Event Feature South Africa’s women entrepreneurs are encouraged to join the 2024 Absa Commercial Payments Summit on 16 April 2024 at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, to discover top technology and leading conversations that can impact their business. Industry trends, payment innovation, and collaboration will be on full display at this inaugural, must-attend event. Despite a constrained consumer environment, Absa has seen annual growth of 25% in ‘card not present’ (e-commerce) turnover during the first quarter of 2024. As the payments landscape continues to evolve an ..read more

Vanda Harries, founder, The Life Architect (South Africa) Startup Story Vanda Harries is the entrepreneur behind The Life Architect, a business coaching and consultancy specialising in marketing and communications and personal brand building in South Africa. She is passionate about helping other women entrepreneurs and non-profits to develop their personal and business brands to achieve their goals. LoA spoke to Vanda Harries about her work and her mission to help more women build intergenerational wealth for their families. What does your company do? I'm a business coach and consultant s ..read more

Mirene Guitiche, founder and CEO, Miregui Art (Mozambique) Startup Story Mirene Guitiche is the founder and CEO of Miregui Art, a company that has existed since 2020 and is dedicated to creative sewing and crafts in Mozambique. She is an entrepreneur equipped with skills and is very talented, in addition to being a Management student (UEM) in the country. A Mirene Guitiche tem 23 anos é estudante de Gestão (UEM), é fundadora e CEO da Miregui art, uma empresa existente desde 2020 que se dedica a costura criativa e artesanato. Empreendedora munida de competências e muito talentosa. LoA spok ..read more

by Lori Milner As a life coach, my job is to listen to what is being said and mine for the hidden limiting beliefs that hold my clients back from maximising their potential in their personal and professional lives. Here are the three main culprits I hear from high performers: ·       Having a courageous conversation will create conflict. ·       Asking for help means I'm incompetent. ·      Sharing my problems places a burden on others. Now, let’s unpack them so you can drop these limiting beliefs for good. #1 Having a courageous conversation wi ..read more

by Thembe Khumalo At a recent meeting with entrepreneurs, I was asked about overcoming imposter syndrome. No one liked it when I responded by asking, “Are you an imposter?” This is an uncomfortable question, particularly when you are regularly questioning your abilities, feeling insecure, and struggling to feel confident in a particular role or task. For you to be able to respond with a firm “No,” to such a question you need to be sure that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills for the work you are proposing to do. And that was my point in asking the question. Imposter syndrome is ..read more

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila Businesses are unique entities that require constant upgrading to grow to ensure relevance and generation of income at all times. Here are some strategies to grow a business in a dynamic world. 1. Expand your customer base by targeting new markets or demographics. Engage in networking activities to interact with different people. Be on the lookout for various events to connect with people from different backgrounds, towns, cities and or countries. Share your unique competitive advantage with them. 2. Improve your product or service offerings based on customer fe ..read more

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie Many moons ago, a colleague described me as being FIERCELY INDEPENDENT. She was challenging my modus operandi. She was kindly admonishing me. I knew this and I understood this. Yet, in some twisted corner of my mind, I construed her admonishment as a compliment. I have always prized independence. ‘If it is to be, it is up to me’ was the motto that rested behind my eyes and bore down on my aching shoulders. It is how I looked upon the world, and it was what the world saw when it looked at me. Independence has its virtues. But these virtues become obscured when it c ..read more

Amirah Adam, founder, Mira La Mira (Mozambique) Startup Story Amirah Adam is the founder of the company Mira La Mira, a textile print design brand launched in 2018 in Mozambique. She is the winner of several financing awards and the Mozal & Kulungwana award. Since the age of 16, she has worked in the digital arts field, and has extensive experience in communication design, photography, and advertising. She has also worked in alternative areas such as business management. She completed her degree in Mozambique and her master's degree in Portugal, where the Mira La Mira brand was born. Th ..read more

Claire Amondi, founder, CEO of AGNES | Pure & Regal (Kenya) Startup Story Claire Amondi is the founder and CEO of AGNES | Pure & Regal, a clean and safe skincare line made in Kenya. AGNES seeks to inspire and promote the importance of healthy skin. Born out of the founders' obsession with all things skincare and the desire to encourage the value of self love, the brand is committed to formulating simple and effective products that help enhance and maintain your glow. Launched in 2018, today the business has created jobs for 3 other people. LoA spoke to founder Claire Amondi about h ..read more

Temitope Okunnu   LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY   FABE International Foundation, a social enterprise passionate about the establishment and improvement of an eco-conscious generation in Nigeria. Temitope Okunnu is the Founder of FABE International Foundation and serves as the CEO of Tidy Nigeria and EcoSchoolsNG in Nigeria. She is a highly accomplished social entrepreneur, award-winning environmentalist, and distinguished advocate for sustainable living. Temitope's unwavering commitment lies in empowering women and youth with the essential skills required for environmental sustainab ..read more