The Shortest Path

In this episode I sit down with Michael Batko CEO of Startmate, a startup accelerator and community focused on helping early-stage tech companies in Australia and New Zealand grow and succeed. We discus: The meaning of ambition and how it evolves The importance of obsession in business success Dealing with mentor advice and feedback Michael's personal career journey e.g. moving to Australia withou...

This week I sit down with Bankole Akinlade, a multifaceted individual who wears many hats - Pastor, Author, Property Developer. In this episode we discuss: 1. Bankole's Personal Journey - Bankole's journey into property development - Challenges when first moving to the UK - Balancing pastoral work with business pursuits 2. Property Development Insights - UK property market - competing with larger...

This week I sit down with Demmy Ladipo, a British actor known for his roles in "Dreaming Whilst Black," and the Netflix film "The Kitchen”. In this episode we talk about: Demmy’s journey, including his decision to drop out of university to pursue acting, highlights the importance of self-belief and confidence, especially for those who don't follow traditional career or training paths. Overcoming r...

This week I sit down with Mark Agyakwa, founder of sportswear brand Y-Fit Wear and online platform Fit For The Culture. In this episode we talk about: Overcoming rejection and setbacks with self-belief and intuition. Why you should find your dreams rather than just “follow” your dreams Importance of understanding your "why" in sustaining a career. Founding his sportswear brand, Y-Fit How to build...

This week I sit down with Simon Brett, who is a certified life coach for black creatives. In this episode we talk about: Becoming your true self free from societal and family pressures Breaking down the ‘drama triangle’ : victims, persecutors, and rescuers Overcoming fear of judgment  How to move from using your brain to using your heart & gut  Importance of community for self regula...

In this episode we discuss: Challenge of Corporate politics and how to navigate them How to deal with corporate bullying Benefits of networking and finding sponsors & protectors Making the right connections in the right places and the importance of surrounding yourself with motivation and competition How to be in control of your narrative Step by step playbook in building a Fractional C Suite...

Hey people, welcome back to another episode of TSP. As we approach towards the mid point of 2024, for episode 50 I share: What the Hackney Half Marathon taught me about the body and mind The pros and cons of chasing perfection / the perfect you Why we should treat life as a game and focus on the next point rather than the big achievement (Roger Federer) How hard it can be to choose growth over com...

This week I sit down with, Navin Mayani who is CEO & Founder of Plant It. In this episode we discuss: Chasing future self vs. accepting present self Being ambitious without aiming for perfection Importance of humility and active listening in leadership How to promote a sense of unity and collective support How to find inner peace Embracing your uniqueness Balancing spirituality with everyday l...

This week I sit down with, Andy Ayim MBE who is an investor, founder, writer and coach, essentially a man of many talents! In this episode we discuss: How to find your ’Genius’ Why the beginners mindset is key The impact of the environment and social circles on your growth Why we should always be tracking our Ws and Ls The importance of ‘strategic’ networking and community building Challenges...

This week I sit down with, David McQueen who is a leadership coach, international speaker, and facilitator, known for his expertise in leadership development and culture change. In this episode we discuss: The nature of transactional vs. relational friendships. Pursuing authenticity in friendships and leadership Why we need to be more straightforward and direct with our friends  Why a goal wi...

This week I speak with British Athlete, World Championship medallist and Model Annie Tagoe In this episode we discuss: Ups and downs of a professional sports career Bouncing back from injury Dealing with the pressure of competition and expectation Winning a medal against all odds  Why travel is a cheat code  Overcoming personal struggles such as body image, eating disorders and depressio...

This week I speak with Masibu Manima who is the founder of Translate Culture.  In this episode we discuss: The balance between personal ambition and the desire to serve others. 'Data informed' vs ‘'gut feeling' decision-making Data projects at Mixtape Madness and lessons learned. Reflections on taking risks and dealing with family and friends' expectations. Why you shouldn’t "charge your wort...

This week I sat down with my good friend Ade Akins who is a Digital Product Manager and content creator   In this episode we discuss: Why it pays off to take a risk rather than wonder “what if?” Challenges of being yourself in the workplace Why you need to embrace failure to succeed How content creation can be a gateway to finding fulfilment  How your mental health can impact your creati...

I sat down with legendary producer and songwriter DaVinChe, best known for his work in the grime and urban music scenes. He’s been influential in the UK's music genre, producing hits and working with prominent artists such as Kano, Giggs, Ghetts, Cleo Sol, Jess Glynne and many others.  In this episode we discuss: his music career evolution and diversification how to create a timeless body of...

This week, I sit down with his week I sit down with Sankriti Nigam, financial wellness coach, Tax Director and Investor with over 15 years of experience in Tax and Finance. She aims to empower women by educating them on personal finance, corporate culture, productivity, and building wealth. In this episode we discuss: - Impacts of maternity and paternity leave on career progression and the importa...

This week, join me as I sit down with his week I sit down with Faris Aranki, CEO and Founder of Shiageto Consulting. In this episode we discuss: importance of market testing and listening to feedback to refine business ideas. leveraging old and unexpected connections for business opportunities,  the importance of emotional intelligence in professional and personal interactions dealing with cu...

This week, join me as I sit down with qualified Financial Adviser and award winning content creator Timi Merriman-Johnson also known as Mr Money Jar on social media. In this episode we discuss: Timi’s background in entrepreneurship and law, and overcoming financial struggles. The importance of owning an area of knowledge and building a personal brand Sticking to predefined ‘pillars’ for reputation...

This week, join me as I sit down with the Lemal Pierre Nelson, Founder of Spectrum Entertainment. He shares his journey from his early days at Arsenal to becoming a regional CTO at a major global law firm, all without a traditional degree. Now, he's making moves with his own venture in the music entertainment world.  In this episode we discuss: Transitioning into tech and the value of seizing...

This week, join me as I sit down with the Sebby Williams, Founder of British premium spiced rum brand Las Olas. In this episode we discuss: - Decision to leave an unfulfilling job after a near death experience - Starting a business in the competitive alcohol industry, - Navigating complex licensing processes, - Pitching and strategy for landing investment, - Being the only person wo...

This week, join me as I sit down with the remarkably talented Abraham Adeyemi, an award-winning writer & director and the visionary founder of Creative Blueballs. Our conversation dives deep into the heart of creativity and perseverance, exploring Abraham's personal narrative of overcoming doubt, dropping out of university, and embarking on a fresh journey that led him to the forefront of the...

This week I sit down with Faris Aranki, CEO and Founder of Shiageto Consulting. Due to the dot com burst of 00s Faris put on hold his corporate ambitions and started his career as a teacher in Latin America. It was only after being placed in one of the worst schools in London did he reevaluate his decision and decided to take a grad job even though he was 5 years post graduation. In this convo we...

This week, I sit down with Fabio Dessena, also known as FDfromthefuture, to discuss his journey from aspiring musician and model to carving his own space as the 'Voice of the Streets' for Gen Z streetwear and culture. We chat about the challenges he's faced, including personal losses and being fired from his job, and how these inspired him to forge his own path. Along the way, we uncover what trul...

This week, I sit down with Sope Agbelusi, Executive Coach and Founder of Mindset Shift. We discuss leadership, and Sope shares his personal journey. He delves into the pivotal decision he faced and explains how and why he chose between a path of personal development, which involved pursuing his entrepreneurial and coaching passions, versus accepting a secure, high-ranking corporate position. Sope...

Yoo, so its been a while! Happy New Year :) I'm back with a new episode (short one today) where I'm discussing my personal words for the year and I reflect on what principles / themes / standards we have learned from our 2023 guests and how we can apply these learnings in 2024. Let's set our intentions and make 2024 at least 1% better than last year. My words for the year - Discipline, Systems &am...

In this "Shortcut", we explore the challenging yet rewarding journey of transitioning from a stable career to entrepreneurship. Jamelia Donaldson, shares her personal experience of leaving a successful job in banking to pursue her dreams in running Treasure Tress full time. We delve into the complexities of making such a life-changing decision, including dealing with family expectations, overcomin...