Andy Davis is on a mission to transform investing and empower Black entrepreneurs. This week's episode brings you an intimate conversation with Andy Davis, founder of 10x10 and former Director of Backstage Capital London.

This isn't your typical "started from the bottom" story. Andy takes us on a raw, unfiltered journey through his unique path to success - no university degree, no corporate ladder, just pure hustle and determination shaped by his Sierra Leonean mother's entrepreneurial spirit.

A leading angel investor and advocate for Black founders, Andy’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and collective growth. As the Founder of 10x10, Andy has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and building opportunities for underrepresented communities.

In this deeply personal episode, Andy opens up about:

• Why he's committed to transforming the European tech investment landscape
• Building the ground breaking 10x10 Fund from scratch
• The profound loss that shaped his urgency for success at age 17
• Real talk about therapy, resilience, and maintaining mental health as a founder
• Practical strategies for democratising venture capital

Perfect for your commute or morning walk, this episode is packed with actionable insights for founders, investors, and anyone passionate about creating lasting change in the investor space.

If you enjoy this episode, leave us a rating and review to help other listeners find this valuable content!

Pashcan’el Mitchell is a name you need to know in the world of hairdressing. With over a decade of experience, Pash has transformed from a salon stylist to an award-winning hairstylist, creating iconic looks featured in Vogue, Wonderland, Spell Magazine, Viper, Schick Magazine and Black Hair & Beauty, as well as creating high end hair looks on set for video shoots and live shows.

Starting his career in salons, he spent a number of years at Junior Green in Kensington, specialising in afro hair and solidifying his name in the scene.

Part of the Avlon education team, his work speaks for itself as he continues to shake up the afro hair scene with his unwavering passion, talent and creativity.

More recently, Pashcan’el was appointed lead educator for afro and textured hair across the Blue Tit salon group, running the training programme specific to this hair type.

In this episode Alicia and Pash discuss

• The evolution of hairdressing from traditional techniques to modern tools like YouTube, and the critical need for diverse skills in consultations and cultural awareness.
• Pash shares his journey from barbering to hairstyling, overcoming societal stigmas and finding his path with mentorship from Patricia Hope at Caprius Salon.
• Blue Tit London and its commitment to creating an inclusive, diverse space for both clients and stylists
• The rich history of black hairdressing and the challenges within the industry, promoting the importance of understanding client demographics and cultural contexts.

Connect with Pash

https://www.instagram.com/pashcanel/

Hosanna Hali, an accomplished Azure Specialist at Microsoft and the founder of The Tech Cornr joins the conversation with Alicia Richardson today. From her humble beginnings as a Computing and IT Management graduate to becoming a Solutions Engineer in Cybersecurity, Hosanna’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.

Since starting her career in technology over two years ago, Hosanna has been using her experience to help guide, mentor and inspire the next generation of Women In Tech. Hosanna has participated in a number of Women In Tech Initiatives and in 2020 was highlighted as one of the ten influential Black British women who code and break down barriers by People of Color In Tech.

Using her platform, The Tech Cornr, Hosanna aims to inform, inspire and empower her audience by sharing her story, tech resources and career advice across a number of social media platforms. Hosanna’s goal in life is to help open the tech doors to more women and girls.

In this Episode Alicia and Hosanna dive into

• Hosanna’s Growth Journey: her inspiring path from Congo to the UK, excelling in business, computing, and a thriving career at Microsoft.
• Climbing the corporate ladder from Technology Strategist to Cybersecurity
• Why seeking out sponsorship from senior leaders who can actively advocate for you can help with rapid career progression
• Hosanna highlights the power of networking, mentorship, and self-belief in overcoming corporate hurdles and imposter syndrome.
• Balancing Passions: She candidly discusses juggling her career with content creation and her vision to expand The Tech Corner through webinars and impactful events.

Connect with Hosanna here

LinkedIn: (99+) Hosanna Hali | LinkedIn

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetechcornr/

Sabrina Chevannes is the founder of N0BS - a members’ club for highly ambitious entrepreneurs, which also has an in-house creative agency – the No Bullsh*t Agency. Sabrina is an award-winning creative, having led her agency for over a decade and having the privilege to work with high profile clients such as NATO, Sony and the NHS.

She has been recognised by the British Interactive Media Association as one of the top 100 creatives to watch for 2 years in a row.

Sabrina is also an International Chess Master and an international poker player. She played chess for England and competed in multiple Chess Olympiads, and has recently competed in two European Poker Tours in Cyprus and Prague.

As well as all this, Sabrina runs TEDxShoreditch and is an international public speaker herself, gracing the stage in 12 different countries. She is also the self-development leader at Forbes, a bestselling author, a podcaster and an MBA lecturer.

• Her early career; the challenges and triumphs of running a global business,
• She offers a unique insights into what it takes to build a no BS community and thrive in competitive industries.
• Her other life endeavours such as being an International Chess Master

When she’s not working, she’s cuddling up to her Chow Chow, Bella.

