Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Shades & Layers
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Simple Bank Account System for Business Sustainability | 18 mars 2026 | 00:27:29 | |
This is an oldie but goodie from the archives. This conversation was recorded in 2024, but its principles and teachings are timeless. Susanne Mariga is an expert in finance and she's been doing taxes for clients since she was a 14-year old in her dad's accounting office. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If your business is busy but your bank balance never reflects it, something is broken and it’s not your work ethic. Suzanne Mariga, CPA, fractional CFO, and CEO of the award-winning Mariga Group joins me in a conversation about the money mistake she sees again and again: founders pushing for years, sometimes decades, and still having nothing to show for it. Other topics we discuss include:
Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. LOST IN TRANSLATION Roth IRA - The American retirement fund - similar to the RA contribution for South Africans and private pension funds of the EU region. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Speak with Confidence, Cash in With Clarity (Magogodi Makhene) | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:55:33 | |
In this episode we connect with Magogodi oaMphela Makhene, author, speaker and founder of Love As A Kind of Cure and thought leadership coach. We trace her entrepreneurial journey from her focus on social enterprises, how she was led to writing and then became a coach who helps Women of Color to turn their stories into intellectual property and income. Magogodi is a sought after keynote speaker and communicator who walks the talk. Her trademarked C.R.O.W.N framework is built around her lived experience, which she shares with vulnerability and generosity in our conversation. Magogodi originates from my hometown, Soweto. She is the author of the award-winning short story collection Innards and a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop programme. Find out how she made the pivot from business school to literature and how she combines the two today in her work. You will also discover how she helps her clients to see and honour their value. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Embracing Fear and Following Your Dreams with Bisila Bokoko (S9,E12) | 16 sept. 2025 | 00:46:56 | |
Bisila Bokoko is an international business woman who got her start in the corporate world in Spain and then eventually in the USA. Today she shares her journey from corporate executive to international entrepreneur, wine brand founder, and creator of the Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project. Born to African parents from Equatorial Guinea in Spain, she jokingly calls herself a Decaf African and had a tough time navigating her African identity within a European culture. She now sees herself as a a bridge between the two cultures. Over the years she has also learned to understand and embrace her own fears, and learned how to transform obstacles into opportunities. Today, we get into the scope of her work as an entrepreneur, author and philanthropist. We discuss her latest book: The Fear and I: An Unexpected Story, how she founder her wine brand Bisila's Wines and her philanthropy work with the Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project. For the candid moments of our chat, she talks about mindset and how she rejects the phrases "I don't have time" and "I don't have money" to advance her aims. She also recommends surrounding yourself with cheerleaders, mentors, and accountability partners. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Beyond the Bottom Line with Sundra Essien (S9,E11) | 18 août 2025 | 00:34:49 | |
What if business success isn't about endless growth? Sundra Essien, co-founder of Isang's Hair and Body, returns to Shades and Layers for our 100th episode for this discussion. Sundra and I first spoke in 2020 during the first season of the podcast and a period of uncertainty in the world. Today, she returns to once again challenge everything you think you know about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and success. Today’s conversation serves as a reflection on how far Isang's has come since our last conversation, how they’ve leveraged social media not only to stay in business, but to continue addressing all the issues that are central to the company's founding philosophy. The company's philosophy centers on de-growth—the radical notion that businesses should question the imperative for constant expansion. Listen now to discover how rethinking success might lead to greater satisfaction in business and life. Follow Isang's at @Isangs on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to learn more about their mission-driven approach. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Introducing: Madame Speaker Says with Magogodi oaMphela Makhene (BONUS) | 05 août 2025 | 01:04:07 | |
BONUS EPISODE 📣 INTRODUCING our new podcast bestie Madame Speaker Says hosted by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene. For this special bonus episode, we did a podswap and the featured guest is skin educator, beauty editor and founder of ThisThatBeauty, Felicia Walker. The skin is your largest living organ and Felicia believes it is not vanity to care for your skin. It needs care like any other part of your body and she'll tell you how you can radiate beauty from the inside out in every space you enter. You'll love this episode which is about a personal and professional journey, because it features all the themes you've come to expect from and love about Shades and Layers: being seen, representation, authenticity and successful living. ✨ GET: Your Glow Up Guide ABOUT MAGOGODI AND MADAME SPEAKER SAYS Author, Speaker and Storytelling Coach Magogodi oaMphela Makhene helps helps women founders become famous experts. She knows that being an "expert" isn't about being perfect - it's about being brave enough to share what shaped you, often the experiences that felt most shameful. 🎧 Listen to Magogodi’s podcast, Madame Speaker Says and subscribe to her newsletter for bare truths, storytelling tips and plenty of F-bombs. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Celebrating 5 Years of Entrepreneurial Wisdom | 31 juil. 2025 | 00:08:46 | |
