Australia's First BIPOC, Female-Led Founders Podcast. Est 2017.
Hello fellow founder,
Welcome to PEERS - a podcast by millennial founders for millennial founders. Join me, BIPOC female founder & Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister Michelle Akhidenor, for soul-enriching conversations with peers.
Each week, I sit down with a fellow founder or industry ally and deep dive into their entrepreneurial journey. I ask questions like: Where did they grow up? How has their upbringing impacted the choices they've made in their career to-date? How did they end up becoming a founder? How have they navigated through the inevitable challenges in business?
These conversations are honest, vulnerable and above all, human. My mission with this show is simple: to amplify diverse stories and voices; sharing conversations that matter to help fellow founders, my peers, feel less alone on their own journey.
Thank you for joining me, peers. Let's dive in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An unconventional path is not for the faint hearted, this we know. In today’s episode, we meet Brynn Chadwick, a photographer turned bots’ specialist helping large organisations such as Telstra, LinkedIn and Navy Health use technology and design to solve their biggest problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From naughtiest girl in the classroom to brightest spark in the entrepreneurial marketplace. In this episode, we have the grandiose pleasure of speaking with Lucy Bloomfield; celebrated businesswomen, innovator and all-round tour-de-force. Lucy d is the founder of what was a highly successful e-commerce business, Trefiel and was featured in Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Women’s Day and Sporteluxe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Often the way we roll as children can tend to influence the way we roll as adults. In this episode, we learn about the journey of Max Hertan, and how he manages to maintain his unique childlike sense of wonder in all he does. Max is the Founder and Director of Megaphone Marketing and was nominated as a Telstra Business Award Finalist in 2016. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If at first you don’t succeed… well, you know the lyrics. In this episode, we get close and personal with our fab founder Michelle, taking a deep dive in the trials, tribulations and bucket loads of work that have brought The Peers Project to life as it stands. It’s time to get candid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It is not often that when we hit rock bottom we make the conscious choice to stay there. In this week’s episode, we take key learnings from Jen Hansard who went from zero to hero with a highly successful green smoothie business. Jen’s platform has risen to the #1 online resource for green smoothie recipes and has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, The Doctors, Oprah Magazine and Prevention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Power to the people and the individual publishing project. In this episode, we learn how Ash Davies sought a solution from a problem and brought the world of self-publishing to life with a strong grassroots initiative. Ash was named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2018 and was awarded a Victorian Young Achiever of the Year award in 2016. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We’ve all felt the pressure against following our dreams and doing something unconventional. In today’s episode, we are introduced to the minds behind Valyou Xchange, a Melbourne-based blockchain music start-up disrupting the way in which the music business connects and interacts with fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For some, creativity and success is just in your destiny. In this episode, we meet Adam Stone who began his entrepreneurial journey at the unbelievable age of eleven and continues to grow today. Adam is the Founder & CEO of Speedlancer.com – the world’s fastest freelancer marketplace and has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post and Startup Daily. He is a 2017 Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 recipient. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Often, it’s the people around us that allow our best potential to come to life. In this episode, we meet Jason Lim and learn of the value he places on human connection to drive his wildest pursuits. Jason is the Chief of Staff at YBF Ventures – Australia’s centre of tech innovation since 2011. He has been an investor and advisor to start-ups for the past 6-years and is an Entrepreneurial Fellow at the University of Melbourne as an alumnus of the Melbourne Accelerator Program. Hosted on Acast. Se...
Sometimes businesses that answer the simplest call of their audience are most successful. In this episode, we learn how Rich Edwards detected a human need and founded a solution, to tremendous success. Rich is the CEO & co-founder of Repairly – an on-demand technology repairer based in London. The company is backed by Virgin Media & Techstars and has been featured in The Times with a five-star Google Review rating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
1+1 usually equals two. In this episode, however, we discover it can equal a thriving and unique style of business that fills a gap and challenges the market place (to complete and utter success). Dana Zingher & Levi Young are the co-founders of Enclothed – a D2C men’s personal shopping service. Enclothed has been featured in Men’s Health UK, GQ, British Airways, Business Insider and Time Out London. Both Dana and Levi are Forbes 30 Under 30 recipients of 2016. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
Planning to plan is often a huge barrier to the serendipity of life. In this episode, we discover how Ash Phillips found his niche through feeling, and living, to the best of his ability. Ash is the Founder of YENA – a vibrant community for future leaders starting and growing remarkable businesses. He has been featured in Forbes, Sunday Times (UK) and Virgin, and has been the proud recipient of TechSPARK’s Best Mentor of the Year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Disrupting the norm comes from creating something that doesn’t yet exist. In this episode, we talk to Joe Benn about what it takes to turn your passion into a project that truly has wings to spare. Joe is the co-founder and co-CEO of Ugly – a London-based flavoured sparkling water beverage, currently stocked throughout the UK in some of the biggest household name department stores; Selfridges & Co. and Whole Foods. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Escaping the bubble of normality is sometimes just the kick we need to change the course of our lives. In this episode, we explore the importance of travel and its astounding impacts with tech-genius Samantha Ruiz. Samantha is the co-founder of Well Travelled – an innovative New York-based data company and was recently featured as one of AlleyWatch’s NYC Women in Tech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Finding harmony between creativity and precision can often be a challenge. In this episode, we learn how Gemma Sole finds a balance between the two and subsequently soars to the greatest of heights. Gemma is the co-founder of Nineteenth Amendment – an on-demand retail and manufacturing platform and is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Retail & E-Commerce recipient of 2016. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
The environments in which we are raised can often shape us in monumental ways. In this episode, we discover as such for Robert Harary, a young yet extremely successful CEO and co-founder making an impact in Silicon Valley. Robert is the CEO and co-founder of OneH and was recently listed as Startup Grind’s Top 50 Millennial Founders to watch in 2018. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We’re not all lucky enough to be raised in an environment promoting good faith and advocacy. In this episode, we discover how Meika Hollender used her good fortune to totally revolutionize the quality of women’s sexual health products, and then some. Meika is the co-founder and co-CEO of New York-based Sustain – the first brand of all natural, vagina-friendly products. She was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30, Fast Company’s Most Creative People, and Inc. 30 Under 30. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Some of us are just born to lead. In this episode, we speak with young and laudable Logan Ryan; successful business owner, natural-born leader and passionate advocate for equality. Logan is the co-founder of AddU, a social media start-up based in Boston, laudably growing to reach 31 countries in its first seven months of business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Some women just have a certain je ne sais quoi in their DNA, and Mackenzie Casey is no exception. In this episode, we are awed and enlightened by this savvy businesswoman who really has the world at her fingertips. Mackenzie is the founder and CEO of HUMM and was recently listed as #22 in StartUp Grind’s Top 50 Millennial Founders to Watch in 2018. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A fall can sometimes be the kick required to set up healthy boundaries. In this episode, we discover how Zion Kim made a choice to change his life in order to thrive, not just survive. Zion is the successful co-founder and director of 99 Robots and also the founder of All Things Marketing – a monthly marketing collective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sometimes breaking away from familiar expectations can lead to monumental results. In this episode, we discover how Kaeya Majmundar expanded her horizons further and achieve a life worth reeling in. Kaeya is the Founder and CEO of Kaeyos Inc and ha s developed products that have featured on Project Runway and the Steve Harvey Show to Complex and TMZ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
They say the journey is just as important as the destination. In this episode, we dive deep into both with entrepreneur Blake Engelhard, and discover a little inspiration of our own. Blake is the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of BrushOnSmile, a technologist, screenwriter, positive psychology enthusiast, and also, the founder of the social app Nectar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From small-town girl to life changing tour-de-force. In this episode, we learn how getting out of your bubble can be just the ticket you need to ride, up up and away. Haley Findlay is the co-founder of Oscar Wilde Brand , a transformation coach, a dedicated philanthropist and all-around tour-de-force. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sometimes a childhood passion is just the beginning of your greatness. In this episode, we learn how John Logan is using his to take on the world, and defy the impossible. Having never been quite able to shake his childhood obsession with magic, John has spent the past decade accepting his fate in pursuing magic professionally. John Logan is a professional magician, keynote speaker, author, host of his own show Magic Moments on Patriots.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
Sometimes, when you hit rock bottom, the only way is up. In this episode, we dive into Brittany Garth’s inspiring journey from emotional and financial bankruptcy, all the way to the top. Brittany Garth is an international life coach, author, TEDx speaker and was named by Cosmopolitan Magazine (US) as one of their Top 50 Social Influencers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Self-driven journeys are often the most fruitful. In this episode, we discover just that, through the eyes (and creative genius) of Sarah Pierson. Sarah is a New York-based shoe designer, Forbes 30 Under 30 Arts & Style recipient of 2016, and Harvard graduate. She co-founded the highly innovative, women’s shoe brand Margaux. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sometimes, we need to turn our backs on the easy path to discover what really makes us tick. In this episode, we discover how Alexa Buckley found herself and her passion by straying from the path of normality. Alexa is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Arts & Style recipient of 2016, Harvard graduate, talented sports-woman and the co-founder of the New York-based women’s shoe brand, Margaux. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
