On this weeks episode, I chat Zainab Ashadu, Founder and Creative Director of  Zashadu a leading sustainable luxury brand that specializes in handcrafted leather pieces all designed and manufactured in Lagos Nigeria.

We talk about starting her career as an actor, how a chance meeting with an old acquaintance helped her connect with her passion and begin the journey to what is today Zashadu. Zainab is one a few bag makers who still utilizes  ancient artisanry  techniques and it was interesting to learn about the craft and the leather industry in Nigeria.

Zainab  has a BA  in English and Modern Drama Studies from Brunel University and studied Fashion/Apparel Design at London College of Fashion .  

All Zashadu products are available for global shipping on their website- https://zashadu.com/

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 www.africanbusinessstories.com

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On this weeks episode, I chat with Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe,  a dynamic politician, distinguished public administrator, educationist, gender and social engineer and activist, writer and diplomat.   She is the Founder and Chairperson of the Women Leadership Institute (WLI) - WLI  is an international leadership development organization focused on developing the leadership capacity of women across Africa.

Dr. Chikwe shared memories from her childhood and insights into her approach to parenting. She reflected on her career accomplishments, the gap she identified in governance  and the work she is doing through WLI to close that gap- raising a critical mass of women who are leadership conscious and equipping them with the skills they need.

Dr. Chikwe studied French at the Advanced Teachers' College Owerri and obtained a further degree in French from Queens College, City University of New York. She has a doctorate in Curriculum Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Dr. Chikwe is a renowned writer; her books are included in both the Nigerian and American curriculum. The books include Kema Chikwe: Across Borders, Women of My Era, Village Boys, First School Day for Adaeze, Kame Chameleon tours the garden, My Precious Book and other publications.  She served as Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland from 2008-2011, a former  Nigerian Federal Minister of Transportation and Federal Minister of Aviation. The first woman to hold either position in Nigeria.

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On this weeks episode, I chat with management consultant and author Chigozirim Otefe-Edebi, Co-Founder Gracehill Behavioral Health Services providers of comprehensive mental health and wellness solutions in Lagos Nigeria.

We talked about her 12 year career in telecoms, experiencing burnout and quitting suddenly. Her drive as a side hustler and what led her to write her first book - The Side Hustle Workbook and now dedicating her time to building a legacy business with her husband - Providing jobs for medical professionals, enhancing the quality of healthcare and building a world class mental health practice in Lagos, Nigeria.

Chigo studied Biochemistry at University of Benin, Nigeria. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Leadership and Management at York St John University in the UK. She is a certified counsellor, an advocate for Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and authored two books: ‘The Side Hustle Workbook and Strategies for coping in a toxic environment – lessons from the animal kingdom’.

AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
 www.africanbusinessstories.com

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On this weeks episode, I chat with lawyer, dancer, actress and choreographer, Bunmi Olunloyo the Founder & Creative director Bailamos Dance Company a professional dance training fitness and wellness centre in Lagos Nigeria. She is also the creative and managing director for FIT BY BUNMI an active and Athleisure clothing line.

We talk about how her passion for dance led her away from a career in law. How she has dealt with and overcome the stereotypes associated with professional dancing in Nigeria, going from being body shamed to being a body confidence coach and her new venture Fit By Bunmi.

Bunmi holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the Faculty of Law University of Lagos, Nigeria and is also a qualified lawyer in Nigeria. She is currently an Associate member and certified teacher and judge under the International Dance Teachers Association UK. With over 17 years experience she has produced, choreographed and directed various showcases. She performs and plays Lead in the Internationally acclaimed theatre production FELA AND THE KALAKUTA QUEENS produced by BAP PRODUCTIONS and is a judge in WORLD OF DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES for the West Africa Region. 

AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
 www.africanbusinessstories.com

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On this weeks episode, I chat with award winning Mountaineer, philanthropist and Executive Coach Saray Khumalo. Saray is the Founder of Summits With a Purpose an initiative that has raised funds and built physical and digital libraries in disadvantaged African schools. She believes that literacy and education have the power to change the narrative for the next generation. She is also the Founder and  Host of the Podcast, Because It's There.

On May 16, 2019, on her fourth attempt, Saray summited Mount Everest, becoming the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest. We talked about how suffering personal loss caused her to lean into a life of service and purpose. What it means to discover ones why, failing forward and the fact that we are all extraordinary and being ordinary is a choice we make. Saray is also a fully certified Executive Coach. She uses lessons from her mountaineering triumphs to help businesses and individuals explore and unleash their full potential and achieve set goals. 

Saray's African Business Story is about being deliberate in breaking the shackles of convention. It is about triumph.

To learn more about Saray and the work she does - https://saraykhumalo.com/

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On this weeks episode, I chat with serial entrepreneur Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho Founder & CEO Futuresoft Nigeria  a leading digital & technology solutions company, Co-Founder SkillupAfrica focused on training and helping Africans launch their tech careers and Co-Founder of Alwaysme a children's clothing and lifestyle brand.

We talk about how she went from bio technology to providing digital solutions, how entrepreneurs can leverage personal branding, the need to close the digital skills gap in Africa and how she manages serial entrepreneurship in multiple sectors. Nkem also shared her expert opinion on the marketing and communication trends she sees in 2021. Here is a LINK to the full article on the trends.

Nkem is recognized as an Obama African Leader, Forbes’s Top Ten Female Tech Founders in Africa, Global Digital Women top 10 Most Inspiring Women in Africa, Lionesses of Africa top 100 Women and Ventures Africa 42 most Innovative Africans.  She serves on the board of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC as well as the board of the Society for Corporate Governance in Nigeria where she chairs the Digital and Innovation Committee. She also serves in the leadership of the NESG Digital Economy Thematic group; is a member of The Nigerian National IT Software Committee and the Nigerian Electronic Voting Think Tank where she actively contributes to the advancement of digitalization and shaping policy to support its inclusive delivery. 

Nkem's African Business Story is dedicated to impact. 

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On this weeks episode,  I chat  with award winning entrepreneur, Jumoke Dada the Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Taeillo a tech enabled business that leverages mixed reality to sell furniture in Nigeria. 

We talk about how her love for the creative process led her away from architecture to furniture design. How she has distinguished herself in the market using technology  and the path to building a direct to customer online furniture retail business in Nigeria.

Jumoke  graduated with a first class in architecture from University of Lagos, Nigeria, She was part of the Fall 2020 Nasdaq Milestone Maker. She is a Tony Elumelu Foundation Awardee, a Diamond Bank Building Entrepreneur Awardee and a She Leads Africa Accelerator Awardee. She was featured on Elle Decoration South Africa, BBC World News and listed in 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria.

Jumoke's African Business Story is dedicated to creating  a brand Africans all around the world can be proud of and ensuring all Africans have access to affordable furniture.

AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
www.africanbusinessstories.com

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On this weeks's episode, I chat with Hetty Boachie-Yiadom, an award winning entrepreneur and Co-Founder of P&H Boutique, South Africa's largest African print retail brand.

While working for a leading South African bank, Hetty and her husband Papa started a fashion retail business. They would eventually leave their day jobs and scale P&H Boutique from their home to 7 stores across South Africa.

Hetty is also the Lead Coach at Hetty The Entrepreneur, where she guides entrepreneurs to achieve their goals through results-based mentorship. She has set an ambitious goal to produce 300 African-led businesses who will earn in multiple currencies through digital products. 

Hetty graduated from University of Pretoria with a major in Political Science and a minor in English. She was named a Top 200 Young South African by Mail & Guardian in 2019, Top 50 Thriving Female Founders, and ranked number 1 on Vusi Thembekwayo's Top 40 mentorship programme. 

Hetty's African Business Story is dedicated to empowering African led businesses and helping them thrive.

AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
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On this weeks's episode, I chat with Fatmata Binta - popularly known as  Chef Binta.  She was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to Fulani parents of Guinean descent. Binta is the Founder of Fulani Kitchen -  the first African nomadic pop-up dining experience in Ghana. A dining experience that is both a culinary and cultural journey.

Chef Binta describes herself as a modern nomadic chef.  Her culinary style combines her nomadic Fulani roots, classical training at the Kenyan Culinary Institute and love for rural life and nature. Her passion to share African cuisine is based on her experiences as a child growing up during the darkest period of Sierra Leone’s history, the civil war. She experienced first hand how food  can  break down barriers and bring people together. She continues to do this today by organizing dinners to broker peace between Fulani's and local communities in Ghana.

Chef Binta's African Business Story is dedicated to using her culinary art to preserve her culture, build bridges and connect people.


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On this weeks's episode, I chat with Emalohi Iruobe Founder of Tribe XX Lab the first and only co-working, wellness and incubator space exclusively dedicated to female entrepreneurs and female led startups and companies in Lagos - a place where women are able to present a professional front for their business as well as network, get training, access to funding opportunities and help each other.

In response to the BBC Sex for Grades documentary, Emalohi started  the  I GO TALK project. It is a  social justice and empowerment movement focused on exterminating the silence surrounding gender based violence especially among female students in Nigerian universities.  This project is fully funded by VOICE GLOBAL on behalf of the government of Netherlands.

Emalohi is also the Founder of  Aimanosi Lingerie; a dynamic brand focused on promoting body positivity and self love in African women. She has a Bsc. in Finance and Banking from Lincoln University, PA and a Juris Doctor from Villanova University. Before delving into full time entrepreneurship she practiced law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey working in Commercial litigation, as well as working as the Manager of Project Implementation in the Kwara State Public Private Partnership office.

Emalohi's African Business Story is dedicated to social impact, championing marginalized groups and creating safe spaces for women.

AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
www.africanbusinessstories.com

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