Entrepreneur Advice from Noxolo Peter: It takes time, sweat and tears

January 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Noxolo Peter, founder of CheesySteaks (South Africa) — **Noxolo Peter**, founder of CheesySteaks (South Africa)

It takes time, sweat and tears....

"Starting a business is really not easy, it sometimes feels like a bumpy road. But with passion and hard work you eventually get to the end of the road, and that's where your focus should be! One thing most entrepreneurs do not understand is that you do not get to where you want to be overnight, it takes time, sweat, and sometimes tears to get to where you want to be. The one thing I was told when I began this journey was that "Rome wasn't built in a day" and that quote has stuck with me since. I hope it resonates with you. So yes, go ahead and start-up!"

- Noxolo Peter is the founder of CheesySteaks in South Africa, a gourmet food brand that makes Philly cheesesteaks. Noxolo has taken this classic American sandwich and given it her very own spin, infusing her sandwiches with distinctly African flavours. Noxolo has long been passionate about entrepreneurship and in 2014 she was selected to represent South Africa at the Business and Entrepreneurship Envision Global Forum held in the USA.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lizl Naude: Face it head-on!

November 21, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa) — **Lizl Naude**, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)

Face it head-on!....

"Creativity grows more when faced with adversity. Do not give up when faced with adversity. In my life those times have been my most productive and creative ever. Those unwanted times force you to think out-of-the-box. Those tough times require you to be present. Even though everything in you wants to exit and run…do not. Face it head-on! You can overcome and succeed!"

- Lizl Naude, is the founder of Lilly Loompa in South Africa, a company that creates beautiful and usable furniture pieces made with recycled material. Lilly Loompa's “Rubbish Range” is the result of Lizl's craving to deliver pieces that are completely "green". Lizl is a self taught designer and started designing and making furniture because she couldn’t afford to buy new pieces to furnish her home. She started to scout and source for budget material and quickly realised that most people discard of very usable materials. This led to her building and designing beautiful furniture items that she used in her home.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lucy Kapkirwok: Never give up!

October 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lucy Kapkirwok (L), founder and CEO of Sanpad Products (Kenya) — **Lucy Kapkirwok (L)**, founder and CEO of Sanpad Products (Kenya)

Never give up....

"Never give up, remain focused, seek support from like minded people, and never look back."

- Lucy Kapkirwok is a social entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Sanpad Products in Kenya. SANPAD is a sanitary pad-pant business, an innovative low cost initiative aimed at manufacturing affordable and accessible sanitary pads cum pants to address the needs of women and girls in resource poor settings. Lucy is committed to improving the lives of women and young girls in Africa, especially those from poor communities.

Entrepreneur Advice from Lana de Klerk: Persevere!

September 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lana de Klerk, founder of Prestige Marketing (South Africa) — **Lana de Klerk**, founder of Prestige Marketing (South Africa)

Perseverance is essential....

"See every challenge and hurdle along the way as an opportunity. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will cheer you on. Always remember the 4 P's: Persevere! Persevere! Persevere! Persevere!"

- Lana de Klerk is the founder of Prestige Marketing in South Africa, a company specialising in corporate gifts and clothing. Lana's passion has always been in marketing, and she's always loved stationery, gifts and clothing, so it seemed the perfect industry for her to launch her business in.Today, she is building a successful business and brand and with great ambitions for the future.

Entrepreneur Advice from Julie Cassidy: The rewards far outweigh the efforts

September 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Julie Cassidy, co-founder of ProFlex People (South Africa) — **Julie Cassidy**, co-founder of ProFlex People (South Africa)

The rewards will far outweigh your efforts....

"Don't give up! As hard as the struggle seems to get your business off the ground and become your own boss, the rewards far outweigh the efforts."

- Julie Cassidy is the co-founder of ProFlex People in South Africa, a company that provides a flexible solution to small businesses by allowing them to choose and buy-in the skills they need, for as long as they need, with no additional overheads, employment challenges or excessive rates - all via an online platform. Julie worked in the corporate world for over 20 years building a strong foundation of business knowledge and skills in the transformation and change management fields before launching her own entrepreneurial journey.

Entrepreneur Advice from Kristine Pearson: Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer

May 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Kristine Pearson, founder of Lifeline Energy — **Kristine Pearson**, founder of Lifeline Energy

Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer....

"Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and be persistent. There have been many times in my adult life when someone else has said “It can’t be done”, “It won’t work”, “You can't do that”. If I feel strongly about something, I am relentless in finding a way, sometimes an unconventional way, to make it happen. You have to have tenacity. The social enterprise sector is tough. Rejection is far more prevalent than success, and being tenacious is fundamental."

- Kristine Pearson is the Chief Executive of Lifeline Energy, a pioneering social enterprise that designs, manufactures and distributes solar-powered and wind-up media players and radios for classrooms and community listening groups. Kristine has led Lifeline Energy strategically and operationally in the US and South Africa since 1999. Previously, she was an executive with a large South African banking group. Kristine is a fellow of the Schwab Foundation of the World Economic Forum, serves on the Women’s Leadership Board of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and was named a Hero of the Environment by Time magazine. She is the 2005 recipient of the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award.