We celebrate five years of Shades and Layers by reflecting on the top entrepreneurial lessons from dozens of women who have shared their journeys on the podcast. This special birthday episode distills key insights that transcend industry, geography, and experience level to help entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Print in a Digital Age: Isha Gaye on Reconnecting Africa and the Diaspora (S9,E10) | 16 juin 2025 | 00:41:36 | |
In this week's episode, Isha Gaye shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to founder and CEO of Afrique Noire Magazine, a print publication celebrating African creativity and connecting the diaspora to the continent. As a 2020 college graduate, nothing unfolded as planned for Isha and so lockdown forced her to reflect on her true wishes for her own future. Isha has always known that she wanted to stay connected to the African continent and to bridge the gap between the continent and the diaspora. That's when she came up with the idea for the Afrique Noire social media platform, which evolved into a recently launched print and digital publication. The magazine fosters dialogue by showcasing African designers, artists, and visionaries. Here is a summary of the main topics in our conversation: Isha Gaye also talks about how she's managing her newfound role as an entrepreneur and the leader of an organization. She also speaks more about her mentors and the family dynamics that have led her down this path. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Sabbatical: The True Cost of Success with Karabo Lediga (S9, E9) | 27 mai 2025 | 00:50:27 | |
What happens when the dream your mother sacrificed everything for becomes your personal nightmare? Johannesburg-based filmmaker Karabo Lediga joins us to explore this haunting question through her debut feature film "Sabbatical" – a raw, honest portrayal of mother-daughter relationships in post-apartheid South Africa. LINKS AND MENTIONS Model C - Formerly whites-only public schools that were desegregated after Apartheid. Matwetwe - seminal film of the film production house Diprente, who collaborated with Karabo on Sabbatical. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Mom's Magic Oil: The Bask & Lather Story with Shaina Rainford (S9, E8) | 13 mai 2025 | 00:27:54 | |
In 2020, then nurse practitioner, Shaina Rainford got seriously ill from COVID. She survived the illness, but lost all her hair and found nothing on store shelves that could help with her condition. Then, she remembered that her younger sister went through something similar – not COVID – five years prior, and their mother had made a concoction that helped little sister to grow her 4C Hair to waist length. Shaina tried the hair oil on her own hair, documented her journey on social media and Bask and Lather was born. The story is about more than creating a hair care brand. It’s also the story of how one woman’s go-getter spirit moved her into the next level of her professional journey. It’s also a story about centering community and building a legacy. Here are some key discussions from my conversation with Shaina Rainford: • Bask and Lather launced in December 2020, and within three months, the company was generating the same amount as Shaina's annual nursing salary • The business focuses on natural ingredients with no fragrances, using essential oils that each serve a purpose NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| The BASE Framework: How to Achieve Your Dreams with Brandi B. Hudson (S9,E7) | 23 avr. 2025 | 00:33:30 | |
One of the most effective ways to succeed in entrepreneurship is mindset. To help you get in the right frame of mind for your new or existing venture, The SAL Podcast gets you a coach to answer some challenging questions on your journey to success. This time we have Performance Coach and Happiness Expert, Brandi Hudson. In this episode, she breaks down her B.A.S.E. framework that she uses to help her corporate, entrepreneurial and individual clients to reach the next level. Here are the main topics we covered during our conversation: -Shifting Her Own Mindset -Moving from personal to business success -How she works with entrepreneurial clients -The problem with the notion of manifestation -Agency -Navigating systemic barriers to success -Honoring your heritage -The power of intuition MORE ABOUT BRANDI HUDSON Performance Coach and Happiness Expert, Brandi Hudson is passionate about helping women embody their own magic and step into a life of purpose through the power of performance and happiness. As an intuitive with extensive executive experience and a strong educational background, she brings a powerful combination of spiritual insight and real-world savvy to her work. “My unique blend of spiritual wisdom and practical wisdom helps women tap into the quantum field and align with the laws of the universe, making the pursuit of their dreams feel effortless and fulfilling”
LINKS AND MENTIONS Power Versus Force by David Hawkins If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others. You can also compliment this session with coach Neketa Thigpen, who believes that one should be Intentionally Selfish to change their narrative. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| From Passionate Intern to World Class Designer - Palesa Mokubung Part 2 - (S9,E6)) | 09 avr. 2025 | 00:16:17 | |
IN CONCLUSION In the second part of this conversation with Palesa Mokubung, we discuss some of the challenges facing African designers, particularly when it comes to serving a market that is more and more shopping online. We also get into the behind the scenes at Mantsho, Palesa's fashion brand as well as the Shades and Layers Rapid Fire. Mantsho has been making waves in the fashion industry for the past 20 years, both in Palesa's home country, South Africa and more recently globally with an international collaboration with H&M. You can hear more about this in Part I of our conversaiton here: From Passionate Intern to World Class Designer (Palesa Mokubung Part 1) NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| From Passionate Intern to World Class Designer : Palesa Mokubung Part 1 (S9, E6) | 31 mars 2025 | 00:33:52 | |
This is the first part of a two-part conversation with renowned South African fashion designer Palesa Mokubung. In this conversation, she shares her 20-year journey with Mantsho by Palesa Mokubung, the fashion brand she founded after working as an intern at another iconic South African fashion house, Stoned Cherrie. This episode is both a celebration and a walk down memory lane with Palesa and here are some of the topics we discussed during our conversation:
Shweshwe (Seshoeshoe) - Traditional Bashoto printed colorful fabric Stoned Cherrie - Iconic and seminal post-Apartheid South African fashion brand inspired by African aesthetics, as well as 50s and 60s urban African style with echoes of the Harlem Renaissance as seen in Janet Jackson's 'Got 'Til It's Gone' video H&M Advert controversy - In 2018, the Swedish fast fashion brand faced a backlash over a racist advert featuring a Black child model wearing a sweatshirt that read "Coolest Monkey In The Jungle" Amapostoli - United Apostolic African Church known for its iconic blue and white uniforms. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Embracing African Beauty: Amanda Sebolai's Journey with Dignify Afro Beauty (S9, E5) | 28 janv. 2025 | 00:36:41 | |
Amanda Sebolai is the founder of the South African natural haircare brand, Dignify Afro Beauty and my guest in this episode of Shades and Layers. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Designing Creative Futures: Dialogue and Collective Power with Palesa Segomotso Motsumi (S9, E4) | 18 déc. 2024 | 00:50:37 | |
In this essential episode of, we sit down with Palesa Segomotso Motsumi, a trailblazing creative social entrepreneur and curator. She is the founder of Sematsatsa Library, a creative consultancy and curatorial agency based in South Africa. Palesa's work occupies a space where art, culture and technology meet - she uses dialogue as a tool for change, storytelling as social infrastructure, and uses feminist design thinking to reimagine how creative ecosystems on the African continent function. She shares her journey from the corporate grind to the world of art and social change in her hometown of Bloemfotein and major centers like Cape Town and Johannesburg. Through her groundbreaking work with Sematsatsa Library and projects like "Hashtag That's What She Said," a fundraising initiative honoring Black women in art, serve as radical acts of archiving, advocacy and community funding. Highlights from our conversation include: -What it takes to build a cultural enterprise outside South Africa's major creative capitals -The role of dialogue as a form of social and political technology -African feminist leadership and the art of curating safe, critical spaces -The power of art and storytelling in funding and healing communities NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| The Grass Is Not Always Greener: From Zimbabwe to Italy with Serial Startup Founder Tadiwa Mwashita (S9, E3) | 04 déc. 2024 | 00:40:11 | |
Today I'm in conversation with Zimbabwean-born and Italy-based serial startup founder and entrepreneur, Tadiwa Mwashita. Her latest venture is the Italian Social Impact Startup, Feedel Africa. They provide services to innovation hubs and non-profit organizations on the African continent, with a special focus on women led startups. Some of the services Feedel Africa offers include fund raising, grant writing and AI education. Join us and hear all about Tadiwa's ability to combine profit with purpose, and how she is elevating African innovation to global heights in the fields of B2B SaaS, fintech, and AI. Our conversations takes us on a journey from Tadiwa’s home country, Zimbabwe, where she stumbled on entrepreneurship as a high school student. We discover that she hasn't stopped experimenting with ideas ever since, and how being in Italy forced her to fully embrace her entrepreneurial roots. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Authenticity and Triumph in the Beauty Industry with Editorial Hairstylist Naeemah LaFond (S9, E2) | 19 nov. 2024 | 00:39:50 | |
Naeemah LaFond, a celebrated editorial hairstylist, is not just styling hair but shaping the future of the beauty industry. Her journey from a court clerk to working alongside icons like Beyoncé and Amapiano singer Tyla is a testament to her passion and dedication. Naeemah's journey in the hair industry is heart driven and intentional, this extends to all that she does, including her partnerships. Learn how Naeemah’s partnership with the global haircare brand Olaplex emphasizes her belief in the importance of science-backed products, particularly for textured hair. She believes that such initiatives are essential in the movement to creating an inclusive industry. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Serena Williams Made Me Tacos with Barbara Clarke Ruiz (S9, E1) | 04 nov. 2024 | 00:38:24 | |
SUMMARY NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Ethnikids: Diversity in children's literature with Khumo Tapfumaneyi (S9, E11) | 02 juil. 2024 | 00:27:54 | |
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| Family Roots to Creative Routes - Raha Copenhagen with Nsimire Godman (S8, E10) | 10 juin 2024 | 00:34:45 | |
In this week's episode, we connect with Nsimire Godman, Founder of Raha Copenhagen. This Denmark-based creative shares how a humble background in Rwanda and a spark of creativity during the pandemic led her to create inclusive, aesthetically pleasing soy wax candles. Listen as Nsimire recounts her year-long journey of mastering the craft, overcoming challenges, and discovering a niche market in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| From South Africa to Seattle: Lizzy Hudson's Story (S8, E9) | 28 mai 2024 | 00:47:42 | |
South African podcaster and social media marketing specialist, Lizzy Hudson is the voice behind the Live to Thrive Podcast. In this episode, she shares her journey into podcasting, inspired by the tragic event of George Floyd's murder in 2020. We discuss the personal impact of this moment and how Lizzy's podcast focuses on amplifying the stories of people of color healing from racial trauma and other challenges unique to POC. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| RAINA (Luxury Hats for Natural Hair) with Rachel Osborne (S8, E8) | 30 avr. 2024 | 00:36:28 | |
It all started with a wish for a satin-lined beach hat. When Rachel Osborne could not find one on the market, she set about creating her own. She spent 2023 researching and testing her concept for luxury satin lined, and adjustable hats that would offer "no-frizz" experience for curly and kinky hair. As a result, her brand RAINA was born.
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| The Yoga Bar and African Affirmations with Fikile 'Fix' Moeti (S8, E7) | 13 avr. 2024 | 00:51:31 | |
Fikile "Fix" Moeti calls herself a Lightworker and you’ll find out what she means by that in this episode. The Social Entrepreneur is the founder of a pay-it-forward education and women-focused social enterprise, The Fix Scholarship. She is a well-known former radio DJ and MTV South Africa presenter.
This long-time yogi is now navigating a new chapter as a mom and owner of a beachfront yoga studio and bar called The Yoga Bar, on the East African island of Zanzibar. Her work with The Fix Scholarship has also led a to a new project that she co-founded with one of the scholarship alumni, and it’s called African Affirmations, an inclusive 30-card deck for children, and the young at heart. You’ll also hear how her family’s legacy of activism and education has been instrumental in shaping her life today and career.
Fikile ‘Fix’ Moeti’s story isn't just about change; it's a beacon for anyone yearning to pursue creativity and authenticity while navigating life's ups and downs. Find out how business, life and local traditions intertwine to create the perfect conditions for slow living and creativity.
https://africanaffirmations.org/ Thandile Lujabe-Rankoe (Diplomat and Fikile’s grandmother) NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Nounouche Online and Azania Public with Bonnie Meslane (S8, E6) | 02 avr. 2024 | 00:33:50 | |
Bonnie Meslane is the Founder of the online lifestyle and culture magazine, Nounouche Online. The Johannesburg-based publisher is also the force behind the A-list Public Relations and Communications company, Azania Public, and like all multi-hyphenates, she also works as in the marketing of the iconic and legendary music radio station, Kaya FM. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| MWLPR (Fashion & Beauty PR) with Monique Webber (S8, E5) | 18 mars 2024 | 00:41:21 | |
Monique Webber is the visionary founder of MLWPR Fashion and Beauty PR Agency. Her story isn't just about the sparkle of dressing celebrities in Herve Leger's iconic ensembles; it's a story about ambition, resilience, and a commitment to lifting up minority, local, and women-owned brands. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| WhatWeCherish with Melaney Oldenhof (S8, E4) | 04 mars 2024 | 00:36:27 | |
Melaney Oldenhoff, Founder and Creative Director of WhatWeCherish, a curated market place for handmade accessories and home décor from the African continent. Melaney shares how she pivoted from New York-based fashion stylist to joining the vanguard of African design in Johannesburg. Her story is a testament to endurance and vision, championing artisans while navigating the intricacies of e-commerce and forging a new path for women-owned and black-owned brands. In our conversation, Melaney outlines her amazing journey from inspiration to launch and discusses the importance of knowing when to pivot. Melaney recently transitioned WhatWeCherish from direct-to-customer to a business-to-business model, which has been instrumental in her mission to amplify the voices of African creators in the world's creative economy. Melaney's journey is bigger than just selling products; it's a vision that centers new narratives about African creators and reinforcing Africa's leadership in sustainably designed products. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Freedom Fleur and Luxury with Kirstie Fleur (S8, E3) | 19 févr. 2024 | 00:32:19 | |
Embark on an inspiring journey with the remarkable Kirstie Fleur, a Ghanaian-American beacon of creativity and advocacy. Our conversation explores her multi-disciplinary artistry that finds expression in all her life's pursuits, from her brave transition from the American Air Force to fashion's forefront, to her passionate embodiment of social entrepreneurship with her brand, Freedom Fleur. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| E100 Clubs and Investment Secrets with Jennifer Dyer (S8, E2) | 12 févr. 2024 | 00:40:00 | |
Unlock the secrets of securing investment and mastering entrepreneurship with our esteemed guest, Jennifer Dyer. As a five-time CEO and seasoned mentor, Jennifer brings a treasure trove of insights from her experience in raising over $13 million, particularly for women and minority entrepreneurs. This episode is a candid exploration into the world of alternative funding, where we unravel the nuances of securing capital from high net worth individuals—quite a different ballgame from the traditional venture capitalist approach. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| SkinstadMD and Holistic Healing with Dr. Margaret Towolawi (S8, E1) | 06 févr. 2024 | 00:39:17 | |
Dr. Margaret Towolawi is a physician whose canvas stretches from her medical clinic to the entrepreneurial landscape of wellness and skincare. Her story is an inspiring tale of transition, as she harmonizes the six pillars of lifestyle medicine with heartfelt entrepreneurship. In our conversation, we discuss the nurturing environment of her Nurture Well Center, the innovative skincare solutions she offers through her SkinStat MD med spa, and the personalization at the heart of her direct primary care model, designed to educate and connect with patients more deeply. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Swimma Caps with Nomvuyo Treffers (S7, E9) | 04 déc. 2023 | 00:39:51 | |
We've come to the end of Season 7 and we end it with a special episode featuring the creation of the first inclusive swimming cap. Founder, Nomvuyo Treffers shares the impact of her work on people's lives, revealing how her brand is not just about accommodating hair, but about encouraging swimming despite limited access to pools for Black and Brown folks. We also unpack her expansion into the American market, the growth of her product line to include shower caps and swimming goggles, competitive markets, and how she remains authentic as her business grows. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Profitable Passion + Purpose with Stefanie Julia Moton (S7, E8) | 28 nov. 2023 | 00:42:45 | |
Today’s episode is about overcoming fear of uncertainty, getting out of your comfort zone and pivoting with purpose. My guest on Shades and Layers is Stefanie Julia Moton, a business coach for online fitness coaches who shares how she transitioned from a career in federal law enforcement to becoming the founder of Catch Flights and Fitness and Profitable Passion and Purpose (P3). Stefanie has always loved sports and she used this passion to create a thriving online business with clients who affectionately called her the Fitness Challenge Lady. At the same time, she was navigating a full-time job which came with a very busy travel schedule. She candidly shares how the global pandemic became a catalyst for her to address burnout and refocus on her wellness passion. Stefanie accredits mindset and self-care to her success as a side hustler. She also gives us a glance into her transition from solopreneur to organizational leader and the significance of a solid support system. Among the issues discussed during our conversation, is the fact that only 10% of the online fitness and wellness market is owned by black women leaders. Stefanie shares her thought-provoking reflections on this fact, how she’s working to increase the representation and celebrate the success of black women in this space. We uncover the systemic barriers and mindsets contributing to this disparity, highlighting the need for increased support and representation. I hope you will be inspired by Stefanie’s career transformation and mission to bring about meaningful change in the fitness industry.
Profitable Passion Purpose - Facebook Page for P3, Stefanie's private group for online fitness coaches. You can connect with her here if you aspire to be an online fitness coach. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| The Black Mermaid Foundation with Zandile Ndhlovu (S7, E7) | 11 nov. 2023 | 00:36:54 | |
THE BLACK MERMAID Zandile Ndhlovu is the founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation, an organization dedicated to changing mindsets and bringing people (particularly for Black and Brown people) closer to the ocean. She is South Africa’s first Black free-diving instructor and through this work, Zandi is providing equitable access to nature and showing that our beliefs about the ocean can coexist with exploring its depths. Our conversation is an exploration of how she came to this work and how it has evolved over the years. Zandi’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Before becoming a free-diving instructor, she was navigating racism in corporate South Africa. After exiting this world, she used her experiences as a catalyst for change, leading her to establish her own consultancy. And that was just the beginning. As you listen, you'll discover how she carved out her path to becoming a visible and prominent figure in the world of sustainability. Dive into Zandi's world of storytelling, and you'll find yourself captivated by her tales of teaching children from townships about the ocean and the joy she finds in it. You'll also hear about her children's book, "Zandi's Song," a transformative story that has been essential to furthering her cause. She is a testament to the power of dreams, the beauty of the ocean, and the strength in breaking barriers. Zandi’s Ted Talk – You can watch Zandi’s Ted Talk here Explore other stories of black women doing incredible things in water here NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| The Closet Runway with Evelina Kauna Nailenge (S7, E6) | 06 nov. 2023 | 00:42:48 | |
Elevate your style and gain cutting-edge insights into the fashion-tech industry with our special guest, Evelina Kauna Nailenge , the trailblazing co-founder of The Closet Runway. Superbalist – online fashion and lifestyle market Seth Shezi – Art and lifestyle strategist. Travel and Foodie content creator. Maxhosa Africa - Founded by designer Laduma Ngxokolo, the brand is known for its distinct patterns and craftsmanship. Mmuso Maxwell - Johannesburg-based ready-to-wear fashion brand founded by two partners Maxwell Boko and Mmuso Potsane Thebe Magugu – South African designer and LVMH Prize winner 2019 Maria McCloy – South African fashion & accessories designer and Publicist Sweep South – think Uber or Lyft for home cleaning, gardening, and odd jobs around the house. A platform that has taken the gig economy to home care. Emma Grede – serial entrepreneur, co-founder at Skims with Kim Kardashian and CEO of the inclusive, body positive body clothing brand, Good American. Mellody Hobson – first black woman to head up a black-owned mutual fund, Arie NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Change Agent Coaching with Alison Hall (S7, E5) | 30 oct. 2023 | 00:35:13 | |
