The Star Network Podcast

Building the Bloomberg of Africa with Preston Ideh, Co-Founder & CEO, Stears (@stears_data) and Host of The Star Network Podcast, Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode we discuss 

📌 Raising capital and the non-negotiable for building a successful startup

📌 Building a successful company with your Friends as Co-founders 

📌 The future of financial intelligence, elections and data in Africa

📌 Evolving from a content platform into a leading financial data and insights business

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Preston Ideh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Stears, a leading African financial data and insights company helping global investors and businesses make faster, more informed decisions about Africa.

Often described as the “Bloomberg of Africa,” Stears provides reliable company, industry, transaction, and macroeconomic data, alongside expert analysis and constantly updated reports on African markets.

Before founding Stears, Preston worked as a structured finance lawyer at Linklaters, a leading Magic Circle law firm, before joining BP’s Mergers & Acquisitions team, where he worked on high-value global transactions.

An alumnus of the London School of Economics, Preston returned to Nigeria with a vision to transform access to financial data across the continent - building Stears into an important source of intelligence for investors navigating African markets.

Full episode available on YouTube 

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Follow our guest: @stears_data

Venture Capital to Building Refaini with Dolapo Morgan, Founder & Creative Director, Rèfainì (@refaini_) & Investment Principal, Ventures Platform and Host of The Star Network Podcast- Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode we discuss:

•  Building a globally recognized African luxury brand
•  Insights into the African startup ecosystem and emerging investment trends.
• Resilience, productivity and scaling with intention
•   Balancing entrepreneurship and a 9–5 

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Dolapo Morgan is the Founder and creative director of Rèfainì, a contemporary jewelry house transforming Nigerian cultural craft into collectible art. Under Dolapo’s creative direction, Rèfainì has emerged as one of the new voices shaping Africa’s luxury narrative. 

The brand has been worn by cultural icons including Asa and Tems and has been featured in Vogue and GQ.

Alongside her creative practice, Dolapo is an Investment Principal at Ventures Platform, where she has backed more than 20 startups across Africa. Previously, she spent over five years in global consulting with Bain & Company and Accenture.

Recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe – Finance list (2025), Dolapo operates at the intersection of creativity and strategy. She holds a First-Class degree from University College London and an Executive Certification in African Venture Finance from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

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Audio also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Building a Digital Global Presence & Public Sector Impact with Dr. Adanna Steinacker  (@dr_adanna) and Host of The Star Network Podcast- Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode we discuss:

📌 Pivoting from medical practice to the Office of the President of Nigeria advocating for Women’s Health
📌 Women's health advocacy through education and public service
📌 Using digital storytelling and content creation to drive education and social impact.
📌 Positioning for global opportunities, career growth and building legacy impact through leadership and service

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Dr. Adanna Steinacker is the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Women’s Health, a medical doctor and women’s health advocate ; where she drives national strategies to improve healthcare access, equity, and outcomes for women and girls across Nigeria.

A graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, she has built a career spanning clinical medicine, public health, health policy, and entrepreneurship. She has also participated in prestigious global fellowships and leadership programmes focused on healthcare innovation, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development.

Beyond medicine, she is the founder of House of Adanna (@houseofadanna), using digital storytelling to educate and inspire millions on health, family, and social impact. A recognised global voice, she has represented women’s health on platforms including the World Economic Forum and the United Nations General Assembly, championing maternal health, reproductive rights, and closing the gender health gap.

Full video available on Youtube

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Follow our guest: @dr_adanna

For partnerships, email us: [email protected] 

Building GoLemon: Reinventing Grocery Delivery in Nigeria with Yinka Adewuyi, Co-Founder & CEO, GoLemon (@golemonhq) and Host of The Star Network Podcast- Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode we discuss 

📌 Understanding Nigerian consumer behaviour; price vs convenience

📌 Designing GoLemon beyond delivery as infrastructure for distribution

📌 How GoLemon manages sourcing and delivery as demand grows

📌 What makes grocery demand more predictable than food delivery

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Yinka Adewuyi is a business leader, an operator, and an entrepreneur, currently the CEO and Co-Founder of GoLemon - a fast growing online supermarket. Previously, he spent seven years at Paystack, where he started out as a Customer Support Expert, and eventually grew to lead Products and Partnerships.

GoLemon is a tech-enabled grocery and home essentials e-commerce company operating in Lagos. Launched in March 2024, we serve as a one stop shop for Nigerians to buy groceries (fresh produce and packaged household items) online, and have them delivered to their homes and businesses.

Full video available on Youtube

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Follow our guest: @golemonhq

Scaling an E-Commerce Business with Tobi Akinkunmi, Co-Founder & CEO, Lickquor (@lickquor.ng) and Host of The Star Network Podcast- Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode we discuss building an e-commerce business and how to stand out through 3 main metrics - convenience, reliability and authenticity

Key areas we cover:

📌 Building an E-Commerce Business (solving for convenience & reliability)

📌 Why quality of service matters in a competitive landscape 

📌 Passion over expectations 

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Tobi Akinkunmi is a marketing and communications executive with nearly a decade of experience building culturally relevant brands across Africa and the diaspora. He has led and contributed to campaigns for global brands including Moët Hennessy, Bacardi, BBC, and Guaranty Trust Bank.

He previously served as Marketing Lead, Nigeria at NBA Africa, where he shaped the league’s local brand strategy and strengthened its cultural footprint among young audiences. He also held marketing roles at Universal Music Group, executing campaigns for leading artists across digital and partnership platforms.

In 2022, Tobi co-founded @lickquor.ng, a technology-enabled alcohol distribution company modernising how consumers discover and purchase wines and spirits. As CEO, he is building a scalable, tech-forward platform that combines logistics, digital convenience, and premium service.

Video available on Youtube 

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For partnerships, email us: [email protected] 

Follow our guest: @lickquor.ng

A Day in A Life with Polly Alakija - Creative Director, Muralist, and Artist, Polly Alakija Studios and Host of The Star Network Podcast - Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode, I spent the day with Polly Alakija, learning about her work and drive using art for advocacy and social impact through some of Lagos’ most iconic public art. Between storytelling and a session live drawing, she shares how she’s using creativity to spark change, from classrooms to city councils. 🌍

Key areas we cover:

 📌 Using art as a tool for advocacy, education & social impact
📌 Championing women & children through arts-driven learning
📌 Building structure around your purpose and turning passion into long-term impact
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Polly Alakija is a renowned artist, muralist, cultural leader, and social development advocate with over 35 years of experience in arts, education, and philanthropy. Polly is British-Nigerian. She has exhibited internationally and played a pivotal role in fostering cross-cultural collaborations between Africa, the UK, and beyond.
Her reinvention of the Falomo under-bridge, “Oluwarantimi”, commissioned by Lagos State as a part of the Lagos@50 (@lagos_50) celebrations was a defining project for Polly, since then Polly is often referred to as “the woman who paints bridges”.
Polly is the Co-Founder of the Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative (@fivecowries). Five Cowries has reached over 250,000 children. Using arts for advocacy has led Polly to working at State and Federal level and with global city leaders to shape policies that put communities first.

Full episode available on YouTube

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For partnerships, email us: [email protected] 

Follow our guest: @pollyalakija @thestudio_parkview

The World of Odio Mimonet with Odio Oseni (aka Mrs.O), Founder and Creative Director Odio Mimonet and Host of The Star Network Podcast - Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode we discuss building a legacy Fashion Business and preservation of African Fashion 

Key areas we cover:

 📌Sustaining a 30-year legacy brand through creativity & purpose

 📌Preserving African heritage and culture through design authenticity

📌The power of archiving — protecting creative ownership & legacy

📌 Redefining power dressing through the modern agbada for women

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Odio Oseni is the creative director and visionary behind Odio Mimonet, a fashion label celebrated for its timeless elegance, bold artistry, and ability to empower women through style. 

A graduate of Yaba College of Technology and the London College of Fashion, she is renowned for her inventive use of Ankara and for pioneering the modern female agbada, a design that redefined power dressing in Nigeria. Her innovative approach has earned her multiple accolades, including the AMFW Innovative Designer of the Year Award (2012), and cemented her place as one of the leading voices in contemporary African fashion. 

Through her work, Odio continues to champion African heritage, celebrate femininity, and inspire women to express confidence and individuality.

Watch the Full episode on YouTube 

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For partnerships, email us: [email protected] 

Follow our guest: @odiomimonet

Building Africa’s Talent Ecosystem with Asa Asika, Co-Founder & Principal Partner, Plug Entertainment (@theplugglobalagency) and Host of The Star Network Podcast- Zephia Ovia-Ikem

Key areas we cover:

• The evolution of talent management in Nigeria and across Africa
• Davido’s 5ive album: global sound, personal growth, African narrative
• Protecting African artists in global record and brand deals
• Friendships & Business 
• Why structure, strategy, & strong teams drive creative success.

