Unlocking the Power of AI: An Inside Look with One Cliq's Tanika McLeod Join us in this episode of The Okwera Podcast with host Justina Kanza, where we dive into the world of AI and entrepreneurship with Tanika McLeod, co-founder and Head of AI at OneCliq.

We explore the impact, and opportunity, of generative AI on startups, the importance of prompt engineering, and the transformative potential of AI in various sectors.

Tanika shares invaluable insights on building with AI, the future of generative AI, and offers practical advice for founders on how to navigate the fast-evolving tech landscape.

Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode provides actionable tips and profound knowledge on leveraging AI to scale your business effectively and efficiently.

00:00 Welcome to the Okwera Podcast

00:13 The Power of AI for Founders 00:47

Introducing OneCliq with Tanika 03:15 Understanding Generative AI

05:37 Misconceptions and Ethical Considerations

07:59 Evaluating AI for Your Startup 15:26 Building a Gen AI Team

22:09 The Journey to OneCliq

27:56 Customer Discovery and Pivoting

32:45 Effective Customer Research Techniques

33:19 The Importance of Follow-Up Questions

33:39 Learning from Past Experiences

34:37 The Challenge of Pivoting in Startups

35:26 Iterative Product Development

35:51 The Role of Opportunities in Startup Success

36:42 The Necessity of Pivoting

36:59 Building on Past Experiences

37:52 Smart Pivoting Strategies

42:51 The Future of Generative AI

46:10 Building Ventures as Non-Technical Founders

47:54 Ethics in AI Development

49:14 Rapid Fire Questions

53:13 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

57:54 The Importance of Community and Networks

58:55 Conclusion and Social Media Plugs

Mastering Grant Writing: Expert Tips and Insights with Jillisa Brown

In this episode of The Okwera Podcast, host Justina Kanza dives deep into the essentials of grant writing and social finance with guest Jillisa Brown. Jillisa, an experienced grant writer and supporter of the BIPOC entrepreneur community, shares invaluable insights on identifying and applying for grants, creating compelling proposals, and understanding the Canadian funding landscape.

From bootstrapping and storytelling to building strong partnerships and ensuring investment readiness, this episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs at every stage.

Tune in to learn how to elevate your grant applications and secure funding for your ventures.

00:00 Introduction to Bootstrapping and Grants

00:40 Welcome to The Okwera Podcast

00:54 Grant Writing Workshop and Expert Introduction

01:13 Guest Introduction: Jillisa Brown

03:13 Understanding the Grant Landscape

05:36 Defining and Applying for Grants

07:03 Finding and Evaluating Grants

09:45 Grant Writing Tips and Common Pitfalls

29:19 Investment Readiness and Bootstrapping

34:01 Final Advice and Resources

41:58 Conclusion and Audience Engagement

The Okwera Podcast EP2: Navigating Early-Stage Entrepreneurship with Adeyinka Adesesan

In this episode, host Justina Kanza is joined by Adeyinka, also known as Yinka, to discuss building minimum viable products (MVP), problem validation, and navigating resource constraints as an early-stage entrepreneur.

Yinka shares his journey from university ventures to his current role at the Black Innovation Programs at DMZ in Canada.

The conversation delves into understanding customer problems, crafting effective solutions, pricing strategies, and the art of pivoting quickly based on market feedback.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical advice.

Connect with Yinka on LinkedIn

00:00 Introduction to Building Minimal Viable Products (MVPs)

00:23 Welcome to The Okwera Podcast

00:58 Meet Our Guest: Adeyinka's Entrepreneurial Journey

05:35 Understanding the Problem Before Building Solutions

09:30 The Importance of Customer Conversations

16:32 From Problem to Solution: Crafting Your Value Proposition

19:06 Pricing Strategies for Early-Stage Startups

21:55 Vanity Metrics and Early Adopters

22:18 The 10X Rule in Innovation

23:11 Differentiation and Solving Pain Points

24:31 Selling to Early Adopters

26:55 Building a Sales System

28:46 Scaling Your Sales

29:42 Navigating Resource Constraints

36:07 The Importance of Loving the Problem

37:58 The Art of the Pivot

39:43 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, we sit down with Efosa Obano, the founder of the Black Founders Network (BFN) in Canada. Efosa shares his inspiring journey from Nigeria to Canada and his passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. We discussed the importance of community, faith, and diligence in building a successful entrepreneurial venture.

Welcome to the Okwera Podcast (aka TOP)—your one-stop shop for all things related to entrepreneurship, career and skill development, health and wellness, finance, and more!

Initiated by Okwera Academy—a career accelerator focused on helping individuals build their careers through capacity building, capital provision, community, and coaching—this podcast brings you expert insights, inspiring stories, and actionable advice from community leaders and entrepreneurs who have gone on to achieve amazing things. Whether you’re looking to elevate your career, improve your business, or find inspiration, we’ve got something for you!

Hosted by Justina Kanza, Founder and Executive Director of Okwera Academy.

Tune in for on-demand knowledge from those who have made a difference in their fields and are passing their insights, tips, and wisdom down to you—because if you can see it, you can believe it and be it. Join us on the journey to elevate to the top in every area of your life!