For some people, going into the family business is a no-brainer. And for today’s guest, Kaushal Shah, it was through this common path that he discovered a problem worth solving. Inspired by his parents' paper packaging business of 55 years, Kaushal knew he could create a better model. Now, Kaushal is the Founder and CEO of envoPAP, a sustainable company that is creating environmentally friendly paper and packaging out of agricultural waste. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Kau...
Sep 26, 2021•37 min
Like many of us, Angel Chen assumed that her philanthropic work would come after she’d spent years in her cushy corporate job. Once she’d made the money. Once she had the time. Once she’d done enough. But what would happen if she didn’t wait? Thinking about what she wanted out of life, Angel and her partner built DrawHistory, a branding agency with a big difference. Through their work, the team has helped more than 150 socially conscious organisations progress their purpose and help build the fu...
Sep 19, 2021•50 min
The pandemic has taken every single one of us on our own individual, and collective, roller coaster rides. But can you imagine starting a job heading up marketing in the Asia Pacific region for a company that spearheads the democratisation of e-commerce? Well that was what Robin Marchant was faced with in January of 2020 when he joined Shopify. In this episode, Robin shares everything he learned, and continues to learn, about how the Covid-19 pandemic changed e-commerce. Robin also shares his wi...
Sep 12, 2021•47 min
As the child of Chinese immigrants, Amy Yu knew that her path was to study hard, get an education and step into a stable job. But after her studies took her from Western Australia all the way over to the big smoke of Melbourne, Amy knew she had to make a bold move. Now, Amy is the Co-Founder and CTO of Ventora Medical, a venture-backed company that is developing a device to monitor the airway pressure of premature infants on non-invasive respiratory support, proving that being brave and saying y...
Sep 05, 2021•45 min
Have you ever known that something wasn’t for you? Whether it was a new job or a new course, you just knew deep down that you weren’t meant to be there? That’s how today’s guest, Amna Akhtar, the Founder of non-profit organisation, GirlDreamer felt when she dropped out of university after just one week. Feeling pressured by her immigrant parents to take a more traditional path, Amna followed her heart and left her nursing degree behind... aiming to help people in a different way. In today’s insp...
Aug 29, 2021•1 hr 1 min
As entrepreneurs, working with a mission is ingrained. The inherent nature of working for a better future keeps us committed when the going gets tough. In every Peers2Peers episode, we ask our clever guests: What’s the value in pursuing what you’re most passionate about? The answers can reveal so much about a person, their mission and of course, their passions. In this special episode, we weave together some of our most insightful answers from the best millennial entrepreneurs around the world a...
Aug 22, 2021•12 min
We’re three quarters through 2021, peers. While you may be wondering if you’ve “done enough” for your business this year, our Founder and CEO, Michelle Akhidenor wants you to know that it’s okay to take your foot off the gas for a hot minute. In this honest and vulnerable solo episode, Michelle opens up about her mental health after launching a new podcast, the benefits to herself and her business since taking a breather, and why slow and steady can win the race after all. Discover more: Start y...
Aug 15, 2021•17 min
Rejection, loneliness, anxiety; emotions us humans tend not to like. But sometimes, they can be the catalyst to change the course of our lives. Ella Greenwood was just 13 years old when she began to suffer from mental health issues. At the same time as her career as an actress was beginning, Ella knew she wanted to share stories and add value to the world through film. In today’s Peers2Peers episode powered by Shopify, we speak with award-winning filmmaker and actress, Ella to hear how she devel...
Aug 08, 2021•42 min
Colombo-based entrepreneur and Founder of Surge Global, Bhanuka Harischandra always felt like the black sheep in his family. With academic pressures plaguing his future, a teenaged Bhanuka turned to video games. After uploading video game content to streaming platforms like YouTube, Bhanuka began to see his path changing in front of him as he realised he could monetise his passion. But, when YouTube changed their business model overnight (for the worst,) Bhanuka knew he had to stick with his gun...
Aug 01, 2021•46 min
When today’s guest moved from Bangladesh to America, she never imagined that she’d one day be receiving an award from President Barack Obama himself. After arriving in the US to gain an education, Shomy Hasan Chowdury started volunteering. Soon, 40 hours turned into 460 and the entrepreneur discovered her passion for giving back. Now the Co-Founder of global youth-led organisation Awareness 360, a Water, Hygiene and Sanitation activist, a TEDx Speaker and a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient (just to ...
Jul 25, 2021•52 min
Hailing from a town two hours outside of Istanbul, Turkey to studying in the rice fields of Japan, Serkan Toso’s entrepreneurial journey has seen him explore the world. However, as one of the Co-Founders of byFood, a platform for tourists to discover Japan’s best cuisine, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In this episode, Serkan shares how he began a business in a foreign country, why he took a different path from his family, and his networking advice for any other migrant entrepreneurs out ...
Jul 18, 2021•46 min
Genevieve Day is the CEO and Founder of Day Management, one of Australia’s first influencer management agencies and a 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 listee. In this open Peers2Peers chat, Genevieve shares how she expanded her company in 2020 whilst others were shutting their doors, why she aims to work smarter (not harder) and how her traditional family of teachers, lawyers and doctors supported her “black sheep” decision to forge her own path. Discover more: Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https...
Jul 11, 2021•52 min
Have you ever felt worse after scrolling social media? With new houses, shiny cars and business wins, sometimes our feeds can feel like a never-ending highlight reel. In today’s episode, Managing Partner of digital marketing and advertising agency, Eikon7, Shayan Mahmud shares his thoughts on how social media is warping our ideas of success and expectations. Managing three global businesses, Shayan is no stranger to failure, perseverance and knowing that there’s more to scaling a company that me...
Jul 04, 2021•46 min
Has your entrepreneurial journey ever felt like being on the edge of a cliff? You can either stay put in your comfort zone or… jump. Jumping is exactly what today’s Peers2Peers guest, Nicole Liu, did when she founded Kin Fertility. The first subscription service for the contraceptive pill, Kin Fertility is now helping thousands of women navigate the turbulent waters of reproductive health. In this heart-warming episode, Nicole shares why an incorrect reproductive diagnosis spurred her to start b...
Jun 27, 2021•48 min
Where have your travels taken you? For today’s guest, Emille Mendoza, it was a trip back to her parent’s country of the Philippines that sparked a business idea. Now the Founder and CEO of Boracay Skin, Emille turned her business from a part-time side hustle while working as a flight attendant to a seven figure e-commerce brand. Huge, right? In today’s episode powered by Shopify, Emille shares the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with being an entrepreneur, how she knew when to take the plun...
Jun 20, 2021•41 min
How has your network helped you in your entrepreneurial journey? For today’s guest it was a cold call to Emma Watson’s stylist that changed the course of her business journey forever. Now spotted on the likes of Nicole Kidman, Serena Williams and Michelle Obama (amongst others), Harvard University student Shilpa Yarlagadda is creating beautiful jewellery with an incredibly important mission. Powered by Shopify, today’s guest is the brilliant Gen Z founder of Shiffon Co. who shares why multitaski...
Jun 13, 2021•44 min
To be a winner, you have to think and act like one. It was this mindset that propelled world champion gymnast-turned-serial entrepreneur, Lisa Carmen Wang to success. The Forbes 30 Under 30 Venture Capital Listee has always been unapologetic in her pursuit for victory. Now, she’s dedicated her career to helping women do the same. Powered by Shopify, in this Peers episode , Lisa reveals why we should embrace feminine and masculine traits to succeed, how to ‘play’ the business game and the impact ...
Jun 06, 2021•57 min
Spandana Nakka waited for the perfect opportunity to quit her dream 9-to-5 gig at Google to launch her own business. Unsurprisingly, the decision to do so has already started to pay off. Sleek sells AI software to venues to manage their wait times and has been featured on Forbes AI 50 watchlist. In this episode, Sleek Co-Founder and CEO, Spandana teaches us some vital lessons about the importance of remaining curious, overcoming rejection and challenging traditional trajectories. Discover more: ...
May 30, 2021•45 min
After having his company, Kit, acquired by none other than Shopify, today’s guest knew he had to listen to the voice inside of him and keep pursuing his purpose. A former Shopify Product Director, Michael Perry has co-founded four businesses throughout this time as a software start-up superstar. Now, his latest venture, Maple, has raised more than $3.5 million in seed funding and is set to change parent’s lives (including his own) forever. Powered by Shopify, today’s ep will have you tuning in t...
May 23, 2021•50 min
Founded in 2017, today’s guest is the brilliant Iva Gumnishka, CEO of Humans in the Loop. Through her social enterprise, Iva and her team are providing employment opportunities in the data industry to people affected by conflict. Thanks to @shopify, we sat down with Iva to hear about her experience with culture shock, choosing adventure and risk over stability, and what advice she wished she’d heard four years ago. Discover more: Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C - Lea...
