We all have those days when we need to summon up the courage to keep trying, keep going, keep believing in the businesses we are building and the products and services we are creating, even when it’s really challenging. And that courage can take many forms. At the weekend, I was doing some reading on just this subject, hearing what other well known career women and entrepreneurs alike had to share on how they found their own sources of courage during tough times. I came across a fabulous quote that really resonated with me and which I feel compelled to share.  It’s by the author, artist and inspirational speaker, Mary Anne Radmacher, whose books Lean Forward Into Your Life, Live With Intention, and Life Begins When You Do, are wonderfully uplifting. She says, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” Wise words indeed!

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

Like many women entrepreneurs, more often than not I try to take a Nike approach to life and business - I don’t overthink things, and just DO IT, although there are times when the day to day challenges put a spanner in the works of such an approach. And when revisiting the story of the inimitable Este Lauder, founder of Este Laude Cosmetics this weekend, I came across this quote by her on exactly this subject. She said, “I didn’t get where I am by thinking about it or dreaming it. I got there by doing it.” Her words were a great reminder that it is all too easy to sit back and daydream about how our entrepreneurial lives might look in ten or twenty years’ time, or dreaming about how that new business idea or great new product or service might look once launched, but unless we actually stop thinking and just do it, chances are it will remain just that - a dream. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

I was reading an interesting New York Times article this week about how women around the world are less likely than their male counterparts to become entrepreneurs because they simply don’t have enough role models around them. And it’s not a case of being able to see superstar women role models to look up to, but instead ‘everyday women role models’ that they can really feel a connection with and aspire to be like. It’s why we share the inspirational start-up stories of ordinary women entrepreneurs doing extraordinary things from our Lionesses of Africa community each and every day - to show what’s possible. The NY Times article went on to suggest that women need to see on a regular basis people just like themselves successfully building businesses and brands, creating great products and services, and become fulfilled entrepreneurs, as it shapes their view of what is possible. The bottom line is that we need more everyday, successful women entrepreneur role-models in our lives to encourage us on our own journeys. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

Read any business magazine or watch any business documentary on the African continent, and chances are you will hear about manufacturing being at the heart of the desired Africa Renaissance. And it’s true that if the continent could see greater local value add, with products being created at home both for local and export markets, the economy could grow to the levels it needs to. A vibrant manufacturing sector in Africa would help countries to weather the inevitable economic storms. And, there are signs that it is moving in the right direction. Between 2005 and 2014, manufacturing production within Africa more than doubled from $73 billion to $157 billion, growing 3.5% annually in real terms. But challenges remain, and African manufacturing costs are high. A lack of reliable and efficient transport and energy infrastructure leads to even higher costs, exacerbated by regulatory and policy challenges. There is no doubt that there are still many barriers to overcome, but an African manufacturing Renaissance is within reach and it needs to be led by more women entrepreneurs who have the vision and the skills to make real change happen.

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

I love that feeling when I walk into the store, workshop or office of a fellow woman entrepreneur and every one of their employees I encounter is a real brand ambassador, someone who really believes in the business and importantly the founder’s vision for it. It’s a special feeling and one that really reinforces how critical it is to hire believers in your business. We all know that as founders, we are our own best brand ambassadors, but we can’t be there 24/7 at the front of the business, selling our brand and products to everyone personally. If we are to grow our businesses, then it’s essential to hire team members who buy into the business’s mission just as much as we do, and empower them to be genuine ambassadors. This will provide them with a sense of ownership, in addition to being employees. After all, our people are our best asset in our businesses, so it makes sense to hire those who share our sense of belief in its potential, and who are as passionate as we are. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

As entrepreneurs we talk a lot about the need to be fearless in business, but it’s easier said than done. Often, we talk ourselves into being afraid to take the leap, to try something new, to push the boundaries of our comfort zones. But this tentative approach because of fear could be holding us back. However, the solution could be easier than we think. I was reading a great article by Huffington Post founder, Ariana Huffington, who had some interesting insights on the subject. She said, "Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it, the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.” It sounds simple but it’s a good way of conquering this sense of fear and the unknown in business. So, why not take Ariana’s advice, just look fear in the face and push through anyway.

