Best Michelle Akhidenor Podcasts (2024)

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BONUS: The Peers Project gains investment to launch into U.S. market: A behind-the-scenes chat with Co-founder of S&P Ventures and The Peers Project Investor, Sam Mahmood 46:04

5M ago46:04

46:04

For most kids, punishment comes in the form of time-outs, groundings, and extra chores. But for this week’s special guest, acting out meant being forced to read profit and loss statements. A childhood deeply intertwined with the unwavering entrepreneurial endeavors of his father left Sam Mahmood with a simple ethos — success is not just measured in…

1
#255. From Starting a Business as a College Student to Being Featured in Vogue with BIPOC Co-Founder of Now&Me & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Bani Singh 38:58

8M ago38:58

38:58

When it comes to picking a career, our choice can often be traced back to the influence of family. It was the gentle encouragement of her parents to pursue what fulfilled her internally that helped this week’s guest find her calling. It’s that calling — to give back and make a difference — that has Bani Singh on a mission to revolutionize the way w…

1
#254. From Intern to Leading a Company in Less than a Year with BIPOC Co-Founder of The Elephant Room & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Shannie Mears 38:58

8M ago38:58

38:58

They say you need a special kind of fire inside to make it as a founder. But what keeps that flame burning? For this week’s guest, the fuel to her fire is good old-fashioned self-empowerment. With an unwavering commitment to giving her all, Shannie Mears attributes her success to staying true to herself and fully embracing her growth and evolution …

1
#253. Carving Your Own Path and Becoming an Accidental Founder with BIPOC Founder of Redefy & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Rachael De Foe 38:58

8M ago38:58

38:58

What do you do when you can’t find your dream job anywhere? The answer is: you make it. Our guest this week accomplished exactly that, and it’s why she refers to herself as an accidental founder. Creating success on her own terms, Rachael De Foe isn’t afraid to write her own story — and says you shouldn’t be either. In this episode of PEERS, we’re …

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#252. Raising $2 Million in Funding and Transforming the Beauty Industry with BIPOC Co-Founder of Hue & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Janvi Shah 34:17

9M ago34:17

34:17

When it comes to challenges, most people would rather avoid them. But for a savvy few, such as this week’s guest, a challenge is a problem to be solved, and even an opportunity to transform something for the better. Underrepresentation in the beauty industry is a challenge Janvi Shah is taking head-on, and she’s not stopping until every face has it…

1
#251. From Starting a Company Solo to Being Named One to Watch by The Creative Industries Council with BIPOC Founder of Curaty & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Sneha Shah 36:35

9M ago36:35

36:35

Going it alone as an entrepreneur can be a scary thought. With nobody standing right beside you and the weight of decisions resting solely on your shoulders, it can be a pretty daunting path to go down. But if you believe you can do it, you will — that’s the advice from this week’s guest. And it rings true, Sneha Shah may have started solo, but now…

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#250. From Undocumented Immigrant to Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister with BIPOC Founder of Aliento, Reyna Montoya 38:22

9M ago38:22

38:22

Being different can often feel like a burden, an isolating force that sets us apart from the crowd. This week’s guest knows this burden all too well, having grown up in the US unable to speak English and lacking an immigration status. Being different once created big barriers in Reyna Montoya’s life; but today, her BIPOC and immigrant identity is h…

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#249. From 100 Rejections to International Recognition with BIPOC Co-Founder of Quantum Dice & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Wenmiao Yu 39:51

9M ago39:51

39:51

If there’s one setback every entrepreneur faces at some point, it’s rejection. While it can be disheartening, a “no” can serve as a valuable lesson and a chance for something even better. Our guest this week experienced this firsthand, as they heard the word “no” almost 100 times before finally getting a long-awaited “yes” — a “yes” that catapulted…

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#248. The Power of Instinct and Embracing the Unpredictable with BIPOC Co-Founder of Spacebasic & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister, Madhavi Shankar 38:34

9M ago38:34

38:34

Recognise, realise, and move on. That’s how this week’s guest tackles the bad stuff that comes with running a business. And whilst many of us would rather avoid the bad, Madhavi Shankar would much rather run headfirst into it; because to her, risks and mistakes are what make things happen. In this episode of PEERS, we’re joined by Madhavi Shankar, …

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PEERS Trailer 6:23

10M ago6:23

6:23

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 a…

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#247. 33 Female Founders on the Value of Pursuing Your Passion 39:10

1+ y ago39:10

39:10

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 wo…

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#246. The Co-Founder of VIPER on Believing in your Intuition 35:25

