Diversity All Star

Jamie and Rachel, are the dream team and power couple behind Shea Island, a brand that specialises in natural shea butter and African Black Soap. In todays episode you will learn how to deal with negativity and adversity from those closet to you, how to go about importing goods by air, tips to improve your sales technique and how your mentality can affect your sales. Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal.

Lara & Dapo are an entrepreneurial couple and the founders of "Journey Two The Top", a Vlog in which they document their growth as individuals and as a couple, while also sharing some of their struggles and advice. Lara is the Cofounder of Fashion SOS & Smooch, while Dapo is the founder & managing director of LocoKickz. In this episode, you will learn what it takes to get over 300,000 followers to your social channels. How Instagram can help you build a client base internationally and if it's a good idea to delete a post if it gets low engagement. Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Aneeka Patel is the founder, chief matchmaker and dating expert behind Project 143, an elite matchmaking agency that specialises in handpicked introductions for hopeful romantic South Asian professionals. In this episode, you will learn how being able to relate with your niche can help you to understand your clients' needs and demands. Why you need to hang out in the same places as your target market and how to get more "buy in" from clients, but working with alongside the right people Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Stevie Newman is the founder of C.A.K.E Cosmetics, a makeup brand designed for ladies with Indian, Caribbean and African skin tones. C.A.K.E has made it their mission to offer women with darker skin tones an affordable option when it comes to cosmetics. In this episode, you will learn how to use market feedback, to decide on your first product. Why you should not use photo filters on your Instagram posts, and how to pitch to a major high street retailer like Superdrug Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Carlington Clarke is the entrepreneur, Head Chef and co-founder of Pumpkin Jerk Grill, an award-nominated take-away restaurant offering authentic Caribbean cuisine. Carlington has over 20 years of cooking experience and has been involved in a number of restaurant launches.  In this episode, you will learn why Carlos opened a restaurant in North London, and how he won during a recession. Why you should avoid borrowing money if you can and why you should follow your dreams. Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Hannah Mcduffus is the founder of BedNBreakfasttt, a unique breakfast delivery service, currently covering South East London and East London. They deliver piping hot breakfasts to homes and workplaces across London. An idea born from Hannahs time living and teaching in Taiwan. In this episode, you will learn how to get customers before you launch, the benefits of PR and how you can get yourself featured in magazines and newspapers, and why maintaining a business is more important than starting. Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Varga Moshtagh, is the CEO and founder of Podmosphere, a Podcast-database for listeners, creators and sponsors. Through collecting podcast information, Podmosphere helps Podcasters to be a part of a podcast community that lets you find new listeners and sponsors. In this episode, you will learn how to chase down investors for your business. What makes a good business pitch and what investors want to know and the importance of finding the right investor for your company Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Nastassja Lusengo, is the creative director, entrepreneur, and sugarcraft specialist behind The Indulgent Sugar Plum, a concept bakery that creates cakes that inspire conversation, special moments and memories. Nastassja draws from many creative disciplines to bring a new experience to confectionery while pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Her exceptional talents, have led her to recently be featured on the Extreme Cake Makers TV show. In this episode, you will learn how long should you give your side hustle, to know if it's something you should peruse. Why the number of followers you have is not as important as building a sustainable business and why it is important to do research on your competitors Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

La'tifah Atkinson-Campbell, is a Prince's Trust Young Ambassador and the founder of Bake That Cake, a company specialising in bespoke sculpted cakes.   With over seven years experience in the Cake Industry, La'tifah has made cakes for many high profile figures including her Majesty the Queen and Prince Charles.  In this episode, you will learn why everyone can't be a customer for your business, an insight into how the Princes Trust can help your business and why you should get your customers to pay upfront for your services. Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Esther Alade is the host of Corporate Afrika, a brand developed to provide a platform for Businesses, Products, and Entrepreneurs to interact and access the growing African Consumers and Businesses that have an interest in Africa or the UK. It provides a corporate and social environment, in which businesses or entrepreneurs need to test new products, sample or activate new ideas, spark new ideas with like-minded people or to simply meet the next recruit for or from the target audience socially. In this episode, you will learn about the benefit of learning your craft and doing work for free. Tips for being in front of the camera, if you're thinking about promoting your business on youtube and advice to help prevent you from getting cheated or burnt in business Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Adrian and Alexander Bulley are the founders of Weqool, a social fitness app that helps you get fit, by working out with friends online. They aim to reinvent the concept of online fitness by making exercise more fun, engaging and social, regardless of where you are at that moment in time. In this episode, you will learn what to do if you want to make an app or software product, but you don't know how to code. How to find a software developer for your idea and the benefits of creating a minimum viable product (MVP) when launching. Check out the Show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Sabrina Campbell is the founder of Nina’s Kitchen, a catering and events company that provides beautifully home cooked English, Caribbean & Nigerian dishes for a number of catering services. From personal chef services to corporate Lunches, Team Building Events, Product Launches, functions, weddings and more. In this episode, you will learn the benefit of using a checklist to organise your business operations. We learn how Instagram can help you to promote your business, and how to know when to turn down business/money. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Lois Wilson & Michela Wilson are both sisters and co-founders of Saint Aymes, a brand with a mission to make every moment beautiful, by creating luxury, enchanting artisan chocolates, that are hand painted with 23ct gold, enriched with opulent colour and inspired by artistic greats. Saint Aymes have been featured at the Saatchi Gallery for Scoop International Fashion Show, London Fashion Week and in Virgin Red Hampers. Both sisters were selected from hundreds of to represent Virgin Start Up as Virgin Startup Ambassadors. Since the launch of Saint Aymes in Oct 2016, they are now stocked in Fenwick Bond Street, Central London. The Fenwick Newcastle Flagship store, a few independent UK boutiques and they will soon be stocked in the renowned Selfridges, here in the UK. In this episode, you will learn how making your business partner into your fictitious internal client, can help with productivity and accountability. How Michela and Lois partnered with the right events to help grow the brand. Why when creating a luxury product, you must consider the longevity of the business, not just immediate short term revenue and why rushing your product to market, can kill your business Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Navina Bartlett is an ethical food entrepreneur and Boss Lady of Coconut Chilli, a start-up food business that manufactures healthy and inventive South Indian microwaveable meal pots in the UK. Navina has extensive knowledge of the food industry, having previously set up the StrEAT Food Collective - which brought together the very BEST local street food vendors. Navina's business acumen has also led her to become a Virgin Start Up Ambassador. In this episode, you will learn about the challenges of scaling a business, while maintaining your core values. Why it is important to keep a record of your figures and to keep data and we learn more about the best distribution channels and the power of going directly to the consumer. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Nadu Placca is an entrepreneurial mum and founder of NP Presents, an international creative events agency, that specialises in Event Management, Experiences and Training. Nadu's determination to succeed, has seen her manage events at many notable venues including The Royal Albert Hall and Downing Street, to name a select few. In this episode you will learn, how you can use "word of mouth", to grow your business. How a vision board can help you achieve your goals and ways to get your kids involved with your business, or how to nurture their entrepreneurial curiosity. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Sebastian Thiel is an Award Winning Filmmaker & Digital Social Entrepreneur and founder of Upshot Entertainment, a Film production company. Thiel has featured on TEDx Talks, was listed in the Top 25 Under 25 most influential Londoners by Evening Standard, and recently had a show, "Just A Couple" feature on BBC3. In this episode you will learn, how you can use YouTube content, as an advert to attract clients. How public speaking can help position you as an authority within your space, and why making statements public, can help you to be accountable Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Linda Mbagwu started her own business at the age of 25 whilst homeless and living in her car and in less than 5 years grew it to a multi million-pound business. She experienced a brief 3-month spout of depression, which included failed suicide attempts, in the first few months of running her business. Through research and working with coaches, she was able to get herself out of depression and on a journey of complete self transformation which resulted in the success of her business as well as improved relationships with friends and family as well as her personal well-being. In this episode you will get an insight into how you can bounce back from depression. You will also learn what you need to build a multi-mullion pound company and how to manage fear when entering a new business. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Danielle McDonald is The Clarity Architect and Founder of Brands of Colour. She is dedicated to helping individuals gain clarity, develop the right mindset and take action for results. Danielle is known as "The Clarity Architect" for being on-target, succinct, concise and to the point. In this episode, you will learn how transparency helps to build an authentic story for your brand. How to get prospects or partners to take you seriously before you have anything to show them, and how to get started with webinars. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Bola Yusuff is the founder of International Tax Search, a recruitment company that specialises in the search of high calibre U.S. International Tax professionals across North America and Europe. Clients include Big 4 Firms, Boutique CPA Firms and International Law Firms. Bola specialises in helping Senior level U.S International Tax professionals into career enhancing job opportunities. In this episode you will learn, why it is important to think BIG in business, If you should "fake it, until you make it", when starting out in business, and how as a small business, you can compete with larger brands, and win. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Dr Clare Anyiam-Osigwe is a multi-awarded ethical beauty entrepreneur and founder of Premae Skincare, the world’s first 100% allergen-friendly beauty brand, first originating from her kitchen in North London. Clare has won 16 Awards in four years, including royal recognition, a B.E.M from HM The Queen. In this episode you will learn, how awards can help open doors for your brand, how to motivate your staff or your tea and how to Start a Skincare Range. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Rohan Clarke & Natasha Clarke are the founders of Uptown Yardie, a British company inspired by Jamaican heritage, selling a lifestyle, captured through shoes for men and women. Inspired by a Bob Marley quotation 'me ah bring downtown uptown', meaning he is bring the "man dem" from the ghetto to where he was living uptown at the time. The original "Uptown Yardie" is someone who comes from the more affluent parts of Jamaica. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Ade Bamgbala is a digital marketer, public speaker and the founder of Blacticulate, a podcast series that features UK Black professionals, with the mission of finding out HOW their guests do what they do. Why? So you can, too. In this episode you will learn about the doors podcasting can open for you and your brand. More about the benefits of content marketing, and why you have to create video for your brand. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Dean Carby is the founder of VNV Live, an innovative live events company specialising in professional audio, lighting and staging services for private, public & corporate events. Covering a range of events including corporate conferences, club nights, weddings, birthday parties, music shows and more. In this episode you will learn how to go about charging friends and family for your services. The importance of following up with prospects and If you should do business for free. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Sebastian Francis is the Co-Founder of Titus Learning, a tech company that provides bespoke virtual learning environment solutions and more, to International Schools around the globe. Seb is also a Virgin StartUp Ambassador. In this episode, you will learn how to deal with the cultural challenges of doing business abroad. What to do, if you want to create software for your business, and what to do if you don't have the money to develop your idea, and your scared of someone stealing your idea Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Morts & More have spent years sourcing the best fabric and finest tailors and creating from scratch, perfectly fitted and designed suits and shirts, bespoke for their clients’ needs. Morts & More aim to be the go to tailor for the style conscious professional. In this episode you will learn how being the face of your brand, can help you win in business. If your mentor is always right, and how you can use social media to push your fashion brand Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