Ever felt trapped in the corporate hamster wheel, yearning for something more meaningful? Alison Hall, founder of Change Agent Coaching for Women and co-founder of the Boldest Me, certainly did and she joins me in this episode to share her remarkable journey. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Four Naturals Hair with Shalita Grant (S7, E4) | 23 oct. 2023 | 00:50:07 | |
Today, we are excited to bring you a candid conversation with the unstoppable force that is Shalita Grant - a Tony Award-nominated actress, an NCIS New Orleans alumna, and the mastermind behind the disruptive haircare brand, Four Naturals Hair. NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| The Perfect Hair and Curls In Bloom with Taryn Gill (S7, E3) | 16 oct. 2023 | 00:50:20 | |
It’s impossible not to be inspired by Taryn Gill, the go-getter behind the phenomenal haircare brand The Perfect Hair. Her insights and experiences are an education in and of themselves. From her journey in scaling her brand through strategic partnerships, to her lessons on the power of letting go for brand expansion, Taryn candidly shares how her entrepreneurial journey has evolved since our last sit-down two years ago. Her origins story goes beyond a product line, weaving an authentic connection between the brand and its consumers, a testament to her deep understanding of her audience and their needs. Beauty, wellness and self-love is that it’s all about. Don’t miss this awesome MasterClass + Sit-Down.
LINKS AND MENTIONS Cherie Blaire Road to Growth - https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/programmes/road-to-growth/ Taryn Gill’s social handles: TikTok, Instagram and Facebook LOST IN TRANSLATION You may have heard us talk about shopping at a garage, this simply means a gas station. 😁 South African English is a thing. We even have our own dictionary. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Vava Specialty Coffee with Vava Angwenyi (S7, E2) | 09 oct. 2023 | 00:44:46 | |
Kenyan-born entrepreneur Vava Angwenyi is a specialty coffee exporter, producer and roaster. She founded Vava Coffee Inc, which is B-Corp Certified entity and later co-founded Gente Del Futuro with a Tanzania-based Colombian partner, with the mission of having a meaningful impact on the monopolized coffee trade in East Africa. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Sheba Feminine with Zizipho Ntobongwana (S7, E1) | 02 oct. 2023 | 00:36:59 | |
We're back for a new season! Are you ready to start the conversation with some insights on how we think about and how we speak more openly about menstrual health? NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Swirly Curly and Easy with Keziah Dhamma (S6, E10) | 06 juin 2023 | 00:42:10 | |
Today my guest is Keziah Dhamma, founder and CEO of Swirly Curly Hair, a luxury natural hair care and education company. So, what started out as a company making snap-on hair ties (Snapees) for curly and kinky haired folks, has evolved into a fully-fledged product company with an education platform to support individuals on their natural hair journey. With more than 10 thousand members in its community, Swirly Curly Hair is looking to go even bigger in the next few years, as they contemplate getting into the retail space. In our conversation, she gives the details of exactly what the Swirly Curly method entails, how she went about developing the curriculum for members of her community and how she transitioned from one stage of the company to the next. She also gets into surviving Covid, writing a book and balancing all that with having three children in quick succession. Enjoy the episode! Curl College is where you can learn how to take care of your curls using the Swirly Curly Method. You can also buy Keziah's book which outlines this method with illustrations. And just for being a Shades and Layers listener, you get a 15% discount on your order when using the code podcast15 at checkout. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Beauty of the Nile with Jasmine Mobley (S6, E9) | 24 mai 2023 | 00:39:34 | |
Personal care conversations/discussions for black and brown people are still largely dominated by hair care, but now we see more and more conversations about skin care concerns that are specific to people of color. Today we are focusing on a black-owned skincare brand that uses science-based solutions to address the needs specific to people of color and encourages us to Love Your Brown Skin. Beauty of the Nile is also a family business and Jasmine Mobley, my guest today, is a co-founder with her parents in this venture. She is also the host of the brand’s eponymous podcast and fulfills other customer facing activities, like managing the brand’s vibrant community of skincare enthusiast. She also points out that even though she has this official role in the company, it's all hands on deck when you're a startup. The brand is a reboot and Jasmine will tell us all about that and how she finds working with her forward-thinking parents. We talk about her entrepreneurial journey, the tokenization of diversity in the beauty industry, colorism and how the "Love your Brown Skin" tagline became the brand’s North Star. Learn More about Otrium and their mission to sell all unsold clothing and get a 20% discount when you shop brands on their platform. Use the code SHADES20 at checkout to enjoy this offer. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Thigpro (Intentionally Selfish) with Naketa Thigpen (S6, E8) | 16 mai 2023 | 00:49:13 | |
