PEERS

Welcome to the new and improved PEERS — a podcast by BIPOC founders for BIPOC founders. 

Join me, proud biracial Australian and Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Michelle Akhidenor, for soul-enriching conversations with my peers — fellow BIPOC founders. 

Each week, I dive deep into the personal journey of my award-winning guests and unpack who they really are at their core. I ask questions like: Where did they grow up? How has their culture helped or hindered them along the way? What is it really like to be a Person of Colour in business? All of my (and hopefully, your) burning questions answered. 

With every episode, my mission is to create a supportive space to help you pursue your passion and start your business irrespective of the challenges we face as People of Colour. My interviews are honest, vulnerable and above all, human and I am committed to learning right alongside you in real time. 

New episodes of this 8-part Season drop each and every week! 

Thank you for being here, peers. 

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From waking up every day energized to feeling happy and fulfilled, there are plenty of reasons why pursuing your passion is worth the hustle. But when the grind gets tough, we need a little bit of motivation, and a whole lot of optimism, to keep us going on our entrepreneurial journey. If you’re searching for some encouragement right now — don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

In this special bonus episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we’ve pulled together the ultimate, inspirational highlight reel featuring 33 amazing female founders answering our forever favorite question: What is the value of pursuing what you’re most passionate about?

Featurette:

Alexa Buckley − Co-Founder of Margaux

Sarah Pierson − Co-Founder of Margaux

Brittany Garth-Freeman − Owner of Pinq Inc.

Kaeya Majmundar − Founder and CEO of Swaypay

Meika Hollender − SVP on Marketing of Nara Organics

Gemma Sole − Director of Product Marketing of Incremental

Natasha Takahashi − Co-Founder & COO of School of Bots

Kim Patel − COO of Break the Love

Jessica Wolf − CEO & Co-Founder of Skye

Alexa DePasquale − Director of Strategy of Bullish Inc.

Vanessa Pham − Co-Founder of Omsom

Nina Faulhaber − Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Aday

Maxxie Goldstein − Founder & CEO of MEYVYN

Vanessa Stofenmacher − Founder of Silent Opus

Eva Chan − Co-Founder of Launch Pop

Kim Pham − Co-Founder of Omsom

Nikita Gupta − Co-Founder & CTO of Symba

Andra Vaduva − Founder of Hiboo

Xenia Muntean − Co-Founder & CEO of Planable

Yulkendy Valdez − Product Manager of Visbile Hands

Kim Kaupe − Bright Ideas Only

Sophia Danner-Okotie − Founder of Besida LLC

Liz Klinger − Co-Founder & CEO of Lioness

Rachel Carpenter − Founder & CEO of Intrinio

Rooshy Roy − Founder & CEO of AAVRANI

Sarah Chen − Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Beyond The Billion

Shireen Jaffer − Co-Founder & CEO of Edvo

Adelle Archer − CEO & Co-Founder of Eterneva

Shilpa Yarlagadda − Founder & CEO of Shiffon Co.

Allison Lee − Founder & CEO of Hemster

Jenn Chin − Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer of Toybox Labs

Emma Bates − Co-Founder & CEO of Diem

Carly Mednick − Founder & COO of Monday Talent

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Connect with Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleakhidenor/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say independent thinkers make great leaders. They’re confident in themselves, their problem-solving skills and the new ideas they often bring to the table. This week’s guest was raised to think for herself above all else, so nothing was going to stop her from doing what she thought was best for her — and that just happened to be becoming an entrepreneur.

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we’re joined by Celeste Durve, Co-Founder of VIPER to talk about tackling social media addiction, knowing when it’s time to grow and evolve your business, and the unexpected loneliness that can come with being an entrepreneur. 

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out Viper by KCH: https://www.viperbykch.com/

Follow Viper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viper-by-kch/

Follow Viper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viperbykch/

Connect with Celeste: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-durve-5935a723/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The child of a funeral director and a hospice nurse, this week’s guest had no choice but to grow up surrounded by death. Whilst some may find that frightening, for Mallory Greene it was the catalyst for starting her business — one that aims to normalise grief, and help people build communities to talk about their loss. 

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we’re joined by Mallory Greene, CEO and Co-Founder of Eirene to talk about how she built up her confidence, the importance of therapy and positive self-talk, and why going with the flow is the best way to go. 

