the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS, Ghana
by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
Every now and then I come across someone who has a burning desire to write a book. Whether it’s to see their name in print, or to achieve some kind of status that goes along with being a published author, it’s a serious bucket list item for many. This always takes me back to my own situation and how I fell into the world of writing books. I use the word “fell”, because it was never a burning desire of mine to write a book. Although I had written a fair amount of material in my professional career, I had never considered the idea that I might be an author at some point. I had not even studied languages at university.
Read more
by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
What is the story you tell yourself? But a more interesting question is what is the story you tell yourself about time? Your story is made up of your beliefs and the vocabulary you use to tell that story.
Read more
Iriya Jona, founder of Nam-Oceanic Kelp Production Enterprise (Namibia)
Many people walking on the beautiful beaches along the Namibian coastline see large amounts of seaweed washed up every day and don’t pay any attention to it. However, entrepreneur Iriya Jona, founder of Nam-Oceanic Kelp Production Enterprise, sees business potential in this natural product and has developed an innovative new business that turns this seaweed into affordable, highly nutritious chicken feed products.
Read more
Sandra Mwiihangele, founder of Kiyomisandz Beauty Products (Namibia)
Successful businesses start with a great product concept and a great vision, and for entrepreneur Sandra Mwiihangele, founder of Kiyomisandz Beauty Products, both these factors were in place from day one. Today, this innovative entrepreneur is building a successful business built on solid values, great technical expertise, and an understanding of what customers want and need.
Read more
Swaady Martin, the entrepreneur and founder of luxury lifestyle brand YSWARA, is launching an exciting new initiative and one that is close to her heart. Following hot on the heels of two other exciting projects she has launched in 2018, her new company SHIFT WITHIN, and the publication of a collection of spiritual tales for children MALAIKA AND THE ANGEL, she is now launching Tounché, Global Consciousness Summit on Saturday 1st December 2018.
Read more
Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design (Cote d’Ivoire)
Africa has a long tradition of producing the most beautiful textiles, and for entrepreneur Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design in Cote d’Ivoire, that design tradition was the inspiration for her business. Today, she is producing a range of home decor items that celebrate the best of African textile design.
Read more
On a beautiful and warm morning in Maseru, Lesotho on Friday 16th November, 60 leading women entrepreneurs gathered together at the Avani Hotel and Leisure Resort for a morning of inspiration and business networking at the final Lioness Lean in event of the year in the country. And what a morning it was! Co-hosted by Lionesses of Africa and Standard Lesotho Bank, the event aimed to inspire and connect women entrepreneurs from Maseru for greater business success.
Read more
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
I don’t work on Sundays. No wait, I don’t do anything on Sundays! And this seems to boggle a lot of minds. People have numerous reasons why I should see them on Sunday. It’s fascinating. I have thus far taught my body to refuse all when I wake, I can literally spend the entire day (10 hours) in bed reading, eating and watching things on the laptop. Lazy right? Yep, yep, yep. But I have my reasons - give me a chance to explain.
Read more
Nangula Shejavali & Claudette Nahum
Namibia has no shortage of dynamic women with the ability, brains and willpower to bring about positive change to their organizations, their communities, and the world. Yet, when we question why women remain underrepresented in positions of leadership, a common and untrue response is, “We can’t find ‘good’ women.” In their new book, Follow Her Lead, authors and entrepreneurs Claudette Nahum & Nangula Shejavali, look to set the story straight.
Read more
by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant at Shiluvah
What are the key driving forces behind your business? Is it your product? Your service offering? Is it your price offering on your product or services? NO! What drives your business and the real success behind your organization is your TEAM. Therefore, if you want a growing and successful business, a business that is profitable and thriving, it is crucial that you have the right team driving your business. So, how do you go about recruiting and retaining a winning team?
Read more
Mariéme Jamme, founder of iamtheCODE (Senegal/UK)
Mariéme Jamme, founder of iamtheCODE (Senegal/UK)
Read more
Cindy Maleombho-Codo, founder of Indoka Creative (Cote d’Ivoire)
In today’s highly competitive and crowded marketplaces, it can be difficult to get your business and brand noticed in Africa. But help is at hand. Cindy Maleombho-Codo, founder of Indoka Creative, knows just what it takes to get your brand and products seen, and importantly, to connect them to those all important customers.
Read more
Lynette Hundermark, founder of Useful & Beautiful (South Africa)
This year’s Southern Africa Startup Awards have just been judged for South Africa, and the prestigious Female Rolemodel in Tech award in the country has been given to Lynette Hundermark, founder of specialist mobile solutions consultancy, Useful & Beautiful.
Read more
Professional Parts (Pty) Ltd opened its doors in February 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa with the aim of providing their customers with affordable genuine and quality aftermarket vehicle parts. The founder and CEO, Verena Koch has over 16 years’ experience in the automotive industry and has contributed to many OEM’s such as Volvo Car South Africa, KIA Motors SA and General Motors SA. She identified the need for a “one part number, one purchase with all the basic parts” required to service a vehicle.
Read more
Natalie Sisson
If you have ever wondered how to Redesign Your Business To Earn More, Work Less And Be Free, then author Natalie Sisson has the answer. In The Freedom Plan book she shows you how to reclaim your time, streamline your business, and be more profitable while living your ideal lifestyle and feeling on purpose!
Read more
Laurettah Sibanda, founder of Atlantis Construction Group and Developments (Botswana)
The world of building and construction is a tough one to break into, but one entrepreneur in Botswana is doing just that. Laurettah Sibanda, founder of Atlantis Construction Group and Developments (Pty) Ltd, is building a reputation for quality project delivery and a great approach to service.
Read more
by Lori Milner, author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
At this point in the year, we are gobsmacked that it’s November and repeatedly tell ourselves how the year has flown. But when we create days that are memorable, they seem to stick longer in our mind and it feels like time slows down just a little bit.
Read more
by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant at Shiluvah
The decision to take on the entrepreneurial journey carries with it a number of novelties – the biggest (well at least for me) has been becoming your own boss, and hopefully at some stage somebody else’s boss. This means taking into consideration the kind of boss you want to be and more importantly, how your boss characteristics will impact the culture of the company as a whole, and how that culture will determine the health (both financial and otherwise) of your company and its people.
Read more
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
The world follows the US and UK for everything…literally everything. Maybe it’s because these places monopolize our media? It’s tougher to find out what is happening in Malawi than in Los Angeles. And see how far Los Angeles is compared to Malawi and to us? In fashion as well, retailers do their research in the UK and US first; then the rest of Europe. We are one season behind, so we are well set up for this follow-on game. But I can tell you that South Africans, just like Africans, have their own preferences. We take some of the trends, leave some, and make others in our own way. This is a list of what I have noticed this year making clothes for South African ladies.
Read more