5 things you need to start doing to grow your business online in 2019!
When Yasmin Belo-Osagie and I decided to start She Leads Africa in 2012, we had no office, no team, just a shared vision. We didn’t have fixed plans, but we both had a strong passion to help young women do better in their careers and businesses. Since then we’ve built an amazing team, grown a community to more than 500,000 women across 135 countries, been featured in international media like Forbes, CNN and CNBC, generated hundreds of thousands of dollars through partnerships with global brands like Facebook, Samsung and Google, and was even invited to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange! Here are 5 lessons I have learned along the way: Set goals At She Leads Africa, our goal has always been to create a platform to help millennial women create their own version of success so it’s exciting to be able to design experiences and opportunities to help them get closer to it. This goal is broken down into many smaller goals and tasks that help us achieve this overarching goal. Create content that stands out There is such a significant need for interesting and creative content from diverse voices that there is no niche that has been overdone. Those who want to be successful must move beyond creating content and discover how they can create community, experiences, and commerce to build a sustainable business. Develop a brand layout or creative guidelines so your content looks consistent over time. [bctt tweet=”5 things you need to start doing to grow your business online in 2019 from She Leads Africa’s co-founder, @helloafua. Learn more.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Think beyond social media Make sure you’re creating a brand that goes beyond social media and these algorithm changes. Be able to connect directly with your customers, fans and industry decision makers without relying on someone else’s shine. One of the ways you can do this is by growing a mailing list. Help your team members develop through feedback As an entrepreneur, one of the most important responsibilities to your team members is to give them feedback. When your budget is tight, you can’t always afford to hire people with the most experience so you and your team will need to learn and grow together. Honest and consistent feedback is the way to make that happen. Network Find like-minded people in your community who can help you grow, and who you can help. Business relationships should always be symbiotic. Go to networking events. As an introvert, my go-to method before any networking opportunity: Breath. Research. Practice. The digital economy provides one of the most significant opportunities for young women to generate their own independent income and monetize their skills and personality to a global audience. Previous economic transformations required significant capital or permission from gatekeepers. That is no longer the case. The SLA team has pulled together resources to help you set and achieve your goals in 2019. Visit SheLeadsAfrica.org/NewYearGoals or OkadaBooks.com to learn how to jumpstart your 2019. She Leads Africa is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting young African women and their journey towards professional success. The organization has been featured on CNN, CNBC Africa, Black Enterprise and Fox Business and has more than 600,000 community members across Africa and the diaspora.
Life Hacks you must Master to Help you Grow and Glow in Life
Life nowadays is more hectic, busy and can be downright overwhelming at times. A lot of us, if not all are itching for a time out or a method to handle the numerous demands life brings our way. We need to be okay within yourselves and with those around us if we are to navigate this thing called life in a fulfilling and positive way. A few life hacks I have come to find useful are listed below in no particular order – try to incorporate them in your own way and life as you know it may be a little easier to get through. Network/Socialise more I know, I know… an article like this, you’d think I’d be advocating for more alone time and silence, BUT more people time is actually not such a bad thing. The reason I say this is because you never know who you could meet out there who could easily be the missing link you needed for a job you were looking for, a position you were looking to fill, a service you needed, a friend you never thought you needed, and possibly a life partner who would never be if you hadn’t gone to that event, that meeting or that party. Growing your network is never going to be a bad thing and the more often you put yourself out there, you learn to network smartly. Socialising more also helps develop your people skills, boosts your confidence and self-esteem and it helps you grow as a person. There’s a reason the saying ‘no man is an island’ exists. Humans are co-dependent, we require interaction, connection, and engagement with others like us… Get out more, interact more, connect more with like-minded people – it can be a literal lifesaver. Functional Eating We want to make 2019 our best year yet yes? So why not incorporate better eating habits to our lifestyle? It’s much easier said than done for sure but there are simple hacks that can help you achieve a perfectly balanced diet on a daily basis. First – Control your portions Using your hands will help you manage the number of carbs, veggies and protein and fats you ingest. The rule is usually, a palm of proteins with each meal, a fistful of veggies, a cupped hand of carbs and one thumb length of fatty foods if you are adding fats to your meal. It may read like a lot but if you think about it, it actually fills your plate with proper portions and you don’t miss out on the essentials. Second – Drink your greens Drinking your greens has got to be