What have you done to make your dreams a reality, peers? For today’s guest it began with a ‘living room-bedroom’. By sub-letting her one bedroom apartment and literally living in her lounge room, Stephanie Wisner was able to fund biotech startup, Centivax. Now? She’s on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her contribution to the healthcare industry. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Stephanie shares how people’s perceptions can change overnight, what it was like growing up as a hal...
Apr 24, 2022•50 min
Sometimes, a moment comes along that changes the way we think about life. For today’s guest, it was a near-death birthing experience and being tens of thousands of dollars in debt (despite having a stable job) that made her reevaluate everything . Amy Schultz is the Co-Founder and Head Money Coach at Bolder, a financial coaching business that’s dedicated to changing the way you think about money. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Amy shares her experience of changing her money ...
Apr 17, 2022•43 min
If you’re lucky enough to have stable accommodation, it may take a moment to think about the fact that housing is a privilege. No-one knows that better than Co-Founders of online managed monthly accommodation marketplace, Guesthouse. After her life and business partner Shane V. Charles grew up in unstable housing in Chicago, Gabriela Chapa realised that they could make a difference in their communities together. In this honest episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Gabriela shares how she c...
Apr 10, 2022•50 min
When was the last time you owned a mistake, peers? In our society of perfectionism, mistakes are seen as something to be avoided – at all costs. But what if there’s power in them? In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear from Becca Stern, one of the Co-Founders of homeware brand, Mustard Made. What began as a small seed has grown into a global brand that sells colourful lockers to bring joy to your home. The Co-Founder shares her experience with “whisper ideas”, how she built ...
Apr 03, 2022•55 min
There’s no denying it. Content is everything in 2022, peers. And no-one saw that more clearly than Annie Hwang. In today’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear from the Co-Founder of Jemi, a platform that helps creators to build an online storefront and monetise their content. By empowering the next generation of creators to become entrepreneurs, Annie is assisting up-and-coming digital creatives in supporting themselves. In this episode, the San-Francisco-based entrepreneur share...
Mar 27, 2022•41 min
If you’re a woman or a minority, you’ll know how hard it is to just get in the room. Add in a heavily male-dominated industry like fishing and it could be easy to feel disheartened. Today’s guest, Nima Tisdall, the Founder of sustainable fishing platform, Blue Lobster had to quickly build resilience in order to be taken seriously as a female entrepreneur. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Nima shares how to find the courage to ask for more money, the importance of valuing yours...
Mar 20, 2022•39 min
Most of us will remember a time where we’ve tried to fit in. From the school yard to the office, figuring out where you belong can be challenging. Throw in class differences and privilege and it’s a whole different level of ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’. In this illuminating episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear from Kieran Mathew, General Manager of Equip Foods and the Founder of Gen Z marketing agency, Amplify. The entrepreneur shares how he got caught up in the material and mone...
Mar 13, 2022•46 min
Immigrating to follow your dreams can be scary. Amazing, yet scary. Today’s guest, Vikhyat Chaudhry left his upbringing in New Delhi to chase his dreams at the prestigious Stanford University. From barely being able to speak up in class to now public speaking and DJing, Vikhyat, the Founder, CTO and COO of Buzz Solutions, Inc. shares how he built up his confidence over the years, how long it really took to turn his side hustle full-time, and why if you keep exploring, the passion will follow. Di...
Mar 06, 2022•37 min
Have you ever had a teacher who inspired you, peers? What about one who tore you down? The latter was the experience of Macy Schmidt whose drama teacher restricted her wings instead of helping her to open doors. Luckily, Macy found her way through another door and into the world of broadway. In this open episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Macy, the Founder of orchestral collective the Broadway Sinfonietta, shares how we can get better at proactively going after what we want, why a bad m...
Feb 27, 2022•50 min
As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly thinking about the future. The next quarter, the next goal. But how often do we stop and think about death? Today’s guest, Maika Isogawa had to think about it at a young age when her cousin tragically passed whilst in the prime of his life. As a result, Maika founded Webacy, a platform that helps to manage digital assets such as social media and crypto currency after death. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Maika shares her discovery of findin...
