MEJ: My Entrepreneurship Journey

Send us a textEyitemi Popo is a Forbes-listed social entrepreneur and the Founder of Girls Trip Tours by Iranti, an alternative tourism economy led by women that will change the way people travel Africa.A bi-continental expat living between Canada and Kenya, Temi draws on her global experiences, having lived in seven countries and visited 30.  She is passionate about empowering women to thrive financially and personally while embracing rest, balance and joy.Eyitemi is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience as a solo founder.  She previously co-founded Africa's first data science academy for women and led developer-focused strategies at Mozilla, where she developed AI tranparency best practices.  Her work has been featured in National Geographic, AfroTech, and Talks at Google.Currently based in Nairobi, Eyitemi advocates for designing a soft life rooted in wellness and financial independence.  She also teaches first-time founders to scale efficiently through her Co-Founder for Hire program.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textJonas Koblin is an award-winning education innovator and founder of the popular Sprouts YouTube channel. Alternative education can empower parents to raise children who challenge rules and norms, potentially leading to greater success in business and creative endeavors. This principle is embodied by Jonas Koblin, the Munich-born serial entrepreneur behind The Unschooler's Educational Dictionary and the widely acclaimed educational YouTube channel, Sprouts, which reaches millions globally and is integrated into university curricula across ten languages. Recognized at the 2024 TREFF Education Film Festival for its open-access impact, Sprouts exemplifies Koblin’s dedication to accessible, innovative education. In addition to Sprouts, Koblin co-founded the Mali app, a virtual companion supporting over 100,000 new parents, established an international kindergarten, and started several other companies—even Madonna was a client once and invited him to her show.His book, The Unschooler's Educational Dictionary, offers a revolutionary approach to education, blending a lighthearted yet insightful examination of key concepts, the unintended repercussions of conventional schooling, and alternative models such as Montessori, Microschools, IB schools, Unschooling, and Waldorf. With a concise history of alternative education and a practical checklist for choosing the right path, this invaluable guide—endorsed by Barbara Oakley, PhD, author of A Mind for Numbers, equips parents to navigate the complex educational landscape and make informed decisions for their child’s future.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textJ.D Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is a New York Times and international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.J.D continued with his corporate profession and being ghost writer untill in 2012 when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken.Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utelize the character of Leland Gaunt of King's Needful Things in the novel.  The book went on to hit several major milestones.  Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (best debut novel) and won a handful of others including a New Apple Medalist Award.  After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker's family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula utelizing Bram's original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public.  The novel, titled Dracul sold at auction to G.P Putnam & sons, with film rights going to Paramount.  Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct.J.D  has since gone to write numerous titles which have appeared on bestseller lists around the world.  He is also a frequent collaborator with James Patterson.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textStandard bank has launched an enhanced version of its simplyblu platform, providing small and medium sized enterprises with a seamless all in one solution for payments and business management.We are joined by Norman Nyawo, the head of Merchant Solutions for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank South Africa.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textSidwell Ralitsoele is an Actor born in  Lesotho, and grew up in Queens in Forest Hills, New York.Sidwell is known for The Crown, The Woman King, Deep State, Fried Barry and many more high stakes TV projects.  He has recently finished shooting the movie sequel Street Trash. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9475789/In the book, The gifts of imperfection, Brené Brown said "authenticity is the daily parctice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are"Sidwell emobodies this philosophy.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textAlan Knott-Craig is a successful entrepreneur, author and founder of Fibertime.com, a company that works to bridge the digital divide in Africa by bringing prepaid fiber internet to townships.Originally from Pretoria, he studied at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (formerly UPE) and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in 2002.  Since starting his first business in 2003, he's founded or funded 21 businesses in the tech industry, including Cellfind,iburst,Mxit and HeroTel.In 2013, he founded Project Isizwe, a non-profit organization that brings internet to township schools.  He has published ten books since 2008, including a national bestseller, Don't panic, a global history of telecommunications, and a memoir called Life Lessons: How to Fail and Win.He was named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2009.  He was also included in "100 Choiseul Africa", a list of top 100 young African business leaders in 2014,2015 and 2016, and nominated as the 2015 ICT Personality of the Year by ITWeb.He has been nominated by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top eleven entrepreneurs changing the African landscape. Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textSheldon Tatchell is the founder and CEO of Legends Barber Corporation.  He has been pursuing his passion for barbering and entrepreneurship since 2011.  His business operates over 70 barbershops across South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Lesotho.Sheldon's mission is to empower the next generation of barbers by providing them with quality training, mentorship and opportunities.  He has since established 16 active training centers across the region.Sheldon holds a certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship.  Sheldon follows his dreams and inspires others to do the same.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textFikile Mthwalo is an actor turned entrepreneur, based in New York city.  She founded Glubbs, a biodegradable disposable glove company that offers medical-grade examination gloves.The idea of Glubbs came partially to Fikile in response to the COVID-19 and witnessing the tons of plastic waste conventional gloves were contributing to the environment.Fikile Mthwalo is best known for playing the role of "Zak" on the long standing South African show Isidingo. She went on to become a series regular on e-tv's  Gold diggers and starred in two seasons of Mzanzi Magic's It's Complicated. Acting is Fikile's calling, but she continues to develop creative works of her own , such as Tech bae, a digital series about women of color in tech.Fikile graduated from the University of Cape Town with a BA in Film and Video Production.  she received her MFA in Acting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a textYoung Entrepreneurship Project at Stellenbosch University empowers high school learners by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and encouraging them to develop ideas that can benefit their communities.Sabrina Matthee is a Lecturer in the Business Management Department (EMS faculty) at Stellenbosch University.She completed her Master of Commerce (cum laude) in 2023.  She has a deep passion for entrepreneurial development and her innovative approach and commitment to fostering entrepreneurial skills in youth, has earned her recognition as an award-winning educator.Sabrina's research interest includes women, small business development and innovation in South Africa.In her free time, she enjoys hiking and travelling the world.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/

Send us a text"Dare to Become: From the corner booth to the corner office" is an inspiring narrative of entrepreneurial grit and determination.  The book chronicles the journey of Julie Gareleck, who, without the safety net of venture capital or an Ivy League education, dared to dream and ultimately succeeded in establishing Junction Creative, one of the nation's leading marketing firms.Gareleck's  humble beginnings in her parents' restaurant in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, laid the foundation for her understanding of business operations.Her experiences in the corporate world, marked by challenging bosses and complex dynamics, fueled her desire to create her own company.This candid account of her entrepreneurial journey offers invaluable insights into self financing a start-up, salary considerations, hiring practices and generational management differences."Dare to Become" stands out among entrepreneurial literature, offering a unique, real world perspective on navigating the tumultuous path to business success.  Gareleck's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and a guide for those daring to chase their own entrepreneurial  dreams.Support the show Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/ Facebook: My Entrepreneurship Journey Instagram: @mejpodcast Email: lifuo@mejpodcast.com Website: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com MEJ Podcast was ranked by FeedSpot as one of the Top 25 South Africa Entrepreneur Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/south_africa_entrepreneur_podcasts/