Made It Here Podcast

Sindiso Nyoni, also known as R!OT; is a Zimbabwean graphic artist based in South Africa. On this episode, he takes us through his amazing journey from a kid growing up in Bulawayo to being one of the few designers who’s first name has become a brand. Sindiso’s story is truly inspiring and it's refreshing to hear him touch on topics decision making, freelancing, family and legacy and breaking down barriers facing people of color in the design world in a way he's rarely done in previous interviews. You definitely should listen in!

Desola Falomo is the creative director and founder of Twenty Six, a fashion brand she started after she borrowed her cousin’s sewing machine and taught herself to sew.

Having seen her parents thrive at entrepreneurship, it was only a matter of time before she took a shot at it herself but this was after she’s gotten degrees in Architecture from Nigeria and the UK. Desola’s journey has morphed overtime and has come to include incursions into interior and set design and it’s super exciting because she’s only just getting started!

On the first episode of this rather short new season, I speak to Rotimi Fernandez Dawodu, founder of Majestic Management Company and he shares his very interesting journey to being a sports intermediary.

Rotimi’s story is one of grit, perseverance and the bravery to make the tough calls at critical points during his journey. I enjoyed this conversation a whole lot and I’m sure you will too.

Naeto C needs little to no introduction as he’s moved the culture over the course of his career, but very little is known about the man behind the music and his journey. I spent time with Naeto recently and this episode is a result of our conversations, recorded over a period of time and condensed into a 1 hour episode; where we cover everything from career, to family, Nigerian politics and even SARS/ police brutality.

Damie Idowu always had a passion for fashion, even before she had a terminology for it and this love for fashion has taken her on a most interesting journey which culminated in her creating Míe, a conscious brand with sustainability as a key part of their ethos.

Piriye Isokrari or Peedi Picasso, as he is popularly known, built the Aristokrat Group from the ground up. Starting from humble beginnings in Port Harcourt, Nigeria 10 years ago, to the power house it currently is today and on this episode, he talks us through his journey and shares from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

Mide Ayeni, popularly known as “Ghost” and one half of the rap Duo, Show Dem Camp, grants us very rare access to his world and we talk about everything from, life and family, to music and business plus all that’s made his journey what it is.

Ese is largely behind the scenes but you’ve probably heard of or worn something from her clothing brand called Allen and Fifth. On this episode, we talk about her journey; making and learning from your mistakes, choosing your battles, mental health, legacy and so much more. I particularly love this episode because at some point, her beautiful daughter makes a cameo during our conversation.

Also known as “The Black Gypsie”,  Sam Lambert learnt how to create his own world as a kid growing up in Angola, with whatever he had and this ability has led him on a most interesting journey through what seems like different lives.

Every step in his journey prepared him for the next and Sam’s openness to learn, adapt, change and create has led him to different parts of the world and it’s ultimately morphed into he creating the Art Comes First collective with his friend and brother, Shaka Maidoh.

Modé Aderinokun had always communicated through her art for as long as she can remember and grew as an artist with the support and nurture from her parents, especially her mum who would file away and preserve art that Mode created as a kid.

Her parents also played a role in her choice of what to study in university, but not in the way that you’d imagine. Her dad was a banker and not just any banker, but the co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest banks and her mum was a lawyer. So Mode made up her mind not to have anything to do with either banking and finance or law. Now, Art and computers came naturally to her so she decided to combine them and study animation and that’s when her journey truly begins.

On this episode, we get a very rare behind the scenes glimpse into Mode’s story, her thoughts on ownership, mental health, people’s perception of artists in Nigeria, monetizing art and a whole lot more.

It’s hard to describe Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour in a few words or a sentence. Where would you start? Architect? Creative? Business man? Activist? Politician? It’s impossible to put Gbadebo in a box.

On this episode, GRV as he’s popularly called, talks us through his journey which saw him leaving Nigeria to school in Paris as a young teen, go to university in the UK and also bag a degree in architecture from the prestigious MIT before returning to Nigeria to start his own architectural firm and set up other businesses.

With a rich family history of standing for just causes (one of his grand uncles actually joined the Royal airforce during World War II and died in active duty during the bombing of Nuremberg), Gbadebo stood firmly against the Nigerian government when it tried to introduce Genetically Modified Seeds and farming methods into the country and this fight ultimately led him into active politics.

GRV’s journey so far has definitely been inspiring but what’s even more exciting

Nick Bower’s journey started with him leaving apartheid South Africa as a kid to study art in London, mainly because he didn’t see himself wearing a suit and tie to work everyday and this marked the beginning of a journey that would see him working with fashion legends like Valentino and Versace in Italy and then moving to California right at the time surf culture was changing the fashion landscape into what would later be known as Streetwear.