Feb 20, 2022•38 min
You know the old saying, peers. You’re the product of the people you spend the most time with. But as an entrepreneur, it can be hard to find others with the same drive, passion, and routine. How do we ensure we’re staying connected to our community? Our people? In today’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear from Jacqueline Basulto, the Founder and CEO of SeedX, Inc. a business development and digital growth firm. Jacqueline shares the true isolation that can come with following ...
Feb 13, 2022•44 min
What did your upbringing teach you about the world, peers? For today’s guest, Akil Alvin, growing up in the city of Detroit as an African American man meant constantly pressing up against ceilings. Ceilings of race, of socio-economic status, of familial expectations. Whilst respecting the life choices of his community, Akil knew that he was destined for something bigger than the four blocks of his city. Now? Akil is the CEO & Global Chief Creative Officer of Digital Detroit Media, a multimed...
Feb 06, 2022•46 min
What have you discovered about yourself when you travel, move to a new city, or start a new job? Do you find different parts that you didn’t know were there? Someone who knows this feeling all too well is Sahir Zaveri, the CEO and Co-Founder of sustainable technology platform, King Children. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Sahir shares how he reconciles his different identities depending on his environment, why he followed in the footsteps of his older sister, and how complet...
Jan 30, 2022•52 min
What did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor? A firefighter? An athlete? While those visions may have changed over time, sometimes it can be hard to let go of the “perfect plan” you had for your life. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we hear from Kenan Saleh, an American entrepreneur and Head of Lyft Media. The Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient shares why giving up cultural and societal influence was an easy choice, why no-one really cares about your failures, and how to let ...
Jan 23, 2022•46 min
Did you know that by the age of 7 we have inbuilt sets of beliefs that become increasingly difficult to change? That’s right, before you’re even a teenager you’re already programmed to see the world in a certain way. But there are ways you can change it. Today’s guest, Jessica Williamson describes it as “stepping off the path”. In today’s episode powered by Shopify, the entrepreneur and business coach shares her tips for rewiring your brain, how that can help you reach your goals, as well as why...
Jan 16, 2022•51 min
How did your childhood define you, peers? For today’s guest it was a battle with meningitis as a one-year-old that impacted the way he moved through the world. Although his sight and hearing was impacted, the Founder of Litmus Collective and National Geographic Photographer, Matthew Cicanese didn’t let it slow him down. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Matthew shares how he persisted in the face of rejection, why having so many interests is a double edged sword and how he live...
Jan 09, 2022•39 min
While most entrepreneurial advice is to ignore the critics, sometimes… we should pay attention. We’re not saying listen to people constantly slating your ideas but, today’s guest found that sometimes receiving criticism can disrupt your own business BS. Because if everyone is positive, how do you grow? In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we sit down with fintech disruptor and Founder of Yondr Money, Shane Chanel. In today’s ep, Shane shares how he dealt with critics, why family w...
Jan 02, 2022•36 min
While we’ve been busy interviewing guests for the Peers2Peers podcast, our Founder and CEO Michelle Akhidenor felt it was time to get on the other side of the mic and share her story. In this solo episode, created for Michelle’s keynote speech at the 2021 #ColourFULL conference , The Peers Project Founder shares why she began Australia’s leading podcast agency, how her biracial identity shaped her path, and why we should all be asking for more. Discover more: Start your Shopify 14-day free trial...
Dec 26, 2021•43 min
One way to make the world a better place is to be who you needed when you were younger. This was definitely the case for Fabrice Guerrier, the Founder of writing collective, Syllble. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Fabrice shares how he created a business after identifying a gap in the market, how he’s disrupting the publishing industry and why we need to be listening to and reading diverse voices. Discover more: Start your Shopify 14-day free trial: https://bit.ly/3fuq58C - ...
Dec 19, 2021•44 min
As the daughter of immigrants, Jenn spent her childhood in a strict routine. While her parents just wanted the best for her, Jenn knew she was destined to pave a new kind of way for her family. Going against the grain, Jenn left her corporate role as a product designer to launch a brand that would go on to make a difference to children around the world. In this Peers2Peers episode, powered by Shopify, the Co-Founder of Toybox Labs shares the bravery of chasing your dreams, why we should all foll...
