From The MD's Corner | What Fierce Femininity Looks Like in Business

Dear Entrepreneurs, Mentors, and Changemakers,

I can't believe we’re finally in August! I don’t know if it’s just me… but July really felt like it was three months packed into one. It had the length of January, the drama of March, and the energy of December all rolled into one busy, buzzing month. But as chaotic as it was, we welcome all that movement because movement means momentum, and momentum means growth.

Keitumetse Lekaba, Managing Director at I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR

And speaking of growth…

We officially kicked off our signature Growth Code programme in partnership with FNB this past month which has been a proud moment for all of us at I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR. We've welcomed 40 QSE SMMEs on this 18-month journey, and if the first few sessions are anything to go by, impact is already knocking at the door. Our exclusive Advisory Board members have come in full force, and we’re grateful for the wisdom, passion, and time they continue to pour into this ecosystem.

Now let’s talk about August, the month of fierce femininity, bold brilliance, and yes, more summits! 🎉

While we love and honour our gents, August is for the girls. This Women's Month, we’re not just putting on heels (or sneakers) and hashtags, we’re putting on our strategy hats and showing up for what matters. So here’s your friendly reminder: Don’t just attend every Women’s Day event you see advertised, attend with purpose and intent. I encourage you to go to the ones that pour into you and your journey.

I wouldn’t be the The Business Doctor Keitumetse Lekaba without the the business prescription and this month,  on a full page, I’m prescribing some serious strategy and that comes in the form of our IAAE  Summit Series. Over the course of nine summits over twelve months, we’ll unpack each block of the Business Model Canvas. Think of it as therapy for your business, minus the couch. By the end of the series, our entrepreneurs will be fully equipped to run their businesses for impact and sustainability, two of our favourite words.

Big shoutout to our dynamic team, some are joining, some are moving on. While farewells are bittersweet, we believe in sending people off with blessings to build, dream bigger, and grow. That’s the heart of entrepreneurship, whether inside our walls or beyond.

To the women entrepreneurs reading this: Keep showing up, keep owning your power, and remember your voice is not just needed, it’s necessary. In 1956, over 20,000 fearless women marched to the Union Buildings, not just for themselves, but for all of us. For our rights, our freedom, and our future. They didn’t ask for permission; they took their place. They were builders, warriors, mothers, leaders, and they walked so that today, we could run our businesses, raise capital, lead teams, and own boardrooms. So when you feel the weight of it all the invoices, the meetings, the dreams, the doubt, please remember: you're made of the same stuff (you’re made of gold). Be bold. Be wise. Be relentless.

Here’s to a phenomenal August for all, to building with purpose, and to continuing the work that moves the needle, not just for now, but for the future.

Yours in development,

Keitumetse Lekaba