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Do you need a bestie in business?

May 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude

Friendship between women can be the most beautiful thing. It can be a safe place and is very important to your overall well-being. But...it can also be challenging. And as we navigate through seasons and life, it can sometimes also be very heart-breaking.

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In Guest Blog Tags Lizl Naude, Entrepreneur Support
Comment

Absa to extend energy grants to SMEs amid crises

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ronnie Mbatsane, Managing Executive, SME Business, Absa Relationship Banking

Struggling businesses will soon be able to apply for their share of the R50 million in grants to keep their businesses running. In a move aimed at supporting and growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Absa will be providing up to R50 million in energy subsidy under its Green Asset Finance programme for qualifying SMEs.

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In Features Tags Energy, Entrepreneur Support, absa
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Dr Noeline Kirabo, a Ugandan social entrepreneur positively changing lives

March 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Dr Noeline Kirabo

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Kyusa, a purpose-driven organization that empowers marginalized youth and women through enterprise development in Uganda

Dr Noeline Kirabo is the founder of Kyusa, a purpose-driven organization that empowers marginalized youth and women through enterprise development in Uganda. She is a distinguished personal and business development coach/consultant, author, TED speaker, certified mentor, trainer, and life coach. With a doctorate in Entrepreneurship Management and over fifteen years of experience in the civil society sector, Noeline is a recognized authority in the fields of personal and professional growth. As a family therapist and social entrepreneur, Noeline has made a lasting impact on the lives of children, youth, women, and community initiatives. She has also served as a personal and business development consultant for numerous exceptional companies in the East African region and beyond. Noeline is the founder and executive director of Kyusa, a for-impact organization committed to improving the quality of life for marginalized youth through entrepreneurship development. Her dedication to this cause has earned her a reputation as a transformative leader in the field of social entrepreneurship.

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In Cover Story Tags Uganda, Social Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur Support, Skills Training & Development
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Cheerleading in Business

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken
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by Tatenda Rungisa

A Cheerleader is someone who gives you confidence by reinforcing all the things that you seek to achieve, have achieved, and that you are good at. A cheerleader is someone who holds your hand from the beginning till the very end of the game, whether you have won or lost; they see you at the lowest point and are still able to cheer you on!

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In Guest Blog Tags Tatenda Rungisa, Entrepreneur Support
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Why you cannot walk alone!

December 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Eldari Visser

There is a secret rule when exploring the wild or going on a road trip by foot or by car - you never go alone. Well duh! Yet... here in beautiful South Africa we hear of many hikers and mountaineers that unfortunately died whilst out on a hike. Most of the time it could have been prevented and most of the time it was due to the fact that they underestimated the terrain and the weather and more than 90% were alone. A friend, a group is always advisable.

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In Guest Blog Tags Eldari Visser, Entrepreneur Support
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My ABC of business: A practical guide on how to better support your entrepreneur friend 

December 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Lizl Naude

She asks politely, “How is business?” Maybe you think you care when you ask, but ironically this could arguably be one of the most insensitive questions to ask an entrepreneur. I look at her and in a matter of seconds all my entrepreneurial challenges flash before my eyes. I smile and say, “Business is great! Thanks for asking!”

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In Guest Blog Tags Lizl Naude, Entrepreneur Support
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Entrepreneur Advice from Mariana Agness Francisco Eria / Surround yourself with people that challenge you

October 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder, The House of Agness (Mozambique)

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder, The House of Agness (Mozambique)

Surround yourself with people that challenge you!…

“Make sure to surround yourself with people that challenge you physically, mentally, spiritually and that will be there for you when the going gets tough.”

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder, The House of Agness (Mozambique)

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneur Support
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Lioness Launch / New co-working space and digital platform launched for women in Luanda, Angola

May 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Diandra Vaal Neto, founder of Clube Das Empresárias (Angola)

Diandra Vaal Neto, founder of Clube Das Empresárias (Angola)

Lioness Launch

The journey to becoming a successful woman entrepreneur can often be a lonely one. But in Luanda, Angola, Diandra Vaal Neto, founder of Clube Das Empresárias, a leading platform for women entrepreneurs in the country, has the solution. She has launched SPACE by Clube Das Empresárias, a new co-working space in the city exclusively for women, providing a much-needed professional and personal development community.

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In Lioness Launch Tags Angola, Entrepreneur Support, Co-working
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Entrepreneur Advice from Carrie Leaver: Find your people

August 2, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

Find your people.….

"As a start-up, support, understanding and some extra love make the difficult days much easier. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely and it's easy to doubt and question one’s decisions and journey. Being part of a community of like-minded people brings strength, new ideas and also an eco-system of services and potential clients. We're stronger together!”

Carrie Leaver, co-founder of Stoep Startup Co-Working & Stay (South Africa)

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneur Support
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Working Moms’ Club Call to Action

May 12, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Phindile Tapula, founder & director of Bhekizenzo Foundation

Working mommies, how do we celebrate Mother’s Day? Do we spend time with our families and just do what we do every day – be mothers by cleaning after everyone and making sure everyone is eating healthy food? Do we appreciate a night out and a candle lit dinner with our partners? Do we stay in our bubble of being a mother or do we reach out to other mothers and celebrate the day together?  I propose this day can be used to chat to other working mothers, advising each other on our businesses and sharing stories.

