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A CONVERSATION WITH MICHELLE JONES: CO-OWNER OF RED LION BAKERY, A LEGACY BRAND
It’s 2020, through changing times and in the middle of a pandemic, and true to form, RED LION BAKERY has blazed the trail with the launch of a new website featuring an e-commerce store to serve families with an assortment of bread and branded items, ticking the convenience and innovation boxes so well. We couldn’t let this milestone pass us by, without getting up close and personal with the co-owner, Michelle Jones, to learn about their recipe for taking over a legacy business and growing it. What made you venture into the E-Commerce Space? MICHELLE JONES: It took me three months, starting in March of this year — and this was even…
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PARKERS MOBILE CLINIC IS LEADING THROUGH CHANGING TIMES
Dr. Charles Umeh is a medical doctor and Telemedicine professional . He graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria in 2015 and has worked in several hospitals and NGOs since then. As a telemedicine professional, he co-authored “Fundamentals of telemedicine and telehealth” published by Elsevier in 2019. He is a member of the International Medical Informatics association and Healthcare informatics society of Nigeria. As a social entrepreneur, he runs a mobile clinic Enterprise (Parkers Mobile Clinic) through which he renders healthcare services at the doorstep of vulnerable individuals living in Anambra, Nigeria. We were curious about his project especially since it’s a relatively new concept and it is increasingly difficult accessing…
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WANI MANLY AKA ‘WHERE INSPIRATION MEETS LAW’ TALKS ABOUT THE POWER OF LEGAL MATTERS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Wani Iris Manly, Esq. is a corporate, security and trademark law attorney, an inspirational keynote speaker, consultant, and two-time bestselling author. She is the founder of the law firm W. Manly, P.A. a boutique, corporate and securities law firm. She started in 2008 in Miami, Florida, with offices in Paris, while serving some of the most recognizable companies including, MasterCard Int’l, Inc., Visa Inc., and Office Depot, Inc., to name a few. Wani is also the founder of Where Inspiration Meets Law LLC, which provides legal contracts and document templates for entrepreneurs, coaches, heart-centered and impact driven businesses, and creatives, to legally protect their businesses while fulfilling their purpose-driven mission in…
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HEN NYANDEI: PROMOTING HOPE AND RESILIENCE THROUGH FASHION
Hen Nyandei is a clothing and accessories brand launched some six (6) years ago in Freetown, Sierra Leone to meet the growing demand of African inspired fashion. It all began with accessories which included slippers and bags, today it is a full on fashion house and a sought-after brand. Due to the pandemic a lot of businesses struggled to keep running. Some creatives were conflicted by the ethics of promoting sales; especially for goods that were not considered essential. Others adapted their businesses to suit the most immediate needs (Masks, Hospital gowns and beddings and other paraphernalia) This Fashion House delved further into a high-risk zone and kept on creating…
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HOW ENTREPRENEURS IN SIERRA LEONE ARE SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH COVID-19
The last few weeks have been horrific for most countries in the world, somewhat likened to a scene from a scientific thriller. The only difference is that the director is no longer in charge of the plot and no one knows what the future may bring. Sierra Leone has not been left behind, we are all affected by this tragedy, communities, individuals, organisations and businesses. Large projects have been put on hold, big celebrations cancelled and major events postponed! But behind the scenes, a few people have been able to rise above fear and launch into action. While we realise that other people with the best of intentions might have…
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WHY GIVING BACK IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR 2020
Companies can do more than just make money, they can serve others. Marc Benioff , Chairman & CEO, Salesforce What do companies small, medium and large have in common? The urge to be involved in building and supporting their communities. Business owners and entrepreneurs are expected to GIVE much more than goods, products and services. This is what SOCIETY expects, this is what makes customers feel loyal and on other occasions appreciated. In the past, organisations made donations and took up other responsibilities to fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Nowadays most small businesses are focused on giveaways to achieve the same thing: make customers feel special. It’s so beautiful to see companies include CSR in…
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TRYING TO LEAD A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN AFRICA? LEARN FROM FRANCIS STEVENS GEORGE
Meet the man whose dreams led him into relocating home and engineering the change that he so desired. Francis Stevens George is on a mission to help build startups and scale up companies in Sierra Leone that will go global. He perceives that in doing so, he will be creating thousands of jobs, support in growing the economy and more importantly bring about social inclusion.In fulfilling these needs, He founded Innovation SL and Innovation Axis both are Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) which he manages directly. Innovation Axis provides pre incubation, incubation and Acceleration support to starts and scale ups. Innovation SL takes a leadership role in mapping and enabling an…
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WATER TRANSPORTATION BOOSTS ENTREPRENURIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN LAGOS STATE
Lagos State is a cosmopolitan maze of lagoons and creeks in a geographical space that hosts over nine million people. There is great hustle and bustle, Lagos state, being the heart beat of Nigeria, with scores of people using the traditional means of transport. The state‘s thriving commercial gains are stifled by traffic woes, polluted clouds and exhausted passengers; perhaps this being the reason behind the State’s renewed commitment towards water transportation.It is estimated that 100,000 people will be transported on water daily across 32 rounds; this has created a new urgency in terms of the need for boats and ferries that will meet quality standards and efficiency! The Lagos…
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MOKATE ASHU SHARES HIS FORMULA FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AFRICA
My dream is to see an innovative, entrepreneurial, united and transformed Africa. When innovation becomes the bedrock of your beliefs, designing new products and processes turns into a pattern. Mokate Ashu is on the course of raising a new generation of African Kings and Queens who through innovation and entrepreneurship, will re-brand Africa to the world. Being a self taught social engineer, he has ventured into projects and business development. Many people find his approach- disruptive. This humanitarian is giving back to his community through Global Entrepreneurship Corps: a social enterprise. Founded in 2015, to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation. They are positioned to create enabling entrepreneurial ecosystems through…
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WAHEED AWONUGA: FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN HEALTHCARE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Most often than not, people are awed when they learn that Waheed Awonuga is not just an accomplished medical doctor, but an entrepreneur in his own right. This is understandable, because a profession in medicine is a life-time responsibility that demands your all. On the flip side, an entrepreneur is someone who embodies dedication and risk-taking. In short, a profession in any of these careers requires an entirety of self, that just a few are able to give. However it seems Waheed has managed to crack a hidden code and has found that delicate balance in practicing in both fields. His professional life serves as a testament to this. He attributes…