one of the easiest ways to get all the veggies you need into your system. Celery juice is all the rage right now and for good reason – a hydrating juice with vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants that relieves bloating, helps with digestion and gives me an energy boost as well, where can I get one now?? It’s a perfect pick-me-up first thing in the morning, pushing the Apple cider vinegar phenomenon aside for a bit (not saying that it doesn’t have its benefits). Green juices, especially those made at home with no artificial additives are great for you and fill you up, leaving no room for indulging in cravings. They give you all the nutritious elements you need and keeps your skin popping all day every day too, who doesn’t want that? Put down the sugar-laden latte sometimes and pick up a green juice, or better yet a green smoothie that will keep you fuller for longer. Third – Manage your eating schedule Most of us have a 9 to 5 job which means we have to actively make time for meals – do it in a way that doesn’t add to your waistline but still fits in your schedule. Never ever miss breakfast. Eat a healthy filling breakfast, be it at home or at work to avoid snacking badly throughout the morning hours. Carry packed lunches more often – this helps you avoid eating out and saves that coin as well as your diet. Drink more herbal teas instead of copious amounts of coffee. Green tea, for example, is great because it keeps your metabolism going and still has a substantial amount of caffeine to keep you going for the day. When you get home, have an early dinner, around 6 if you have a 10/11pm bedtime and a dinner devoid of starch if you can if you can’t – try to apply the hand portion control rule mentioned above. Create Boundaries As much as people time is necessary, protecting your space is also very key in getting through life. Creating boundaries with your friends, colleagues, family and everybody else you interact with is important as it keeps your sanity and lets others know you’re not one to be messed with. Some people detect a weakness in someone and immediately use it to their advantage, therefore, making that person feel disrespected and defeated. Boundaries at work help keep your working relationships strictly professional and keep your mind clear of any drama thus helping you focus on the task at hand. Boundaries with family members protect your peace, some relatives can be toxic and if you aren’t careful, it can put you in a negative space that doesn’t end well for either of person. [bctt tweet=”Create boundaries. Letting friends know the non-negotiables with you, and vice versa keeps you both accountable to the friendship.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You love your family definitely but you also have a life to live and sustain, if someone is actively coming in between that in ways you cannot handle, it is okay to love them from a distance. Friends are great and we all need that tight-knit squad we can always count on and trust. But we also need to make it clear when friends have crossed the line with us. It’s never easy but some people can get too comfortable in your
FCMB Launches Hub One – A tech-themed co-working space in Nigeria
The Nigerian Tech industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. Many innovative ideas, platforms and more have been developed, which have provided more job opportunities. However, certain infrastructural gaps created a need for affordable tech spaces and enabling environment where tech start-ups can thrive, collaborate and share ideas without having to deal with exorbitant overhead costs. To address those gaps, FCMB has created Hub One, a tech-themed co-working space. Hub One is a space that allows for partnerships, collaborations, and possible investments. It is a professional office space with unlimited internet, constant power supply, free coffee and a community of like minds. Speaking at the official launch of Hub One, Adam Nuru, Managing Director of FCMB, said the Bank recognizes and believes in the power of technology and youth-driven enterprises. He assured the public that FCMB will continue to invest in initiatives that support and develop Tech start-ups in Nigeria. [bctt tweet=”@MyFCMB has created Hub One – a tech-themed co-working space that allows for partnerships, collaborations, and possible investments. Read more…” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] According to Bukola Smith, Executive Director, Business Development, FCMB “Hub One is designed to engage the Tech ecosystem as a means of providing solutions for today and the future’’. She further stated that the Bank intends to create physical and virtual hubs across the nation over the next few years. Situated in the heart of Yaba, Lagos, Hub One which is created in partnership with Passion Incubator, is a conducive environment designed to foster collaboration and drive creativity within Nigeria’s tech start-up ecosystem. Olufunbi Falayi, CEO of Leadspace by Passion Incubator commended FCMB for the initiative. He disclosed that “Hub One provides the necessary infrastructure for tech start-ups, as well as capacity building events, to enable them to focus their limited resources on their business development. Routinely, Hub One will host several incubation programmes, hackathons and pitches to support and provide a platform for tech start-ups” For FCMB, Hub One is more than just a physical location, it’s a vision. A vision that supports the aspirations of Nigeria’s tech start-ups to attain their full potential. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail banking and wealth management-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself through innovation and the delivery of exceptional services. Visit https://www.fcmb.com/hub-one/ for more information. Sponsored Post.
