The challenges of the wedding dress designer in Africa

May 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Brigitte Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

It is May, and I have had a few requests about weddings - mostly for events in December, and most of them believe it is still early to start the planning. No, it is not! A wedding party is a big job to dress, especially in South Africa where we have three or more bridesmaids and groomsmen; and we mostly have two weddings at a time. This is good business for a fashion designer but with more work comes more challenges. This is why it is essential that you start as early as possible; especially if you as the bride need more than one dress too.

Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs gather for a morning of Lioness Lean In event inspiration

May 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mozambique continues to be an exciting place to be a woman entrepreneur on the African continent right now. On 18 May, Lionesses of Africa together with Standard Bank in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, showcased some of the leading women business and brand builders who are putting the country on the map and getting the world interested in the products and service offerings they are creating.

Mid Life Career Rescue: Employ yourself by Cassandra Gaisford

May 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

What if you could increase your income, health and happiness with a few simple steps? How would your life be different if you had more financial freedom, time flexibility, energy, motivation, confidence and self-belief? What if you could hit your business, personal and financial targets easily and make a huge difference in this world? Imagine waking up every morning with no boss, looking forward to your day, working and living with purpose, passion and profit. In her new book, Mid Life Career Rescue, author and career expert Cassandra Gaisford suggests you employ yourself and get the career you have always wished for.

Nonkuthalo Thithi, a South African entrepreneur bringing a sense of style to corporate executives

May 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Nonkuthalo Thithi, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa) — **Nonkuthalo Thithi**, founder of Styled to a T (South Africa)

In the corporate world, many executives struggle to find their personal style when it comes to clothing, and often just go with the crowd to fit in. Nonkuthalo Thithi, founder of Styled to a T, has made it her mission to help just such people to find an image that works for their business and personal lifestyles.

Charlotte Aubin, a pioneering entrepreneur dedicated to finding renewable energy power solutions for Africa

May 20, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Charlotte Aubin, GreenWish Partners (Mauritius) — Charlotte Aubin, GreenWish Partners (Mauritius)

Africa has a challenge in finding new, innovative and sustainable solutions to meet its growing energy needs, and that’s where GreenWish Partners headquartered in Mauritius has a renewable solution.

Own your feedback

May 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner - author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

I came across a podcast where leadership guru, Simon Sinek, was being interviewed by Tony Robbins. He mentioned a concept I hadn’t heard of before - ‘Care-frontation’. In my research, I came across a great definition that characterizes it as follows...

Incorporating change habits into your day

May 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Leigh Ann Gowland

Rapid change, disruption, adaptability, agility and flexibility are recurring words in daily business conversations from strategy to operations. Whether the change is triggered within the organisation or from the external environment how you respond to the change determines success. The best mechanism to manage constant change is to incorporate change habits into your daily activities, hone your change abilities and be prepared for unexpected changes. Change is no longer an event or process but an ability to continuously adapt.

Fireside talks - to believe or not?

May 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, Picketfence.Life

To stare into flames dancing, listening to the crackling of the fire, with good company to talk to, is food for the soul. No matter where you stay, a fireplace or open fire experience is cherished and enjoyed by most people. This is the very space where we reflect on our lives, we discuss future plans, do some soul searching and learn to listen to the wisdom shared. It feels like we can handle all our problems and the world. We create friendships and new network opportunities and we do business.

How Distractions in Business can become a Costly Thing

May 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

Since starting this crazy mad entrepreneurial journey which is filled with passion, great rewards and eternal lessons, I’m exceptionally grateful for all the lessons that have been placed on my path, to help me grow and mature as a business owner and person. And trust me, there are many! Like learning that distractions can start costing your business money.

3 Health Benefits of Forgiveness and Letting Go

May 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech

Here in the Southern Hemisphere, the days are getting shorter, the winds are blowing and leaves are falling from the trees. Autumn is well and truly taking hold and Mother Nature is providing us with an opportunity to let go of the beliefs, habits and people that no longer serve us, so that we may emerge with renewed beauty and energy in Spring. So, take a leaf from Mother Nature’s book this month and just let go of the things you don’t need anymore – the health benefits may just surprise you!

Meet 24 of Africa’s most innovative jewellery designers and crafters

May 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Every month at Lionesses of Africa, we showcase the passionate women entrepreneurs who are making a real impact through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, in a particular business sector in Africa and the Diaspora. This month (May), we are turning our attention to the incredibly creative women jewellery designers who are turning precious metals, gems and semi-precious stones into beautiful decorative pieces for the world to wear. They are putting the continent on the global map through their uniquely African-inspired jewellery designs and technical brilliance.

Bernie de Le Cuona, a South African born entrepreneur building a luxury fabric brand that is taking the world by storm

May 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of de Le Cuona — **Bernie de Le Cuona**, founder of de Le Cuona

In the highly discerning world of luxury interiors, global designers and homeowners are always trying to source the most beautiful fabrics and furnishings to create the ultimate living environments. The de Le Cuona luxury fabric brand has built a global reputation at the forefront of this industry, producing some of the finest fabrics on the planet.

Essential Read: Fix Your Business - A 90-Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Remove Chaos From Your Business By Melinda Emerson

May 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Building on the success of her bestselling book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Melinda Emerson is back with her new book, Fix Your Business, her 90-day plan to get control of your business and get back your life. Readers will get concrete advice on the problem areas of running a small business with a step-by-step turn around system to build a flourishing enterprise.

Investment risk – how real is it?

May 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

I have yet to meet an investor who hands over their hard-earned money and says, “Invest it in a high risk investment, I love to take chances.” Unless one is talking about cryptocurrencies, but that’s a whole different story.

Own your Micro Bravery

May 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

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

I recently listened to the Tim Ferris Show podcast with his guest Caroline Paul, who is a fire fighter talking about Micro Bravery. I absolutely love this concept!

All around the world we can feel the change of seasons in the air

May 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, Picketfence.Life

Some of us will like the next upcoming season whilst others know they must handle a season which is not particularly their favorite. We each have a favorite time of the year. What is obvious is that we have to go through the next phase. That is a natural law. Each phase has potential. Either to cleanse or to create time to think and evaluate. Maybe to bring new beginnings like Spring or the breakthrough of the sun during summer.

Christella Kirezi, a Mozambican entrepreneur with a passion for natural haircare

May 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Christella Kirezi, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique) — **Christella Kirezi**, founder of Moz Crespas (Mozambique)

Many women in Mozambique find it a challenge to care for their naturally curly hair and keep it in good condition. But Christella Kirezi, founder of Moz Crespas, has the natural solution and is building up a business with a reputation for providing beautifully natural haircare for her customers.

Your business is changing, are you?

May 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Leigh-Ann Gowland, founder of Employee Driven Change

Business change can be driven by changes experienced by the leader as much as it can be influenced by changes in market or organic change from the business. Acknowledging when change needs to be managed is vital to ensuring successful transitions to better business. The scope of my role as a change manager is no longer limited to organizational change but includes coaching leaders to recognize and manage their personal change journeys. In this article, I share some examples of change triggers to keep in mind.

26 Mozambican women entrepreneurs to watch in 2018

May 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mozambique continues to be an exciting place to be a woman entrepreneur on the African continent right now. So this month, Lionesses of Africa will be showcasing some of the women business and brand builders who are putting the country on the map and getting the world interested in the products and service offerings they are creating.

Disrupters: Success Strategies from Women Who Break the Mold by Dr Patti Fletcher

May 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

This book is not about what women should do, and it’s not a preachy TEDTalk. Disrupters by Dr Patti Fletcher shows what different women in business have done to reach success as they define it. From board members to CEOs to freelancers to entrepreneurs, the business world is stacked against women because they follow the unspoken rules of business culture made long before women entered the workforce.

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