For female entrepreneurs who are launching a business in Africa, high self-esteem is important. Self-esteem helps you to deal with day-to-day challenges more smoothly and to see the lesson in every struggle. I hope that these quotes from Africa’s women entrepreneurs will help you to develop an empowered attitude, in spite of the challenges your business might face before it starts to grow.

“When going into business, you should view yourself as a business person – people treat you the way you treat yourself. If you come in feeling at a disadvantage, you are already at a disadvantage.” –Phuti Mahanyele (Quote source: XtraSpace)


“Nineteen people may love your work, but the twentieth one will hate it and will tell you so. You cannot allow that to affect you. That may sound trite, but there is huge risk in letting criticism get you down.” – Carrol Boyes, owner and designer at Carrol Boyes (Quote source: XtraSpace)


“My advice to women all the time is: If you want a certain future, go out and create it. Conquer your fears as that is what enslaves most women.” –Divine Ndhlukula is founder SECURICO Security Services in Zimbabwe (Quote source: Lionesses of Africa)


“…failure is an opportunity to learn and to do better next time. It’s part of the path to greatness, which was never meant to be smooth.” –Khanyi Dhlomo, founder of Ndalo Media and Destiny connect magazine (Quote source: jaruma.net)


“At every African’s heart is an entrepreneurial spirit: we are survivors of struggle, malleable enough to embrace change and celebrate doing things differently.” –Tammy Frazer founder of Cape-Town-based Frazer Parfum (Quote source: Lionesses of Africa)

Many thanks to these women entrepreneurs who are helping us to feel positive and inspired.