There is so much available out there in the personal development space and if you are not careful, you will be taking a new course and following a new guru or coach every week. And so, this week, you will get a glimpse into what makes a good personal development curriculum from my guest, Naketa Thigpen, Founder and CEO of Thigpro Balance & Relationship Management Institute. She is on a mission to build stronger families and she encourages her clients (power couples and potent individuals) to be “intentionally selfish” while pursuing balance in their life. Naketa’s story is inspiring. She used her personal adversity to propel herself into a career of service. An overachiever by nature and survivor of horrors no child should go through, she can empathize with her clients no matter what they are dealing with in different aspects of their lives. She’s also a healer, who not only works with private clients but serves her community as a minister. I hope you enjoy this episode and that you will feel that transformation and a better life, however you envision that, is possible for you, no matter where you are in your healing or life or professional journey. Thank you for sharing your story so generously Naketa 🤎🤍 LINKS AND MENTIONS Balance Boldly – Naketa’s Podcast for Ambitious Women - http://thigpro.com/ Shades and Layers Squad – Join us for a fortnightly dose of discussions and news from the studio - https://shadesandlayers.beehiiv.com/ Learn More about Otrium and their mission to sell all unsold clothing and get a 20% discount when you shop brands on their platform. Use the code SHADES20 at checkout to enjoy this offer. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Black Beauty Collective with Leslie Roberson (S6, E7) | 09 mai 2023 | 00:40:16 | |
In today’s conversation, Leslie takes us on a journey of how the idea came to her in the first place, how she’s gone about recruiting the founders who will be tenants at her flagship store, her business model AND her vision for the collective. Leslie has a corporate career in Talent Acquisition, this is her second venture into entrepreneurship and she’s also a US military veteran. She will tell us how she’s leveraging all these aspects of her background to make the collective a success.
Enjoy the episode 💜
A GIFT FOR YOU Learn More about Otrium and their mission to sell all unsold clothing and get a 20% discount when you shop brands on their platform. Use the code SHADES20 at checkout to enjoy this offer. JOIN THE SQUAD - Stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Changing Narratives with Wacy Zacarias and Djamila DeSousa (S6, E6) | 02 mai 2023 | 00:53:04 | |
Today we conclude our fashion conversations by visiting, Changing Narratives in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. Changing Narratives is the love child of Mozambican business and creative partners, Wacy Zacarias and Djamila DeSousa. These Mozambican textile and accessirues designers are on a mission to preserve traditional Mozambican and more broadly, African craft and knowledge through their brands, Karingana Textiles and Woogui. Wacy and Djamila started working together in 2015, back when wax print was still the most visible representation of African textile. And as we’ve previously mentioned, these fabrics are, ironically, not even African-made or owned. In this context, these two women took inspiration from their local natural environment, existing production systems, local traditional designs and stories and decided to do things differently. In this conversation, we focus on their journey as pioneers in textile design, the sustainable fashion movement, we discuss one of their projects working with refugees in northern Mozambique, they also give their take on what “Made In Africa” means for fashion labels and designers. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Lydia Endora (Athleisure) with Lydia Endora (S6, E5) | 04 avr. 2023 | 00:38:30 | |
My guest today is Lydia Endora, Founder, Creative Designer and Buyer at her self-titled fashion label. The seeds of a love for fashion were planted in Lydia’s heart at a very young age by her grandmother. Combined with education and a work ethic modeled by her mother, she has tapped into her creative spirit and skills to find her own corner in the athleisure space of the fashion market. With a focus on quality and obsession with the customer, Lydia has created a fashion line that features multifunctional pieces for the busy woman to seamlessly switch between activities during her day. She says that this is a discerning and conscious fashion buyer who does not want to be forced to throw away clothes after a few cycles in the washing machine. And so, Lydia puts a lot of thought into who her customer is, right down to the activities she’s engaged in as she goes about her day. In addition to her process, we talk about hopes and dreams, listening to the whispers of your life and following your gut. We talk about some of the challenges that smaller fashion houses encounter while trying to implement ethical business practices and of course, we talk about Lydia’s personal story. Some of the fashion designers and exciting fashion leaders and spaces that Lydia mentions: Harlem's Fashion Row – An exclusively black business bricks and mortar fashion marketplace in Harlem Join the Squad and Subscribe to the Shades and Layers newsletter A GIFT FOR YOU 🥳🎁 - Otrium is a digital marketplace on a mission to sell all unsold clothes from top fashion brand that you love. Learn more about them on their website and Get 20% off at checkout when you use the code "SHADES 20"
