Entrepreneur Advice from Que Lebatha: Build your brand

January 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Que Lebatha, founder of Que Lebatha Consulting (South Africa) — **Que Lebatha**, founder of Que Lebatha Consulting (South Africa)

Build your brand…

“… it’s very important to believe in what you have to offer in the world, and then to wear that on your sleeve and completely be about that thing. This means ensuring things like having a professional email address (Google Business, for example), a business card, cleaning up your LinkedIn profile, and setting up a website - these are all simple steps that tell the world that you are taking yourself seriously. Once that happens, any business you start from there already has a solid foundation on which to stand.”

- Que Lebatha is the founder of Que Lebatha Consulting in South Africa, an integrated Marketing Communications agency that provides companies with Public Relations, Social Media and Event Management services. Que specializes in strategy development and implementation in the marketing communication field. She has worked on a number of campaigns with brands such as Montecasino, Tsogo Sun, Absa, Tsheto Leadership and Coaching Academy and Three Ring Circus.

Essential Read: Live Your Best Day Ever - Thirty-Five Strategies For Daily Success by Anne-Marie Faiola

January 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Success is something everyone wants, yet it often feels elusive. How do you get it? And once you get it, how do you stay at the top? Anne-Marie Faiola’s new book, Live Your Best Day Ever, is a practical guide for achieving what you want in life―and doing it in a way that doesn’t burn you out, break your integrity, or steal from your personal and family time.

Bandile Mooka, a Botswana entrepreneur turning her passion for floral decor and art into a business

January 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bandile Mooka, founder of Niyacraft (Botswana) — **Bandile Mooka**, founder of Niyacraft (Botswana)

Many busineses start out as a result of a passion or a personal interest. In the case of Botswana entrepreneur Bandile Mooka, founder of specialist events solution and decor business, Niyacraft, that passion stemmed from the world of art and design.

Entrepreneur Advice from Bev Missing - Stay authentic and true to your brand

January 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bev Missing, founder of RAIN (South Africa) — **Bev Missing**, founder of RAIN (South Africa)

You need to stay authentic....

"The challenge as a business is to stay authentic and true to your brand. How do we achieve this? By having formalized mission statements, clear vision and company ethos and by revisiting our values each time we make critical direction altering decisions."

- Bev Missing is the founder of South African body and bath product brand RAIN. Back in 1999 Bev saw a gap in the market to start making soap as it was labour intensive and all the lovely soap at that stage were imported. Bev started the project in her garage hoping to help solve unemployment in her hometown of Ladybrand, and to make a difference in the lives of the poor and jobless. Today, RAIN has eight stores across South Africa, two unique wellness spa's, and two stores in New York. Bev has recently signed two huge contracts to open a further 70 Rain stores in the USA and Canada and then 40 in the UK and Ireland.

Quote of the Day by Dr Ola Orekunrin

January 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Ola Orekunrin, medical doctor, founder & managing director of Flying Doctors Nigeria

“I believe that the solutions to development in Africa lie in the minds of Africans. Particularly African entrepreneurs. An important part of Africa’s future lies in our ability to take Western ideas and adapt them to Africa.”

- Dr. Ola Orekunrin founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria

Beatha Shitemba, a Namibian entrepreneur who is brightening up children’s nurseries across Namibia

January 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia) — **Beatha Shitemba**, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia)

Any design conscious parent in Africa knows how difficult it can be to find great, high quality children’s decor items for the nursery. But in Namibia, entrepreneur Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies, has the solution.

Nkatha Gitonga, a Kenyan entrepreneur curating chic jewellery through a unique storytelling marketplace

January 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Everyone loves a good story, and for today’s conscious consumers, getting to know more about the backstory of the brands and products they buy is increasingly important. Nkatha Gitonga, a Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Yakutti, is using the power of storytelling to advance the identity of African design.

Here's Your Successful Sales Action Plan For The New Year

January 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

By Karen Wessels, co-founder of SnappSales and VA Connect

What do you want to achieve in business in 2018? I know that typically when we start the New Year we think of New Year’s resolutions and more than likely these resolutions fizzle out by the 10th of January. So just how effective are these New Year’s resolutions really?

Crash diets and good habits

January 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

By Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

If you are a regular reader of my blogs, you will notice I have a huge passion for reading and knowledge about how to become the best version of ourselves. One of my muses is Seth Godin, best-selling author of Purple Cow and Linchpin. I wanted to share one of his blogs as he so brilliantly demonstrates again the power of habit and how it shapes our lives.

Entrepreneur Advice from Anna Cole Ojukwu: Start small

January 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Anna Cole Ojukwu, founder of Pernia Couture (Ghana) — **Anna Cole Ojukwu**, founder of Pernia Couture (Ghana)

Start small....

"Start, no matter how small. Don’t sit down waiting for a very huge amount of capital because you might not have it, but starting small will rather let people around you see how determined you are and might push them to invest into your business. Also starting small minimizes your losses just in case the worst happens…"

- Anna Cole Ojukwu is the founder of Pernia Couture, an exciting fashion brand from Ghana using African beads to design and manufacture ladies’ accessories like neck pieces, bags, slippers and also transforms different African prints into beautiful ladies clothing. Anna's love for fashion began at an early age, originally inspired by her mother, Mrs. Mary Coleman, a seamstress who created rich and vibrant garments. She is passionate about growing her brand both locally and internationally and to promote African culture through her works.

Quote of the Day by Mo Abudu

January 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mo Abudu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV — **Mo Abudu**, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV

“Ladies, employ ladies; women have the opportunity to make this happen so that the imbalances can be balanced."

- Mo Abudu founder & CEO of EbonyLife TV (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Fatima Babakura

January 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"I encourage African women to embrace African luxury brands the way they have embraced foreign brands."

- Fatima Babakura founder of Timabee (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Terryanne Chebet: Tough times help us grow

January 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Terryanne Chebet, founder of Keyara Organics (Kenya) — **Terryanne Chebet**, founder of Keyara Organics (Kenya)

Tough times help us grow....

"When times are tough, and there are many such times, we are forced to think, be creative, and then for sure we can really grow from both a personal perspective and as a woman entrepreneur."

- Terryanne Chebet is a household name in Kenya, having worked as an actress, television news anchor, reporter and producer. Outside the glitz and glamour of television, Terryanne is also a successful entrepreneur having founded two businesses. Scarlet Digital is an advertising, communications and digital branding agency; and Keyara Organics, is a natural skin and hair care brand.

Quote of the Day by Emelda Mwamanga

January 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"When you dream, shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars"

- Emelda Mwamanga founder of Bang! magazine (Tanzania)

Entrepreneur Advice from Shereen Makhanye: Be the best of yourself

January 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Shereen Makhanye, founder of Nubian Nature (South Africa)

Be the best of yourself....

"If you have an idea you believe in, just start. There's no secret or trick to it. The universe is conspiring on your behalf, all you need to do is show up with the best of yourself."

- Shereen Makhanye is the founder of Nubian Nature, a natural hair care business she launched in South Africa in 2013. Her struggle to source local natural African hair care products was the driver to start Nubian Nature. Shereen's dream of sharing the experience and richness of Africa with Africans and the rest of world by putting together the best of Nature & Science brought Nubian Nature to life. Her love for hair and science stems from having grown up known as her local township’s resident stylist and her dream of one day becoming a Scientist.

Quote of the Day by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

December 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (soleRebels) — Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (soleRebels)

“SoleRebels is like hip-hop, something that started really small and today can be found in every country on the planet.”

- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels (Ethiopia)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ana Alecia Lyman: Be courageous

December 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ana Alecia Lyman, founder of Bio Óleos de Miombo and Grupo Trichilia (Mozambique) — **Ana Alecia Lyman**, founder of Bio Óleos de Miombo and Grupo Trichilia (Mozambique)

Be courageous....

"Seek out mentors and skilled expertise. And, be courageous. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

- Ana Alecia Lyman is a specialist in value chain development for non-timber forest products. She is the founder and Managing Director of Bio Óleos de Miombo, a company producing high-quality, natural skin care products based in locally available ingredients from the Mozambican landscape. She is also a co-founder of Trichilia Group, a startup focused on bulk processing of indigenous oilseed species for the local and international markets. She has done extensive consulting work in the field, including market research, business plan development and supply chain planning for inclusive business models focused on engaging rural women. For the last three years, Ana Alecia has sat on the Board of Directors for PhytoTrade Africa, the Southern African natural products trade association. She is also a graphic designer with 20 years of professional experience.

Entrepreneur Advice from Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua: Believe!

December 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua, founders of Earth Elements (South Africa) — **Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua**, founders of Earth Elements (South Africa)

Believe!...

"Believe in what you do and the rest will follow. Live fearlessly with the vision only to succeed, in any way or form which positively contributes to all."

- Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua are the founders of Earth Elements in South Africa, a company that hand-makes organic and natural body products. This family business established in 2016 by sisters, Deidrè Akaloo and Lynnette Murua is on a journey to create environmentally friendly products. They are passionate about creating products that are handcrafted, organic and chemical-free using only the best quality natural, raw ingredients that are ethically sourced from fair community trade.

Quote of the Day by Nkemdilim Begho

December 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

"There is still a woeful lack of women in technology globally and Africa is unfortunately not any better. Development roles, leadership pipelines and leadership development all need attention. We need more role models for women in technology...."

- Nkemdilim Begho founder of Future Software Resources Limited (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Agata Karolina: Follow your intuition

December 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Agata Karolina, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa) — **Agata Karolina**, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa)

Follow your intuition.....

"It is the strength of women that puts us in a much better position than a lot of men - we are more sensitive towards our work, which means that we really understand our market spaces. So it is all about believing in what you do, not being afraid to stand out, standing up for what you want, and following your intuition."

- Agata Karolina is the founder of House of Gozdawa, a small batch perfumery company founded in Cape Town in 2015, dedicated to creating high quality epicene scents, following a strict production utilising only natural essential oils and carriers. Each scent is personally developed by Agata, a design initiator and curator who studied Contextual Design Masters at the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2009 before returning to Cape Town to pursue her passion for perfumery and natural scents.

"The challenge as a business is to stay authentic and true to your brand. How do we achieve this? By having formalized mission statements, clear vision and company ethos and by revisiting our values each time we make critical direction altering decisions."

“I believe that the solutions to development in Africa lie in the minds of Africans. Particularly African entrepreneurs. An important part of Africa’s future lies in our ability to take Western ideas and adapt them to Africa.”

“Ladies, employ ladies; women have the opportunity to make this happen so that the imbalances can be balanced."

"I encourage African women to embrace African luxury brands the way they have embraced foreign brands."

"When times are tough, and there are many such times, we are forced to think, be creative, and then for sure we can really grow from both a personal perspective and as a woman entrepreneur."

"When you dream, shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars"

"If you have an idea you believe in, just start. There's no secret or trick to it. The universe is conspiring on your behalf, all you need to do is show up with the best of yourself."

“SoleRebels is like hip-hop, something that started really small and today can be found in every country on the planet.”

"Seek out mentors and skilled expertise. And, be courageous. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

"Believe in what you do and the rest will follow. Live fearlessly with the vision only to succeed, in any way or form which positively contributes to all."

"There is still a woeful lack of women in technology globally and Africa is unfortunately not any better. Development roles, leadership pipelines and leadership development all need attention. We need more role models for women in technology...."

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