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out Eirene: https://eirene.ca/

Follow Eirene on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eirene/

Follow Eirene on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EireneCremations/

Follow Eirene on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eirenecremations/

Follow Eirene on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Eirene

Connect with Mallory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malloryjgreene/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the walk of life, we all inevitably reach a fork in the road. A moment where we have to make a choice and decide which direction we want to take. When this week’s guest reached that fork, she had two options — become a doctor: just like her parents, just like she’d always planned, or pursue the uncertain unknown that is entrepreneurship. Spoiler alert: she picked the latter and still ended up improving people’s lives. 

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we’re joined by Annie Ryu, CEO and Founder of jack and annie’s, to talk about navigating difficult decisions, the first steps to take when started a business and how to find purpose and clarity when you’re faced with the unknown. 

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out jack & annie's: https://www.jackandannies.com/

Follow jack & annie's on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jack-and-annies/

Follow jack & annie's on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackandannies

Follow jack & annie's on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackandannies/

Follow jack & annie's on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackandannies

Connect with Annie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annieryu/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s be real — running a business is tough; but this week’s guest is so passionate about helping people, she runs 3. No big deal. Crediting the drive that comes with being an immigrant and her upbringing in the impoverished Democratic Republic of Congo, Nohémie Mawaka is putting health and tech hand-in-hand to support her people — and she’s only just getting started. 

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we’re joined by serial entrepreneur and Founder of Aluuka, Nohémie Mawaka, to talk about how she cultivates confidence and self-love, tackles burn-out and how your mind is your most powerful muscle. 

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out Aluuka: https://www.aluuka.com/

Check out Lubembo: https://lubembo.co/

Follow Lubembo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubembo.co/

Connect with Nohemie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nohemie-mawaka/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After working as an investment banker and helping other entrepreneurs with their passion projects, this week’s guest figured it was time to throw her hat in the ring too. And even though her first company flatlined, Jada McLean wasn’t about to let a little failure stop her from tackling the biggest crisis of our generation and creating a more sustainable world for all. 

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we’re joined by Jada McLean, CEO and Founder of Ethically to talk about how to make the all-important leap into full-time entrepreneurship, getting back up after you fail, and finding what sets your soul on fire.

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out Ethically: https://joinethically.com/

Follow Ethically on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Join.Ethically/

Follow Ethically on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinethically/

Follow Ethically on Twitter: https://twitter.com/joinethically/

Follow Ethically on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinethically/

Connect with Jada: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jada-mclean-b6548873/

Email Jada at: [email protected]

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigating adolescence is tough, and it can be especially hard for neurodivergent people. This week’s guest can relate — having been diagnosed with autism and ADHD at age 14. What she didn’t know, however, was that overcoming the mental health and social challenges that many autistic youth face would not only lead her to find her people, but also her mission. 

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we’re joined by Vanessa Castañeda Gill, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher to discuss getting comfy with change, overcoming self-sabotage and the dreaded scarcity mindset, and the power of finding your tribe.

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out Social Cipher: https://www.socialciphergame.com/

Follow Social Cipher on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SocialCipherGame

Follow Social Cipher on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialcipher/

Follow Social Cipher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-cipher/

Connect with Vanessa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessacastanedagill/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a facilitator for student-aged entrepreneurs, it’s not surprising that this week’s guest is a fount of practical knowledge about growing in the independent business space. But practical lessons, like finding your people, prioritising relationships, and taking time for yourself can only get you so far. You need to learn how to find “the energy” which pushes you forward, even when it’s not fun, and even when it’s not lucrative.

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Co-Founder of Real Work Scholars Elyse Burden joins the podcast to discuss letting some projects die, finding wellness and balance, and working for yourself rather than proving yourself to others.

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out Real World Scholars: https://www.realworldscholars.org/

Follow Real World Scholars on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realworldscholars

Follow Real World Scholars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realworldscholars/

Follow Real World Scholars on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rwscholars

Follow Real World Scholars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-world-scholars/

Connect with Elyse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elyse-burden/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Lacey Kaelani, a 9-5 work day was never the dream. And even when it was a reality, her parents were in her ear, giving her business ideas and telling her it was time to follow the dream of entrepreneurship that had permeated throughout her entire life. But for Lacey, the hardest choice wasn’t committing to a less traditional career, it was the transition from whiteboard to product, a process she laments is one of the most difficult parts of going out on your own.

In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Web3 pioneer Lacey joins the podcast to discuss taking your internal monologue seriously, the logistics of selling one start-up and securing millions in funding for another, and the difficulties of hiring in the Web3 space.

Discover more:

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C

Check out Metaintro: https://www.metaintro.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/metaintro

Connect with Lacey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceykaelani/

Follow The Peers Project on Instagram: http://bit.ly/3adVmYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.