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

I am a passionate believer that women entrepreneurs can be incredibly impactful agents for change across Africa, given the right support, and the research data supports this belief. Africa has the highest levels of women’s entrepreneurship in the world, and entrepreneurial energy abounds across the continent, but for women entrepreneurs to fulfill their potential and grow game-changing businesses, they need to be better supported. Africa's women entrepreneurs are potentially amazing engines for economic growth and job creation, driving the two biggest employing sectors, agriculture and the artisan sector. Africa's women entrepreneurs are the most effective agents for equitably distributing economic growth, investing 90% of what they make back into their communities. At Lionesses of Africa, we believe women entrepreneurs can be at the centre of correcting inequality on the African continent. Together with our Impact Partners, we're on a mission to help them and their businesses achieve their full potential and create meaningful and lasting socio-economic change.

At Lionesses of Africa, we believe that as women entrepreneurs who share, inspire and connect, we are stronger together, that’s the ethos of our community. But I am also a firm believer that we are stronger together if we work with like-minded visionaries, companies and organizations who understand what we are trying to build and achieve, and who want to be part of our journey. We need to constantly connect and work with our global impact partners to fund the development of our products and programmes, and to scale their distribution and impact across the continent. We collaborate with influential Impact Partners who share our commitment and vision for advancing Africa’s women entrepreneurs, and we see our Impact Partners as change-makers. They put their money where their mouths are and become our genuine partners, sharing our mission to build meaningful impact for the most underserved women entrepreneurs on the planet. Working with our Impact Partners, we can practically support the development of a new generation of women entrepreneurs who can become the change agents Africa so badly needs. So to all our valued Impact Partners, a big thank you from all of us at Lionesses of Africa, your support helps us to make the difference.

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

There is something very powerful about seeing other women entrepreneurs who have made it on their journeys. I know that from a personal perspective and after more than  three decades of being an entrepreneur, I am inspired by and still learn each and every day from my fellow women business builders around the world. So it’s always fascinating to hear from many women that they find themselves constantly monitoring and benchmarking themselves and their businesses against their peers, and getting frustrated in the process. It’s the nature of competitive spirit in business to constantly look at what others are doing, but it can also have a downside when it hampers your own progress. Success comes when you keep your eye on the ball and on your own business at all times, and not on your competitors. There is a great quote from one of our wonderful Lionesses of Africa, Ngyenzi ‘Nunu’Mugyenyi, cofounder of BOLD Kampala in Uganda, who says on the subject, "Mind your own business. Focus your energy on how you can better your business, rather than on how the businesses of others are better than yours. There are enough entrepreneurial journeys to go around." Great advice!

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

I was re-reading a copy of ‘All In’ by Stephanie Breedlove this past week, a great book on how women entrepreneurs can think bigger, build sustainable businesses and change the world. It’s a great read and a great reminder of what a difference it makes to your life and your business when you make the conscious decision and mindset shift to go ‘all in’. Being ‘all in’ is a key ingredient for success, it means giving all you’ve got, committing to making the big vision happen, and putting in the maximum time and effort to realize set goals and ambitions. It means having an unwavering belief in what you are doing, why you are doing it, and its value. As Stephanie says in her book: “When the entrepreneurial journey leads you to go all in to help create the economic and cultural changes the world needs, words can’t describe its worth. I wish it for every woman called to entrepreneurship.” If you are interested in knowing more about the theory of ‘All In’, read our review of Stephanie’s book here. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

