the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Shatho Babitse
In the rapidly evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, technology has become a powerful catalyst for growth and innovation. For women entrepreneurs, leveraging technology can open new doors, enhance productivity, and create opportunities for business expansion. Here are key ways women entrepreneurs can harness the potential of technology to propel their ventures forward.
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by Laura Camacho
At least 80% of what we do, probably 99%, is communicating. We ask people to buy things, do things, approve budgets, make changes, show up, and go here, instead of there. Being articulate is an asset you can cultivate.
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by Marjon Meyer
‘ecstatic’ - adjective – feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement, eg. “I am ecstatic about my team’s excellent results”
We have all experienced ecstasy (the legal version) and the feeling of immense joy. It could be due to a planned event you have been looking forward to, or an intense moment of deep happiness when a pleasant surprise comes your way. A business deal that went really well, being spoilt by a person who appreciates you, an unexpected blessing …. all these events bring about a deep sense of wellbeing, joy and happiness.
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Lisa Munsamy, founder, Lisa’s Carriers (South Africa)
Startup Story
Lisa Munsamy is the founder of Lisa’s Carriers in South Africa. She is a seasoned businesswoman with a passion for the transportation and hospitality industries, as well as a passion for Life Coaching. With over 18 years of experience in road freight, Lisa has navigated the ever-evolving landscape of logistics, ensuring seamless and efficient transportation solutions. She has also been the proud owner of a guesthouse for the past 14 years. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science Degree and is also a Certified Life Transformation Coach.
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Yetunde Akande
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Yetroselane Fashion Hub, a multi-faceted fashion business creating jobs, and empowering fashion entrepreneurs of the future
Yetunde Akande is an award-winning CEO and founder of Yetroselane Fashion Hub in Nigeria, a mission-driven company founded in 2008, transforming the fashion industry through sustainability and empowerment, and employing 45 people. The hub's contemporary womenswear fosters inclusivity and empowerment, complemented by their Fashion Academy preparing women for successful fashion businesses. Operating with a zero-waste policy in their garment factory, Yetunde collaborates globally for amplified impact. Recognized with prestigious awards, her designs grace global runways, including New York Fashion Week and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Ghana. Committed to mentorship, Yetunde engages with organizations like WIMBIZ, AWE, and GAIN, shaping the future of aspiring entrepreneurs. She envisions a future of employment and thriving fashion ventures.
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by Margaret Hirsch
No one has ever taken selling as a subject at school, yet over 90% of all business involves selling of one kind or another. When you hear the word salesman what usually comes to mind is a slick looking, fast talking, slimy person who is trying to take your hard-earned money from you. Well today and especially at Hirsch's Homestore, nothing could be further from the truth. Our salespeople are very kind, considerate people and they are known as "professional solution finders.” All day is spent finding solutions to other people’s problems. Be it from the perfect piece of toast for breakfast, to the most cost-efficient washing machine for a family of two, or ten; to the latest fridge/freezers which actually send you a message when your food is about to expire or run out! We have to know the model numbers, the features and benefits and of course the prices!
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Kendra Bracken-Ferguson
Book Review
The Beauty of Success by Kendra Bracken-Ferguson is an ultra-modern blueprint for navigating the path to starting, growing and accelerating your career while sowing the seeds of self-awareness and self-reflection. You’ll discover how author and 3x founder, Kendra aligned her personal pillars of community, mentorship, education, and capital with her business goals to bring her vision for building a successful company to fruition.
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by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
Marie Curie, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and then Chemistry in 1911, (see here for information on this incredible Scientist) is said to have once remarked: “Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood…”, and we have to admit that try as we might, we cannot understand the reasons for, let alone fathom the pain and suffering that 2023 brought to many millions across the globe. If Diplomacy really is the art of restraining power, as Henry Kissinger, the 56th U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. National Security Advisor and winner of the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize said, then we have to suggest that in 2023, ‘diplomacy’ failed.
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by Lori Milner
Interpersonal relationships can be one the greatest sources of energy builders and drainers for people. It has nothing to do with their colleagues but everything to do with them and their interpretation of a situation.
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by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw
For many law firms, the thought of AI has not been all moonlight and roses. In many instances, there is a fear that it signals the end of our profession, whilst in other cases, a deep sense of distrust. The term AI is also a collective for Artificial Intelligence which refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. There are many times including Generative AI or Natural Language Processing such as Chat GPT. Other types include reactive machines and limited memory bases.