Nick would go on to work with various seminal streetwear companies and spend 14 years as the head designer of the legendary Stussy brand. He’s ultimately built a career that has seen him listed as one of the 25 most powerful people in streetwear globally. Nick’s journey is one of taking chances, betting on yourself and riding the wave (quite literally), to wherever fate takes you.

On this episode we speak with Zainab Imichi Alhassan, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Pop Communications. Zainab talks us through her journey of growing up in Kaduna and having to break out of the sheltered bubble of her childhood. This led to her striking out on an adventure to pursue a career in fashion and resulted in her moving to school and work 3 jobs in France (at the same time), try out multiple businesses and orchestrate a move to the UAE where she was ultimately able to pivot from a fashion career to one in PR, all before she was 22.

Zainab is a firm proponent of the maxim, “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed” and on this episode, we talk about her foray into entrepreneurship, leveraging on social media to get ahead in her career, dealing with imposter syndrome, taking care of her mental health and doing business as a young African lady in the UAE. So as usual, without further ado, let’s get into it!

How Lanre Masha went from navigating the tough streets of Chicago as a kid to being a culture architect, building platforms and bridges that connect cultures, genres and movements.

On this episode, Lanre talks to us about his journey, spirituality, the duality of being African American and Nigerian, legacy and a whole lot more.

Camillo Doregos is someone who is largely behind the scenes but is responsible for some of the giant strides being made by African music globally. Popularly known as a talent manager who’s largely responsible for charting the course for the meteoric rise of Mr. Eazi, he also wears a number of other hats; he’s a certified pilot and a pharmacist.

On this episode, he talks us through his journey, independence, travelling while black and successful, having dinner with Jay and B, and a whole lot more.

On this episode, we have decided to pause and take stock of episodes 1 - 9 and to do this, I have conscripted my very good friend, Chianugo Onyenekwe aka GreenEyedDante to talk through the episodes with me. 

I’d also like to use this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken time out to listen. In the immortal words of the esteemed philosopher: Jay Z, “You could have been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with me.” Thank you. 

Tolu or Luto as he is popularly called, is one of the biggest indigenous entrepreneurs in the urban fashion space out of Nigeria and Africa. For over a decade, he has built his brand; NACK from the ground up, brick by brick into the force it is today.

Luto’s journey is truly inspiring and his near photographic memory makes for some amazing storytelling!

Also known as The First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop, Sasha is a true pioneer and her journey has been one of perseverance, versatility and sacrifice as she’s slowly morphed into wearing various hats all at once in the course of her career; rapper, entertainer, business woman, lawyer, music exec… the list goes on.

On this episode, she talks about her very interesting journey and also gives us some great back stories.

On this episode of the podcast, we speak to Abuchi Ugwu. A blueprint for getting up and getting it, Abuchi has through sheer grit and hard work, gone from sweeping a studio in Jos - Nigeria (just so he could learn the rudiments of sound engineering) to being an integral part of a structure that helped launch the careers of various A-list Nigerian artists. He is currently vice president of Bean Creative and The Chocolate City Music Group.

On this episode, we speak with Tayo Eyitayo; founder and creative director for the 24 Apparel fashion brand. Arguably one of the most innovative fashion entrepreneurs out of Nigeria, Tayo has over the years through different iterations and collections, defined what’s possible in the Nigerian urban fashion landscape and having to do this in spite of the myriad infrastructural problems facing the fashion industry in Nigeria, is definitely worthy of note.

On this episode, we speak with the super talented entertainment mastermind; Asa Asika. Asa has been a instrumental player in the Nigerian entertainment industry for more than a decade and he talks us through his journey from throwing parties in secondary school to being a top global music executive.

On this episode, we talk to Ebun Olaloye, founder and creative director of the premier US soccer apparel brand; Live Breathe Futbol. 

Ebun talks us through the journey of turning his passion for the beautiful game in to a thriving business with almost a decade of experience behind it, in an industry where most startup brands do not make it past the first year.

Wale Davies, popularly known as Tec and also one half of the rap duo, Show Dem Camp; opens up in this conversation and shows a side to him very few know. He takes us through growing up in Lagos, schooling in Dublin and the UK, moving to Amsterdam and coming back to Nigeria and doing music.

This conversation is a gem and there are lots of lessons and anecdotes in listening to Wale tell his truths. Enjoy.

Renowned artist, Karo Akpokiere talks us through his journey of growing up with a creative mind in Nigeria and constantly needing to break out of the box society has tried to put him in.

Karo’s portfolio is every artist’s dream, from exhibitions all over the world to commissioned projects with Nike and Google.

Femi Clay is the quintessential business man with a nose to sniff out opportunity and the ability to see past current trends and obstacles. In this episode, he talks us through his journey and how he started Flossy Shoes Nigeria and DAPMOD.