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In Guest Blog Tags Entrepreneur Support
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Entrepreneur Advice from Benji Coetzee: Need help? Then ask

November 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa)

Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa)

Need help? Ask...

"Don't be scared to ask. You will be surprised how willing people are to help, when you humble yourself."

Benji Coetzee, founder of EmptyTrips (South Africa)

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneur Support, Mentoring
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Quote of the Day by Joy Ndungutse

June 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Joy Ndungutse, co-founder Gahaya Links (Rwanda)

Joy Ndungutse, co-founder Gahaya Links (Rwanda)

“Giving women money won’t take them anywhere. Just give them knowledge and the rest will work out.”

Joy Ndungutse, co-founder Gahaya Links (Rwanda)

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In Quote of the Day Tags Joy Ndungutse & Janet Nkubana, Entrepreneur Support
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Entrepreneur Advice from Mimi Kalinda: Let’s have women support one another

February 13, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Mimi Kalinda, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa)

Mimi Kalinda, founder of Africommunications Group (South Africa)

Let’s have women support one another…

“… we have to look at precedent - history has a lot to teach us and role models abound if only we take the time to look back at who came before us. We need to stand firm as African female entrepreneurs and form a support base for each other. If we stand together, support and celebrate each other’s achievements, we will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. We also have to have a commitment to hard work and excellence.”

- Mimi Kalinda is the founder of Africommunications Group, a South African entrepreneur empowering fellow Africans through the power of storytelling. She has created a pan-African public relations and communications agency based in Johannesburg, South Africa servicing local and global clients with a complete and culturally attuned communications services offering. Her clients include private, public and non-profit sector organisatyions in the African market, with a focus on Francophone and Anglophone Africa. Read Mimi’s startup story.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneur Support
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Quote of the Day by Tumi Moitse

February 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Tumi Moitse, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa)

Tumi Moitse, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa)

“Align yourself with female orientated incubation programmes to build your confidence.”

- Tumi Moitse, founder of BlakSaffron Boutique (South Africa)

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In Quote of the Day Tags Entrepreneur Support
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Entrepreneur Advice from Mireille Karera: Surround yourself with people who you lift you up

October 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates

Surround yourself with people who you lift you up....

"You may not have the most supportive environment around you, but there is always an individual person or a group of people you can connect with. Surround yourself with people who you lift you up, instead of those who bring you down or dismiss your dreams and vision. Be careful who you share your dreams with, before they take shape. You might be discouraged to even start something by sharing your business vision and goal with the wrong people."

- Mireille Karera is the founder of KORA Associates, a consulting and coaching company headquartered in Dubai, U.A.E, with operations in Africa. Mereille is of Rwandan origin and recently opened the company's latest subsidiary in Rwanda. She speaks 7 languages fluently (English, French, German, Rwandan, Swahili, Burundian and Lingala) and in earlier years pursued her passion for languages which earned her a Bachelor Degree in Business & Legal Translation in Cologne, Germany.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneur Support
Comment

Entrepreneur Advice from Mogau Seshoene: Surround yourself with like-minded women

August 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Mogau Seshoene, founder of The Lazy Makoti (South Africa)

Mogau Seshoene, founder of The Lazy Makoti (South Africa)

Surround yourself with like-minded women....

"Get started - asap! With the little knowledge, experience or capital you have, get started. Ask for help. There are various mentorship programmes, look them up and make use of them. Surround yourself with like-minded women who can provide a nurturing support system, because tough times will come and you will need to be able to draw strength from sisters."

- Mogau Seshoene is the founder of The Lazy Makoti in South Africa, providing intimate and informative cooking lessons for the modern Afropolitian who would like to learn the lost art of preparing favourite authentic South African dishes. Mogau pivoted from a career in finance to pursue her passion and today has a team of 4 people who handle the entire process, from design to delivery of the cooking merchandise, as well as television shows and social media.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneur Support
Comment

Entrepreneur Advice from Ruth Kwalanda: It's okay to ask for help

May 13, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Ruth Kwalanda, founder of CIAR Management Institute (Kenya)

Ruth Kwalanda, founder of CIAR Management Institute (Kenya)

It's okay to ask for help....

“If you are ever in doubt about anything, ask. There is always someone willing to help you. These days I ask a lot more questions as I run my business and know it’s OK to make mistakes as I go along.”

- Ruth Kwalanda is the founder of CIAR Management Institute, a corporate training business and provider of Kenya’s first E-learning platform. Ruth has been a leading provider of human capital development solutions to professionals and business communities in Africa for more than 5 years, facilitating business knowledge and skills transfer through cutting edge conferences, training programmes and e-learning.

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In Entrepreneur Advice Tags Entrepreneur Support
Comment

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series - Navigating Artificial Intelligence In The Workplace

Lioness Radio Show Special Episode: Navigating AI in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe

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