Quote of the Day by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

October 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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

"... we have embraced the idea that tradition and innovation go hand in hand, so that yesterday's hand loomer of fabrics is tomorrow’s textile innovator; yesterdays cobbler is tomorrow’s added value shoe artisan,"

- 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.

5 inspirational Lionesses of Africa selected to showcase their digital solutions at Startup-Night Africa in Berlin

October 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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Lionesses of Africa has selected 5 leading women entrepreneurs from Africa to pitch their innovative digital platforms, apps and solutions to big business, government, investors and influencers in Berlin on 26 October, thanks to a partnership between Lionesses of Africa and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Quote of the Day by Ethel Cofie

October 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, techpreneur & founder of Edel Technologies, Ghana — Ethel Cofie, techpreneur & founder of Edel Technologies, Ghana

"I believe entrepreneurship is Africa's way out of poverty. Entrepreneurship is on the increase, because Africa, at last has been emerging and the economies are booming -- several countries are starting to really increase entrepreneurial activity and move to opportunity entrepreneurship, rather than necessity entrepreneurship."

- Ethel Cofie is a technology entrepreneur and the CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting in Ghana. As a high caliber IT Professional, Ethel has gained a wealth of technical and commercial experience across a wide range of demanding roles having worked in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone on projects for organizations like Bill and Melinda Gates Mobile Technology for Health project, the Ford Foundation’s Election Monitoring project for Nigeria and as Head of Commercial Solutions for Vodafone. Ethel is founder of Women in Tech Africa, was shortlisted for the UN GEM Tech Award for work supporting women in ICT, and is a Mandela Fellow for President Obama’s Young African Leaders initiative(YALI).

Entrepreneur Advice from Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera: Don't hesitate to use your talents

October 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera, founder of Glo Creations in Rwanda — **Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera**, founder of Glo Creations in Rwanda

Don't hesitate to use your talents to start a new business....

"My advice to women and young girls is simple; if you realise your talent or skills to do something, do not hesitate to use it. Women should not underestimate their potential. All a woman has to do is believe in her potential and then pursue her passion by equipping herself with skills and knowledge that are related to their talent."

- Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera, founded Glo Creations in Rwanda in 2008, a textile design company that also produces fashionable clothing, and home décor items. What Kamanzi is undoubtedly best known for is her batik art, using a uniquely African hand dyeing and printing technique. In 2012, she was awarded the Best Young Entrepreneur award in Kigali by the Ministry of Labour and Public Service. In the same year, she was the 1st runner up (tailoring cluster) in the HEAP (Handicraft Excellence Award Programme), a national competition for handcrafts organised under the Ministry of Commerce.

The Jar of Awesome - Own your Gratitude

October 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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When things don’t go your way, “looking on the bright side” is a real test of your ability to show gratitude. No one is perfect at showing gratitude at first, but here’s an idea that can help that I learned from Tim Ferriss, author of Tools of Titan and The Four Hour Work Week.

Essential Read: Captivate - The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards

October 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

As an entrepreneur, do you feel awkward at business networking events, does networking not come naturally to you? Do you wish you could decode people better in your day to day business interactions? Perhaps you need to learn the science of succeeding with people.

So where does money fit into the greater scheme of things?

October 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Starting or running a business is hugely taxing and it’s easy to be driven by money, particularly in the early months. You want to focus all your energy on making it a success, but it is easy to fall into the trap of materialism. Money and wealth is equated to success and we all want to be successful. However, it is important to realise that money is only one aspect of our lives – it cannot be our sole driving force. So where does our money fit in?

DR. JENNIFER RIRIA '100 Lionesses' Profile - Meet the woman who has committed herself to empowering Kenya's women

October 8, 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 microfinance banker, researcher and a leading 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.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mireille Karera: Surround yourself with people who you lift you up

October 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates — **Mireille Karera**, founder of KORA Associates

Surround yourself with people who you lift you up....

"You may not have the most supportive environment around you, but there is always an individual person or a group of people you can connect with. Surround yourself with people who you lift you up, instead of those who bring you down or dismiss your dreams and vision. Be careful who you share your dreams with, before they take shape. You might be discouraged to even start something by sharing your business vision and goal with the wrong people."

- Mireille Karera is the founder of KORA Associates, a consulting and coaching company headquartered in Dubai, U.A.E, with operations in Africa. Mereille is of Rwandan origin and recently opened the company's latest subsidiary in Rwanda. She speaks 7 languages fluently (English, French, German, Rwandan, Swahili, Burundian and Lingala) and in earlier years pursued her passion for languages which earned her a Bachelor Degree in Business & Legal Translation in Cologne, Germany.

Quote of the Day by Sarah Collins

October 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Sarah Collins, founder and CEO of Wonderbag (South Africa) — **Sarah Collins**, founder and CEO of Wonderbag (South Africa)

"Every one of us is an entrepreneur at heart, we just need the courage to make it happen..."

- Sarah Collins is the founder and CEO of Wonderbag, a simple non electric slow cooker which works in mud huts in Africa to Manhattan apartments, possibly one of the only cooking devices that is globally relevant! Sarah is a South African adventurer, entrepreneur, and lifelong social activist. She thrives on challenges and has worked tirelessly over the past two decades to inspire change in the realms of gender-equality and environmental sustainability.

Quote of the Day by Adenike Ogunlesi

October 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

“I have learnt that if you face the challenges with positive energy, you are most likely to get better results.”

- Adenike Ogunlesi is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of designer children's clothing in Nigeria. Nike started out modestly in 1996 selling the clothes she made from the boot of her car and in bazaars. Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is an instantly recognisable brand in Nigeria and has a reputation for being one of the top manufacturers of children's clothing throughout West Africa. Ruff 'n' Tumble successfully caters to the unique fashion sense of today’s youngsters, from new born to age 16, happily mixing indigenous lifestyle trends with an international appeal.

Entrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: Watch your pennies

October 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia) — Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia)

Watch your pennies...

"Carefully that is. Learn to manage your finances properly. Account for EVERYTHING. It’s the only way to assess expenditure versus your profit. Plan your cash flows. Get money smart. Always."

- Monica Musonda is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods, a food processing company based in Zambia. Monica's vision is to revolutionize the eating habits of the youth market by offering them affordable and nutritious food options made from local products. Monica is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate with over 15 years of experience in legal practice and corporate management, including being corporate counsel at the International Finance Corporation and for Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries Limited.

Meet 16 women entrepreneurs changing the face of business in Mozambique

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

It’s an exciting time right now for women entrepreneurs in Mozambique, with a growing eco-system to support them and some wonderful role-models to inspire the next generation who are trying to break through into the marketplace. Meet a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are changing the face of business in Mozambique.

Marta Pinto Coelho Roff, a Mozambique based entrepreneur building the country’s leading relocation services company

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Relocating to another country, town or city can be stressful at the best of times, and having a specialist company to help with logistics is essential to keep those stress levels down. One entrepreneur in Mozambique has created a business to take away the headache of relocation, and instead make it as stress-free a process as possible.

Daisy Mogne, a Mozambican entrepreneur making her mark in the world of professional makeup and hairstyling

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Daisy Mogne, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique) — **Daisy Mogne**, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique)

From transforming actors in television and film studios to fulfill their onscreen roles, to styling models for the fashion runways, leading professional makeup and hair artist, Daisy Mogne, has certainly perfected her craft. Today, her own Studio Daisy Mogne, is building a wonderful reputation for transforming and preparing clients for their special days, from weddings and special occasions, to those who work in front of the camera each day.

Quote of the Day by Abai Schulze

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia — **Abai Schulze**, founder of ZAAF, Ethiopia

"Execution is the stuff of success – passion is just one of the ingredients."

- Abai Schulze is founder of the creative, new Afro-luxe brand ZAAF who create handcrafted luxury leather handbags and accessories produced by artisans in Ethiopia. Abai, born in a remote village in Ethiopia, has had a truly remarkable life journey. Her journey has taken her from an orphanage in Addis Ababa to the United States where she was raised, and back to Ethiopia. Today, she passionately uses her background in economics and fine arts to create unique and practical expressions of beauty, and to open avenues of opportunity for talented artisans in Ethiopia and the rest of Africa. Her designs draw upon precious cultural relics and allow them renewed expression through fresh, uplifting and modern designs.

Quote of the Day by Divine Ndhlukula

October 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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

"Women should uplift each other in terms of business and one does not lose anything by being a stepping stone for another."

– Divine Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services from humble beginnings in Zimbabwe in 1998. Divine identified a need in the market for a quality oriented security company and she has driven SECURICO to become the market leader in Zimbabwe. She has tackled a previously male-dominated industry head on and her business success story is nothing short of remarkable - marking her as one of Africa's most tenacious and inspiring women entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur Advice from Angela Franklin - Vision is imperative!

October 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Angela Franklin, founder of Chez Alpha Books (Senegal) — **Angela Franklin**, founder of Chez Alpha Books (Senegal)

You need a clear vision to help get you ahead....

"Choose your team carefully. The people working for you may never have the same 24/7 commitment you have, but certainly they should share the vision and be committed. Also, remain forever humble in what you have accomplished through sweat and determination as it could be gone tomorrow. It is not the physical space of the business that defines your success, but the ability to transition this idea and the next one into reality. Vision is imperative!"

- Angela Franklin is the founder of Chez Alpha Books in Senegal. Angela has created a dynamic resource centre featuring a bookstore with new multi-cultural fiction and non-fiction books with an emphasis on writers from The Diaspora. In addition, her bookstore focuses on world literature and an array of academic resources, offering a go-to-resource centre for students and professionals of all levels, and is the only English language bookstore in Senegal.

Iria Marina, a Mozambican entrepreneur using her skills behind the lens to capture the essence of the subjects she photographs

October 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Iria Marina, founder of Iria Marina Photography (Mozambique) — **Iria Marina**, founder of Iria Marina Photography (Mozambique)

Today, more and more people and businesses are understanding the power of strong images to communicate with audiences. Yet, the challenge is having the creative vision to really tell the stories behind the images and to make an emotional connection with those viewing them. That is where the talented Iria Marina comes in, founder of the photography business that carries her name.

Mozambique’s leading women entrepreneurs set to gather to share their stories and network at the 4th Lioness Lean In Breakfast event in Maputo

October 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

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Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs are continuing to make the world sit up and take notice as they take their business and brands to the next level. Some are beginning to capture global market attention, giving them exposure to new and exciting opportunities, and helping to raise awareness of the depth of entrepreneurial talent emerging from the country. A new generation of young women is also being inspired to follow in their footsteps in the country. So to celebrate the achievements of all those women entrepreneurs who are putting Mozambique on the global map, and to further inspire this new generation to build successful businesses of their own, Lionesses of Africa and Standard Bank will be hosting the 4th in a series of highly popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events in Maputo during the month of October.