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| Otrium with Zuhairah Washington (S6, E4) | 28 mars 2023 | 00:35:43 | |
SAVING WALLETS AND LANDFILLS Otrium is a digital platform where you can buy end of season clothing at accessible prices. What does that mean? All those clothes that brands were unable to sell for whatever reason, can be discretely uploaded onto the platform and given a second chance at finding their way to being bought and used, rather than ending up in a landfill or a burning pile. This of course should give you a hint that sustainability is one of the topics I discussed with Zuhairah. It is one of many huge problems associated with fashion, but things are starting to move in the right direction, and she will explain a bit more in our interview. Zuhairah started her career in private equity, she has founded her own tech company, had a stint at Uber as well as at Expedia and now here she is telling us about how she’s leading Otrium’s expansion into the US market. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Nthatuoa Crafts with Nthatuoa Makhapa (S6, E3) | 21 mars 2023 | 00:31:11 | |
This week, we have nothing but love, and you will find out why as you listen to the interview with, my guest today, Nthatuoa Makhapa. She is the founder and creative director of the knitwear brand, Nthatuoa Crafts where everything is made by hand and inspired by her home country of Lesotho.
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| Noite Rose Anywear with Diandra Harvin (S6, E2) | 14 mars 2023 | 00:36:46 | |
Noite Rose is an affordable luxury loungewear brand that was founded during the pandemic by digital marketing and branding professional, Diandra Harvin. After graduating with a degree in Arts and Fashion Merchandising and (later earning an MBA), she worked in the fashion industry, but found herself in a toxic environment that pushed her out of the industry for several years. The outcome was a brand that focuses on comfort infused with romance. Noite rose is for women who like looking good while lounging or caring for themselves. Diandra brings these women together once in a while under the La Femme Familia umbrella, and they uplift each other while chasing their dreams and goals. LINKS AND MENTIONS NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Hashtag McCloying with Maria McCloy (S6, E1) | 07 mars 2023 | 00:54:03 | |
Welcome to Season 6! NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| BlackTravelBox with Orion Brown (S5, E10) | 11 janv. 2023 | 00:53:13 | |
Orion Brown, founder and CEO of the multicultural lifestyle brand BlackTravelBox. They make travel-size hair and skincare for black and other travelers of color. Their mission is to bring ease to the travel experience. Heaven knows how many times so many have had their business or even holiday trips ruined by hotel shampoos and lotions. Orion is a frequent traveler herself and the idea to start BlackTravelBox came to her after being inconvenienced too many times by the act of packing toiletries and also being in hotel rooms where you can’t even look at the products, let alone use them. There’s also the issue of getting your toiletries trashed by airport security. And so she started talking to other black travelers, who told her how they were playing chemist in their hotel and Airbnb bathrooms and kitchens. To Orion, the solution was not easy but it was offensively simple: make on-the-go products for black travelers. Having worked for 18 years in corporate and gaining expertise in brand strategy in the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) sector, she combined this experience with research and personal travel experience to strike out on her own and build her unique brand. Our conversation is not only about the products she makes, but also strategic choices, sustainability in a notoriously unsustainable industry and standing out in a very noisy market. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| Healing Ancestral Money Trauma with Vangile Makwakwa (S5, E9) | 10 janv. 2023 | 01:00:26 | |
At this time of year we are all looking at our bank balances and regretting whatever questionable spending decisions we made over the festive season. And so, we are talking about money today with my guest, Vangile Makwakwa, founder and wealth coach at Wealthy Money and co-founder of Property Magician Stokvel. Vangile Makwakwa graduated with a finance degree from the prestigious University of Cape Town in her home country South Africa and an MBA from Boston in the USA. Even after this education and increased earning power, she still found that she was having financial troubles.It took a shift in mindset and a whole healing journey to change her financial behavior patterns, become debt free and create a thriving work-from-anywhere business. As always, the wisdom and take-aways are revealed through the story... NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||
| REWIND: Do Your Work (Nokulinda Mkhize Horwood) | 03 janv. 2023 | 00:42:33 | |
It is not possible to speak Wellness, Well-being and Black women and not talk about African spirituality. Today, my guest and sangoma Nokulinda Mkhize Horwood discusses her profession, her own practice, her observations of changing attitudes towards sangomas over the past 13 year's since her initiation and some of the challenges she still faces in her work. NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter | |||