My Hall of Mentors: Lessons learned along a journey of success by Ntsiki Mkhize

July 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

For author and social entrepreneur Ntsiki Mkhize, success is a journey we're all on and it looks different from moment to moment for each of us. In her new book, My Hall of Mentors, she shares her experience of understanding that the best way to learn, grow and succeed as entrepreneurs is to look at those who've gone before us and ask those who currently find themselves where we want to be. Then apply their lessons to our lives.

What is holding you back? Your mind is your super computer

July 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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by Madelaine Gomes (MsC.D)

Many of us are going through our day without even thinking about our mindset or the thoughts that we are entertaining and how these thoughts affect the results that we are creating. 90% of our thoughts a day are spent on past experiences, and only 10% of our thoughts a day is being spent on the actual now and tomorrow! Our thoughts are the most powerful tool and determine the direction and all outcomes of our lives.

Entrepreneur Advice from Brigette Mashile: Make your business hours work for you and your clients

July 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa) — **Brigette Mashile,** founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)

Make your business hours work for you and your clients…

“When I started this business I tried to adhere to the rules of 9 to 5. It’s a lie. A whole scam. Your business hours are the ones that work in your business for you and your clients.”

Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)

The Purposed CEO - A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs — by Latasha WOP Williams

July 7, 2019 Melanie Hawken

In her new book, The Purposed CEO - A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs, author Latasha WOP Williams brings together the insights, personal experiences, and advice from a diverse range of women CEOs from all business sectors who have been there and got the proverbial T Shirt.

Conny Oberrauter, a South African entrepreneur inspiring others to create their own beauty products

July 7, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Conny Oberrauter, founder of The Cosmetics Chef (South Africa)

If you have ever wondered what it takes to create your own beauty products that work just for your skin type and needs, then wonder no more. Entrepreneur Conny Oberrauter, or The Cosmetics Chef as she is better known, is taking her expert skills and knowledge in formulation and helping people to create their own high quality and effective beauty products at a fraction of the cost.

Cape Town plays host to another inspirational Lioness Lean In event for the Mother City’s women entrepreneurs

July 7, 2019 Melanie Hawken

On a chilly 5 July morning, over 100 women entrepreneurs gathered in Woodstock in Cape Town, South Africa, for the first Lioness Lean In event of 2019, once again co-hosted in partnership with Volkswagen South Africa. It was a morning of inspirational story sharing, great networking, and importantly new business connection making.

Juanita Haasbroek, a South African entrepreneur building a natural beauty brand inspired by Hemp Oil

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

As more and more people are looking to natural beauty and wellness brands to find solutions to skin problems, traditional healing ingredients are coming to the fore. For South African entrepreneur, Juanita Haasbroek, founder of Hemp at Heart, she looked to the power of Hemp Oil and CBD Oil for inspiration and healing properties for her skincare range.

LIONESS LAUNCH: New brand of proudly South African traditional peanut butters launched by Eden All Natural Butters

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Lovers of peanut butter in South Africa are in for a real treat this month as local company, Eden All Natural Butters, founded by entrepreneur Debbie Ncube, is extending beyond its traditional peanut butter and into an exciting new range of taste sensations.

4 Ways you can begin cultivating a happier mindset

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat

Happiness is a way of thinking and feeling, a way of seeing your world, and the positive meaning you choose to give to the circumstances and situations in your life. Happiness is a mindset. And for most people happiness is not ready-made. After all, research shows that in the determination of a person’s level of happiness, genetics counts for about 50%, 10% is determined by your circumstances, and 40% is controlled by your thoughts, actions and behaviours. Although we may not be able to change our genetics, we can take 100% responsibility for the meaning we give to the circumstances and situations in our life as well as the thoughts and behaviours we practice on a daily basis.

When agony follows ecstasy

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds

Figures flew before my eyes as my fingers tapped away busily on the calculator. Exchange rate. Tap tap tap. VAT. Tap tap. Supplier costs. Tap tap tap. A number settled on the screen and I looked at it with confusion. “That can’t be right”, I thought, as a mild sense of unease washed over me. Picking up the calculator, I ran the numbers again, more slowly this time. The same number came up. “Third time lucky” I whispered to myself as I hit the keys with deliberate intent. No change!

Navigating the Creative Entrepreneurship Realm

July 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Tatenda Kanengoni

In the past two decades, the perception of creative entrepreneurship has shifted, refreshingly so. We live in an exciting time when policy makers are starting to value how creative enterprises can contribute meaningfully to economies, and more than ever creatives have an opportunity to soar.

100 LIONESSES: Ebonylife TV’s founder, Mo Abudu, named chair of 47th International Emmy Awards Gala

June 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

EbonyLife TV founder Mo Abudu has been announced as the Chair of the 47th International Emmy Awards Gala scheduled for November 25, 2019, in New York. The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 18, via Emmys Instagram handle as they shared a photo of the Nigerian media mogul.

Choose Your Emotions

June 28, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho, PhD

If you stay in business long enough, you eventually develop the level of mental and emotional fortitude you need to succeed.

Building a Business with a Beat by Judy Sheppard Missett

June 28, 2019 Melanie Hawken

In her new book, Building a Business with a Beat, fitness icon Judy Sheppard Missett, founder of the $100 million global fitness business, Jazzercise, shows you how to transform your passion into a profitable business. She is a great example of how you can turn an innovative idea into a business powerhouse.

Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana in Mozambique is introducing the country’s famous Capulana to the world

June 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana (Mozambique)

Mozambique is famous for its Capulana, but one company is taking this unique textile to whole new design levels. Karingana Wa Karingana, co-founded by Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, are building a powerhouse brand that combines traditional design and cultural values presented in a modern context.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Akojo Market, a new e-commerce platform championing independent designers from across Africa launches to much acclaim

June 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Natasha Buchler and Annie Rudnick, co-founders Akojo Market (UK)

Entrepreneur co-founders, Natasha Buchler and Annie Rudnick, have just launched Akojo Market, a new online platform dedicated to raising awareness of talented design talent from across the African continent, and connecting them to global buyers. Since going live on 1 April 2019, Akojo Market has built a community of incredibly talented designers and loyal customers, all committed to shopping ethically and supporting independent business promoting African culture and development. This entrepreneurial duo sell products from 19 designers, 17 are female founded businesses. The product ranges come from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, DRC, South Africa and Morocco.

Labour law tips

June 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Aleshia van der Ploeg, Founder of VDP Legal Consulting, South Africa

Is your business finally growing? Are you hiring more and more employees in order to assist you? One of the greatest challenges facing entrepreneurs these days is employment issues!

The Importance of Self-Management

June 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

I have been thinking for almost 6 months about a lot of the processes and events I have had in business; obviously wondering what I have done right and wrong. This is due to the fact that after 5 years I woke up one day and felt like I was depleted. Physically, mentally and emotionally depleted; the kind that needs a holiday with my mom on a quiet island, untapped without WIFI. I’m exaggerating…ok, ok, but I’m not lying.