1+ y ago35:25

35:25

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 en…

1
#245. The Co-Founder and CEO of Eirene on Going with the Flow 37:30

1+ y ago37:30

37:30

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 Peers2Peer…

1
#244. The CEO and Founder of jack and annie’s on Accepting the Unknown 29:47

1+ y ago29:47

29:47

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…

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#243. The Founder of Aluuka on The Power of Self-Love 29:06

1+ y ago29:06

29:06

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 j…

1
#242. The Founder and CEO of Ethically on Refinding your Identity after Failure 31:57

1+ y ago31:57

31:57

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 susta…

1
#241. The Co-Founder and CEO of Social Cipher on the Importance of Investing in Yourself 35:30

1+ y ago35:30

35:30

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 h…

1
#240. The Co-Founder of Real World Scholars on Escaping the Dark Place 36:02

1+ y ago36:02

36:02

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” w…

1
#239. Lifelong Entrepreneur and Founder of Metaintro on Innovating in Web3 35:46

1+ y ago35:46

35:46

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 …

1
#238. The Co-Founder of Overwatch Data on How Gratitude Helps Creativity 28:13

1+ y ago28:13

28:13

Zara Perumal has always been grateful: of her supportive parents who embraced her love of computer science, to her career opportunities earned at places like Google. But most of all, she was grateful that she got to the position to fully follow and realise her dreams by founding Overwatch Data. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Za…

1
#237. The Co-Founder of Chiyo on Uniting the Past and Present 30:32

1+ y ago30:32

30:32

It’s unlikely “entrepreneur” was your first job. It probably took you a while to get there: keeping yourself afloat while you honed your passions and direction. But time spent learning isn’t time wasted. When it came time to start her own venture, this week’s guest found she’d already learned the skills she needed along the way. In this episode of …

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#236. The Co-Founder of Icarus Media on Starting a Business on a Shoestring Budget 33:22

1+ y ago33:22

33:22

How can you help the world around you, Peers? It’s a question we ask ourselves often, but the answer can usually be found right in our backyard. In today’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear from Lach Baniya, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Icarus Media. While she founded her media company in 2013, she had to overcome many …

1
#235. The Co-Founder of BindiMaps on Giving Back Before Moving On 34:06

1+ y ago34:06

34:06

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the luxury and glamour of social media. While everyone may be living their best lives, it’s often not the full picture and honestly, it’s not what’s really important. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we sit down with Mladen Jovanovic, the Co-Founder of BindiMaps, an Australia…

1
#234. The Head of Amrutam on Embracing the Path You’re Presented With 26:30

1+ y ago26:30

26:30

When has life dealt you a rogue hand, peers? While at the time it can feel unfair or pull you away from your current path, sometimes that seemingly random hand can lead you to great things. Today’s guest Stuti Gupta discovered this when her father became ill and struggled to continue with his flailing ayurvedic healthcare company. Stuti returned to…

1
#233. The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: 2022 Recap with The Peers Project Founder & Business Strategist 35:43

1+ y ago35:43

35:43

What a year, peers. As 2022 comes to a close and OOO email signatures are beginning to be written, we thought it’d be the perfect time for a recap. In this very special episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, TPP Founder Michelle Akhidenor gets on the other side of the mic. Interviewed by TPP’s Business Strategist Kim Kerton, the duo shares the…

1
#232. The Co-Founder of Ethical Apparel Africa on the Impacts of Gender Inequality 32:53

1+ y ago32:53

32:53

When did you notice that the world isn’t what you thought, peers? For today’s guest, she grew up surrounded by strong and independent women. It wasn’t until she was 12 years-old when she realised the impact that gender inequalities have on society. But, as a result of her upbringing, Paloma Schackert now dedicates herself to creating jobs for women…

1
#231. The Founder of Rhymes with Reason on Adopting the Pro Athlete Mindset 26:16

1+ y ago26:16

26:16

What helps you get through the hard times, peers? For today’s guest, it’s remembering that his purpose is bigger than himself. By focusing on his community and ultimately, his target demographic, Austin Martin is able to get over the roadblocks and continue his mission of helping disadvantaged kids. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopif…

1
#230. The Co-Founder of Neolth on Finding Your Path After Feeling Lost 31:53

1+ y ago31:53

31:53

Are you feeling a bit lost at the moment, peers? Maybe you don’t know where you’re meant to go next or what this moment right here is even leading to. This feeling can ring especially true as an entrepreneur. In today’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear the journey of Dr. Katherine Grill, the CEO and co-founder of Neolth, a techno…

1
#229. The CEO & Co-Founder of Jellatech on Nurturing Your Network 29:10

1+ y ago29:10

29:10

For many of us, we’re taught to move through the world “safely”. Get good grades in order to get a “good” job. Work hard as an employee in order to gain respect and value. But what if this traditional way of work and life is outdated? What if it isn’t “safe” at all? In today’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear from Stephanie Miche…

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#228. The Co-Founder of Brú Finance on Embracing Change 27:52

1+ y ago27:52

27:52

How many times have you felt like you’ve failed, peers? Did you know that 20% of startups fail within their first year? This jumps to 60% if you account for the first three years. This isn’t meant to be disheartening, rather, it’s a cold, hard fact that we as entrepreneurs need to be aware of. One person who didn’t let this statistic bring them dow…

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#227. The Founder of Hubble on Why our Results are in our Everyday Choices 31:29

1+ y ago31:29

31:29

What was the way of life you witnessed when growing up, peers? For today’s guest, Peter Kristianto Widjaja, his parents were self-employed. It was through seeing the freedom and flexibility they had that made Peter want to take his own leap into the world of business and entrepreneurship. In this week’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, w…

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#226. The Co-Founder of Agua Bonita on Why There’s Never Going to Be a “Perfect” Time 21:21

1+ y ago21:21

21:21

When do you know that it’s time to step out on your own, peers? For today’s guest, Kayla Castañeda, it was losing her job mid-pandemic that made her think, “When life gives you lemons, make aguas frescas.” Now, Kayla is the CEO and Co-Founder of Agua Bonita, a drinks company that sells a take on a delicious Mexican drink. In this episode of Peers2P…

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#225. The Co-Founder of HomeRoom on When to Take Your Side Hustle Full-Time 23:40

1+ y ago23:40

23:40

Sometimes in entrepreneurship it can be hard to know when it is the best time to take your side hustle full-time. Sometimes you can tell and other times, it may be decided for you. That was the case for today’s guest Michael Tich, the Co-Founder of HomeRoom. In today’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Michael shares his journey of workin…

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#224. The Co-Founder of Pinkcollar Employment Agency on Chasing Our Value 29:18

1+ y ago29:18

29:18

While many of us struggled throughout the COVID pandemic, some industries were almost completely decimated. Today’s guest is part of one of them. Sophia Aliza Jamal is the Co-Founder and COO of Pinkcollar Employment Agency, a Malaysian professional migrant worker recruitment agency with ethical sourcing and hiring practices for employers and worker…

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#223. The Co-Founder of Footsteps Bangladesh on Solving Huge World Problems 32:44

1+ y ago32:44

32:44

When have you turned a failure into a lesson, peers? For today’s guest it was when he thought he was doing the “right” thing that a major breakthrough arrived. A breakthrough that would change the course of his life and business. In this fascinating episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, the Co-Founder of Footsteps Bang…

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#222. The Founder of Window Dreams Productions on Getting Clear on Your Impact 34:53

2y ago34:53

34:53

Were you bullied in school, peers? Are you being bullied as an adult? There’s no denying that bullying can have a profound impact on who we are and how we move through the world. This was certainly the case for today’s guest, model-turned-filmmaker, Shreya Patel. As the only person of colour in her school in Canada, Shreya felt the cruelty of peopl…

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#221. The Founder of Hand-n-Hand Support on the Toxic Taboos of the Medical Industry 37:43

2y ago37:43

37:43

As a child, today’s guest Tahnee Bridson suffered from worry and anxiety. But it wasn’t until Tahnee was a medical student that she really began to take note of her mental and physical health. After pushing it too far, Tahnee ended up going from a student working in a hospital to a patient, under the care of her colleagues and friends. This was jus…

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#220. One of Australia’s Most Eminent Immigration Lawyers on Finding Balance 30:33

2y ago30:33

30:33

Too often as entrepreneurs, we can attribute our success to luck. But as this episode’s guest reminds us, the road to building something that is ours is a road paved with hard work. The hard work of finishing your university degree. The hard work of accruing the skills you’ll need in your professional journey. Maybe the hard work of climbing the co…

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#219. The Co-Founder of Augmentus on the Road to Independence 33:27

2y ago33:27

33:27

In a classic game of word association, perhaps some of the terms you most readily relate to being an entrepreneur are “adventure”, “risk” and “reward”. But some terms you maybe don’t consider are “validation” and “quantifiable research”. While taking the plunge is an essential step in going out on your own, doing the work is just as essential. Know…

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#218. LONDON TOUR RECAP: Our Peers2Peers Host With a BTS Look at the London Tour 22:34

2y ago22:34

22:34

Planning a podcast takes work, peers. Planning a podcast across continents and timezones, you guessed it, even more. But sometimes when you’re celebrating a five-year anniversary, you gotta. In a very special edition of the Peers2Peers podcast, The Peers Project CEO and Founder Michelle Akhidenor takes us through what has to happen for an enterpris…

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#217. LONDON TOUR: Co-Founder of Caulibox on Sustainable Growth 35:40

2y ago35:40

35:40

Have you ever felt burnt out, peers? It’s an easy trap to fall into. Giving too much of yourself, or blaming yourself for failures completely beyond your control. When you’re ambitious, like this week’s guest Josephine Liang, it’s hard to find time to unwind. Which is just one of the reasons it’s so crucial to… go to parties! Not just to unwind, ac…

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#216. LONDON TOUR: Female Startup Club Founder Doone Roisin on Distilling Success for Women-in-Progress 42:15

2y ago42:15

42:15

The third guest on the London Podcast Tour had especially humble beginnings. Growing up in regional Queensland, Doone Roisin learned to hustle, and drew inspiration from her single mum who strived to not just survive, but live the best life she could. This is what drew Doone to entrepreneurship: the chance to wake up every morning and feel good abo…

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#215. LONDON TOUR: The Co-founder of Omolola Jewellery on Decolonialising Jewellery 33:04

2y ago33:04

33:04

For many peers, appreciating that you are enough is one of the most difficult personal goals to achieve. Even if you’re a first generation immigrant who attains a PhD in law, and then goes onto successfully build a brand which unifies a shared history amongst a diverse diaspora through culturally significant jewellery. Even then, you have to be con…

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#214. LONDON TOUR: The Founder of “F*ck Being Humble” on Being Unapologetically Proud 48:02

2y ago48:02

48:02

F*ck Being Humble isn’t just a book, it’s a global movement which is peeling away hundreds of years of repression, modesty and societal norms: the idea that certain people, specifically certain types of people, are better seen than heard. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Stefanie Sword-Williams shares the journey of starting a pr…

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#213. The Co-Founder Of AFC Collection On Adapting Your Business 32:26

2y ago32:26

32:26

Often when thinking about buying a home, we’re so concerned with purchasing the walls and the roof that filling it with furniture is a second-thought. But what if you could create that “home” feeling as soon as you sign the papers? This feeling is what spurred today’s guest, Audrey Joris into Co-Founding AFC Collection, a modern furniture leasing c…

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#212. The Co-Founder Of Fore Transit On Being Intentional In Who You Build With 38:00

2y ago38:00

38:00

Sometimes, being a dual citizen can feel like straddling two worlds. You’re always two halves, identifying with both, and perhaps never fully feeling like you’re “home”. However, being a dual citizen, or simply a citizen of the world, can give you opportunities and values that you’d never have otherwise. Today’s guest, Radin Rahimzadeh is an Irania…

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#211. Dita Aisyah: The Founder Of Binar Academy On The Disadvantages Of Toxic Productivity 39:10

2y ago39:10

39:10

We all know that your experiences as a child shape the course of your adult life. But what if your childhood was made up by ranking systems, competition, and lack of recognition? This was the case for today’s guest, Dita Aisyah. Now, Dita is the Co-Founder of learning app, Binar Academy. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Dita shar…

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#210. Talia Datt: The Founder & Director Of The Social CliQ On Going All In 32:59

2y ago32:59

32:59

‘Taking the plunge’, it’s a phrase you hear often but how many examples do we have of people actually doing it? Today’s guest, Talia Datt, did just that when at 22 years old she founded The Social CliQ, a marketing agency specialising in social media. Now, Talia has two businesses, creating her second business, The Content CliQ during the pandemic.…

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#209. Amrutha Vasan: The Co-Founder Of Inspirit On Becoming Okay With Failure 36:02

2y ago36:02

36:02

Have you ever been at the forefront of something, peers? Today’s guest, Amrutha Vasan, was a pioneer of using virtual reality in education settings during her studies at Stanford University. Now, she’s the Co-Founder of Inspirit, a VR company providing K-12 science coursework for students. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Amrutha…

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#208. Liam Hardey: The Co-Founder and CEO Of Cellfion On The Power In Pausing 31:13

2y ago31:13

31:13

What did your childhood give you, peers? For today’s guest, Liam Hardey, his unique childhood spent in elite football gave him skills in discipline, grit, and consistency. Now, Liam is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cellfion, a Swedish start-up company that’s working to transition Earth to clean energy. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify…

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