Trying to Hire

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

A month ago I decided it was probably time to look for help again. This was driven by the fact that I had been off work for a few weeks due to personal struggles and was more than just behind on everything. Plus this, I had a wedding coming up. So the panic and anxiety and my friends made me do it! Well, great advice from them, though I was in no space to be my 100% self. I needed help, as any other human being does on this earth. I needed to hire.

You are exactly where you want to be!

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation

Confession time. What is it that you do that stops you from being the best version of yourself? Let’s cut out the buzzwords and be real - what are doing to stop you from living the life you want?

Namibia’s women entrepreneurs inspire each other to greater success at the 2nd Lioness Lean In event in Windhoek

May 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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A packed audience of Namibia’s leading women entrepreneurs gathered together in Windhoek on the morning of Wednesday 22 May for the second Lioness Lean In event in the country. The much-anticipated event was once again hosted by Lionesses of Africa (the fastest growing network of women entrepreneurs on the African continent with over 750,000 women business owners in all 54 African countries) in partnership with Nedbank Namibia. One again, the event lived up to all the expectations, as it delivered a morning of inspiration and great business networking.

Entrepreneur Advice from Christine Wanjiru: Your heart needs to be in the right place

May 23, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)

Your heart needs to be in the right place…

“Question your reasons for why you want to start a venture, ensure that your heart is in the right place, do your research, and brace yourself for what may come. Finally just do it.”

Christine Wanjiru, founder of Ayari Ani Cosmetics (Kenya)

The Habit of Leading Yourself - a One Year Guide to Becoming Unstoppable by Cayla Craft

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

If you are one of those people who feel like life is just happening to them, and you are doing the same thing day in and day out, counting down the days to your next vacation? Then Cayla Craft, author of the new book The Habit of Leading Yourself - a One Year Guide to Becoming Unstoppable, could be the life coach in book form that you are looking for to change your approach to life.

Lusaka’s women entrepreneurs get the opportunity to learn about the Stanford Seed Transformation Programme

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Getting access to world-class developmental support is the foundation for achieving success for so many high growth potential women entrepreneurs in Africa. So, an exciting new initiative, the Stanford Seed programme, created by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, could be the key to that success. On Friday 10 May, a special event was organised by Lionesses of Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, hosted by NATSAVE, our impact partner in the country, in conjunction with Stanford Seed. The aim of the event was to introduce the Stanford Seed programme to potential women entrepreneur candidates from Zambia who are looking to grow their businesses and take their leadership expertise to the next level.

Samantha Collen, a South African entrepreneur and her co-founder mom Jenny, creating quirky, loveable African print clothing for trendy kids

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Collen and mom Jenny, co-founders of JenniDezigns (South Africa) — **Samantha Collen and mom Jenny**, co-founders of JenniDezigns (South Africa)

As any parent knows, young kids love to wear clothes that reflect their personalities and which make them feel and look good whilst they are enjoying their active lives. But finding kids clothing that not only looks great but is also affordable can be challenging. Samantha Collen and mom Jenny, co-founders of growing, trendy kids clothing brand JenniDezigns has the answer.

Ifeoma Dike, a Nigerian entrepreneur connecting African contemporary art and artists with the global marketplace

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Ifeoma Dike, founder of IDD UK LTD — **Ifeoma Dike**, founder of IDD UK LTD

Anyone working in the fine art sector, particularly in Africa, knows only too well how difficult it is to find the right platforms to showcase work and connect with potential buyers, both private and corporate. That’s where passionate art entrepreneur, Ifeoma Dike, founder of IDD UK LTD comes in. Her specialist art agency identifies talented artists and showcases their work to the right people in the right places.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Unaiza Suliman, founder of UniqBrows by Unaiza in South Africa launches a new growth serum to stimulate lash and brow growth

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

For all those people who want great brows but suffer from thinning, weak or poorly defined brows and eyelashes, then specialist help is at hand. This month, South Africa’s renowned brow queen, Unaiza Suliman, founder of UniqBrows, has launched an exciting new growth serum specially formulated to make those brows and lashes grow.

Finding your Ikigai. And, why it is so important as an entrepreneur.

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Claudia Castellanos, ceo, Black Mamba Chilli

Being an entrepreneur is very hard (I usually use a stronger word to describe how hard it is, but for decorum’s sake I will revert to the word “very” this once!). It is so hard, and in so many ways, that you must have a great reason to become one, or a great motivation to keep pushing when things get tough. Finding that reason, that deep purpose, is crucial to succeed.

