The Nero Okwa Xperience

Oroma Cookey-Gam is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of THIS IS US, a Nigerian fashion brand preserving a 500-year-old indigo dyeing tradition.In this conversation:- From lawyer to fashion designer- Discovering Funtua cotton in Northern Nigeria- The 500-year-old Kofar Mata dye pits in Kano- Faith as foundation for sustainable fashion- The real cost of "Made in Nigeria"- Balancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurshipConnect with THIS IS US:Instagram: @thisisusngWebsite: thisisusworld.comConnect with me:Instagram: @thenerookwaxperienceNewsletter: Business Notes by Nero Okwa

Here's a new podcast episode narrating my journey building Jetseta—a private jet marketplace in Nigeria.If you're an entrepreneur, product manager, or just someone interested in building businesses in Africa, this episode is for you.What you'll learn:✈️ How to discover your real value proposition (it's not what you think)✈️ Why all the work begins AFTER launch✈️ How to build trust from zero✈️ The power of persistence in sales✈️ Leading teams when you can't rely on age or title✈️ Solving big problems during crises40 minutes of raw, unfiltered storytelling.📖 Full written article:nerookwa.substack.com/p/87-the-african-aviator-lessons-from

In this episode, we sit down with Lin Loke, founder of Nuwa wellness brand and former management consultant. Lin shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a health and wellness company, the power of picking up the phone, and why trust is the foundation of every business. We dive deep into career pivots, the reality of launching a consumer brand, and the importance of taking that crucial first step.00:00 - Introduction01:00 - Career Foundation & Early Experiences01:04 - Lin's UCL journey and early career exploration07:20 - Summer internships: From surveying buildings to inspecting Wembley Stadium12:56 - Lin: Early career exploration eliminates what you don't want to 13:53 - Nero: Business is about people - rapport building and stakeholder management16:04 - Lin's 5 years at Arup: M&A infrastructure and due diligence17:21 - Meeting Hael Kobayashi: From Star Wars to digital transformation mentor20:28 - The importance of mentors and international exposurePivoting from Corporate to Entrepreneurship22:05 - Lin: Escaping the linear career path - why consulting wasn't enough23:35 - Nero's story: From engineering to discovering lean startup methodology27:20 - Lin: Creative energy and the birth of Nuwa wellness brand29:15 - The burnout that inspired the product ideaBuilding Nuwa: From Idea to Execution34:00 - From trademark to product development: The research process36:31 - East meets West philosophy in wellness products39:10 - Packaging innovation: Why she chose biodegradable tea bags over bottles42:43 - Finding manufacturing partners: The power of picking up the phoneGolden Insights on Entrepreneurship46:29 - Nero's Jetseta story: Uber for private jets in Nigeria49:50 - Marketing photoshoot as MVP56:02 - Dogfooding your product changes how you sellThe Reality of Launching56:51 - Lin: The misconception about "selling out" on launch day59:22 - Nero: Trust before the trust - preparation meets opportunityPhilosophy & Final Advice01:01:03 - "The frog in the well knows nothing about the ocean"01:03:33 - Lin: Learning by doing vs. learning about doing01:07:57 - Most rewarding aspects of building Nuwa01:10:55 - Final advice: Find a problem you care about and care deeper01:13:22 - Nero's closing thoughts: Keep taking risks, the best is yet to comeGuest: Lin Loke - Founder of Nuwa Wellness

In this episode, we sit down with Alberto Zandi, the co-founder of Emerald Hospitality Group, Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, and the host of the 30 & Thriving Podcast. Zandi shares valuable insights on his entrepreneurship journey, building iconic restaurant brands, and the importance of happiness for success.⁠00:00⁠ - Intro⁠00:33⁠ - Alberto's story⁠04:13⁠ - Finding the right business model ⁠05:08⁠ - Finding the right opportunity ⁠08:19⁠ - Travelling and building a brand⁠10:50⁠ - Working with his twin brother ⁠15:00⁠ - Curating a quality restaurant experience⁠17:10⁠ - 30 & Thriving Podcast⁠21:00⁠ - Success is never final, failure is never fatal⁠21:45⁠ - Defining Success⁠24:06⁠ - Advice to his 21 year old self ⁠25:09⁠ - What's Next Emperor Nero Okwa: ⁠  / nerookwa  ⁠, IG: @nero_okwaAlberto Zandi: ⁠  / alberto-zandi-ba0a54130  ⁠Emerald Hospitality Group: ⁠https://emerald-hospitality-group.com/⁠30 & Thriving Podcast: ⁠https://30-and-thriving.com/⁠

