Build Where You Are, a podcast by ESO Ventures, is an educational series that is for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. In a digital world saturated with content aimed at selling you a course or attracting you with false clickbait, Build Where You Are brings you the raw and uncut journeys of entrepreneurs across a range of industries. From food & beverage to apparel and business services, tune in to Season 1 to hear how 10 entrepreneurs built their businesses from the ground up. Hosted by ESO's own Akintunde Ahmad, each episode is sure to give valuable insight about founding your own company.
In this episode, host Akintunde Ahmad speaks with ESO alum Darius Riley, a creative producer with his own production company, HourVoyses. Topics covered include setting yourself apart as a creative entrepreneur, the hustle of continuously booking gigs, and maintaining an authentic artistic voice while balancing more corporate work. This episode is a must listen, especially for the creatives out there.
11 Apr 2024
Episode 9: Gabrielle Whittle of Relevé
In Episode 9 of Build Where You Are, host Akintunde Ahmad speaks with Gabrielle Whittle of Relevé about her journey to designing her one of a kind accessories. From being a mechanical engineer at Northeastern Univeristy and originally venturing into shoe design, to pivoting into bags during the pandemic, Gabrielle drops gems about the prototyping process, preordering, marketing, and sourcing. This is another episode you don't want to miss.
3 Apr 2024
Ep 8: Onye Ahanotu of Ikenga Wines
In Episode 8, hear the journey of Onye Ahanotu of Ikenga Wines. After being introduced to palm wine through West African folklore and literature, and later being able to taste the drink in West Africa, his interest was peaked. He thought, how could he bring this one of a kind beverage to a wider market, while maintaining its authenticity and freshness? Onye has been on a mission ever since, conducting lab experiments and taste tests to perfect the drink as he brings it to market. Tune in to hear the full story now!
22 Mar 2024
Ep 7: Jasmine Curtis of Avocurl
In this Episode, hear from the founder of Avo Curl, Jasmine Curtis, about why she started her natural haircare company in her dormroom at Cornell. She talks us through her personal hair journey, and how through trial and error, she was able to create a non-toxic line of beauty products the leave natural hair looking luscious and healthy. She also gives marketing gems and talks the importance of knowing your financials as an entrepreneur. Tune in now!
13 Mar 2024
Ep 6: Steve Javiel
In this episode, hear from painter and multi-disciplinary artist Steve Javiel about the creative grind and entrepreneurial journey of an independent artist. Steve talks everything from selling his first painting to attending art school and finding his unique lane in a saturated art world. If you're a creative entrepreneur or interested in the process behind art consumption, this is the episode for you!
5 Mar 2024
Ep 5: Rita Forte of Olive St Agency
In Episode 5, hear from Rita Forte about how she started Olive St Agency, an all in one merch production and advertising agency based in her hometown of Oakland, CA. Hear her inspiring journey from her time as a DJ during the Hyphy Movement to securing her brick and mortar space and becoming a staple production facility in her community. Listen here or wherever you find your podcasts.
22 Feb 2024
Ep. 4: Randy Wells of Rockridge
In Episode 4 of Build Where You Are, host Akintunde Ahmad speaks with ESO Entrepreneur Randy Wells, the founder of Rockridge SF. Randy discusses his history in the fashion and design industry, the lack of apparel brands targeting the young tech professional, and why you need to obsess over your industry in order to be successful in it. Randy drops so many gems, this is an episode you don't want to miss!
16 Feb 2024
Ep. 3: Johanna Arroliga of XIX Insurance
In Episode 3 of Build Where You Are, host Akintunde Ahmad speaks with ESO Entrepreneur Johanna Arroliga, the founder of XIX Beauty. Johanna discusses how she founded her insurance business while a student at UC Berkeley, and how she expanded her services to helping her community formalize their businesses and build business credit. You can listen now on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
7 Feb 2024
Ep. 2: Lakenda Wallace of Modern Peasant Beauty
In Episode 2 of Build Where You Are, host Akintunde Ahmad speaks with ESO Entrepreneur Lakenda Wallace, the founder of Modern Peasant Beauty. Lakenda discusses how she founded her business out of a necessity to create scents that didn't trigger headaches, and how making gifts for friends eventually let her to selling those same products. Tune in now!
1 Feb 2024
Build Where You Are Season 1 Trailer
ESO Ventures is excited to launch season one of our brand new podcast, Build Where You Are, an educational series that is for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. In a digital world saturated with content aimed at selling you a course or attracting you with false clickbait, Build Where You Are brings you the raw and uncut journeys of entrepreneurs across a range of industries. From food & beverage to apparel and business services, tune in to Season 1 to hear how 10 entrepreneurs built their businesses from the ground up. Hosted by Akintunde Ahmad.
30 Jan 2024
Ep 1: Building a Restaurant and Catering Business with Marisa Gittens of Cafe Noir
In Episode 1 of Build Where You Are, host Akintunde Ahmad speaks with Marisa Gittens to hear how she went from a line cook to starting her own catering company and later her own restaurant, Cafe Noir, in Oakland, California. Topics covered include betting on yourself, sacrificing in the current to build skills for the future, and learning to roll with the punches.
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