7 power tools every Motherland Mogul needs in her purse to SLAY 2019
What is in your purse? Every day we see Motherland Moguls go about their bizness in stylish purses and handbags. However, no matter how pretty the bag looks or what the label says, the content of a woman’s purse is a sum of how she takes charge of her day. The content of a woman’s purse is King! Every woman has some little essentials and fav things they carry around every day, mostly in a smaller pouch in their purse. It could be hand sanitizer, hand lotion, medicine, perfume, etc. Whatever it is, they help keep you safe and secure to take on each day as they come. On the other hand, some women carry a lot of baggage around every day, just for the sake of it, which they never use or touch. [bctt tweet=”#WhatIsInYourPurse? Here are 7 essential tools every woman needs to #SLAY 2019… Find them here” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] We’ve put together a list of power tools and essentials every Motherland Mogul needs to conquer each day this year. 1. Cash/ ATM card Why look like a bag of money if you have no money in Yo bag? We might be living in a cashless society, but you never ever want to get stranded somewhere without having some cash to bail yourself out. Even if you’re on your way to the bank, always carry some cash with you (or vex money as Nigerians call it), as well as an ATM card (with cash in it) for emergency purposes. Another savior for you could be to have your bank app downloaded on your mobile phone, to enable you to transfer money easily. This is your first commandment to SLAY 2019. [bctt tweet=”#WhatIsInYourPurse? Why look like a bag of money if you have no money in Yo bag? Always have cash with you!” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 2. Samsung Smartphone Having a good smartphone with a long-lasting battery in your purse at all times keeps you connected with the world and helps you stay organized for your daily routines. Beyond texting and scrolling through social media all day, there is SO much you can do with your mobile phone. And even much more if its a Samsung smartphone. With a Samsung smartphone, you can: Take notes and write down fresh ideas in your daily light bulb moments Take the best photos and document live events all day with its outstanding camera quality Create personalized videos and content with the AR emoji tool Collect your client’s contacts by using the SnapBiz app from Samsung Galaxy apps store Keep track of your health and wellness with the Samsung Health app – even better if you add the Samsung Galaxy Watch on your wrist. In light of our February theme at SLA which is – Good Living, we’re ensuring that all Motherland Moguls have a sound mind, body, and soul. 3. Powder pallet/ Lip gloss Girl, you never know who you’re going to bump into at the most random place. Always have some light make-up in your purse to get you fresh-faced for impromptu meetings, or quick drinks with your girls. In the absence of a powder pallet, let your lipgloss call the shots. 4. Business Cards Even though you can collect clients info on your mobile using the SnapBiz app on your Samsung smartphone, you might meet some traditional clients who would rather have a hard copy of your business card. It’s important to always have this in the small section of your purse, for easy accessibility. 5. Notepad + Pen A notepad or post it pad and a pen equal as back up for your phone. This always comes in handy for when you have to write down contact details or ideas in a moment’s notice when you’re out of your comfort zone. 6. Sanitary towel/ Tampon Nature always has its way with us, and we really can’t cheat it, but you should always be prepared for the “red robot”. If possible, have a pad/ tampon in every possible place, like your car, office desk, laptop bag, etc, just so you’re never caught in a compromising situation. If you feel you have a pattern and are never caught unawares, do it for the culture. You never know, a sister might be in need of this, and you get to save the day. 7. A Book Just because #WeStayLearning, always have with you a book to pass time while commuting or waiting to go into your meeting. Now depending on the size of your purse, you could either have a paperback book, or an e-book on your smartphone. So tell us Motherland Mogul, #WhatIsInYourPurse? [bctt tweet=”Keep track of your health and wellness with the Samsung Health app – even better if you add the Samsung Galaxy Watch on your wrist -@samsungmobileng” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Sponsored Post
DAISY ADUL: CEO Kenya’s first cloud-based salon software shares her takeaways from the SLA x Dark and Lovely Accelerator residency
Daisy Adul is an experienced professional in marketing and client relations. She is also the founder of Uneeq Salon software, Kenya’s first cloud-based salon software. With a demonstrated history of running sales and operations for several organizations, Daisy has built a team that prides itself in offering a unique and customized experience for customers while guiding them to achieve their maximum potential.additionally has a track record of exceeding targets. Having worked within the Logistics industry with multinationals such as FedEx Express, Bollore Logistics for over a decade, inherently understanding how vital customer service, marketing, strategic planning, and implementation is to a business. Daisy is one of the top 5 She Leads Africa x Dark and Lovely Beauty Accelerator, finalists. In November 2018, she attended the accelerator residency boot camp at the L’Oréal HQ in Johannesburg, and she shares her experience in this article. Tell us about your business Uneeq is a software company providing affordable and convenient cloud-based business solutions such as inventory management, customer data collection, invoicing, payroll, financial reports, branch management, appointment scheduling and so much more within the beauty and wellness industry. [bctt tweet=”I am highly driven by what the world has to offer and hope to leave it better than I found it – @daisy_adul ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How did you hear about the SLA x Dark and Lovely Beauty Accelerator Being a follower of She Leads Africa on social media, I have always followed the remarkable work they do with women across Africa. I receive their