Spotlight on Senegal: Meet 8 women entrepreneurs building growth businesses and brands that customers love

February 2, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Spotlight

In the latest in our series of Spotlight features on individual African countries where women entrepreneurs are making their mark with their businesses and brands, we shine a spotlight on Senegal. From the finest luxury textiles, exciting cosmetics and skincare product ranges, nutritional baby food products, fashion and accessories, and a bookseller promoting African authors, Senegal is a country with a wide variety of growth-focused women-owned businesses that are well worth a visit. Meet 8 women entrepreneurs in our Lionesses of Africa community who are building growth businesses and brands that customers love, and who are putting Senegal on the entrepreneur map.

What we're loving this week

February 2, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

Each week we shine a spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating world-class products that the world wants to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Charlotte Lefebvre, founder of Bush Princess in Kenya; Claudia Castellanos Roques, co-founder of Black Mamba Foods in Eswatini; Selassie Atadika, founder, Midunu Chocolates in Ghana; Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, founder of Yococo in South Africa; and Taila Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique.

Thelma Chimbganda, a visionary trailblazer in the logistics industry in Zimbabwe

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Thelma Chimbganda, CEO, Beyond Borders Logistics Group (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Thelma Chimbganda is a dynamic entrepreneur and leader in e-commerce, supply chain, and logistics, with over five years of impactful experience across Africa. As the CEO of Beyond Borders Logistics Group in Zimbabwe, founded in 2020, she has guided the company to become a significant player in the industry, delivering practical solutions in first- and last-mile logistics, warehousing, freight forwarding, and supply chain management. Her leadership is characterized by a focus on tackling industry challenges, enhancing operational efficiency, and continuously improving services to meet the unique needs of clients and stakeholders.

Kim Williams, an award-winning top interior designer and behaviour strategist based in Cape Town, South Africa

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Kim Williams is an award-winning top interior designer and behaviour strategist based in Cape Town. With a unique approach that blends creative and behavioural strategies, Kim transforms spaces to positively impact people's lives. Her work spans residential and commercial projects, earning international recognition. Kim is also an inspiring public speaker and author, known for her commitment to mindfully design purpose-driven environments that shape lives.

Salamba Diene, a cosmetics and food supplement champion in Senegal

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

BIOSENE SARL, a business processing agri-food and cosmetic products that are proudly made in Senegal

Salamba Diene is the founder of BIOSENE SARL in Senegal, offering a range of “caring” products and food supplements in the form of powders, leaves, capsules or various solutions, but also cosmetic products in the form of creams, oils or butters, for a single leitmotif: health - beauty for a “better life” and a “well-being” for consumers. BIOSENE collaborates with groups of women producers of baobab fruit, Shea butter, or cultivating exotic fruits (Hibiscus, mango etc.) and establishes direct links with source producers throughout Africa. The business has 59 employees.

Practical Wealth Attraction: The Enlightened Entrepreneur's Guide to Manifesting Business Success by Victoria Marie Gallagher

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

If you are an entrepreneur ready to break free from financial limitations and unlock the secrets to wealth and financial freedom, then Victoria Marie Gallagher’s new book, Practical Wealth Attraction: The Enlightened Entrepreneur's Guide to Manifesting Business Success, is a great read. She believes that financial success isn’t just about hustling and grinding harder—it’s about aligning your vision, energy, and actions with the flow of abundance.

The importance of the candidate experience during employee screening in South Africa

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

In today’s competitive job market, where talent is often scarce and companies must act quickly to secure top candidates, the candidate experience during the hiring process has become a crucial element in the overall success of recruitment strategies.

Emotional Intelligence Is Dead. (Not Really, But Here’s What You Need to Know About the New Intelligences)

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Seanice Lojede

In a world where the pace of change shows no signs of slowing, the concept of intelligence is evolving beyond traditional measures of IQ and even the well-known Emotional Intelligence (EQ). As we navigate increasingly complex social, cultural, and environmental landscapes, new forms of intelligence are gaining prominence, each offering unique insights into how we can thrive in a dynamic world.

The immense value of mentorship: A personal journey of growth and discovery

January 31, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

In my own experience, success hasn’t always come from working harder, but from working smarter. And one of the most impactful decisions I made was investing in a mentor. Mentorship, I’ve learned, is so much more than just an exchange of knowledge. It’s a partnership that fosters personal growth and empowers you to become a better leader. Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or are a seasoned business owner, I can honestly say that mentorship is one of the best investments you can make in yourself.

Customer Service Excellence: Leveraging Automation to Improve Response Times

January 31, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Speed is the currency of the modern world.”

In general, customers expect speedy, and even instant responses. Businesses must prioritize speed without compromising quality. Automation provides the solution, streamlining workflows and reducing response times to meet and exceed customer expectations. Start by mapping your customer lifecycle process and then consider the following.

Marwa Soudi, an EdTech pioneer empowering people through technology

January 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Ideasgym, a multifaceted business dedicated to fostering innovation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in Egypt

Marwa Soudi is the co-founder of IdeasGym, leading initiatives to enhance STEM education across Egypt. She is a dedicated researcher and social entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the EdTech industry. Currently a doctoral student at Tallinn University, she specializes in Digital Transformation and Responsible AI, focusing on creating tools to help SMEs comply with international AI standards. Marwa is passionate about empowering women in technology and has received numerous awards for her contributions, including the InspiringFifty Africa, IEEE Entrepreneurship Impact Award, Women in Business Innovation Award, "ICT for Women" award and the Tony Elumelu grant for entrepreneurship in Africa. She actively engages in various professional organizations, promoting ethical AI practices and fostering innovation in education. Her business was launched in 2011.

Feeding Africa’s Future: Meet 17 Trailblazing Women Entrepreneurs Transforming Africa’s Agribusiness Sector

January 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Spotlight

According to the IFC, Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness markets are expected to reach $1 trillion in value by 2030. As a result, there is now an increasing focus on extending agribusiness value chains, recognizing that 60 percent of Africans derive their livelihoods from agriculture. In the Lionesses of Africa community, there are a growing number of women entrepreneurs who are playing key roles in Africa’s growing agribusiness story, country by country, community by community. They are building successful growth businesses that harness the potential of the raw materials grown on the African continent by transforming them into high quality, nutritious food products that consumers both locally and globally want to buy. In our special focus on trailblazing women entrepreneurs in Africa’s agribusiness sector, we introduce some of those who are making their mark in this important industry sector across the continent.

What we're loving this week

January 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

In this week’s Woman Made In Africa showcase this week, we introduce you to Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating world-class products that the world wants to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Adèle Dejak, founder of Adèle Dejak in Kenya; Maureen Obaweya, founder of Morin O Designs in Nigeria; Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, founder of Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique; Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, cofounders of Reform Studio in Egypt; and Alice Kivuva, founder of Five Stars Africa in Kenya.

Sonja Cilliers & Maryke Groenewald, co-founders focused on developing neuro-based resources specifically for legal practitioners

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Sonja Cilliers & Maryke Groenewald, founders, The Professional Mind Resilience Institute (South Africa)

Startup Story

The Professional Mind Resilience Institute, empowers legal practitioners to attain unparalleled excellence, find balance in their personal lives, and transcend the boundaries of traditional legal practice in South Africa. The business, which launched in 2024, is on a mission is to enhance cognitive abilities, personal resilience, and professional expertise through comprehensive courses and workshops tailored specifically for legal professionals.

Nonkululeko Williams, an entrepreneur building a South African-based skincare brand specifically formulated for melanin-rich skin

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Nonkululeko Williams, founder and CEO, Luminous Era (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nonkululeko Williams is the founder and CEO of Luminous Era, a South Africa-based skincare brand dedicated to addressing the unique skincare needs of individuals with diverse skin tones, focusing on effective solutions for issues such as sunburn, aging, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. Her vision is to expand the brand internationally and tap into the pan-African market. With over six years of entrepreneurial experience, Nonkululeko has dedicated herself to researching the skincare industry, identifying her target market, and honing in on her passion and niche.

Lioness Launch / Nigeria’s Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa brand launches three new revolutionary skincare products

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Mimi Whyte Femi, founder, Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa, the Nigerian skincare brand launched by Mimi Whyte Femi in 2012, and known as a sanctuary for skin healing and beauty enhancement, announces three new revolutionary products in its range. Founded by someone who understands the personal battle with skin issues, the brand’s mission is to provide holistic, personalized skincare solutions. From inception, the brand has been dedicated to transforming skin health through organic, scientifically-backed treatments and products, offering everything from facials to advanced laser therapies, all tailored to individual skin types and concerns.

The Whisper Way: The Secret Formula for Women Entrepreneurs to Scale and Sell for Life-Changing Money by Carrie Kerpen

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

The Whisper Way: The Secret Formula for Women Entrepreneurs to Scale and Sell for Life-Changing Money by Carrie Kerpen is a game-changing guide for women to turn their lifestyle businesses into sellable life-changing assets, closing the exit gap, and ensuring they earn as as much as their male counterparts—if not more.

Perhaps like Justice, VC and bank lending should be blind…

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Firstly, an apology. We had previously written that the amount of investment from the VC world that flows into all-women founded businesses each year was stuck firmly at 2%. There was nothing it seemed we or the world could do. No matter how large the amount of money that ticked the 2X Challenge boxes, no matter the amount of time spent on this iniquitous issue, and no matter the amount of times we highlighted this, 2% always seems to be the result. The other 98% consisted of a mixed founding teams (usually around 20% of total) or all male (making up the balance of 78-80%).

The Power of Small Daily Habits for Big Success

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

January is here, and with it comes the buzz of big goals, vision boards, and promises to ourselves that this year will be different. But let’s be honest—setting goals is the easy part. The real magic happens in the small, daily actions that bring those goals to life.

My QTR - My Quality Time Remaining

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

This year has been the year where I heard and adopted the phrase “MY QTR” - My quality time remaining. There comes a moment in life when we realize the clock is ticking - not in a way that feels rushed or urgent, but in a way that whispers of the preciousness of the time we have remaining. It’s a sobering and clarifying truth: life is finite. And in that realization lies a profound opportunity to live with greater intention, vitality, and joy.

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