Entrepreneur Advice from Irene Ochem: Try to learn from your mistakes

February 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Irene Ochem, founder of ICO Conferences & Events Limited — **Irene Ochem**, founder of ICO Conferences & Events Limited

Try to learn from your mistakes....

"When you come across the road blocks, for you surely will, do not turn back; persistence and resilience are key factors for success. And, yes, you can make mistakes, but try to learn from your mistakes."

- Irene Ochem is the founder of African Women Innovation and Enterprise Forum (AWIEF) and the Managing Director of ICO Conferences & Events Limited, a full-service professional conference producing, event management and training company that operates across Africa and globally. Irene holds an MBA from the University of London.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mary Miner: Everything takes longer than you think

December 18, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Mary Miner, Co-Founder of Atikus Investments in Rwanda — Mary Miner, Co-Founder of Atikus Investments in Rwanda

Everything takes longer than you think....

"Starting a business is challenging but equally rewarding. Keep at it! Everything takes longer than you think it will but the amount you will learn about business and yourself along the way will change your life - at least it has for me."

- Mary Miner is the co-founder of Atikus Investments, a socially focused enterprise dedicated to expanding access to capital for qualified yet underserved individuals around the world. Mary is responsible for designing and managing Atikus’ social impact initiatives, with a specific focus on financial education partnerships and women’s empowerment goals. Mary has spent extensive time on the ground in multiple African markets, including Morocco, Egypt, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, and Ghana.

Entrepreneur Advice from Amanta Hooman - Keep moving forward

September 29, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Amanta Hooman, founder of Flavour Union (South Africa) — **Amanta Hooman**, founder of Flavour Union (South Africa)

Keep on moving forward....

"Never give up. It is always slower than expected in the start-up phase. That's ok. Keep on moving."

- Amanta Hooman is a young South African woman entrepreneur who is producing a wonderful new range of truffle-based gourmet products under her new label Flavour Union. She is working with the most committed and passionate individuals within their fields to deliver a burst of flavour that shouts “Africa” ...combined with the heritage of the European food-diamond, the truffle.

Entrepreneur Advice from Suzie Wokabi - You've got to roll with the punches!

August 14, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Suzie Wokabi, founder of Suzie Beauty Ltd. (Kenya) — **Suzie Wokabi**, founder of Suzie Beauty Ltd. (Kenya)

My top advice to any aspiring woman entrepreneur....

".... they MUST be very passionate in whatever they are trying to start. It must be a field they love entirely and that they know something about. Also, patience, perseverence and rolling with the punches are a must."

- Suzie Wokabi is the founder of Suzie Beauty Ltd. in Kenya. Suzie studied an International Relations degree in the United States and worked in New York within the fashion and beauty industries from 2001 until 2007. When she returned to her hometown of Nairobi, Suzie decided to pursue her passion and launch her own authentic, affordable, high-quality African make-up brand. This revolutionary line is Kenya’s first make-up and beauty brand and a global trailblazer in creating a bespoke product for the African woman, by an African woman. The hallmark of Suzie Beauty products is affordable, great quality, tailor-made for the unique needs of women living in the African climate.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tetsi Bugaari, Lynn Bugaari and Nuba Elamin - Starting a business can be very challenging

July 31, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tetsi & Lynn Bugaari and Nuba Elamin, founders of Buqisi-Ruux (Kenya) — **Tetsi & Lynn Bugaari and Nuba Elamin**, founders of Buqisi-Ruux (Kenya)

Starting your own business can be a bumpy road....

"As it is said and written everywhere, starting a business can be very challenging. You can have the best morning, and yet by the next hour, you might not know where you went wrong. My first piece of advice would be to never give up, always remember your end goal, and despite what challenges come your way, always remember why you started this business in the first place and push through it."

- Tetsi & Lynn Bugaari and Nuba Elamin are the co-founders of Buqisi-Ruux, a shoe brand from Kenya that designs and produces high-heeled shoes covered in bold and colourful African print material. The Buqisi-Ruux brand also celebrates the success of the African continent and its women, as each shoe is named after an inspirational African woman and her story is shared with the world.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mary-Anne Grobler - Never give up on your dream

July 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter, co-founders of Matter of Fakt (South Africa) — **Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter**, co-founders of Matter of Fakt (South Africa)

Giving up is not an option....

"Just don’t give up - if you think it is not working, you just have to keep pushing and never give up on your dream."

- Mary-Anne Grobler is the co-founder of Matter of Fakt, an up-and-coming South African jewellery design brand that specialises in crafting raw, semi-precious stone pieces. Mary-Anne originally trained as an art director and worked in the advertising industry for a few years. But, she always knew that she wanted to build her own brand and take control of its destiny.