monthly newsletter, and so this is how I found out. At the time I didn’t think much about it, but after watching Accelerator programs held in the past, I was sure this is exactly what myself and the business needed. Talk about perfect timing. What are your 5 key tips for submitting a winning application? The first thing which you cannot stress enough is your story. [bctt tweet=”Anyone can come up with a great idea, and anyone can be an entrepreneur but what sets you apart and what exactly is it that makes your business a need rather than a want.” username=””] Secondly, it’s your pitch deck which is basically a layout of key information about your business that aims to attract potential investors. Your pitch deck should be captivating enough. Keep it short and simple but highlight key points such as what problem it is your trying to solve and the solution. Know your market, your competitors, challenges you face and some of the steps you have taken to overcome these challenges. [bctt tweet=”Be real. As simple as that. Do not oversell your business at the same time do not sell yourself short.” username=””] Highlight your milestones or personal success within your business or as an entrepreneur. Nobody wants to be associated with a boring brand. Tell us about your experience during the SLA x Dark and Lovely Beauty Accelerator residency. In one word, eye-opening. When I first came to the program, I thought I knew exactly what I was doing regarding my business and its structure. It gives you clarity on some key things we usually tend to overlook in our businesses. Meeting other fabulous boss ladies doing phenomenal things within their space and realizing that I am not alone in this was cool. The assurance that in one way or another, we all face challenges in our businesses, but we can’t give up. After all, the motherland needs more women in leadership positions. Support from the entire team at SLA and experts from Dark and Lovely also made the week bearable. Moments of self-doubt became winning moments, and courage to speak up about my business is something I take home with me. What was your highlight of the residency program Definitely learning how to create an excellent pitch deck. As a business owner, what would you say is your unique selling proposition? Being the first Salon software within the Kenyan market and across East Africa is something we pride ourselves in. But that isn’t enough, ensuring that this software is integrated for the African market through understanding the missing value chain from 3 fronts that are salon owners, customers and technicians are the extra miles we have gone. What’s the most important thing the SLA Accelerator residency has taught you? Tomorrow is always a better day. During the week we all had low moments, and at some point, I wanted to give up. But surprisingly enough on the last day when presenting our pitch decks, I was not the same person who had walked into L’OREAL office on Monday. I was bold, confident and passed on the exact message I had been struggling with which is simply how brilliant my business is. I learned how to stop selling myself and my business shortly. One of your exercises during the residency was to create a vision board for 2019. What’s that one goal you MUST achieve in 2019? What is most important to me currently is self-development in all areas of my life. And so the one thing I intend to accomplish in my 2019 is to get recognition for my business in various platforms for women in business through growth and restructure. What’s your secret sauce? How do you get your glow up? Staying Authentic and being unapologetic about wanting more. Are you a Tea or coffee gal? Definitely a coffee girl. “Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee” –Stephanie Piro, Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here.
YETUNDE TAIWO-SHORTERS: 7 POWERFUL WAYS TO LEVEL UP YOUR PERSONAL BRAND IN 2019
It’s Yetunde Shorters here, chiming in sharing with you, as we plan for the New Year, seven powerful ways to level up your personal brand in 2019. This year flew by so quickly that we couldn’t even catch a breath, but it’s never too late. You can start now and start today, and let’s plan for manifestations in 2019. Below are my suggestions of 7 powerful ways to level up your purposeful personal brand in 2019. PLAN AHEAD Planning means take the time one of these days before the year is over and sit down and plan for the things you want for your brand or your business. Plan what your social media would look like, what each quarter would look like, and what products you’re going to launch. Write it out. You have plenty of time to do that this year so that you can be prepared and schedule things for next year. That way, you save yourself some time. [bctt tweet=”You can start now and start today, and let’s plan for manifestations in 2019 – @Yetunde .” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] MANAGE YOUR TIME Manage your time like a boss. We all have 24 hours in the day. If you’re a solopreneur or you have a small team, you have 24 hours a day. You have a lot to do. What that means is you need to be conscientious of how you spend your time. What are you doing with your mornings? Do you find yourself on Facebook or Instagram immediately? STOP IT!!! The first 90 minutes set the tone. Be intentional about those 90 minutes. CONNECT, BETTER That means online and offline. Sometimes we get caught up in posting, and we forget that we have to engage other people, so dedicate 20 to 30 minutes of your time per week and go back to the people that follow and engage on their pages. Like the comments, like their pictures, read stuff, and leave your thoughtful feedback. Also, do this in live events. That means go out more, look for networking or marketing events that you can be a part of. MAP OUT YOUR SYSTEMS If you are going to be doing events, a photo shoot or consulting with clients, write out what that looks like. For example, when a client inboxes you, what is your response? Or when a client responds to you. What do you reply to that? Write it out step-by-step. Having automated content helps in a way that when anything happens, you’re literally just cutting and pasting again saving you time. Or you can use e-services to create an auto send out. DOCUMENT IT This is one of the things that were actually in the