Unlocking the Power of AI: An Inside Look with One Cliq's Tanika McLeod Join us in this episode of The Okwera Podcast with host Justina Kanza, where we dive into the world of AI and entrepreneurship with Tanika McLeod, co-founder and Head of AI at OneCliq. We explore the impact, and opportunity, of generative AI on startups, the importance of prompt engineering, and the transformative potential of AI in various sectors. Tanika shares invaluable insights on building with AI, the future of generative AI, and offers practical advice for founders on how to navigate the fast-evolving tech landscape. Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode provides actionable tips and profound knowledge on leveraging AI to scale your business effectively and efficiently.   00:00 Welcome to the Okwera Podcast 00:13 The Power of AI for Founders 00:47 Introducing OneCliq with Tanika 03:15 Understanding Generative AI 05:37 Misconceptions and Ethical Considerations 07:59 Evaluating AI for Your Startup 15:26 Building a Gen AI Team 22:09 The Journey to OneCliq 27:56 Customer Discovery and Pivoting 32:45 Effective Customer Research Techniques 33:19 The Importance of Follow-Up Questions 33:39 Learning from Past Experiences 34:37 The Challenge of Pivoting in Startups 35:26 Iterative Product Development 35:51 The Role of Opportunities in Startup Success 36:42 The Necessity of Pivoting 36:59 Building on Past Experiences 37:52 Smart Pivoting Strategies 42:51 The Future of Generative AI 46:10 Building Ventures as Non-Technical Founders 47:54 Ethics in AI Development 49:14 Rapid Fire Questions 53:13 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 57:54 The Importance of Community and Networks 58:55 Conclusion and Social Media Plugs

Mastering Grant Writing: Expert Tips and Insights with Jillisa Brown   In this episode of The Okwera Podcast, host Justina Kanza dives deep into the essentials of grant writing and social finance with guest Jillisa Brown. Jillisa, an experienced grant writer and supporter of the BIPOC entrepreneur community, shares invaluable insights on identifying and applying for grants, creating compelling proposals, and understanding the Canadian funding landscape. From bootstrapping and storytelling to building strong partnerships and ensuring investment readiness, this episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs at every stage. Tune in to learn how to elevate your grant applications and secure funding for your ventures. 00:00 Introduction to Bootstrapping and Grants 00:40 Welcome to The Okwera Podcast 00:54 Grant Writing Workshop and Expert Introduction 01:13 Guest Introduction: Jillisa Brown 03:13 Understanding the Grant Landscape 05:36 Defining and Applying for Grants 07:03 Finding and Evaluating Grants 09:45 Grant Writing Tips and Common Pitfalls 29:19 Investment Readiness and Bootstrapping 34:01 Final Advice and Resources 41:58 Conclusion and Audience Engagement

The Okwera Podcast EP2: Navigating Early-Stage Entrepreneurship with Adeyinka Adesesan   In this episode, host Justina Kanza is joined by Adeyinka, also known as Yinka, to discuss building minimum viable products (MVP), problem validation, and navigating resource constraints as an early-stage entrepreneur. Yinka shares his journey from university ventures to his current role at the Black Innovation Programs at DMZ in Canada. The conversation delves into understanding customer problems, crafting effective solutions, pricing strategies, and the art of pivoting quickly based on market feedback. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical advice. Connect with Yinka on LinkedIn   00:00 Introduction to Building Minimal Viable Products (MVPs) 00:23 Welcome to The Okwera Podcast 00:58 Meet Our Guest: Adeyinka's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:35 Understanding the Problem Before Building Solutions 09:30 The Importance of Customer Conversations 16:32 From Problem to Solution: Crafting Your Value Proposition 19:06 Pricing Strategies for Early-Stage Startups 21:55 Vanity Metrics and Early Adopters 22:18 The 10X Rule in Innovation 23:11 Differentiation and Solving Pain Points 24:31 Selling to Early Adopters 26:55 Building a Sales System 28:46 Scaling Your Sales 29:42 Navigating Resource Constraints 36:07 The Importance of Loving the Problem 37:58 The Art of the Pivot 39:43 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, we sit down with Efosa Obano, the founder of the Black Founders Network (BFN) in Canada. Efosa shares his inspiring journey from Nigeria to Canada and his passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. We discussed the importance of community, faith, and diligence in building a successful entrepreneurial venture. Efosa also shares insights into BFN's dedicated programs that support Black entrepreneurs at different stages, and how the ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs in Canada has evolved. Stay tuned to learn about the crucial roles of community and mentorship and gain practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.Similar communities for Black Entrepreneurs in Canada: Black Founders Network Nobellum Black Opportunity Fund Federation of Black Canadians DMZ Black Innovation Program Tribe Network Black Entrepreneurship Alliance Group 3737 Okwera Academy Black North Initiative Foundation For Black Communities African Impact Initiative

Welcome to the Okwera Podcast (aka TOP)—your one-stop shop for all things related to entrepreneurship, career and skill development, health and wellness, finance, and more! Initiated by Okwera Academy—a career accelerator focused on helping individuals build their careers through capacity building, capital provision, community, and coaching—this podcast brings you expert insights, inspiring stories, and actionable advice from community leaders and entrepreneurs who have gone on to achieve amazing things. Whether you’re looking to elevate your career, improve your business, or find inspiration, we’ve got something for you! Hosted by Justina Kanza, Founder and Executive Director of Okwera Academy. Tune in for on-demand knowledge from those who have made a difference in their fields and are passing their insights, tips, and wisdom down to you—because if you can see it, you can believe it and be it. Join us on the journey to elevate to the top in every area of your life!