I often hear this from women entrepreneurs in our network: “Had I known then what I know today I probably wouldn’t have started!” We have probably all felt like that sometime during the course of our entrepreneurial journeys. Yet there is something to be said for the power of naive optimism in those early days of building our businesses. It’s all too easy to get bogged down by people around you who question your business ideas or new product concepts; or to feel overwhelmed by the masses of information available to the newbie entrepreneur about how to build the perfect business model. There can often seem to be far more reasons not to start a business than to take the plunge. But ask any seasoned entrepreneur how they got going all those years ago, and chances are they will tell you they didn’t overthink things, they blocked out all the naysayers, and armed with a good dose of naive, some might say blind optimism, they just went out and did it! 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

How often do you take a moment to reflect on the one truly unique selling point in your business - YOU! As a founder, and particularly in the early stages of the business, you are your own best ambassador. No-one is better than you at selling your business and brand - you have the passion, you know the back-story, you understand your product and service offering better than anyone else, and ultimately you are motivated. We often take our ability as founders to be the best ambassadors of our businesses for granted, instead of leveraging what we are best positioned to do - get people interested in and connected to our businesses, brands and products. So, keep honing those presentation and sales skills, keep building those networks, keep looking for opportunities to connect with audiences, and leverage your USP as the best asset your business has. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

It’s that time of year when for many of us our thoughts turn to vacations and getting away from it all. But as women entrepreneurs, it’s hard to take a break without feeling that the wheels are going to fall off in the business without us being hands-on 24/7. And, as we all know, there is nothing worse than being on vacation, trying to relax but sat at the beach, in the bush, or next to our hotel pool plugged into our laptops and smartphones, trying to sort out a crisis or meeting a deadline. We need to learn the art of taking a vacation from our businesses and there are a few smart ways to do this. Firstly, it’s all about the planning. When I know I’m about to travel (and that’s a lot of the time), I pre-plan and get key tasks completed in advance. Secondly, it’s a good idea to prepare and batch key tasks for roll out whilst you are away - there are great tools that send out work you have pre-scheduled in order to avoid disrupting routines and client delivery schedules. Finally, cut yourself some slack and remind yourself that you need this break, and build in your essential work time slots into your daily vacation programme - this way you can have the best of both worlds. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

Success means different things to different people. Whether it’s building a substantial business or product that has gone global, or a business that has scaled into multiple locations, or a business that is making an impact in its chosen field, success comes in many forms. So in the world of entrepreneurship, why do we find ourselves sometimes trying to measure up to other people’s ideas of what success looks like? Perhaps it’s time to think about what success really means to each of us individually, and to create our own, very personal definitions that we can work towards, instead of trying to emulate other entrepreneurs’ notions of success. We each have our own entrepreneurial path to follow, and part of the journey is understanding what success means to us. It’s not about chasing a life that is unattainable. It’s about creating a vision and a path for ourselves to follow that means something very personal to us as individuals. And each step we take towards achieving our goals, and each milestone we reach, brings us closer to the success we have defined for ourselves. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

As women entrepreneurs, many of us share the perpetual challenge of how to manage our time better, as we try and juggle all the various aspects of our lives simultaneously. And often we feel severely time pressed and this can have serious implications on our business and our personal productivity. But there are steps that can be taken to prevent problems with productivity occurring too frequently. A simple solution is to focus on what we do best and acknowledge that we really don’t need to try and do everything ourselves. It’s about knowing when to delegate and what to delegate to others, freeing ourselves up to focus on those things that really do need our personal attention and skills, and that ultimately we do best. There is a great quote by Virgin Group Founder, Richard Branson, who is the ultimate delegator in business. He says, “You must understand the art of delegation. I have to be good at helping people run the individual businesses, and I have to be willing to step back. The company must be set up so it can continue without me.” So, if you are feeling as though you are constantly battling time in your life and business, make a conscious decision to focus on what you do best, and delegate the rest. 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

As many of you know, I am passionate about the power of community when it comes to supporting the growth and development of Africa’s women entrepreneurs - and, it seems like I’m not alone in my thinking. A fascinating research report by Facebook has found that female founders who are part of a business community are twice as likely to forecast growth compared to those who are not. Despite this, half of female founders say they are not part of such a network. The research revealed that women are aware of the benefits of tapping into business communities, with 49 per cent of those interviewed for the report believing the opportunity to connect with other like-minded people would greatly benefit their business. 31 per cent of the women surveyed said the current business environment is better set up for male business leaders. Reading these research findings reminds me once again of why we started the Lionesses of Africa community - welcome to the Pride!