recent book I had with the Better Business book. I shared the 10 things I’ve learned from my 10 years in business. If I knew then, I would have documented any good thing that happened in my business. When you’re going to do a review of the year or an analysis to a client, you can go back and have documentation. [bctt tweet=”Documenting things is a great way to track your progress – @yetunde” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] So, at the end of the year, if you have to do a year in review, you have all your ducks in a row. You have content for your portfolio. You have content for testimonials. It’s a great way to track your progress. TRACK AND ANALYZE This often depends on how engaged you are on social media or your newsletter or in person, to see what’s working. Test it out and then come back and take off the things that are not working. Tracking and analyzing helps you see that your efforts are being put to good use. That way, you will get into the quality of what works for your brand, and so you just rinse and repeat and use the things that work over and over again. AUTOMATE YOUR PROCESSES Create your automation systems. What does it look like when someone signs up for your newsletter or signs up for talking to you, what is that process? If there’s anything you can automate, which means use a mailing service where something is automatically sent to them without you, your business can function without you; you automatically automate all the stuff that you want your customers or potential clients to know. Again, you have a plan ahead, manage your time like a boss, map out your systems, connect better and more, document the milestones, track and analyze often, automate, engage, and convert. These 7 steps are what you need to level up for your brand in 2019. Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here.
CHARLENE MACHARIA: As Africans in the diaspora, we’re shaped by our experiences on the motherland
In the last two decades, there has been an increase in the number of platforms that are providing opportunities for women to develop their leadership skills. Platforms like TEDx, for example, create a space where women can present their ideas and thoughts freely using slideshows and speeches that have gone on to inspire other women around the world. More specifically, platforms that provide a space for African women in and out of the diaspora have begun to increase as well. I recently had the chance to interview Kenyan-born, Charlene Macharia who is the Program Coordinator at UCSB Academic Initiatives to discuss the importance of such platforms. We also spoke about her experience with the Women’s Economic Forum as the All Ladies League (ALL) -a women’s empowerment non-profit based in India with chapters around the world. Being the chairperson in Santa Barbara, she also highlights the reasons why there should be more platforms that give African Women a voice. How did you get involved with the All Ladies League and become a member? All Ladies League (ALL) is a women’s empowerment non-profit based in India with chapters around the world. ALL hosts a conference which takes place annually in India. I am a Gates Millennium Scholar and I found out about this conference and organization through a fellow scholar, Kaity Yang. She had posted on our Facebook group that she was in India doing her own research when she got the opportunity to meet the founder and global chairperson of ALL, Dr. Harbeen Arora and her partner Dr. Vinay Rai. They were impressed to hear about the Gates Millennium scholarship program and they extended the invitation for 10 gates scholars to attend the very first Conference. They generously waived our conference registration and lodging fee so all we needed to pay was for our flights. When I heard about this incredible opportunity I was very interested in attending. I didn’t know how I would come up with the funds for the round trip flight but Kaity Yang was helpful by giving me ideas for fundraising like using GoFundMe and also requesting a travel grant from my school. Ms. Kaity also connected me with Dr. Harbeen Arora who answered my questions about the organization and encouraged me to join my local chapter. Since there was no chapter in Santa Barbara, where I currently live, she challenged me to start one. She actually appointed me as the chapter chair right then and even sent me business cards and gave me a social media platform. Just like that! I was really humbled and honored that she would entrust me with leading a local chapter so I accepted and this motivated me to make it out to the conference to find out what I was really getting myself into. [bctt tweet=”As Africans in the diaspora, we must rise and share our stories, paint a picture of the world we would like to see and let our light shine by all means, and on our own terms.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How has the platform impacted you as a woman and as a young African in the diaspora? Participating in this has been really impactful to me by validating my voice and my experiences as a young African woman in the diaspora. It does this by providing the space for anyone to lead a workshop, give a talk, or participate in a panel discussion. My first time attending the conference I just decided to attend as a delegate since I mostly wanted to listen and observe but in my second and third time attending the conference I decided to participate as a speaker. This allowed me to share my perspectives on topics I am passionate about such as education and spirituality, and to also share my personal experiences. This is such good practice for public speaking and communicating clearly. I have challenged myself each of those times to attend as a speaker not because I’m a pro but because even as a young woman I have something to share, and this is an opportunity for growth. Do you think there should be more platforms that give a voice to African women in the diaspora specifically? YES! I definitely think that there should be more platforms that amplify the voices of African women in the diaspora. But I think it’s up to us to be proactive in creating them or in utilizing the platforms that already exist. We can’t afford to wait around for the rest of the world to put the spotlight on us -that rarely happens. So we must rise and share our stories, paint a