Being seen as a grasshopper, YET feeling like a giant, in the business world

April 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Nomihlali Ntsunguzi

It was the very first presentation I had to make to pitch for business after I had just started. The potential client was in an industry I knew very well, and I knew the human capital challenges everyone was experiencing. I was so excited yet anxious, but I was quite confident that my pitch was on point. As I walk into the boardroom, I recognize someone I know from church and I immediately felt relieved….my thought, “God indeed works in miraculous ways”. Little did I know that out of all the executives that were sitting there, I was going to get the worst treatment from the one I recognized.

Entrepreneur Advice from Evangelia Kalaitzi: Entrepreneurship grows you as a person

February 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Evangelia Kalaitzi, founder of HealthyWise & Evangelia Nina K Brand (South Africa)

Entrepreneurship grows you as a person…

"Entrepreneurship and having my own business has brought tears, laughter and experience into my life. It has also brought new people, as well as the opportunity to unleash a greater part of me and grow me as an individual.”

Evangelia Kalaitzi, founder of HealthyWise & Evangelia Nina K Brand (South Africa)

Are You in Limbo?

February 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser, founder of Picketfence Life

The year’s time clock has ticked over and we, as humans, settle our feathers for a new year - all the new challenges, the goals to achieve, the dreams to chase, scores to settle and proving of self-worth ... how necessary is this?

Motherhood and entrepreneurship can live in harmony

February 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation

There is nothing worse than being an entrepreneur and mother that does not have a working space; the children want to open the laptop, press it. They whine and want your attention. You have a deadline; it is a nightmare. Well, great news, I can relate. Replying to emails is a chore; drafting a proposal is just impossible.

The Marriage of Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Mentorship

January 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Phindile Ndhlovu, founder and director, Bhekizenzo Foundation

When I was in university, 2 years ago, I wondered how my life would end up. I was worried. My academics were bad as I was involved with student activism and part-time jobs. I was a full-time student that studied part-time. I was a pregnant unemployed graduate. I had to step up for my precious boy’s arrival. I was not born with entrepreneurship flowing in my blood, life kind of forced that on me.

Quote of the Day by Abai Schulze

January 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“… for the first two to three years you have to be ready to have an equal measure of pain and joy with a strong tilt towards pain for most of the first 18 months."

Abai Schulze, founder of ZAAF (Ethiopia)

Quote of the Day by Eldari Visser

January 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Every road that is worth traveling on will bring its own set of challenges”

Eldari Visser, founder of Picketfence Life (South Africa)

How To Fight Your Business Hyenas

December 22, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life

A beautiful but disturbing clip was doing the rounds of a pack of hyenas going for a lion. Killing was their main aim. This older lion fought for a long time from all sides - got a couple of good homps in, but the clan was very big. Mostly they were going for his ass!!! Yep - catching you from behinds! This lion turned and dodged and roared to get them away.

The Entrepreneur’s Journey

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, founder of Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos

Nowadays, a diversity of market opportunities can be created thanks to the general economic and financial crises that have made many awaken their dormant dreams and hidden ideas, meaning people had to feel the pressure of a lack of things to pursue fulfilment. Lately, all we hear about is entrepreneurship and people coming up with great, innovative ideas for the creation of a business and it seems like everybody wants to be an entrepreneur.

Grit is Necessary for a Successful Journey

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Fatuma Abdullah

I get hot under the collar, when I attend seminars or conferences and entrepreneurs are presented in a romanticized fashion. Or worse, glamorizing the subject of entrepreneurship and neglecting the most important unseen component of the journey, the sleepless nights, the self-discipline, rejection, disappointments, failure, the lack of support and resources.

Quote of the Day by Lizl Naude

September 17, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“… no matter how hard this journey is, we should still make time to enjoy life and experience happiness!”

Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)

What role has luck played in your life?

August 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Thato Mokhothu

I consider myself very lucky to be in business school and interacting with some of the most talented and hardworking individuals I have ever met. I’ll tell you why. Out of hundreds of applications someone or some people in charge of admissions chose me and gave me an opportunity. There might have been other applicants who were more knowledgeable and experienced but they did not make it. Adding to that, it is probable that someone out there with enormous intelligence and potential chose not to even apply because of financial constraints.

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!

Entrepreneur Advice from Mariana Agness Francisco Eria: Entrepreneurship unlocks a new and exciting journey›

June 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique) — **Mariana Agness Francisco Eria**, founder of House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Entrepreneurship unlocks a new and exciting journey....

"The tools of your future lay in your hands, grab the wheel and start the engine. You might not know how to get there, you may not have all the answers and that is okay. The mistakes along the way are going to be the bricks to build the foundation of your business. People will doubt you, and sometimes you will doubt yourself but it will all be worthwhile in the ‘never-ending’ end. Entrepreneurship is like a destination that unlocks a new and more exciting journey."

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

Já descobriu o que veio fazer neste mundo?

April 7, 2019 Melanie Hawken

por Nereyda Ah Hoy

Nestes tempos de transformações intensas, não só à nossa volta, mas acima de tudo, a nível do nosso mundo interior, o facto de sentirmo-nos muitas vezes perdidas, desorientadas e desmotivados, é um sinal de que cada vez mais devemos perceber se o caminho que estamos a percorrer é o caminho que devíamos estar a seguir.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mireille Karera: Follow your inner voice

December 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates — **Mireille Karera**, founder of KORA Associates

Follow your inner voice....

"My advice to women starting up is to follow that insisting inner voice that has already been nudging you to follow the dream inside of you. It is the hidden treasure that only you can find. You may come from a tough background or a privileged one, no matter how you started, if you persevere and stay true to YOUR own desires and dreams, you will eventually turn your dreams into reality."

Mireille Karera, founder of KORA Associates (U.A.E/Rwanda)

Entrepreneur Advice from Hazel Aggrey-Orleans: It can be a lonely journey

October 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, founder of Eki Orleans

It can be a lonely journey….

“Being an entrepreneur is without doubt one of the hardest roles to take on as you are your own boss and it can be a lonely journey as you do not have the structure of an establishment to support you. I always tell myself though, if being an entrepreneur were easy, every one would do it.”

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, founder of Eki Orleans

Quote of the Day by Mariana Agness Francisco Eria

June 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Entrepreneurship is like a destination that unlocks a new and more exciting journey.”

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

How Distractions in Business can become a Costly Thing

May 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect and co-founder of SnappSales

Since starting this crazy mad entrepreneurial journey which is filled with passion, great rewards and eternal lessons, I’m exceptionally grateful for all the lessons that have been placed on my path, to help me grow and mature as a business owner and person. And trust me, there are many! Like learning that distractions can start costing your business money.