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

I read a great quote this week which should resonate with all those women entrepreneurs who spend their lives pitching their businesses and trying to make the next sale - it says,“You may need 100 'nos' to get one 'yes,' but that one 'yes' will make you more successful tomorrow than you were today.” How true is that? We all know how much work and effort it takes to make that all important sale, and it can be discouraging when you seem to go through a phase when all you hear are no’s from the companies and individuals you are pitching and marketing to. It can inevitably lead to moments of self doubt - and talk to any fellow woman entrepreneur and they will tell you they have been there too. The truth is, we’ll never completely get rid of self-doubt, and we shouldn’t try to. In fact, these feelings can be good for us - they drive us to keep doing better, to change the way we do things in order to get a great result, to question ourselves in order to improve our chances of converting that sale. The trick is to immediately let go of any feelings of doubt that come with every no, and instead just focus on the way you feel when you eventually do hear that yes. It will keep you going and keep those self doubts in check.

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

There is a great saying that goes, ‘ Motivation without desire is hollow’, and as we all know in the world of entrepreneurship, motivation is a critical factor for success. But it can often be hard to stay motivated during those difficult, energy draining and stressful times (and we all have those in business), when we try and keep everyone around us motivated, but as founders, who does the same for us? Is there a secret to staying the course when the going gets tough? Well, according to many successful entrepreneurs out there, one of the best ways of keeping those motivation levels high is to find your desire. And it’s not necessarily a desire simply to make money, although every entrepreneur wants to have cash in the bank. It’s more about finding that inner desire that drives you - your motivation could be to give your children a secure future; or to retire young so that you can do the things you really want to do; or to leave a business legacy for your family. Remembering that inner desire that made you want to become an entrepreneur in the first place will keep you motivated through even the roughest of times.

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

Today the world is remembering the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela ‘Madiba’ on Mandela Day, and on this commemorative day this year we are celebrating what would have been his 100th birthday. It’s a good time to reflect on his philosophy in life - he said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” So on this special day, we are all asked in our own small way to be inspired by his example and to try to make the world a better place - not just on this one day of the year, but to make every day a Mandela Day. By each of us making a conscious decision to each day do something that can change the world for the better, by giving a little of our time to making a change that’s close to our hearts, or by giving a little of our time to make a difference to the life of someone else, we can start changing the world around us. That’s the best way of remembering Madiba and continuing his legacy! 

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie

So here’s an interesting fact! Did you know that the artisan sector is the second largest employer in the developing world, behind agriculture, worth around $32 billion every year? Millions of people, particularly women, in developing countries around the globe are key drivers of the artisan economy - and that’s certainly the case on the African continent. They are producing handcrafted goods often utilizing traditional skills of all types to build businesses that can sustain themselves, their families and their communities. The artisan sector is significant and growing - international trade in artisan goods more than doubled between 2002 and 2012. Yet ironically, these very same artisan businesses are seldom recognized as drivers of real economic growth. But it’s important to remember that countries in the developing world have a competitive advantage in the artisan sector because of their rich cultural traditions, diverse artisanal skills, and unique raw materials. And that is certainly the case on the African continent. So it’s perhaps time to start acknowledging the truly important role played by women artisan entrepreneurs in driving Africa’s future economic growth, and at the same time, ensuring that traditional craftsmanship skills are both preserved and taken to the next level.