picture of the world we would like to see, and just let our light shine by all means, and on our own terms. What is the significance of platforms that allow you to share ideas and create a space for women to develop their leadership skills? Organizations such as ALL are so significant since just by creating a platform for women to connect, share resources, and develop their leadership skills, they are literally changing the world. There is a leadership imbalance in most sectors of our society and there’s an underlying narrative out there that women are inferior and weak. But now is the time for the empowering of women to fix this imbalance so that together we can create lasting change in our world. What could we learn from the voice of an African diaspora woman? I think that the voice of an African woman in the diaspora is quite unique. We have a unique perspective of life shaped by our experiences on the motherland (for those of us who had that privilege) in comparison or in contrast to our experiences living abroad. These experiences have forced us to grapple with our complex identities, propelled us to create inclusive communities, and to come up with creative ways of problem-solving. [bctt tweet=”I am grateful to have met amazing African women leaders from various African countries and within the diaspora – Charlene Macharia” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What do you enjoy the most about
Nomalanga Ndlovu: Your voice is your gold ticket
Nomalanga Ndlovu – well known as Miss Noma, was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She lived most of her childhood till her early adult years in Botswana where she obtained her Law degree from the University of Botswana. She is a public speaking coach who is passionate about women empowerment and self-discovery. As a Christian, her values are based on her beliefs. Miss Noma loves to travel and meet different people. She is the founder of Outspoken Consulting, therefore, she enjoys learning about entrepreneurship. Nomalanga has had notable experiences being part of the Mandela Washington Fellow 2017 and being a Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) fellow in Washington DC where she did her internship. She is also a TEDx Speaker coach. 2018 was her second year taking up the role yet to occur in Pretoria December 2018. If you’re interested in becoming a professional public speaker, you’ll learn one-too-many things from Miss Noma. Where did you get the passion for public speaking? My journey to public speaking was inspired by her childhood which had memories of her being a backbencher. I was mostly a reserved child of low confidence and participation. Although, I would always envy the children who participated. My literature teacher was the one who saw something in me and that was when I started making presentations. Since then, it has always been my mandate to help other people discover their voice and be able to sell their stories. My passion to help comes from helping people creating first impressions that will create opportunities as she believes most people will miss out on the best opportunities based on how they present themselves. Tell us about your company – Outspoken Consulting Outspoken Consulting was established in 2016, it is an organization that helps business executives and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas for presentation, customer care, and selling of brands as individuals as well as organizations. We realized a lot of business entrepreneurs and executives have great ideas however when it is time to present the idea there won’t be much focus on the customer. The sales or marketing teams at most times could not have received training on how to engage and speak with the client. We help individuals and companies: Package themselves and their product. Understand the clients they have and how to speak to them. Take their business to the next level in terms of communication. [bctt tweet=”Speaking isn’t only about opening your mouth, it is about selling an experience -@MsNomalanga ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Outspoken Consulting also has a program that is being launched in 2019 that is called the Outspoken Girls Initiative that will focus on high school girls to help them discover themselves and focus on their futures. There will be successful and experienced business women that will be mentoring them and also engaging with them one on one so that they can have an idea of what is happening out there in the real world. Outspoken Consulting goes beyond consultation work, it also has Outspoken women, which is a platform for women to network, collaborate in events. It simply offers a platform for people to meet and network and sets a tone that there is no limit in who you are and what you can do. As a result, I’ve collaborated with various companies in Harare, Zimbabwe. What strategies have you developed to help entrepreneurs develop and deliver rich presentations? The main strategies are first to discover who the clients are (business executives/ entrepreneurs /individuals), through the YOU experience. Knowing who these parties are as individual’s makes it easier to now prepare and sell their brand. We help clients sell their experiences. Also, we look a lot at relevance, when it comes to the product and the audience.” How can one develop and manage their personal brand through speaking? The most important aspect in developing a personal brand as a speaker is that one has to be very clear. You’ve got to address the following questions: What is your topic? Who are you speaking to? What is your experience? Why should they listen to you? What platforms have you spoken at? What have you done, where have you gone to? “As you develop your personal brand as a speaker, find a topic or subject, stick to it and do not speak on things that you do not know”. As you are building a personal brand, you are building perception, and perception is reality. The more you speak on a certain topic or subject, the more it settles with the external people that you are an expert in that certain field, it results in more research and speaking on different platforms. Put yourself out there, in this era of social media, make use of platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook etc., those are platforms where one can start to grow