After the amazing conversation on Creativity and Entrepreneurship with @BukaTheBuilder we were having an amazing 'back stage' chat and decided to just keep rolling the camera. We covered a lot of interesting themes on navigating identities from growing up somewhere else, Nigeria Culture 4.0, and Predictions for Africa.00:00 - Intro00:33 - Navigating Identities 01:12 - Nigeria Culture 4.001:32 - Add the Old, Enjoy the New 01:42 - African Diaspora 02:14 – Back to the source 02:36 - The Year of Return Ghana 201903:38 - Burna Boy: African Giant Album07:09 - Burna Boy: Touring Craft07:57 – Between 2 options, why not both?08:40 – Culturally Multilingual 08:54 – Creating Nigeria Culture 4.009:16 – We are creating history, right now09:40 – Being aware of the moment 10:04 – New tools to create 10:16 - Nigeria10:40 – Future of Africa, Agenda 206311:03 – Africa Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)12:15 – Mansa Musa, Europe 13:07 – Knowing where you came from 13:17 – We Need New Narratives13:52 – A Time to be Alive 14:43 – African High Speed Railway 16:15 – Africa Ecommerce 17:55 – Learning about my Culture18:24 – PREDICTIONS for Africa21:12 - Travelling across Africa, Hubs 22:16 – AfCFTA22:44 – People follow Opportunities. 23:55 - That’s a Wrap Emperor Nero: IG: @nero_okwaBuka The Builder: IG: @bukathebuilder

Had an amazing conversation on Creativity and Entrepreneurship with @BukaTheBuilder.We covered a lot of interesting themes on Music, Summer 2024, Creating, Africa, Culture and much more. 00:00 Intro01:04 Buka - Attending Oxford Business Africa Summit02:27 Nero - Attending Oxford Business Africa Summit03:40 Buka - Music on our playlist 04:20 Nero - Music on our playlist 05:20 Buka - Summer: DJing, Music videos06:52 Nero - Summer: Newsletter anniversary07:38 Nero - Summer: Discovering your niche08:31 Nero - Summer: Exploring London 11:55 Buka - What's next ?13:22 Buka - Building the brand, dance, DJing14:39 Buka - Mobile DJing, European tour13:36 Nero - What's next ?14:14 Nero - Climbing Kilimanjaro15:24 Nero - Music the soundtrack of our lives 16:05 Life is Movie16:25 Emperor Nero brand 17:57 Creating for yourself, body of work18:19 Year of return, Afronation and Ghana 19:30 Be a beginner again20:21 Buka - Discovering places with music20:58 Nero - London Carnival, the multidimensional experience.22:58 Buka - Art takes courage23:16 Buka - Not good is better not done24:15 Buka - If you don’t start you’ll never win25:16 1 big thing in 6 months26:46 Advice for creatives28:29 Go up for gloryEmperor Nero: IG: @nero_okwaBuka The Builder: IG: @bukathebuilder

In this final episode of the Kilimanjaro series, Nero reflects on his transformative journey, from the challenges of the climb to the profound impact of exploring Tanzania. He shares insights on self-discovery, the importance of environmental conservation, and the need for greater African travel and collaboration. Drawing inspiration from a certain Japanese proverb, Nero emphasizes the importance of expanding our horizons and embracing new experiences to broaden our understanding of the world.

This episode takes us to the enchanting island of Zanzibar. I'll describe exploring the historic Stone Town, relaxing on pristine beaches, and immersing myself in the vibrant culture and delicious cuisine. We'll then catch a ferry to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city, where I'll experience the blend of old and new.

Leaving the mountain behind, I embark on a thrilling safari adventure. Join me as I explore the Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, encountering incredible wildlife like lions, elephants, and giraffes.

Day 7In this climactic episode, I recount the midnight summit attempt – the physical and mental challenges of climbing in the dark, the exhilaration of reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, and the bittersweet feeling of completing this incredible challenge.

Day 5 - Day 6Experience the emotional and physical toll of the climb as I descend into the Karanga Valley and confront the stark contrast in landscapes. I'll discuss the importance of mental resilience and the grueling ascent to Barafu Camp, the final resting point before the summit push.

Day 1 - Day 4Join me as I navigate the diverse landscapes of Kilimanjaro, from the lush rainforests to the stark beauty of the Shira Plateau. I'll share the challenges of acclimatization, the importance of pacing oneself, and the thrill of conquering the formidable Barranco Wall.

In this inaugural episode of the series, I share the driving force behind my Kilimanjaro climb: raising awareness for the climate crisis in Africa, specifically the devastating deforestation of the Congo Rainforest. I'll discuss the inspiration for this ambitious undertaking and set the stage for the incredible journey that lies ahead.

Introduction