On The Up & Up

On The Up & Up

By Janine Vanessa HeinrichBusinessEntrepreneurship
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On The Up & Up episodes

  • 9: Overcoming adversity to championing change: A raw conversation about workplace DEI and Mental Health | Omena Ukeleghe

    Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

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    Hey there Risers & Thrivers, 

    On this episode, we’re sitting down for an inspiring conversation with DEI expert and founder of Creative Jam Session, Omena Ukeleghe. We discussed: 

    • Omena’s upbringing in a Nigerian household and the example her mother set advocating for herself in the workplace

    • Her personal experience navigating racism and discrimination at work, as well as her mental health journey and how she overcame adversity and channeled it to champion change

    • Where companies are going wrong with DEI strategies and the importance of long-term strategies, involving employee groups, and starting diversity effort early 

      • Janine and Omega also get real about the impacts of microaggressions, generational trauma, and the need for companies to do more than performative allyship. This raw and revealing episode provides valuable insights for organizations and individuals alike.

      Happy Listening! 

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      Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by ⁠oussama arichi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay

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      Acknowledgments

      Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by ⁠⁠oussama arichi⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

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      Timestamps

      0:00-10:00 - Introduction to Omena's background and founding Creative Jam Sessions 

      10:00-20:00 - Lack of awareness around racism and microaggressions growing up. Omena's experience with workplace discrimination and bullying that impacted their mental health. 

      20:00-30:00 - How Omena navigated workplace dynamics and became a diversity advocate. Issues with performative diversity initiatives in companies.  

      30:00-40:00 - The importance of long-term strategies and leadership buy-in for DEI. Involving Employee Resource Groups for meaningful representation.

      40:00-50:00 - Best corporate DEI practices & discussion around quotes

      50:00-60:00 - Omena's experience with mental health and desire to help others. Reflections on personal growth and looking to the future of DEI efforts.

      --

      References

      Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

      56 min
    • 8: Behind the Podcast- The Story, Motivation, and Mission Behind On the Up & Up

      Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

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      Hey there Risers & Thrivers!


      We're excited to kick-off season two with an intimate look into the force behind On the Up & Up, Janine Vanessa Heinrich, who is the creator and host.

      In this episode, Constance Habringer takes the seat as host for the day and asks all the right questions. Together, they explored:

      • Janine's adventurous transition from the US to Germany, highlighting the cultural shifts and adaptability required 🌍🛫
      • The inception of her entrepreneurial journey: why she started, how she navigated the entrepreneurship space, and the lessons learned along the way🚀📈
      • Her motivations and the journey to her current success. We also explore her aspirations for this podcast and the impact she aims to create. 🌟🔍

        • This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the power of resilience.


        Enjoy the episode and Happy Listening!

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        Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by oussama arichi from Pixabay

        31 min
      • 7: Embracing “Only”, Self Advocacy, and Taking a Bet on Yourself | Archita Fritz

        Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

        --

        Hey there Risers and Thrivers!


        Welcome to the last episode of season one and I couldn't be happier to introduce you to our outstanding guest, Archita Fritz! She is a formidable force  in the business world with over two decades of experience steering Fortune 500 companies and founding experience through endeavors such as Ready Set Bold, The Embracing Only Podcast, and the Speak Out Revolution. In this episode, we discussed:

        • Her outstanding career that started back in the USA as an Electrical Engineering Intern to Director of Global Market
        • Her challenges with workplace bullying and being an "only" to embracing her only journey by finding her voice and advocating for herself and other
        • Her decision to take a bet on herself by leaving the workforce to concentrate on her entrepreneurial pursuits


          • Also, if you're considering leaving the workforce to pursue your own endeavors, take a look at her guide, Empowered Transitions. Want to get in touch with Archita? Reach out to her via LinkedIn!


          Enjoy the episode and be sure to share what you think!

          55 min
        • 1: From Pivotal Moments to Powerful Impact- Identity, Entrepreneurship, and the Email that Built a 500+ Strong Community | Alhaji Allie Bangura

          Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

          --

          Hey there Risers and Thrivers!