from. It is not about waiting to be invited to speak on large platforms, it is about making yourself known and sticking to the topic or subject you want to be heard on. “Attend networking a lot of events and continuously look for opportunities.” [bctt tweet=”As a public speaker, your main strategies are should be to discover who the clients are through the YOU experience -@MsNomalanga” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Can people have a career in speaking? “Yes, people can. Speaking works differently in different countries, you can have speakers like Tonny Robins and Simon Sinek. These speakers are encouraging and motivating people, it’s working for them because of how they have branded themselves and how much value they have put in people’s lives.” “The most important aspect is HOW MUCH VALUE YOU ARE ADDING IN SOMEONE’S LIFE. I believe anyone can have a career in speaking as long as it adds value, the value added is the one that will translate into the monetary aspect that one is living on. Speaking is a career that can be penetrated but one needs to be strategic about it, which goes back to the issue of topic and
Eva Warigia: Be mindful of your network, it is the base of your success
Eva Warigia is a jack of many trades with a passion for Africans and their economic advancement. As one half of the executive directing team of the East Africa Venture Capitalists Association, representing over sixty firms, she uses her knowledge of finance and strategy to position East Africa as a thriving investment hub. In this interview, she talks about her leadership position, and how she’s working with stakeholders to promote investment in East Africa. At what point in your life did you first learn about your field of work and what drew you to it? I probably came across private equity in 2011. At the time I worked for a technology and corporate advisory firm as a strategy analyst focusing on helping businesses fundraise. It was there that I got to interact with the different structures of funding. [bctt tweet=”My docket as one half of the leadership of EAVCA is in leading the advocacy and intelligence – @eva_hawa” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You are one of the two executive directors of the East African Venture Capitalists Association (EAVCA) what exactly do you do? EAVCA is a member association for private equity and venture capital firms who are interested in deploying capital in East Africa. As a trade organization, we represent the interests of member firms deploying private capital in the region, which constitutes Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. We are the interface between the region’s stakeholders, the general public and the investors. Our activities largely involve advocacy for the private capital sector, research, and intelligence for investors considering the region for investment. Being the foremost networking platform for East Africa to advance thought leadership in the PE and VC space, and finally, conducting training for the sector. We also nurture the local professionals, as well as building awareness with the sector stakeholders. My docket as one half of the leadership of EAVCA is in leading the advocacy and intelligence. This entails working with the sector stakeholders to create partnerships that promote investment inflows in East Africa.Internationally, less than 10% of venture capital funds go to female entrepreneurs. Is this situation just as bleak in East Africa? This is also the case in East Africa. There was a time when female-led enterprises were not as visible as they are now, especially on the funding front. Emerging trends for conscious investment (particularly gender lens investing) mean that the tide is slowly turning to acknowledge that female-led enterprises are equally lucrative. Furthermore, women are more deliberate in their business planning and less likely to take investment capital for personal use. What does EAVCA do to ensure that besides women-owned businesses there is diversity in general in businesses being considered for funding? From 2018, EAVCA became more deliberate in local engagement by working with trade associations, incubators and accelerators to grow local awareness of PE and VC as alternative sources of capital. We are also ensuring we carry out industry-specific research showcasing opportunities that exist in East Africa. One such research was on the opportunities available for fin-tech investing in East Africa, which we launched in March this year. This allows investors deeper access to sectors that have probably been on their radar but whose information may be hard to come by. [bctt tweet=”I think it is important for technical entrepreneurs to find partners who will help them with the business side of their enterprise or product – @eva_hawa” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What are some of the mistakes you have seen female entrepreneurs make while interacting with venture capitalists, and what can they do to better pitch their businesses to investors? While I would not categorize this as a mistake, I think it is important for technical entrepreneurs to find partners who will help them with the business side of their enterprise or product. Far too many entrepreneurs are struggling to raise capital by themselves without the tools or skills to approach this. Thankfully, there are programmes and incubators that equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to begin thinking of their vision as a commercial venture. There is quite an array of accelerators available for African entrepreneurs such as MEST Africa which is available in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Cote d’ Ivoire or Growth Africa for East Africans. There are also institution backed programmes like the Trade and Investment Hub (the Hub) by USAID, which is available in East, West and South Africa, or the Stanford Seed Transformation Programme in Ghana and Kenya. Finally, we have philanthropy backed incubators also committing to support the initiative by Africa’s entrepreneurs such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation or Africa Netpreneur Prize by the Jack Ma Foundation. EAVCA has been led by women from its inception. Can we interpret that to mean Africa doesn’t share the same discouraging international statistics when it comes to