Episodes

  • Lady Phyll on how to fight for equality
    Nov 25 2020

    Meet Lady Phyll, Co-Founder of UK Black Pride  and Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust.  In this episode, Ro and Lady Phyll discuss transitioning from the Civil Service to establishing a LGBTQ+ safe space and charity and the importance of having an activism strategy.

    You don’t want to miss:

    • What motivated Lady Phyll to start UK Black Pride
    • Why it’s OK to be emotional and not OK
    • Why we all should be fighting for equality and equity
    • Lady Phyll's views on true allyship 
    • Advice on creating change by working with others as a collective

    PLUS, Lady Phyll's top tips on how to keep mentally healthy during these times!

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Lady Phyll on Instagram @LadyPhyll / UK Black Pride on Instagram @UKBlackPride and online at www.ukblackpride.org.uk
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Yvonne Bajela on how to secure VC funding
    Nov 11 2020

    Meet Yvonne Bajela, Founding Member and Principal at Impact X Capital. In this episode, Ro and Yvonne discuss making Forbes’ 30 under 30, the different types of funding available, and the importance of having an empathetic management style.

    You don’t want to miss:

    • What inspired Yvonne to enter the world of banking and finance
    • The importance of mentoring and sponsorship for getting ahead
    • How to assert authority when you know little about a role
    • Why there’s a need for a diverse pipeline of investors to tackle the gap in funding for underrepresented founders
    • Yvonne’s predictions on funding in a post-COVID world
    • Advice on how to break into the VC world

    PLUS, Yvonne's top tips on how to nail future pitches and secure Venture capitalist funding. 

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Yvonne on Instagram @YvonneBajela, on Twitter @YvonneBajela and online at www.impactxcapital.com
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!


    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Michele Scott-Lynch on how to reach millions in revenue
    Oct 28 2020

    Meet Michele Scott-Lynch, Founder of Boucleme. In this episode, Ro and Michele discuss business growth secrets, green beauty and juggling motherhood with entrepreneurship.

    You don’t want to miss:

    • What inspired Michele to start a clean curl care brand 
    • The pros of self funding your business over investment 
    • Why timing is everything
    • Michele’s take on why curl-labelling can hinder hair growth and health
    • The importance of developing brand values and a brand narrative
    • Michele's biggest achievements - yes, including hitting £2 million in revenue

    PLUS, Michelle's top tips on how to thrive as a business owner in a post COVID-world!

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Boucleme on Instagram @Boucleme and online at www.boucleme.co.uk
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Adwoa Owusu-Darko on how to grow on Depop
    Oct 13 2020

    Meet Adwoa Owusu-Darko AKA Mini, Founder of Mini's World and The MW LAB. In this episode, Ro and Mini discuss entrepreneurship, Mini's motivations in Depop's fashion space  and community.

    You don’t want to miss:

    • What inspired Mini to start a sustainable, fashion business that places inclusivity and diversity at the forefront
    • Why it’s important to pave the way for others
    • Advice on letting immigrant parents know you’ve decided on a non-traditional career path
    • How to win in the Depop wild west

    PLUS, Mini's top tips on how to shop for those stand-out vintage finds!

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Mini on Instagram @Minis_W0rld and online at www.minisworld.com
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!


    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Chloe Elliott on how to win customers
    Sep 30 2020

    Meet Chloe Elliott, Founder of Odyssey Box UK and Blogger via Curly Gal Chlo. In this episode, Ro and Chloe discuss entrepreneurship, Chloe's motivations in the natural hair industry and how best to win customers. 

    You don’t want to miss:

    • What inspired Chloe to start a luxury hair care subscription box that showcases strictly Black-owned brands
    • Why it’s important to build relationships and regularly connect with (potential) customers
    • How WOC can make the most of the current climate to amplify their businesses
    • Advice on bookkeeping and staying on top of never-ending to-do lists
    • How to crack the instagram algorithm - vanity metrics aside
    • Need to knows of starting your own brand or business

    PLUS, Chloe's top tips on how to achieve that perfect wash n go!

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Chloe on Instagram @OdysseyBoxUK and online at www.odysseyboxuk.com / www.curlygalchlo.com
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!

    P.S. Last, but not least - Happy Black History Month UK folks!

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Viv Yau on how to build your influence
    Aug 25 2020

    Meet Viv Yau, Founder of Bee Influence and Host of But Where Are You From? podcast. In this episode, Ro and Viv discuss the realities of being an Asian female entrepreneur, her ambitions in influencer marketing and the fight for equality to reduce the influencer pay gap and tackle racial bias. 

    You don’t want to miss:

    • What inspired Viv to enter the influencer marketing industry and start Manchester's first influencer marketing agency, Bee Influence
    • Why it’s important to build relationships and regularly connect with past networks
    • Advice on handling difficult conversations with employees and letting staff go in an amicable manner 
    • How the model minority myth for Asians has affected ways of thinking

    PLUS, Viv’s top tips on how to stand out as a content creator on Instagram!

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Viv on Instagram @ItsVivYau or @BeeInfluenceUK and online at www.beeinfluence.co.uk 
    • Viv’s petition to Stop depicting East & South East Asians in Coronavirus related media
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Stephanie Pak on how to work with family
    Aug 11 2020

    Meet Stephanie Pak, Managing Editor of Arcadia Magazine and Founder of Lunar Chi. In this episode, Ro and Steph discuss the importance of diversity in the fashion industry and what more agencies and magazine owners should be doing to improve representation.

    You don’t want to miss:

    • The story behind the makings of The Arcadia Magazine
    • Advice on how to work with family
    • Why it’s important to practice self care in these times
    • An explainer of what Reiki is and how it helped spark Steph’s entrepreneurial journey with Lunar Chi
    • The real deal on what really goes on at press trips

    PLUS, Steph’s top tips on how to maintain business relationships and get noticed by brands.

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Stephanie Pak on Instagram @Miss_S_Pak 
    • The Arcadia Magazine’s website and Instagram 
    • Lunar Chi’s website and Instagram 
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Yasmin Taylor on how to know your worth
    Jul 28 2020

    Meet Yasmin Taylor AKA Taila Sky, DevOps Goddess, a software specialist with a background in delivering major IT projects. In this episode, Ro and Yasmin discuss the realities of being a senior Black woman in technology and why it’s important to concentrate on one key area of growth to leverage your negotiating power. Know your worth and it will strengthen that power. 

    You don’t want to miss:

    • The story behind why Yasmin was trending on Twitter as ‘130k bae’
    • Advice and resources on how to break into technology
    • The pros on cons of being permanent versus contracting in a role
    • Why it’s important to have corporate etiquette to get ahead in the game
    • What the future of artificial intelligence could look like 

    PLUS, Yasmin’s top tips on how to negotiate your salary and ensure you’re responsibly managing your finances! 

    Life’s A Bag Podcast shares stories of women of colour who are getting their bag! Listen in to get some useful advice, hear about their journeys, challenges and stories of resilience. Unlike other podcasts in the space, #LifesABag keeps it relevant and relatable.

    Links and resources:

    • You can find Yasmin Taylor on Instagram @Taila_Sky and on LinkedIn.
    • Read Yasmin’s guide on ‘Becoming an Dev Ops Goddess’
    • You can follow us on Instagram @LifesABagPodcast 

    Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any upcoming episodes.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review? 

    And, you can join the conversation online by using #LifesABag. We’d love to hear what you think!

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins