Swaady Martin: Franchising is a great opportunity to support women entrepreneurs
[bctt tweet=”Swaady Martin: Franchising sets entrepreneurs for success with a proven model” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Swaady Martin launched the SWAADY Group in December 2012 to reverse Africa’s commodity trap. The group houses socially-responsible brands that locally process raw commodities into high-value, consumer products distributed globally. YSWARA is one of these brands. YSWARA produces and retails high-quality African teas and teatime accessories, like tea-ware and candles. All YSWARA products are created with ingredients sourced from the continent. 88% of their suppliers are spread across Africa, with their key products being “made in Africa”. The SWAADY Group is also home to AKRAFO, the organic gourmet brand. Both AKRAFO and YSWARA operate in the speciality food industry. They offer original African delicacies, at home and abroad, that are beautifully packaged. What was the inspiration behind the name of your brand, YSWARA? The YSWARA name is a combination of TY WARA + SWAADY = YSWARA. The Ty Wara is a West African mythological hero who came to earth to teach mankind social values, as well as agricultural techniques. SWAADY comes from an Arabic word meaning Happiness. [bctt tweet=”Swaady Martin: Our high-end products are forward-looking & rooted in African heritage ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You grew up in Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, France and the UK. How have each of these places and your multi-ethnic background influenced YSWARA? Our teas are grown solely on African soil. They are blended and packaged to the highest international standards at our factory located in the Cradle of Humankind, UNESCO World Heritage site outside of Johannesburg. The location of our factory was thoughtfully selected and in keeping with my philosophy of maintaining a deep connection to Africa, its people and its heritage. Our factory, which overlooks the Cradle of Humankind, with expansive views over the Magaliesberg, symbolises YSWARA’s commitment to Africa and the development and progress of Africans. The unique alchemy of YSWARA is the blend of an authentic African essence; a wholesome caring spirit, a soulful contemporary aesthetic and a selective international distribution. Our high-end products are desirable, forward-looking and rooted in my rich African heritage. They celebrate Africa’s renaissance and togetherness. How has YSWARA been able to overcome the challenge of exporting outside Africa? Our products pricing is competitive. We are in the ballpark of all our international competitors, both in terms of pricing and margins. However, the cost of logistics to and out of Africa, as well as inflation and currency fluctuations remain challenges. That said, we have successfully tested our concept and have been received positively by Africa’s leading luxury and premium brands. Our major clients include Selfridges, Woolworths, The Four Seasons, St Regis, Radisson Blu among others. Our brands are present in 16 countries in Africa, USA, Europe, Middle-East and Asia with approximately 25 retailers. How does YSWARA ensure standard procedures are being followed at every stage and that every product reaches customers in perfect condition? We have a world-class operations team and strong processes in place. Our operations manager, Karen oversees our operations team, including blender and packaging and warehouse inventory. She has over 38 years of experience in all aspects of production planning, inventory management and control as well as MRP and ERP systems. You mentioned in an interview two years ago that one of the challenges YSWARA faced was the fact that Africa lacked many high-end outlets necessary to reach consumers and share your brand experience largely. Do you still find this to be the case, and if so what can be done? It is still the case. Our strategy is to expand our direct retail presence and not rely only on the development of high-end retail in Africa. We believe YSWARA has a compelling story and is well placed to develop a viable franchise business which will attract entrepreneurs and help expand our retail footprint. We have developed a retail concept that can be easily, but reliably duplicated. All our store elements are uniquely conceived and manufactured in Africa using materials from Africa. [bctt tweet=”Swaady Martin: Africa lacks many high-end outlets necessary to reach consumers” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Besides opening more stores across Africa, what does the future hold for YSWARA? The future is really about expanding our retail presence in Africa and abroad mainly through franchising. We believe our businesses have a compelling story and are well placed to develop a viable franchise business which will attract entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneur, I am passionate about contributing to the development of more entrepreneurs, especially women. Franchising is a great opportunity to support women entrepreneurs, setting them for success with a proven model and strong on-going business and training support. [bctt tweet=”@SwaadyM is passionate about contributing to the development of more women entrepreneurs” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] We’ll be building capacity and networks across the continent, breaking intra-African trade barriers, mentoring women in business through product and skills acquisition in ways that are sympathetic to womanhood, elevating their social position and expanding the discourse. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Faith Uwantege: I had a burning desire to help street children
[bctt tweet=”Faith Uwantege: If I didn’t have a big heart, I would probably have given up” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Faith Uwantege set up Faith Foundation to answer the issue of Rwandan children and women living below the poverty line. To realise her dream, she saved up while working her 9-5, all while knowing that when she quit, it’ll be to work in something she was truly passionate about. Through her foundation, Faith encourages vulnerable women to sell handicrafts they make themselves. Faith Uwantege is working towards breaking the poverty cycle in Rwanda by encouraging people to be self-reliant. What do you think of the industry you work in? Well, that’s quite a handful of a question but I’ll try my best to answer it. On a personal level, what I dedicated my life to do is not something that’s being done by everybody else. So I cannot say I am competing or comparing myself with anybody in the industry. All I can say is that it takes a lot of passion, dedication and selflessness to be in this kind of industry. So what do I think of this industry? I think the answer to that question is quite relative depending on who you ask! Tell us about saving your salary to see your dream come true. How long did you have to save? Did you have any other plans outside just saving? I really can’t specify how long it took me to save in order to start my dream. All I remember is that I had this burning desire to help helpless children and get them off the street. It is not actually monetary saving alone, I sacrificed my time to be with these children and to try to pinpoint the most vulnerable ones. In what ways do you restore hope to vulnerable children and women? I restore hope in vulnerable children and women first of all by convincing them that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Before giving them any other form of help, I give them a vocal assurance. I teach women how to be self sustainable by creating and selling hand crafts and helping their children live a better life. I teach women how weave baskets (commonly known as ‘agaseke’) and I also teach them how to use sewing machines. How do you think the poverty cycle can be broken in Rwanda? The poverty cycle in Rwanda can only be broken by teaching people to be self-reliant, by changing their mindsets. Most poor people in Rwanda think that since they are poor, they are only meant to survive on government hand outs and foreign aid. This is a wrong perception because nobody was created to be poor. Once you convince them that they can actually be self-reliant, that’s the beginning of poverty eradication. [bctt tweet=”Faith Uwantege: What I dedicated my life to do isn’t being done by everybody else” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is exciting to you about being a young Rwandan woman today? What’s exciting to me about being a young Rwandan woman today, is that I have a say in the society. Thanks to our president, who actually embarked on a war to ensure that there is gender balance in the country. He also ensured that all children have equal opportunity in education and jobs in order for them to contribute to the development of the country. Do you engage in any other projects outside Faith Foundation? I dedicate myself fully to this foundation and that’s all that I do. I might consider doing other things in the future but at the moment, I think my effort and focus is still vital in the foundation. Who is your mentor and how important has she/he been in the growth of your project? My mentor is Nick Hills, he is one of a kind! He has played an important role and is still there for the Faith Foundation in so many immeasurable ways as a donor and as my advisor. I look up to him! I met my mentor Nick Hills first during his visit to Rwanda. Like most other tourists who had travelled here, Nick came with his family to see Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas. [bctt tweet=”Faith Uwantege: As a young Rwandan woman today, I have a say in the society” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What five skills do young women need to successfully run a foundation like yours? The five skills I think women or any other person for that matter needs to be successful in running this kind of foundation are; Dedication: A woman needs to be dedicated even if the journey seems rough. It’s actually the challenges that make us more stronger in this kind of field. Determination: A woman that wants to be successful in this industry, must be determined. Without determination, you’ll easily give up. Passion for what she does. I always tell people that it’s very important to do something that they are passionate about. Be it in a business or in a non- profit organization, it just makes it so much easier. If there’s no passion, then don’t even bother. Hard work: Work harder even without expecting something in return. It’s worth it. Simply having a big and helpful heart. If I didn’t have a big heart, I would probably have given up. There are many challenges in this industry, especially that it does not pay. It’s the big and helpful heart that drives us. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Pap Culture: The Youtube channel giving a face to South African youth culture
[bctt tweet=”@Tumi_06 gets the inside scoop on @PapCultureSA, we’ve always wondered how they do it” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Created in July, 2015, Pap Culture is a Cape Town based YouTube channel founded by Thembe Mahlaba (host), Nwabisa Mda (host) & Bongeka Masango (videographer). The channel was created as an entertainment platform that the trio felt was missing on the YouTube platform, especially in South Africa. Thembe and Nwabisa were interested in starting a podcast channel and once Bongeka moved to Cape Town last year, they realized that they we were all interested in creating a content platform online and YouTube just felt like the right fit. These three are opinionated young black women who thought, “why not?”. And Pap Culture was born. Who and what is Pap Culture? Pap Culture has four segments on the channel: Pap Culture Talks, an open and diverse conversation with two or more guests, who help unpack a topical issue. Pap Culture On Location, captures events. People at the event/location are interviewed and asked quick fire questions relating to the theme of the month. Pap Culture Ride Along, a guest is invited to join Thembe and Nwabisa in a car ride where they indulge in an informal conversation to get to know the guest and discuss matters relating to topical issues and aligns with the theme. Pap Culture Reacts, led by Bongeka, Nwabisa & Thembe answer a select number of questions or react to a video, photo or tweets relating to a specific theme/trending topic. The direction of the channel has definitely moved in a way that we both never anticipated (upon reflection). Yet in many ways, this felt right and intuitive to who we are and how we want to create/entertain. At the core we want to have fun and bring about a humorous side to issues that people often shy away from. We wanted a platform that allows us to tell our story and understanding of South African youth culture. A platform that truly represents what it means to be South African through engaging and interactive conversations. Ultimately, our vision is to change the documented narrative of African youth culture. [bctt tweet=”@PapCultureSA wants to change the documented narrative of African youth culture” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is the one thing you appreciate most about youth culture in South Africa and the continent? Bongeka: I appreciate how unique it is. In as much as we are influenced by the world around us, we are still interested in being authentically African. We have found a way to combine our African identities with trends around the world. Thembe: Active Participation. We are smart and becoming more informed the more we start talking about current affairs and issues that concern us as people. Now, we are able to join the political conversation not with an invite, but by forcefully bringing ourselves to the table. We are voting and making our voices heard, trying to keep our governments accountable of the promises they are trying to keep/not keep. Also, we are protesting for our rights. We are just going out there and doing what we believe is needed for us to live in a better society for ourselves and the families we want to bring into the world. Nwabisa: It’s honest. So much is going on in South Africa at the moment. I love how we are unapologetic about our approach to life and we’re honest about our lives and the things we face (both positive and negative). Also I appreciate the need to tell these stories, facing these challenges head on and really fighting for change now. I think there’s been a huge shift from what was perceived as a lazy generation and young people have shown how empowered we really are. I think young people are still very misunderstood, but so many are making great strides to speak out and tell their stories. There’s a collective support and encouragement pushing for more young people to continue to own who they are and just be themselves. If you had to do a television programme in a different country what would it focus on? Bongeka: It would depend on which country I’m in. If it were an African country, I’d do something fictional. I find we really love hearing stories so it would be interesting to tell stories to a new audience. If I were in the UK I’d be interested in making a game or a talk show simply because they do so well over there. I’d love to be in a studio full of people engaging in the game or talk show. Thembe: This is a hard one. But I think one of these three options. A talk show, a variety show kind of like our YouTube channel or a comedy drama series focusing on creating a positive African identity. Nwabisa: Comedy…always comedy. I don’t consider myself the most conceptually creative person. Especially from a creating from scratch point of view in terms of TV and script writing and all that stuff that goes into making the shows people are obsessed with for years and years. But I love a good laugh…a good long laugh that has you breathless and in tears. So honestly any kind of comedic series that collaborates with people with great senses of humour from all parts of Africa and that has a great representation of different cultures, would be pretty epic. Which episode of Pap Culture has been most memorable for you and why? Bongeka: The most memorable episode has to be the Mission Possible episode, that was part of the Project Find A Bae series. Simply because I was not expecting the day to turn out like that. Although I don’t look like it, I was quite impressed with the ladies for pulling it all off. Thembe: This answer changes a lot depending on if there is an episode that outdoes the last most memorable. But right now it would have to be the episode with Khanyi Mbau. She is a South African celebrity who hosts a weekend talk show with radio
Didintle Moatshe: The teenager bringing hope to her community
[bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: The motive behind my project is the situations I have been through” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The fact that Didintle Moatshe is a teenager doesn’t stop her from working hard to make a change in her community. Together with her partner Kgotso Makgalema, Didintle is trying to save girls in their communities. Both Didintle and Kgotso do this through several projects, including one that provides free sanitary pads to girls so that they remain in school. Supported by the local church, schools and other stakeholders, Didintle shows that it’s never too early to start campaigning for positive change. Her bravery extends to openly sharing her experience with rape. Didintle does this in order to heal and to give hope to other girls who are rape survivors. You’re 16 years old, why have you decided to start these projects as a teenager? I decided to start an organization as teenager because I felt that the government was not doing enough. Most of the time, it is like they do not care. We have been waiting for a lot of things that the government promised to offer but has still not provided. I started this project to fill the gap that has been left alone. The sanitary pads initiative is the project I first started with. Its aim is to help girls who can not afford sanitary pads. I have witnessed it happen, girls who bunk class because of ruined skirts and girls who miss a week of school because her period has started. I started this as a teenager because I felt the government promotes safe sex —which is a choice, more than hygiene of girls. Tell us about Barrier Breakers. Barrier Breakers is the main organization we started. It includes everything —not only sanitary pads— it aims to provide the needs of our communities. We do not want to revolve around one issue, we deal with all of them. In addition, we are breaking barriers of poverty and inequality in our communities. We are building bridges to help others cross, to get to the other side where grass is green and everything is bright. We give hope to those who have lost hope in everything and seek intervention in their lives. Our slogan is, “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges”. [bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: I felt the government promotes safe sex more than hygiene of girls” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What has motivated you to start this project?How did you start implementing it? The motive behind this project is the situations I have been through. I learnt that in the world we all do not have equal chances and we need each other. Ubuntu principles are also behind the project. We all need to practice them and this is me practising Ubuntu. Whatever background I come from does not give me the right to fold my arms and watch women who are supposed to lead in the future suffer. I started this project small where I asked the congregation and the youth of my church to help me gather sanitary pads and toiletries. This was a success and we donated what we raised to Kgomotso Children Centre in Soshanguve. So it all started in church. How do you plan to effectively provide for individuals in need in your communities I plan to get help from companies who are willing to help, as well as from many other individuals who support such initiatives in their communities. Our plan of action is to distribute in schools. This will leave us with a certain percentage who do not attend schools. Some are at safety homes and others in their private homes but we are also going to reach out to them. We plan to donate two packets of pads to individuals in schools and leave extra packets at schools for when they run out. We target five schools every Friday where we freely distribute the sanitary pads. [bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: We all need to practice Ubuntu principles and this is me practising Ubuntu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Tell us about the meaning behind #SaveOurGirls? #SaveOurGirls was a name proposed by my partner working with me in this project, Kgotso Makgalema. We decide to go with the name #SaveOurGirls because we believe that we are saving girls from the pit of poverty. Our roles in this situation is for us to throw in the rope to help them up to reach their destiny. Save Our Girls is another way of saying let’s keep girls in school, save them from the hungry lions waiting to devour them by taking advantage of their circumstances. We want to build a country where women know their worth. We are restoring the dignity and pride of girls. #SaveOurGirls is a cry to the public to help girls who are in need. You are very open about being a rape survivor, can you share why? Many say I am still young to talk so openly about my rape story. What I believe is that in order to heal, I have to talk about it. I have to be free from the chains of rape. I thought to myself, why should I sit and cry while I have Christ? Still, it was not easy. I had to step out of depression, I had to divorce all the suicidal thoughts and find ways to feel good. I might not know who my rapist is but I know that God will never leave the wicked unpunished. Sharing my story can give life to someone who has lost hope. Surviving rape is never easy but I turned back and went back to my first love who is Jesus. My message is, whatever you go through now and just remember God will never put in a situation knowing there is no escape. Praise him in your darkest moments and let his feet dance to your tune. God’s timing is always right. [bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: We want to build a country where women know their worth” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you see yourself continuing your projects
Nathalie Maikere: Entrepreneurs rarely think about expanding their horizons, we’re there to open their eyes
[bctt tweet=”Nathalie Maikere: My intention is to connect entrepreneurs across cultural boundaries” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] “I believe that we are one”, is something that the beautiful Nathalie Maikere said multiple times during our interview. There she was happy to share what makes her tick, and what inspired the founding of her company, e-ENSURES. “My first language was actually Russian believe it or not…” I wanted to get the gist of what it was that shaped Nathalie into the woman that she is. “Well for starters I can tell you that I was raised in a very international setting. I was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and lived there until I was 6. My first language was actually Russian believe it or not, though I don’t really speak it any more”. Being aware of the other languages Nathalie speaks; i.e French, English, Portuguese, Kinyarwanda, Hindi, and Dutch, I figured that we could give her a free pass on not being up to date with her Russian. Nathalie lived in six other countries after Ukraine. This upbringing makes someone quite adaptable as you might imagine, and open to new experiences. She reminisces; “As a family we could easily go from having all sorts of amenities to being without power for weeks. We knew how to adjust our lifestyle depending on the situation.” This capacity to think outside the box and adapt is a trait that was instilled in Nathalie. This trait is one that she’d like to reflect in the way she conducts her business. [bctt tweet=”e-ENSURES is Africa’s first digital market research company dedicated to startups & SMEs” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Someone has got to look out for the little guy e-ENSURES is Africa’s first digital market research company dedicated to pre-startups, startups, SMEs and entrepreneurs. Traditionally, most market research organizations exist to serve the needs of big corporates. This is why most small businesses are not in a financial position to prioritize market research services. Nathalie wants to fix that —someone’s got to look out for the little guy right? e-ENSURES maintains an online marketplace for affordable market reports on current trends in Africa, specifically relevant for entrepreneurs and businesses. This is so they may understand the market they’re dealing with, gauge who their audience is, and strategize accordingly. “We create market reports about new trends that arise, and sell them at affordable rates; so that the information can be accessible to everybody.” Not only do they create these broader reports, but e-ENSURES also make tailored ones on-request. “We’re often asked by entrepreneurs with new and innovative business ideas to conduct research on how receptive the public would be to their concepts.” Connecting her upbringing to her business, Nathalie explains that “often, entrepreneurs have trouble thinking out of the box. There are times where we find that a Kenyan entrepreneur’s idea would meet more success in Kigali or Kampala compared to Nairobi. Yet they rarely think about expanding their horizons —simply because it doesn’t cross their minds, so we’re here to open their eyes.” Working with Africans in the Diaspora There are other entrepreneurs out there who are looking to venture into new markets, but are too afraid to leap forward, and Nathalie has them in mind as well. “We work with the African diaspora in Europe a lot, particularly in Belgium. These entrepreneurs of the Diaspora are often very excited at the idea of returning to the motherland, but they’re afraid because they don’t know what to expect. With us conducting some research for them, we can show them the immense amount of business and investment opportunities to be found on this continent, to encourage their ambition and calm their fear.” I wondered how the idea of founding a market research business came into Nathalie’s mind, so that’s precisely what I asked her next. “Once I graduated, I mostly worked for startups” she started answering, “what I found funny was that none of these companies really did any proper market research before their launch, which caused them a lot of complications.” [bctt tweet=”Nathalie Maikere: Few startups do any proper market research before their launch” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Connecting people with e-ENSURES “Beyond the product we sell, I see my business as a chance to connect people.” Nathalie chirps this with enthusiasm after she’s finished giving me the low-down of what e-ENSURES does. “My intention is to connect entrepreneurs with similar ideas to each other, crossing cultural boundaries, so that they may think beyond what their perspective and culture allows them to consider.” Having lived around the world, Nathalie knows that “between all of us [people] we have so many more similarities than differences”. That’s where her motto comes in, “we are one”, so we should all act like it! Nathalie proceeds to tell me how inspired she is by the work that she does; “I believe that entrepreneurs are truly the people who will change the world for the better. They are passionate about their work, and are driven to make their projects succeed.” Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Chiedza Mahere: Social media is the cornerstone of entrepreneurship
“Downtown Harare evokes people’s emotions”, says fashion blogger and rising #MotherlandMogul Chiedza Mahere. Chiedza is the woman behind Diary of a Smurf Dinkie. Despite the fact that she started blogging without a solid plan, Chiedza is the Zimbabwean International Women’s Award (ZIWA) Blogger of the Year 2016. It’s no secret that at SLA, we love Beyoncé but Chiedza Mahere’s actual person is Solange. Believe it or not, Solange inspired Chiedza to start her blog and establish her brand. Diary of a Smurf Dinkie is a thrifter’s heaven, through the blog Chiedza reveals the (affordable!) fashion gems that can be found in Harare, Zimbabwe. Using social media, Chiedza has expanded her website to include a store and is now making moves to become a stylist. And guess what’s also really cool? Chiedza works for/with her boyfriend! Of course, she shared tips from her experience below. Tell me about yourself and what you love… I am Chiedza Mahere, I am 26. I love fashion, clothes, I love shopping and I love to see people happy. Clothes reflect what a person’s feeling on that day. On a gloomy day you’ll see me wearing all black. Then on a happy day you’ll see me wearing all sorts of colours because it evokes my emotions. It happens lots, it’s just that people hardly notice what’s really going on. Clothes were made for feeling. Tell us about what inspired your blog You know Solange Knowles? That’s my actual person! After listening to her first album 5 years back, I introduced her to everyone I knew. They’d ask, “Who is she and what’s she all about? Oh, Beyoncé’s sister!” She was never just Solange. I felt a deep connection to Solange not only because I loved her music and had a passion for fashion just like her but because I could relate. I was always Tari’s sister, so I understood exactly how she must have felt. Everyone had been telling me to start a blog but I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t feel comfortable, I was a size 16 then, much bigger than I am now. I didn’t like the idea of having something made just for me because I couldn’t fit in the sizes the clothes came in. It wasn’t until I listened to Solange’s second album that I thought, she really is growing. People were starting to identify her as an individual and not just as Beyoncé’s sister anymore. She was breaking the mould and I wanted the same thing. It was time for my blog. During a discussion with Zash, my boyfriend, he told me different clothes reminded him of the city, —downtown to be exact. Downtown Harare evokes people’s emotions, it makes them think their parents would have worn jeans like this; their grandmother probably would have worn a dress just like this and been in this exact place. So I decided I’d mix designer pieces like a Haus of Stone dress with thrifted shoes or a thrifted belt. We did our first photo-shoot in the city, I had no idea it would be that big, everyone loved it. I decided that Diary of Smurf Dinkie is only going to be in the city, it doesn’t matter which city just downtown. I can’t wait to do a shoot in downtown Cape Town. People neglect the downtown part of their cities, Zash and I want to show that downtown a beautiful place. [bctt tweet=”@smurfdinkie believes downtown Harare evokes people’s emotions, even in fashion” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is does blogging mean to you? Blogging’s like a little magazine you can draw inspiration from but you don’t have to buy because it’s online. Blogging helps me express who I am, how down to earth I am and how I want to inspire women to be confident in their own skin. I don’t do the typical upper class look, I like old school clothes because I want you to feel like you aren’t pressured to be something you’re not or wear something that you can’t afford especially because we are young. My blog shows that you can go to Mbare, Avondale Flea Market and get a top for 50c and a dress for $5. My blog lets you know about the joys of thrifting, what’s hot at the moment and about what people are working on so that you discover local fashion designers in Zimbabwe and support them. How did you fall in love with thrifting? During our time in Botswana, my mom and I went to the mall one day, I didn’t feel like going into Mr. Price so I went straight into the second hand store next door. As I walked into the store, I saw a real pretty dress, similar to one I had when I was 6. This dress was orange and had daisies on it, my mom used to call me Daisy because she said the daisy was almost like the sun. My name “Chiedza” which means light, represented the sunshine I brought into her life. The dress was only 10pula, I was 11 years old at the time and and I fell in love with thrifting then. When we moved back to Zimbabwe, my mom’s friend asked me if I wanted to tag along, she was going to Mbare. I didn’t know what that was because I hadn’t grown up here, she told me it was a ‘musika’, a market where they sold everything from building material to clothes, I was so excited. We got there and I went punk, I was so excited to find a pair of original Calvin Klein jeans. You get all these cool things that no one else is going to be wearing. [bctt tweet=”Through Diary of a Smurf Dinkie, Chiedza Mahere highlights Zimbabwean fashion designers ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] So your love for thrifting yielded a blog and you recently won a Zimbabwean International Women’s Award (ZIWA) for Blogger of the year. How does that make you feel and why do you think you won? I don’t
Teta Isibo: There is so much potential for African artisans to increase the value of their products
[bctt tweet=”Teta Isibo: The whole essence of @InzukiDesigns is the fusion of traditional & contemporary” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Teta Isibo is a Rwandan fashion entrepreneur and the founder of Inzuki Designs, a Rwandan brand specialising in jewellery, home décor and accessories that fuses Rwandan traditional craftsmanship and global contemporary design. Teta founded Inzuki Designs out of a combined passion for design, style and everything Rwandan. Her brand seeks to transcend traditional Rwandan design and customise it to suit a modern and international market. What started a few years ago as a hobby designing jewellery for herself, has since grown into a dynamic brand selling beyond Rwanda’s borders. You quit your job as a land planner to start a jewellery business, which you had no background in. How difficult was it to take that leap? It was not easy at all in the beginning, but I was really excited about finally taking the leap to be fazed by the hurdles I faced. I learned by doing, made a lot of mistakes and learned from those mistakes as well. [bctt tweet=”Teta Isibo started out designing jewellery for herself, now @InzukiDesigns is dynamic brand” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you think there’s an interest by African artists to break away from the touristy art and crafts? Presentation is really important in retail, it can make a whole lot of difference in what people perceive the value of a product to be and in how much they are willing to pay for it. As much as there will always be a need and a love for the conventional arts and crafts market, there is so much potential for African artisans to increase the value of their products through better presentation and I think there is certainly a growing interest in that. Inzuki Designs works with roughly 10 local cooperatives. Why was it important for you to partner with these cooperatives? The whole essence of our business is the fusion of Rwandan traditional and global contemporary, and the traditional comes from the skills of local artisans. They are therefore an intrinsic component of our business. Their craftsmanship is a unique skill that we as a business greatly value. I wouldn’t be able to be in this business without them. [bctt tweet=”Teta founded @InzukiDesigns out of a combined passion for design, style and everything Rwandan” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What was the biggest mistake you made starting out, and what lessons did you learn? Trying to do everything by myself, the designing and creating, the marketing and branding, the admin., the day to day running of the business. My logic was that I didn’t have money to hire staff so I had to do it by myself. But that sort of thinking can be a costly mistake and stunt your growth. I learnt that you grow so much faster if you have the right people on your team. If you were to choose one colour that represented Inzuki Design’s ethos, which would it be and why? I’ll go with yellow. Inzuki means bees and yellow is our brand colour. It’s a bright, happy, bold colour. It’s the colour of sunshine and it symbolises joy and energy among other things. It also happens to be one of my favourite colours. [bctt tweet=”Teta Isibo: I learned by doing, made a lot of mistakes and learned from those mistakes as well” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What does the future hold for Inzuki Designs? We are working on expanding our home décor line, getting into apparel, starting a line for men and for kids as well and finally getting our online store up and running. Our vision for the future is to become a contemporary African lifestyle brand with a global reach. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here
Anita Ottenhof: Bringing world-class luxury to Accra through Villa Monticello
[bctt tweet=”We look for the very best talent and often for us that has happened to be a woman” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Villa Monticello is Accra’s premier luxury boutique hotel. It’s run by a team that comprises mainly women in leadership positions. One of them is Anita Ottenhof, she’s the Deputy General Manager at VM with nearly a decade’s worth of experience in the international hospitality and travel industries. Like most other industries, hospitality and travel tend to be male-dominated. Villa Monticello stand out despite never setting out to hire only women. They’ve just found that the best talent aligned with their goal to bring a world-class luxury experience to Ghana are women. Nothing beats that! Was it a conscious decision to have women in key leadership positions at Villa Monticello? Although we have several men on our team that have worked with us since we’ve opened, most of the leadership roles happen to be held by women. The women on our team are also some of the top talent in the world! Take for example our Executive Chef, Ruby Paintsil who has over 25 years’ experience at a number of prestigious companies in the UK, such as Sanctuary Spa, BBC Television Centre and Restaurant Associates a division of Compass UK. It is rare to see a woman as a head chef and in countries such as the US, there are reports that there are less female chefs than female CEOs. We have never said, “We only want to hire women” but we look for the very best talent whose vision is aligned with our mission to be a leader in African hospitality and often for us that has happened to be a woman. Was Accra ready for a luxury business when you launched Villa Monticello? How has Villa Monticello being received since launch? The idea for VM came about through our desire to create an establishment that paralleled some of the international 5-star niche boutique hotels that we loved in cities around the world such as New York, Marrakesh, Johannesburg, and Provence where luxury and service were not mutually exclusive. This sort of hospitality experience appeals to a very unique clientèle. Accra is a very cosmopolitan city and we believed that people who live in and travel here would appreciate our vision. It was a new concept in Accra but we have been very well received by guests and recognized by international hospitality industry vanguards such as World Travel Awards, Conde Nast Johanssens and Trip Advisor. [bctt tweet=”Villa Monticello was the first to introduce the concept of intimate luxury hospitality to Accra” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How has Villa Monticello changed Ghana’s hospitality industry? When we first launched in 2011, we were the first to introduce the concept of an intimate luxury world class experience in hospitality. Over the past few years, the luxury landscape has really begun to develop in Accra —in real estate, hospitality, retail, and dining. It’s still at early stage but we believe we have contributed to its growth. Customer service is another concept that is still growing in Ghanaian business. Impeccable customer service is core to VM’s values. We strive to provide an unforgettable experience for our guests. We are beginning to see a more customer centred service being adopted by others in the hospitality industry and across sectors. How has your “unsaid commitment to women” (mentioned here) translated in running your business? Although we don’t discriminate based on sex in any way, we have attracted a very powerful core group of women leaders who share the same values, international outlook and passion for excellence. The way we approach our customers is the same way we work together as a team. We are constantly meeting, reviewing feedback and making necessary adjustments as a team and as a business. [bctt tweet=”We have attracted a very powerful core group of women leaders who share the same values” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Tell us more about The Lady initiative, why did Villa Monticello start this? We understand that it can be challenging for many young women to get the opportunity or nurturing that they might need to excel. Working in collaboration with Ghanaian businesswoman Isobel Acquah, we launched The Lady in January as an empowerment initiative for young women aged 18 to 25. Through the initiative, young women participate in practical foundational courses covering key topics such as wellness, confidence building, financial awareness, social and business etiquette, and personal grooming. The Lady, is an effort to impart to young women the ethos and values that have driven Villa Monticello to a leading position in the Ghanaian hospitality market. At the end of the program (which ended last month), we granted internships to participants and to one promising young women at the university level, a scholarship to further pursue her education. You offer a number of services including The Koncierge and Bespoke Weddings. How do you ensure that you maintain the same values and quality in everything that you do? Our ultimate goal is to deliver exceptional service and provide an experience for our guests which is second to none. This outlook is applied to all aspects of the VM brand. We are constantly striving to play a significant role in transforming the standards of the hospitality industry in Ghana and the role of women in the industry. We also want to have a positive impact on the next generation of African women business leaders. What are three hidden treasures in Accra that visitors tend to miss? Chapter One Restaurant! Even if you don’t stay at VM, experiencing a meal at our fine dining restaurant is a must. The African fusion inspired menu combines flavors from Africa, Asia, India, and Europe using locally sourced ingredients. Enjoying a traditional tea, classic brunch or an exclusive bottle of wine from our Barrels Wine Club cellar can be a highlight for any visitor’s trip to Accra. Legon Botanical Gardens. There are very few green spaces in the city and this gem provides a necessary respite. Escape the hustle of the city for a picnic
Started from #SheHiveLagos now we here: Tolu & Jade’s partnership story
[bctt tweet=”Tolu & Jade met at #SheHiveLagos, now they have joined forces to start Travelotus” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] It started with a fleeting meeting in a restroom and now two SLAyers have a budding tourism enterprise set to take over Africa and the world. While in the university, Tolulope Balogun’s entrepreneurial mind-set blossomed; she sold several items ranging from clothes, shoes and perfumes. During NYSC, Tolulope figured out what her heart was drawn to —travel, geography, and how airlines tick. She went on to get the required expertise and training to become the Trusted Travel Agent that she is now. For Jadesola Odujole, writing, exploring and meeting new people are the best ways to keep her happy. In school, she joined press organizations to hone her skills. Now in 2016, after interviewing several celebrities —including Empire stars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, Jadesola knows she has made the right choice by choosing to tell stories with words. Jadesola’s experience at SheHive Lagos “As a writer and content creator I was super excited by the SheHive Lagos atmosphere. Seeing all those amazing ladies who are ready to take on great responsibilities to change the world was inspiring. One thing that has always scared me in business has been going into a partnership. Prior to SLA, I had not met someone to share my passion, drive and willingness to take on challenges. I knew I was in the right environment when SLA co-founder Afua came up and spoke about not being afraid to go into partnerships. From that point, there were two things on my mind. How to use my strengths and how best to leverage on the contacts I was sure to make at the event.” [bctt tweet=”Prior to SLA I had not met someone to share my passion & drive – Jade” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How the winning partnership was formed “Remembering how we met still makes me laugh and I am glad we met. I was rushing out after the programme as I didn’t want my seaties to leave me behind when I went to use the restroom. I said hi and we exchanged our basic details when she was like she needed a content creator for her website. Fast forward to our first meeting, we started talking about some of our interests and we found a middle spot. Thankfully, Travelotus is going on her maiden tour to Badagry on December 26th, 2016 and we hope to show that Africans are more than what has been scripted about us.” Tolulope’s starting Travelotus Limited “I wasn’t so sure of what I’d do after graduating from university but I was sure I wanted to own my business. I had a picture of where I was headed. That kept me up at night, has been my biggest inspiration and it hasn’t given me room to give up. It is tough being tiny and trying to make an impact but with God, every setback will seem like a hurdle crossed. My key business ethics have always been integrity and honesty. Once people can trust you and vouch for you, doors will just keep opening. We officially registered Travelotus luxury tours a travel, tour and concierge company in May 2016, and we’ve been growing steadily ever since. [bctt tweet=”My key business ethics have always been integrity and honesty – Tolu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What a difference SheHive Lagos made and advice to aspiring #MotherlandMoguls Tolulope: SLA brought Jade and I together in this partnership and it’s been opening doors for us both. I am certain a lot of people at the #SheHiveLagos can say the same for their lives and businesses. The networking is amazeballs and there is a support group too so we can keep in touch. Attending SheHive opens you up to new friends, and sometimes that is all you need. The people I sit and chat with at such events are always golden. Jadesola: One thing we will say to every SLAyer out there —past and present, do not be afraid to speak up. Your idea might sound weird to those around you but it is most likely because they are not right for the dream. Eventually you will meet those who are willing to put their backs into it. One thing that’s stuck in my mind was, ‘Your 20s is not the time for you to find a balance, go out and do stuff’. Look at me now! Announcing Travelotus’ first trip! We have a great outdoors trip ‘Lotus Tours Wellness Daycation’ planned for the 26th of December 2016 at Whispering Palms in Badagry, Lagos state. It promises to be fun times with lots of activities, comfortable transportation to and from the venue and much more. [bctt tweet=”Travelotus’ Wellness Daycation is planned for the 26th of December 2016 at Whispering Palms” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The aim is to promote longevity among Nigerians and explore new places. We have identified this period as reboot time to chill, as well as set health, mind, business and life goals for the coming year. It will also be an opportunity to interact with new people and make friends. One of the highlights, an aerobic session is going to be hosted by one of our sponsors Ejiro Oyeneye of Team Fitness who’s also a SheHive Lagos 2016 participant! For enquiries about the tour, email us at enquiries@travelotus.com or call 08031872636.
Eleanor Limunga Anteiro: Turning my passion for the kitchen into a business
[bctt tweet=”Eleanor Limunga Anteiro: I love my kitchen and I have never wanted to work in an office” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Meet one savvy woman entrepreneur who has turned her passion for the kitchen into a business through the perfect blend of hard work, creativity and talent. In Cameroon, Eleanor Limunga Antiero is making a name for herself in the area of baking, cake decoration and pastries for weddings, birthdays, baptisms and corporate events. Eleanor proves that cooking can be as lucrative as any “white collar job”. She discovered her love for baking and cake design during one of her recent visits to a Nigerian cake shop where she was attracted by aesthetic presentation of the goods. She decided to enrol in their training program and has since launched her cake and pastries business which has gained grounds into hearts of many clients and corporate institutions in Cameroon SLA contributing writer Marriane Enow Tabi asked her how she turned her passion into a business which has won many hearts and pulled many customers in the country and what her advice would be to other young ladies who wish to take up the lead but are scared of failing. How did Eleanor’s Cake and Pastries start? I had a passion for baking since my high school days. However the idea of developing this passion into a business venture came up when I visited Nigeria in 2013. I visited a cake shop and saw how their products were showcased so beautifully. I made detailed findings on the institution and enrolled in a training program with them for three weeks and that was it. I love my kitchen and I have never wanted to work in an office. Besides it is very lucrative. What advice can you give to young girls who have such skills but prefer just going for the office jobs because they are scared of failing? First of all, anything that has to do with culinary art is lucrative. White collar jobs are good ,but it is good to be self-employed. You become your own boss. You can even start up a small enterprise and make more profits. Remember this is the work of your hands and you can hardly run out of cash. Even if you wake up in the middle of the night to take an order, you are sure of making money from it. It’s way too profitable but at the end of the day, one must have a passion for it. You can only handle challenges if passion is involved. Young girls must dare and not fear. If you are scared, you might fail. So you need to love what you do. Did you face any hurdles at the onset? Yes I did. It was not very easy to satisfy and keep clients. But I was willing to push to get results. Okay Eleanor it’s that time of the year again, with many weddings and celebration around the corner. What does this mean for business? Well, it’s a peak season for us. I have many orders coming in on daily basis. So I’m running around trying to put in my best for upcoming events. How do you handle that? Do you work alone’? Oh, I have a great team. I have five bakers, five boys for decoration and 15 caterers. Every worker has a specification and area of duty but I do the finishing in all domains. [bctt tweet=”Eleanor Limunga Anteiro: A good leader does not see sex as a challenge” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] So you lead men. How do you work around that as a woman? A good leader does not see sex as a challenge. I satisfy my workers and provide them with everything they need to work successfully. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.