Dec 12, 2021•35 min
We get it, peers. As entrepreneurs we want to make it all happen (and quickly) but sometimes you realise you can’t do everything yourself. Asking for help can be the necessary tool to reach farther than ever before. In today’s Peers2Peers episode, powered by Shopify, Lydia Liebman shares how outsourcing some of her work (and having to pay someone’s wages) forced her jazz-focused PR agency to level up and how a scrappy, organic college idea turned into a fully-fledged business. Discover more: Sta...
Dec 05, 2021•54 min
Like most immigrants, Ahmed Elsamadisi felt he needed to assimilate. After moving from Egypt to the United States, the entrepreneur even decided to take acting classes to develop an American accent. As he got older, however, he realised the power in being unique. After overcoming many obstacles, Ahmed gained a degree in Robotics from Cornell University and is now the Founder of analysis software company, Narrator.ai. In this Peers2Peers episode, powered by Shopify, Ahmed shares how culture shock...
Nov 28, 2021•55 min
How are you defining your goals, peers? Are you constantly aiming for five years down the track? Maybe your goals are simply ticking the day-to-day tasks off your list? Over the course of his career, Nigerian-American professional soccer player, Amobi Okugo has learnt how to find the balance between setting both “stretch” goals and “easily achievable” goals. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, the Founder of financial-literacy platform, A Frugal Athlete, shares how he stays commi...
Nov 21, 2021•40 min
When was the last time you rested, peers? Not just scrolling-Instagram-rested but properly rested? After studying for years to become a lawyer, working in corporate, and then launching her own business, Anita Siek was left feeling burnt out and overwhelmed. But, by discovering the power of proper rest, the Founder & Director of Wordfetti became her best self. In this high-energy episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Anita shares why everyone wins when you take a break, how to find the ...
Nov 14, 2021•55 min
When did you realise you were an entrepreneur? For Lissele Pratt it was when she created a jewellery business at the age of 16. After selling her jewellery at London’s infamous Camden Market, today Lissele is a Forbes 30 Under 30 listee and the Co-Founder of fintech company, Capitalixe. In this Peers2Peers episode, powered by Shopify, Lissele shares her tools for achieving big dreams, the power of following your gut and why we are all the CEO of our own lives. Discover more: Start your Shopify 1...
Nov 07, 2021•36 min
We’ve probably all said it before: I’ll be happy when I get that promotion, the new house, the dream client, the pay rise. As ambitious people, it’s easy to get caught up in the grind and chase of striving for success. But what if we let joy in right now? Allison Lee is the CEO & Founder of tech company, Hemster, a platform that’s working with brands to tailor clothing to you (not the other way around). In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Allison shares why you shouldn’t base...
Oct 31, 2021•49 min
How does your workplace treat you? Do you feel valued? Supported? Or do you feel like a cog in a machine? Reggie James is the CEO and Founder of consultancy group, Beaker & Flint, and began to grow frustrated over how some companies treat employees like a number; so he did something about it. In today’s episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Reggie shares why he has decided to reject hustle culture, how he transitioned from the corporate world to the startup land and what he’s learnt al...
Oct 24, 2021•55 min
Believe it or not, back in 2014, Instagram was almost an entirely different platform than what it is today. Before the selfies and #sponcon, it was originally a photo sharing app to connect with friends and family. Today’s guest, however, was one of the first pioneers of the influencer marketing that’s come to define Instagram in recent years. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, we sit down with Nina Shini Andersen, the CEO and Founder of leading Copenhagen-based influencer marke...
Oct 17, 2021•36 min
In her early twenties, Priscilla Hajiantoni was working a corporate job and was on her way to owning a property with her partner. But, like many entrepreneurs before her, Priscilla felt called to something bigger than the dream of the ‘white picket fence’. After years of researching, trialling (and working to fund it), Priscilla launched the beauty brand, Bangn Body. The skincare line is an internet sensation, selling out in just 8 hours when it launched in MECCA. In this episode of Peers2Peers,...
Oct 10, 2021•55 min
From being a TAFE drop-out to traveling across the world, Hayley Worley has had a unique path to entrepreneurial success. It was after an unpleasant experience in a department store, that the former fashion designer saw a sheet-sized gap in the market. Now, Hayley is the Founder of The Sheet Society, a Melbourne-based brand that is making sleeping fun again. In this episode of Peers2Peers, powered by Shopify, Hayley shares how the jobs she had as a young adult and teen gave her the tools to be a...
Oct 03, 2021•43 min
