to look at getting in extra help.

Quote of the Day by Khanyi Dhlomo

September 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"... failure is an opportunity to learn and to do better next time. It’s part of the path to greatness, which was never meant to be smooth."

- 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. 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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tamala Chirwa: Tune out the inner critic

September 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint (Malawi) — **Tamala Chirwa**, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint (Malawi)

Tune out the inner critic....

"Once you have set your purpose to go over the cliff and start your own business, tune out the inner critic that constantly rears its ugly head that you may fail, as this may easily play into the hands of all the naysayers lined up in your way who will tell you that what you intend to do may not work. Put the key business fundamentals in place, pay attention to market factors, learn as you go as you make appropriate adjustments to your offering and just stay focused. Always remember WHY you decided to venture out on your own in the first place, the problem you are solving and the solutions you are offering. In the end, what will matter is your grit, stamina to stay the course of your long-haul entrepreneurial journey - giving up is not an option."

- Tamala Chirwa is the founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint in Malawi, a Coaching Practice that supports leaders and professionals to enhance their leadership disposition and capabilities to become more effective and impactful in their roles. Tamala Chirwa is an Associate Certified Coach accredited by the International Coach Federation specialising in Leadership, Talent Management, Career and Group Coaching and is so far the only ICF ACC and listed Professional Coach by ICF in Malawi. She is also a Vital Voices Leadership Fellow and a Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Mentor.

Entrepreneur Advice from Felicia Buthelezi: Know what you're good at

September 28, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Felicia Buthelezi, serial entrepreneur, South Africa — Felicia Buthelezi, serial entrepreneur, South Africa

You need to identify what you're good at....

"Identifying what you are good at is important – I find that it is easier to work on something you are passionate about rather than something you can just do. Passion fuels you even in tough times. You don’t give up easily."

- Felicia Buthelezi is a South African serial entrepreneur, the founder of publishing company Fisokuhle Media and editor-in-chief of 'I Do' magazine, a lifestyle publication focused on promoting healthy marriages and happy homes. Felicia started her first business, Fisokuhle Multiservices, back in 2002.

Entrepreneur Advice from Karen Wessels: Seize your opportunity and go for it!

September 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Karen Wessels, co-founder and COO of VA Connect — **Karen Wessels**, co-founder and COO of VA Connect

Seize your opportunity and go for it!....

"Just do it, and never stop, no matter what is thrown at you. Be relentlessly creative and always be on your toes, ready to take action, solve a problem and seize an opportunity!"

- Karen Wessels is the co-founder and COO of VA Connect, a South African virtual assistant platform that provides outsourced administrative support; and is also the co-founder of SnappSales, a company that generates quality sales leads for its clients. Prior to establishing both her companies, Karen spent over 10 years in different sales, marketing & admin support roles. This experience has equipped her with the invaluable skills required to run her two successful business ventures.

Quote of the Day by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

September 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Ethiopia) — Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

"Prosperity creation is the sole route to the elimination of poverty. And to create sustained prosperity, you have to create something truly world class."

- 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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Juliana Nasasira: The fashion business is about more than just creativity

September 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Juliana Nasasira, founder of Kwesh, Uganda — **Juliana Nasasira**, founder of Kwesh, Uganda

You require a lot more than just creativity....

"I have faced a lot of challenges that come with trying to start and run a fashion business, particularly in this part of the world. I got into fashion because I love the creative side of it, but I soon realised that it is very much a business. It is important to recognise early on that success requires a lot more than creativity."

- Juliana Nasasira is a Ugandan fashion designer and the founder of Kwesh. She launched Kwesh in 2012, a brand focused on creating ready-to-wear and bespoke apparel for both women and men. Juliana successfully combines contemporary African-inspired design with skilfully crafted, high quality clothing.

Quote of the Day by Carrol Boyes

September 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“People do not believe in artists, nor do they believe that a sculptor can also be an entrepreneur. It’s such a fallacy. Creativity combined with common sense is bound to yield great results.”

- Carrol Boyes is an iconic South African designer who has built a global brand. She founded Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd in 1991 combining her artistic flair and talent in sculpture with her jewellery experience to create an extensive range of distinctive homeware, giftware, flatware and table top products. Today, her company designs and manufactures a meticulously crafted product range of well over 1000 items and sells over a million items every year. Products are always imbued with Carrol's trademark artistic flair and finesse. The brand is available through her 35 branded shops in South Africa and in over 30 other countries around the world.