Connect and Learn more about Sabrina here:

https://sabrinachevannes.com/

sabrina@sabrinachevannes.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinachevannes/?originalSubdomain=uk

Ola, the founder of All Things Money, created the online platform to help adults navigate the financial challenges of adulthood. The platform was launched in 2020 during the first lockdown, following her journey of self-teaching how to invest in the stock market. Feeling overwhelmed by the process, she quickly realised how little is taught about investing and other crucial personal finance topics in schools and universities.

Motivated by this gap in education, Ola began sharing personal finance tips on social media to help young people manage their finances effectively. Since then, All Things Money has grown into a thriving online community of over 24,000 members, and even hosts a personal finance podcast.

In addition to the online content, Ola offers interactive personal finance workshops to colleges, universities, and organisations, aiming to address the financial literacy gap both in the UK and beyond. Passionate about making personal finance more engaging, she is on a mission to transform the way it is perceived.

In this episode, Alicia and Ola discuss:

• "All Things Money": A personal finance platform for young adults, started during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• Ola’s career shift and growing her platform due to the pandemic
• The launch of "All Things Money" in April 2020
• Investing Basics that Ola learned
• The growth of All Things Money
• Ola’s experience of overspending
• The importance of personal interactions in financial education
• Future Aspirations

Connect and Learn more about Ola here:

https://www.instagram.com/allthingsmoney_?igsh=MWs1NXA1amN6MW04NA==

https://linktr.ee/allthingsmoney_

Victoria Omobuwajo, a visionary entrepreneur, is the driving force behind Sunmo, a brand that redefines health-conscious living with its innovative product range.

With a remarkable journey showcasing her tenacity, creativity, and business acumen, Victoria has made a significant impact on both the retail and direct-to-consumer industries.

Victoria's dedication to sustainability and ethical sourcing sets Sunmo apart in the industry. By carefully selecting ingredients from local suppliers and implementing eco-friendly packaging practices, Sunmo has become a champion of environmental responsibility.

In an exciting development, renowned chef Gordon Ramsay recognised the immense potential of Sunmo and decided to join forces with Victoria as her business partner. His culinary expertise and strategic guidance have propelled Sunmo to new heights, solidifying its position as an industry frontrunner.

As Sunmo continues to captivate palates and revolutionise the food industry, Victoria Omobuwajo remains an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that determination, creativity, and a genuine love for what you do can truly shape the world.

In this Episode Alicia and Victoria discuss:

• Her health journey and the motivation behind starting Sunmo.
• The factors that led her investors to choose and support her.
• The natural ingredients that contributed to curing her eczema.
• The process involved in launching Sunmo at Selfridges.
• What made her brand stand out at their first exhibition.
• The value and significance of both online and offline branding.
• Her experience of winning £150K on the Gordon Ramsay show.

Connect and Learn more about Victoria and Sunmo here:

https://uk.sunmosnacks.com/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/victoria-omobuwajo-092b1884

Johanne Penney is the Founder & CEO of Amp Up Your Voice, a progressive anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy that partners with modern and progressive brands and businesses who are on their journey to authentically diversify their business and who want to be true advocates. Working up to and mainly at C-Suite level Johanne helps drive real change and elevates brands by ensuring inclusion and belonging and to authentically be part of the Racial Equity change movement.

She does this through a range of media: providing expert DEI consultancy services, devising long-term DEI strategies and delivering high energy, unique, educational engagement sessions. She is also a public speaker and mentors’ organisations that want to change and proactively champion DEI. Johanne also coaches individuals who need support around DEI, to navigate and grow their careers and those who are affected by systemic barriers to success.

She prides herself on being a positive disruptor and is also a culture writer and author of the eBook ‘The Road Map to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ - a guide on how to take positive action and drive inspirational change.

In this episode Jo and Alicia discuss:

• The upbringing within the Jehovah's Witness community
• Her journey discovering Caribbean culture
• Overcoming discouragement from pursuing higher education
• Experiencing extreme overt racial discrimination and its role in launching her business
• The mission of Amp Up Your Voice in assisting organisations

www.ampupyourvoice.com or download the eBook: https://lnkd.in/e92iAYGB

IG: @ampupyourvoice

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanne-penney-2114511a/

Crosby Enninful is the founder of Egbenn Accountancy Services and a Chartered Accountant.

He is 32 years old and has over 12 years experience in finance and accounting. He has been running is own firm for 5 years and works with small and medium size businesses dealing with all areas of accounting.

In this episode, Alicia and Crosby delve into:

• The shift from managing contracts to managing a business
• Overcoming and emerging from periods of depression
• Exploring the significance of faith in Crosby's personal and professional journey
• Strategies for optimising time management to achieve personal and professional goals
• Prioritising relationships over professional pursuits

You can connect with him on:

Email: info@egbenn.co.uk

Instagram: @egbennaccountancy

LinkedIn: Crosby Enninful (FCCA)

Website: www.egbenn.co.uk