The value of kindness and generosity in all relationships

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Marjón Meyer

Over the past few months I have been on the receiving end of a lot of kindness and generosity from the various "tribes" I belong to - family, my book (and wine) club, fellow trail runners, friends living far and wide across the globe, fellow students, clients and colleagues. Because sometimes we are in a season of giving and later again in the season of receiving.

Kofo Akinkugbe '100 Lionesses' Profile - Meet Nigeria's trailblazing innovator in smart card manufacturing

May 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Kofo Akinkugbe, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria) — **Kofo Akinkugbe**, founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria)

Kofo Akinkugbe is recognised globally for her entrepreneurial success story and strong business track record. She is founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd a market leader in smart card technology and digital security. SecureID is a world-class manufacturing facility with the only smart card production plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent. This company serves 16 countries across Africa and is fully certified by VISA, Verve and MasterCard. In 2012, Kofo won the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Mature Business Award.

Quote of the Day by Monica Musonda

May 16, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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

It's okay to start small....

“It’s always good to take baby steps and grow with time. There is no rushed success that lasts.”

Monica Musonda, founder & CEO of Java Foods (Zambia)

It’s the big Pitch Day for Johannesburg’s high growth potential women entrepreneurs on the Lionesses of Africa & Siemens Accelerator

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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It is always an exciting moment when a new cohort of high growth potential women entrepreneurs graduate from the Lionesses of Africa Accelerator programme. On 6 May, 29 women entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their businesses at a very special Lionesses of Africa & Siemens Accelerator Pitch Day. The event took place at Siemens Africa offices in Midrand, South Africa, with invited guests including decision-makers from the Siemen’s supply chain management team and other divisions of the company. It was a morning designed to connect the Accelerator cohort members with future potential business to help them take their businesses to the next level of success.

Women entrepreneurs gather in Centurion, South Africa, for another great Lioness Lean In event on 3 May

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

On a beautiful morning in Centurion, South Africa, on Friday 3 May, 130 women entrepreneurs with businesses ranging across a wide variety of sectors, came together to be inspired and to network. The occasion, the latest Lioness Lean In event, always a great occasion to bring together established and new women business builders to share their experiences and to connect for greater business success. Once again, the event was co-hosted between Lionesses of Africa and Volkswagen Group in South Africa, and took place at the VW Training Academy in Centurion.

Sanele Dlamini, an entrepreneur from Swaziland creating a successful retail business and empowering others at the same time

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Sanele Dlamini, founder of Flexy (eSwatini) — **Sanele Dlamini**, founder of Flexy (eSwatini)

The inspiration for entrepreneur Sanele Dlamini to establish her clothing retail and beauty business, Flexy, came from the need to create an economic future for herself. Today she is doing much more, creating future career paths for other young women in her country.

Ntsoaki Kortjass, a South African entrepreneur building a specialist security business to be reckoned with

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Ntsoaki Kortjass, founder of Tsoabelo Security Solutions (South Africa)

For many companies and individuals alike, security is a key concern and one that needs addressing by experienced professionals. In South Africa, one woman entrepreneur is building a business that brings peace of mind together with a highly experienced approach to risk management. Ntsoaki Kortjass, founder of Tsoabelo Security Solutions, is putting people and property first, and building a reputation for great service at the same time.

LIONESS LAUNCH: New essential finance handbook for entrepreneurs launches this month

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Precious Mvulane, founder of GAD Consulting Services Inc (South Africa) — **Precious Mvulane**, founder of GAD Consulting Services Inc (South Africa)

Effectively managing your business finances and setting a strong foundation for growth is key to success, but many entrepreneurs struggle with this concept in practice. But help is at hand with the launch of a new edition of The Essential Finance Handbook for Entrepreneurs, authored by finance expert Precious Mvulane, founder of GAD Consulting Services Inc in South Africa. She is well known for providing specialist business training to entrepreneurs, focusing on financial literacy, but now is providing essential advice and guidance on implementing successful growth strategies in business.

The Ultimate Guide For Women Entrepreneurs: Dream it. Build it in 2019 by Cecelia Nowlin

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

As a woman entrepreneur do you feel like you’re in a man’s world? Do you have fear regarding starting your business as a woman? Then you need to read The Ultimate Guide for Women Entrepreneurs by Cecilia Nowlin.

My ABC of business: The dynamics of diversifying in business

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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by Lizl Naude, founder of Lily Loompa

One would think that the longer you are in business, the less you need to learn, but in fact, quite the opposite is true. None of us can ever say we know it all!