Embracing Fear and Following Your Dreams with Bisila Bokoko
Send us a textBisila Bokoko is an international business woman who got her start in the corporate world in Spain and then eventually in the USA. Today she shares her journey from corporate executive to international entrepreneur, wine brand founder, and creator of the Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project. Born to African parents from Equatorial Guinea in Spain, she jokingly calls herself a Decaf African and had a tough time navigating her African identity within a European culture. She now sees herself as a a bridge between the two cultures. Over the years she has also learned to understand and embrace her own fears, and learned how to transform obstacles into opportunities.  Today, we get into the scope of her work as an entrepreneur, author and philanthropist. We discuss her latest book: The Fear and I: An Unexpected Story, how she founder her wine brand Bisila's Wines and her philanthropy work with the Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project. For the candid moments of our chat, she talks about mindset and how she rejects the phrases "I don't have time" and "I don't have money" to advance her aims. She also recommends surrounding yourself with cheerleaders, mentors, and accountability partners.Find Bisila Bokoko on Instagram, LinkedIn, or through her website. Support the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
-------- Â
46:56
--------
46:56
Beyond the Bottom Line with Sundra Essien (S9,E10)
Send us a textWhat if business success isn't about endless growth? Sundra Essien, co-founder of Isang's Hair and Body, returns to Shades and Layers for our 100th episode for this discussion. Sundra and I first spoke in 2020 during the first season of the podcast and a period of uncertainty in the world. Today, she returns to once again challenge everything you think you know about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and success. Sundra's Copenhagen-based personal care company manufactures hair and body products using organic, fair-trade ingredients in an open workshop where customers can witness production firsthand. Their true mission, however, extends far beyond making and selling body care products. Isangs is a platform for addressing critical issues from supply chain transparency to social justice. As Sundra explains, these everyday products provide the perfect vehicle for sparking deeper conversations: "It's a space where people aren't expecting to have discussions about de-growth and justice and politics."Today’s conversation serves as a reflection on how far Isang's has come since our last conversation, how they’ve leveraged social media not only to stay in business, but to continue addressing all the issues that are central to the company's founding philosophy. The company's philosophy centers on de-growth—the radical notion that businesses should question the imperative for constant expansion. Listen now to discover how rethinking success might lead to greater satisfaction in business and life. Follow Isang's at @Isangs on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to learn more about their mission-driven approach.Support the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
-------- Â
34:49
--------
34:49
Introducing: Madame Speaker Says with Magogodi oaMphela Makhene
Send us a textBONUS EPISODE📣 INTRODUCING our new podcast bestie Madame Speaker Says hosted by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene. For this special bonus episode, we did a podswap and the featured guest is skin educator, beauty editor and founder of ThisThatBeauty, Felicia Walker. The skin is your largest living organ and Felicia believes it is not vanity to care for your skin. It needs care like any other part of your body and she'll tell you how you can radiate beauty from the inside out in every space you enter. You'll love this episode which is about a personal and professional journey, because it features all the themes you've come to expect from and love about Shades and Layers: being seen, representation, authenticity and successful living.✨ GET: Your Glow Up Guide📲 FOLLOW Felicia: @thisthatbeauty ABOUT MAGOGODI AND MADAME SPEAKER SAYSAuthor, Speaker and Storytelling Coach Magogodi oaMphela Makhene helps helps women founders become famous experts. She knows that being an "expert" isn't about being perfect - it's about being brave enough to share what shaped you, often the experiences that felt most shameful. 🎧 Listen to Magogodi’s podcast, Madame Speaker Says and subscribe to her newsletter for bare truths, storytelling tips and plenty of F-bombs.Support the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
-------- Â
1:04:07
--------
1:04:07
Celebrating 5 Years of Entrepreneurial Wisdom
Send us a textWe celebrate five years of Shades and Layers by reflecting on the top entrepreneurial lessons from dozens of women who have shared their journeys on the podcast. This special birthday episode distills key insights that transcend industry, geography, and experience level to help entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.• Embrace change - the pandemic forced entrepreneurs to adapt, from converting to remote work to pivoting business models• Don't reinvent the wheel - learn from others' experiences and adapt their playbooks to your context• Experience is the best teacher - no amount of planning substitutes for hands-on work in your business• Don't walk alone - find community through co-working spaces, industry events, and online networks• Take care of the back end - ensure financial and legal foundations are solid, using available tools and supportThank you for listening! If you found this episode useful, please share it with your friends. If you have a moment, please give us a five-star rating and review wherever you're listening, so that others can find the podcast.Support the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
-------- Â
8:46
--------
8:46
Print in a Digital Age: Isha Gaye on Reconnecting Africa and the Diaspora (S9,E10)
Send us a textIn this week's episode, Isha Gaye shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to founder and CEO of Afrique Noire Magazine, a print publication celebrating African creativity and connecting the diaspora to the continent. As a 2020 college graduate, nothing unfolded as planned for Isha and so lockdown forced her to reflect on her true wishes for her own future. Isha has always known that she wanted to stay connected to the African continent and to bridge the gap between the continent and the diaspora. That's when she came up with the idea for the Afrique Noire social media platform, which evolved into a recently launched print and digital publication. The magazine fosters dialogue by showcasing African designers, artists, and visionaries. Here is a summary of the main topics in our conversation:• Founded to address the disconnect between African immigrants and Black Americans in the US• Launched as a social media platform before evolving into a print magazine by popular demand• Publishes three times annually with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and traditional arts• Self-funded with a creative fund that supports featured artists' projects• Designed as an art piece meant to be kept and shared rather than quickly consumed• Creating "Afrique Noire Edits," an e-commerce platform launching soon for African creatives to sell their work• Committed to never charging creatives to be featured in the publication• Deeply personal connection to African heritage despite 15 years of separation from her homelandIsha Gaye also talks about how she's managing her newfound role as an entrepreneur and the leader of an organization. She also speaks more about her mentors and the family dynamics that have led her down this path. Support the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
Shades and Layers is a podcast focused on black women entrepreneurs from across the globe. It is a platform for exploring issues and challenges around business ownership, representation and holistic discussions about the meaning of sustainability in an increasingly complex global context. Conversations are wide- ranging and serve not only as a Masterclass in Entrepreneurship but also provide wisdom and tools for Successful Living. It is a space for meaningful conversation, a place for black and other women of color to be fully human and openly share their quirks and vulnerabilities. Guests include prominent figurers in the beauty, fashion and wellness industries both in the Northern Hemisphere and the Global South. Dr. Theo Mothoa-Frendo of USO Skincare discusses her journey from being product junkie to creating an African science-based skincare range. Taryn Gill of The Perfect Hair is a brand development whizz who discusses supply chain and distribution of her haircare brands. Katonya Breux discusses melanin and sunscreen and how she addresses the needs of a range of skin tones with her Unsun Cosmetics products. We discuss inclusion in the wellness industry with Helen Rose Skincare and Yoga and Nectarines Founder , Day Bibb. Abiola Akani emphasizes non-performance in yoga with her IYA Wellness brand and Anesu Mbizho shares her journey to yoga and the ecosystem she's created through her business The Nest Space. Fashion is all about handmade, custom made and circular production with featured guests like fashion designer Maria McCloy of Maria McCloy Accessories; Founder and textile/homeware designer Nkuli Mlangeni Berg of The Ninevites as well as Candice Lawrence, founder of the lighting design company Modern Gesture. These are just a few the conversations on the podcast over the past three years.
South Africa