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Asa Asika  is a Co-Founder & Principal Partner of Plug Entertainment Lagos, Nigeria. He has been involved in various facets of the Entertainment Industry since childhood and spent a decade working in PR and marketing for Storm Records which produced various top talents.

In 2013, Asa established Stargaze, a management company whose focus was on the youth and upcoming artists. Stargaze handled many top accounts where he focused on creating beneficial relationships. Asa also manages Afrobeat forerunner Davido (@davido) and has played a critical role in his success story. 

With this deep vision and passion for all things entertainment in Africa, Plug Entertainment was founded in 2016 alongside Abiodun “Bizzle” Osikoya (@bizzleosikoya). Asa oversees Plug’s strategic relationships in hopes to foster and garner an impactful relationship between music in Africa and the rest of the world. 

Since inception Plug has now added sports to its portfolio. Plug also provides services like talent management, music distribution, label services and co-produces one of the biggest events in Nigeria called The Mainland block party.

Listen to the full episode now. Full video also available on Youtube

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For partnerships, email us: [email protected] 

Follow our guest: @theplugglobalagency @asaasika

Positioning for Global Opportunities & Redefining Real Estate with Wunmi Williams, Founder & CEO, Wunmi Williams Global (w.wglobal) and Host of The Star Network Podcast- Zephia Ovia-Ikem

In this episode we discuss Wunmi's personal journey of Entrepreneurship - from selling accessories from her home, to diving into Real Estate and expanding business opportunities to the UAE. This is a personal story of grit despite loss and the power of being resilient

Key learnings:

• The Nakenohs Boulevard story as a platform for Nigerian retail brands
• Steps to expand globally and build trusted international partnerships
• What African entrepreneurs should know about UAE investments

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Wunmi builds businesses, platforms, and opportunities that help others thrive. With over 20 years in retail and real estate, she’s helped shape Nigeria’s commercial landscape and empowered local brands to thrive both locally and globally.

With a Retail Management degree from the University of Surrey and early training at Nordstrom, Wunmi returned to Nigeria with a clear mission: to transform retail. That vision became Nakenohs Boulevard, a boutique mall in Lagos now home to over 26 brands. Through her company WW Global, she’s since expanded to the UK, US, and UAE — launching pop-ups, acquiring prime real estate, and setting new industry standards.

Listen to the episode now. Full video also available on YouTube

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Follow us @thestarnetworkpod

For partnerships, email us: [email protected] 

Follow our guest: @wunmiwilliamsceo @w.wglobal

Date recorded: 4/6/26

Building & Scaling A Luxury Fashion Group featuring Yinka Ash, Founder & CEO Ashcorp Group  and Host of the Star Network Podcast: ZephiaOvia-Ikem (Zeph)

In this episode we discuss starting a Luxury Fashion Business, embracing a leadership mindset and the importance of incorporating our culture into Fashion as a way of story telling

Key learnings :
📌 The journey building Ashcorp group ( AshLux and AshLuxury)
📌 Fashion expressed through art and owning our narrative
📌Finding purpose in your talents
📌 Staying relevant in Business

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Yinka Ash is the Founder and CEO of Ashcorp Group, he’s re-defining luxury for a new generation and is one of the most influential voices in fashion and culture today. In 2017, he launched @Ashluxury, a concept store that revolutionized high-end retail in Nigeria, creating access to global luxury brands for African consumers. By 2019, he introduced @Ashluxe—a bold streetwear brand rooted in Afrobeats, Nigerian street culture, and global fashion. Today, Ashluxe is worn by creatives, tastemakers, and celebrities across major fashion capitals.

Yinka’s vision has built a multi-million-dollar empire that bridges global luxury with African markets, earning him a place on the prestigious BoF 500 list. Through his mentorship platform YAART (@yaart_program), he’s now investing in the next generation of African leaders and creators.

Listen to the episode now. Full video also available on YouTube

If you find our episodes impactful, don't forget to give us a rating, subscribe & share. 

Follow us @thestarnetworkpod

For partnerships, email us: [email protected] 

Follow our guest: @theashcorpgroup @ashluxe @ashluxury