Quote of the Day by Deola Sagoe

September 25, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“The West has taken and borrowed a lot from Africa…now it’s a renaissance: we’re claiming back what is ours and we’re adding value to what is ours, making it globally acceptable and globally appealing."

- Deola Sagoe, leading lady of African fashion, is a haute couture fashion designer from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989 and became the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004. Her "globally appealing" style has earned her an enviable clientèle that ranges from Africa's first ladies, to society girls like Lydia Hearst, top model Alek Wek, and famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bianca Sibiya - Embrace your Africanism

September 25, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bianca Sibiya, co-founder of Punk & Ivy (South Africa) — **Bianca Sibiya**, co-founder of Punk & Ivy (South Africa)

Celebrate what makes your brand uniquely African....

"You need to understand and appreciate your cultural roots. It is important to fully embrace your Africanism, because if you don't appreciate where you have come from there is the temptation to dissolve your brand into something that the rest of the world is doing, and not celebrate what makes your brand so uniquely African. It is important to be true to yourself as an African, and let that Africanness define what you do and how you do it."

- Bianca Sibiya is a digital marketing specialist who co-founded fashion label Punk & Ivy with partner Khaya in late 2012. This dynamic fashion duo are focused on mastering the bespoke suit and creating fashion that is uniquely African. Bianca is driven by a need to document and articulate life in Africa and South Africa through her creative work. Punk And Ivy as a term was used in the late 60′ into the 70’s in Soweto to describe a particular style of dress for men. The brand also has a very unique retail outlet - The MOTIQUE - a fully fledged retail space in a truck, measuring 9,3m long and featuring a boutique, a change-room, a back office, seating and so much more.

100 LIONESSES: Dr Jennifer Riria, a business leader empowering Kenya's women

September 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria is the Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding and one of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs who has always been on a mission to transform the lives of women and their families in her native Kenya. She is distinguished as a microfinance banker and practitioner, researcher and gender specialist. She has served in many leadership roles for which she has been recognized locally and internationally. In 2013 she was awarded the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the year, East Africa 2013, and subsequently, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014, at which point she was admitted to EY’s Global Hall of Fame.

Awards and Accolades: South African entrepreneur, Vino Govender, lands top international award

September 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Vino Govender, founder of LA Consulting Engineers (South Africa) — **Vino Govender**, founder of LA Consulting Engineers (South Africa)

Vino Govender, the managing director of LA Consulting Engineers based in Durban, South Africa, has been recognised by the IWEC Foundation, a New York-based organisation which connects a global network of successful women business owners‚ as this year's recipient of the International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Foundation Award. The IWEC Foundation‚ which represents influential businesswomen from the world’s most important emerging and established regions‚ praised Govender's company for supporting sustainable social development and upliftment with a particular focus on education in the science and engineering field.

Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, a Ghanaian entrepreneur finding new creative ways to celebrate African textiles

September 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana) — **Emma Maame Efua Tandoh**, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana)

African print has been finding its way into mainstream fashion for a long time, but it is always good to see a brand emerging from the continent that innovatively celebrates its diversity. Love Ankara is a fabulous retail, footwear and accessory brand, proudly made in Ghana but loved by the continent.

ESSENTIAL READ: Women Rocking Business - The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guidebook to Create a Thriving Life Doing Work You Love by Sage Lavine

September 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Author Sage Lavine asks: “Can a woman like me, with just the spark of an idea, actually start a business and make money? Can I have a meaningful career that fits into my life, instead of fitting my life into the cracks of my work schedule?” If you're asking these types of questions, then her new book Women Rocking Business will give you the help and advice you need.

Get big marketing wins on a shoestring budget

September 23, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Developing your entire marketing strategy, including your brand, messaging, copy, social media, and PR, can feel overwhelming and prohibitively expensive. In the early days of Little Pim, I know that when faced with the marketing dollars I could spend, I wanted the Italian leather boots and all I could afford were the discounted canvas Keds! But there are ways to ramp up your marketing without ramping up your spend.

Unexpected Life Lessons from the Gym

September 23, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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I started going to a gym when I was 13; I am now almost 36. I think this gives me my 10,000 hours of mastery according to Malcolm Gladwell. Here are some unexpected lessons I’ve learnt at the gym that can be applied to the real world.

Building an empire - Your network(th)

September 23, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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When I started my business, everyone kept telling me, "Your network is everything! Work on building it up." And to be honest, at the time, I didn't understand it. I'm not a people-person and I am definitely not energised by being around people. In fact, it drains me! Give me a good book, a good cuppa coffee, and leave me alone. I will be the happiest little bookworm in the whole wide world.