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by Thembe Khumalo
Look, I realise how frightening it can be to step forward into a fast-moving marketplace that can sometimes also. be very confusing. But if you’re serious about professional growth and business expansion you’re going to have to overcome fears of being seen, making marketing mistakes, facing judgment, or stumbling in your pursuits. These apprehensions will rob you of your confidence and the elevation you desire. Try to make peace with the fact that you will make mistakes — everybody does after all, and then focus on building yourself a well-defined personal brand.
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Natercia Jone, founder, Dione’s Liquor (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Natercia Jone is a Mozambican entrepreneur and the founder of Dione’s Liquor, with more than 20 years of experience having operated in the cleaning and gardening, confectionery sectors. She is currently dedicated to building her business and brand, Dione's Liquor, which is focused on the production of liqueurs based on fruits, herbs and currently operating in the national market.
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Eka Obaigbena
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Toasties Limited, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain reimagining the way Africans experience meals on the go
Eka Obaigbena is the founder and ceo of Toasties, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain launched in 2016 in Nigeria that aims to reimagine the way Africans experience meals on the go. Toasties' menu consists primarily of fusion sandwiches, salads, and various specials. Eka is also the Founder and CEO of Board, a food gifting and food experience company that presents edible art to its customers. Before launching her businesses in 2016 and 2020 respectively, Eka began her culinary journey in New York City’s French Culinary Institute (now The International Culinary Center) where she trained as a chef in 2011.
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by Lori Milner
January has the special aroma of a fresh start combined with energy, enthusiasm, and new dreams. This feeling typically lasts until the end of March, and then your energy begins to dip, and before you know it, you're counting down to Easter because you need a serious break. It's not like you waste your energy intentionally or even consciously; it's a slow drip like a nail in a tyre; it leaks air so slowly that you don't notice until it is completely flat or inches from it.
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by Margaret Hirsch
The quote by Elinor Roosevelt goes: “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people.” Once you know this you can stop yourself being pulled into the conversations discussing other people - they are not worthy of your time. Events also come and go but discussing ideas, now that’s not only thought provoking but can be mind-blowing.
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by Eldari Visser
I have a great view of the troupe. The monkeys are merrily playing and eating along the forestry. I move my binocular view over them, checking out the little ones playing and the moms keeping a watchful eye. Then I am met eye to eye with a big daddy. He is staring directly at me, gosh, it seems like he is literally on top of me! I yank the binoculars away from my eyes to get a normal view. He is definitely at a distance, far from me, yet he is dead focused on me. A chill runs down my spine. How does he know? Surely he cannot see this far?
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by Thembe Khumalo
Let’s face it, there are a whole lot of coaches consultants, and other service-based solopreneurs out there who are working for a lot less than what they are worth. Sometimes, it's because you hear so much about how bad the economy is that you try to avoid coming across as lacking empathy, or worse still, arrogant. Years spent in traditional employment can also limit our self-worth because we have pegged our value at whatever our last employer decided it should be. This undervaluation can lead to reluctance and hesitancy to share knowledge, and the pursuit of side hustles.
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Lilian Mapuranga, co-founder & COO, Chemexon Chemicals Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe)
Startup Story
Lilian Mapuranga is the co-founder and COO of Chemexon Chemicals Pvt Ltd a chemical company focused on cleaning and sanitation chemicals. She is an MBA and Chemist with over 13 years industry experience and 4 years in the sanitation industry. Lilian was awarded as a TechWomen Emerging Leader 2014 (Hillary Clinton STEM Initiatives in Silicon Valley), was a ZimTrade EagleNest Top 22 Qualifier. Before Lilian became an entrepreneur, she was a business development manager at Integrated Hygiene Systems. Her tasks were oriented towards developing business, looking for new markets and increasing sales. Her focus was in change management and meeting customer satisfaction, something she has adopted into her own business and has helped her shape Chemexon.
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Vicky Chilli, founder, eKasi Bioscope (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa)
Startup Story
Vicky Chilli is a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Umlazi in South Africa and the founder of eKasi Bioscope (Pty) Ltd. She established a movie cinema in her township and uses film as a tool for social change. She started this project in 2016 at King Shaka High School where she discovered that learners were facing social issues and needed a platform to relate too, open-up and learn. The cinema screens African-inspired movies and the youth watch movies for free. Vicky has screened approximately 20 African-inspired movies indoors and had 1 drive-in cinema.
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Krissy Chin
Book Review
If you ever wanted to know how to effectively launch and run a profitable online business, Krissy Chin in her new book, Sell while you Sleep: Turn your knowledge into an automated online business and create a life of freedom, shares her insights and experience. She says it doesn't have to be complicated.
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