William Adoasi is the founder of Vitae London, a watch brand based in London, that has strong ethical values at its core. For every watch purchased, Vitae London helps children in sub-Saharan Africa with their education. In this episode you will learn, more about following your passions in business, the importance of strong ethics in business and things to consider when carrying out your market research. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Aaron Wallace and Lina Gadi are the entrepreneurs behind Shear & Shine, a business that aims to cater to black men in all things related to beard, skin and Afro Caribbean hair care. In this episode, we learn why too many ideas can be bad for your business, why sales is a lifeline in your business and why it is important to have a business mentor. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Marisha Pink is a published author, entrepreneur and independent marketing professional with over 8+ years experience in branding and marketing strategy. In this episode, we learn why it is important to be an author and an entrepreneur, what goes into a successful Kickstarter campaign, and why it is important to find a role model. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Rui Daniel Jamie is the founder of Jerks', an authentic Afro-Caribbean franchise which is scheduled to open during the summer of 2017. In the first of two podcasts, we catch up with Daniel during the grass root stages of his business, to learn more about how the business is coming together. In this episode, we learn what to do if your market research is inconclusive. Why it is important to negotiate everything in business and how franchising could help you expand your business. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Darcy Ida is the successful founder of Ida Pod, a supplier of professional high end photo booth hire for all occasions. She is also a Virgin Ambassador & therefore working along the Virgin Start Up Division to raise awareness about starting a business. In this episode, we learn sales tips, and how to handle gatekeepers while making cold calls. How to balance being a mother while growing your business, and how diversity could be an advantage in business.. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Caroline McQueen is a Personal Image & Brand Consultant from London. She's also the chief provocateur at Industry Avenue. As a branding expert and former model, She's spent over 10 years working in front and behind the camera, for some of the world's largest companies - Unilever, Suntory. Plus, top magazines including Cosmopolitan, Red, and Good Housekeeping. Caroline is also an ambassador for Virgin Startup. In this episode, Caroline shares her tips and experiences on funding, business plans, marketing & more. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Tobi Oludayomi is the co-founder of Studio 14, a motivational speaker and mentor for young people starting out in business. Are you interested in doing business in Africa? In this episode, Tobi shares his experience on working in both the UK & Nigeria. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

Luti Fagbenle is an established entrepreneur and the founder of Luti Media, an award winning, BAFTA nominated production company, based in London & LA. Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show.

An introduction to the IntelliPink Podcast, where we aim to educate, empower, celebrate entrepreneurs, from racially or culturally diverse backgrounds. (Note: the name has changed from "Minority Entrepreneurship 101" to "Diversity All Star")