women’s leadership in VC firms? As an association, we are privileged to have women as the champions of the industry in East Africa. For the VC and PE funds, the bulk of fund managers are still led by men although we have a growing number of women taking up that space. I believe it is important for women to support each other in male-dominated industries such as ours and share their journeys so that we can all learn from each other. How has working at EAVCA changed your perception of Africa’s potential to be an economic and innovation hub in the future? I have always been an Afro-optimist and firmly believe in Africa’s value and ability to influence the future! Working with EAVCA has furthered my confidence in our potential as a continent. I interact each day with people who are as passionate about Africa as I am and who are effecting positive change within their different spheres. I am able to see how it is all shaping out from my bird’s eye view at the Association and it just fuels me to want to do more! What is the favorite part of your job? Every day, I meet people that are clear about
7 lessons you can learn from Issa Rae and her InSecure journey
Issa Rae is an American writer, actor, and producer of the famous NBO series Insecure. She started out creating videos on YouTube when she got tired of seeing the same type of movies about black people. Issa Rae has been nominated for the golden globe award, her series has won the shorty award for the best web series. She also heads a media company called Issa Rae presents. If you haven’t watched any episode of InSecure you`ve just found yourself a new best friend. It’s like the dope movie for every girl seeking for some kind of succor after a hard week of work! It’s so relatable and funny. The story is centered around Issa, a black woman trying to keep it cool with her job in a non-profit, her relationship and her social life. I came across her show IssaRae presents on a lazy day when I was scrolling through my YouTube feed, and I was stuck. IssaRaePresents does not come up short. Trust me, they never disappoint. And oh, we’ve been waiting for the third series of Insecure like… And as usual, we won’t be disappointed. Now back to the main point. The backstage of creating media content is filled with people who never make it to the big screen. Writers, producers, camera, videographers, directors, editors etc. A lot of work goes into creating what you finally see on your screen. The backstage of the movie industry is dominated by males especially in production and directing. How did a black young woman break that glass ceiling to be her own boss? Let’s look at these lessons from her. On Starting Out: “I love creating content and YouTube was super accessible. I started my first show in senior year of college in Stanford and I kept growing that audience”. On Being Consistent: “I had two web series before the misadventures of the Awkward Black Girl. Those series did not gain instant fame but I was consistent throughout releasing those videos by 10 am every Monday and promoting constantly” [bctt tweet=”Stop finding the ways that you can’t and start finding the ways that you can – @IssaRae” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] On Working Hard “People constantly make excuses on why they can’t follow their dreams. Stop finding the ways that you can’t and start finding the ways that you can. Think about what you have now, friends, a camera, a room, whatever you have. Figure out a way to use what you have to make it work.” On Teamwork “I tend to have strong opinions about the characters in my shows because I feel I know them personally. Also, I try to loosen the rein and allow debates to go on. I love collaborating because there are people with a lot of great ideas I love hearing out. Resisting the urge to outrightly say no has been one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned” On Creativity “Life inspires me. I love little moments. I just like real life. Everybody has different areas of discomfort and seeing how certain things concerns people that won’t even matter to others intrigues me. I try to understand what makes people think that way and learn from them” On Overcoming Challenges “There are definitely challenges. At one end I want to take as many opportunities as I can, on the other hand, I do not want to disappoint myself and other people by not meeting up with deadlines. Trying to find that work/life balance for the past few years has been challenging” For Entrepreneurs in Film/Media “Know your goal. Make sure agencies & companies approaching you are aware of the vision you are working with. Be sure to have a good team. Utilizing the people around me was the best thing that happened to me. The team members that I have now started from the ground up with me, that organic growth is part of the reason this show has been a success.” Issa Rae has always kept it 100% real, affirming the fact that her show. InSecure, is a typification of her life as a young black woman trying to make it in a community that seems to tell her what to do. She has talked openly about her challenges and fears, and what accepting people’s approval has been for her. Her mother at first did not even agree to watch the show. From all of these, I learned two important lessons: 1. People crave authenticity They’ll gravitate towards people who are real and original. If you step into a new place and you’re a sheep amongst a pack of wolves or the only black female in the room, as long as you have a voice and you keep to that voice, people will gravitate towards you. 2. Everything takes time Issa affirmed that the first video she did on YouTube was crap, but as years went by and she gathered a team, it got better. You can tell the difference between her past videos in IssaRaePresents on YouTube and now. Just like a tree grows, slowly building stronger and deeper foundation which in the end will be able to stand the test of to such is the journey of a business which grows organically. P.S – All quotes from Issa were gotten from various videos you can find in the link below; A conversation with Issa Rae – AT & T Shape Issa Rae on InSecure, Jerry Seinfeld and Success – Larry King Show You’re the only one stopping you – Evan Carmichael If you’d like to get featured on our Facebook page, click here to share your story with us.