May 16, 2021•43 min
Powered by Shopify, this week’s guest is Swee Lin Lee, one of the clever brains behind the refugee platform, PichaEats. Founded after volunteering in a KL refugee living centre with her two business partners, Swee Lin created a solution to the problem of young children abandoning their education to support their families. In this episode, we sit down with Swee Lin to hear about her journey to entrepreneurship and how not being interested in her university studies changed her life path. Discover ...
May 09, 2021•37 min
Today’s guest, Zaure Rozmat is the CEO of Kazakhstani media startup The Steppe, a media outlet with a focus on education, technology and cultural economics, without the gossip, tabloids and clickbait. As a self-described risk-taker, Zaure’s pathway to entrepreneurship isn’t unexpected, but what she’s created with The Steppe is. In this episode, Zaure shares how motherhood inspired her business journey, the importance of creating a trusted voice for the young, and how to navigate career burnout. ...
May 02, 2021•47 min
Today’s episode discusses mental health and may be triggering for some listeners. If you need support, help is available. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Today’s guest, Samantha Pratt is the CEO and Founder of KlickEngage, an organization that uses SEL to limit the impact of complex trauma on student achievement. Drawing on her own mental health experiences, Samantha sits down with us to discuss the impact of growing up between Cleveland and Tennessee, why schools don’t have the tools and language...
Apr 25, 2021•50 min
In true New Yorker form, today’s guest is fast and bright. Kaitlyn Barclay is the CEO and Co-Founder of Scout Lab, a boutique full-service creative agency building purpose-driven brands for founders with a vision. Since its launch in 2017, Scout Lab has worked with some of the biggest and most progressive brands including Adidas, Wix.com, WordPress.com, Venmo and Alibaba. We sit down with Kaitlyn to discuss her ‘master of none’ attitude towards entrepreneurship, how to move from doer to leader, ...
Apr 18, 2021•46 min
When today’s guest, Skyler Mapes visited her now-husband’s parents in his hometown of Le Castella Calabria, she also met their orchard of olive trees - while not as personable, they were just as intimidating. Upon returning to Texas, Skyler couldn’t forget the taste Calabria had left, so she decided not to leave it and relocate to Italy. In 2017, EXAU Olive Oil was born - a family-owned direct-to-consumer olive oil brand. It’s good, really good, it’s one of Oprah’s Favorite Things, and soon-to-b...
Apr 11, 2021•57 min
We are so excited to share the news: we have a sponsor! The leading global commerce company, Shopify has come onboard to help us power the entrepreneurial success stories of peers around the world. To mark this huge milestone, our CEO and Founder Michelle Akhidenor has taken to the mic alone to reflect on what this sponsorship means to her, how she made it happen and what she learnt from her two-year pursuit. Discover more: Learn more about our sponsor, Shopify and start your 14-day free trial: ...
Apr 11, 2021•8 min
In 2015, Adelle Archer lost her close friend and mentor to pancreatic cancer. That's when she heard about turning loved one's ashes into diamonds and created Eterneva. In today’s episode, Adelle recounts how a conversation about grief inspired an idea that celebrates life, how to stay committed to our business during periods of self-doubt and external disapproval, and what it’s really like to pitch on Shark Tank. Discover more: Listen to The Build Up by Alibaba AUS NZ on Apple Podcasts: http://a...
Mar 28, 2021•52 min
Shireen Jaffer is the co-founder of Edvo, an edtech company empowering people with the tools to think for themselves and forge their own stories. But two minutes into this chat, we thought she could give Oprah a run for her money. In this uplifting and (damn) motivating interview, Shireen gets real about what actually matters in the real world as opposed to what school and society tells us. She shares her tactics on how to gain clarity on what we want and why committing to ourselves is hard but ...
Mar 21, 2021•55 min
Lisa Qu is a fashion designer hailing from Australia but based in NYC. Lisa launched her eponymous label in 2018 when she was a student at Parsons School of Design. In this intimate episode, Lisa reflects on the unspoken expectations that come with being a child of immigrant parents, navigating through the struggle of thinking ‘we’re not enough,’ and the truths The Devil Wears Prada got right. Discover more: Tune in to The Build Up by Alibaba AUS NZ on Apple Podcasts - http://apple.co/2Zhpa29 - ...
Mar 14, 2021•40 min
Sarah Chen is a venture capital aficionado who can drop a six-figure dollar amount into Excel and mean it. As the Co-founder of The Billion Dollar Fund for Women, Sarah is working to mobilise $1 billion dollars of funding into female-founded companies. In today’s episode, she’s telling us how. In this ep, we also cover accidental feminism, the importance of critical thinking and how to build a community to help you achieve your goals. Discover more: Connect with Sarah Chen on LinkedIn: https://w...
Mar 07, 2021•51 min