          I’m really excited to introduce you to the first guest of this podcast Alhaji Allie Bangura. Together, we’re going to explore:  

          • The pivotal moments in his life that took him to where he is today
          • His experiences navigating and trying to find a place in society where he rarely saw others like himself and the importance of representation 
          • And how he is using entrepreneurship to create the change he wants to see in society

            • Enjoy the episode and be sure to let me know what you think!

            54 min
          • 2: From a 10 year hiatus from the startup world to becoming a 3x founder | Jaclyn Siu

            Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

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            Hey there Risers and Thrivers!

            I’m really excited to introduce you to Jaclyn Siu, who is a 3x founder, mentor, educator, and angel investor with deep expertise in the culture, creative, and tech industry. With over 12 years of experience as a growth operator and brand marketer across three continents, she has spearheaded disruptive innovative campaigns and brands for the likes of JAY-Z and Rihanna.

            Together, we’re going to explore:  

            • Her return to entrepreneurship after a 10 year hiatus to follow “a more conventional” career path 
            • How she identified her North Star and how she uses it as her guide 
            • And failure… more specifically, how she coped with a sense of failure during her entrepreneurial journey 

              • Enjoy the episode and be sure to let me know what you think!

              49 min
            • 5: Migrant Resilience & Building through Bureaucracy | Ana Álvarez

              Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

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              Hey there Risers & Thrivers, 

              You’re in for a good one! In this episode, you’ll meet the remarkable Ana Álvarez, who is the co-founder and CEO of Migrapreneur and Managing Director of Bureucrazy. Together, we unpacked: 

              • Ana’s integration and parallel entrepreneurial journey in Germany 

              • The fundamental issues of German bureaucracy and the country’s need for migrant labor 

              • The power of community to get back up when you’re down and how we can uplift one another for a better future

                • This is a profoundly vital conversation! Enjoy the episode and be sure to let me know what you think! Your voice matters ;) 

                58 min
              • 6: Critical tips for first-time founders and how he raised millions with a PowerPoint | Richy Ugwu

                Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

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                Hey there Risers & Thrivers, 

                In this episode, you’ll meet founder extraordinar Richy Ugwu, who is the Founder and CEO of unea and 2023 Google Black Founders Fund recipient. He possesses a wealth of knowledge in early stage venture building and, in this episode, he doesn’t shy away from giving the inside scoop to help you avoid easy rookie mistakes. You’ll learn:

                • About Richy’s entrepreneurial journey and how he raised over 2m in pre-seed funding with just a PowerPoint

                • The essential for challenging your business model and thinking from an investor perspective

                • The power of cold outreach and how he secured his largest investor via a LinkedIn Message

                  • Make sure to have your pends and notebooks ready and enjoy this masterclass in early-stage venture building 📝

                  51 min
                • 4: How to Craft a Captivating Pitch | Christoph Sollich (Live Recording at PAKCon2023)

                  Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

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                  Hey there Risers and Thrivers,


                  Using a practical business case, the Pitch Doctor himself, Christoph Sollich, breaks down the essentials for crafting a captivating pitch to draw your target audience in.


                  This episode was recorded live at #PAKCon2023. If you're listening over Spotify, you can also watch the video directly in the app ;)


                  Happy Listening!


                  P.s. The main content starts from min. 3:36.

                  40 min
                • 3: Capitalizing on the "Just Do It" mindset | Jonas Ngoenha

                  Stay in touch & up-to-date via our social: https://linkin.bio/ontheupandup-io

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                  If you’re reading this, this is your sign to get started 😉

                  On this episode, Jonas Ngoenha, co-founder and CEO of Beazy, shares his journey from dropping out of high school at 17 to serendipitously stumbling into entrepreneurship through his passion for photography. Under his leadership, Beazy has worked with outstanding companies such as H&M, created a community of creatives active in 150+ cities in 50+ countries, built an incredible fully-remote team,  and raised multiple successful rounds of funding from great investors!

                  Together, we are going to discuss: 

                  • How he turned his passion into a business in his teens 

                  • The “Just Do It” mindset and why you should just get started

                  • And, useful tips for aspiring and early-stage founders

                    • Enjoy the episode and be sure to let me know what you think!

                    47 min

                  About On The Up & Up

                  From the publisher's feed

                  On the Up & Up is a podcast created to encourage critical conversations in the startup ecosystem, amplify the untold stories and achievements of the underrepresented and underestimated, and…