Made It Here Podcast

Sindiso Nyoni, also known as R!OT; is a Zimbabwean graphic artist based in South Africa. On this episode, he takes us through his amazing journey from a kid growing up in Bulawayo to being one of the few designers who’s first name has become a brand. Sindiso’s story is truly inspiring and it's refreshing to hear him touch on topics decision making, freelancing, family and legacy and breaking down barriers facing people of color in the design world in a way he's rarely done in previous interviews. You definitely should listen in!

Desola Falomo is the creative director and founder of Twenty Six, a fashion brand she started after she borrowed her cousin’s sewing machine and taught herself to sew. Having seen her parents thrive at entrepreneurship, it was only a matter of time before she took a shot at it herself but this was after she’s gotten degrees in Architecture from Nigeria and the UK. Desola’s journey has morphed overtime and has come to include incursions into interior and set design and it’s super exciting because she’s only just getting started!

On the first episode of this rather short new season, I speak to Rotimi Fernandez Dawodu, founder of Majestic Management Company and he shares his very interesting journey to being a sports intermediary. Rotimi’s story is one of grit, perseverance and the bravery to make the tough calls at critical points during his journey. I enjoyed this conversation a whole lot and I’m sure you will too.

Naeto C needs little to no introduction as he’s moved the culture over the course of his career, but very little is known about the man behind the music and his journey. I spent time with Naeto recently and this episode is a result of our conversations, recorded over a period of time and condensed into a 1 hour episode; where we cover everything from career, to family, Nigerian politics and even SARS/ police brutality.

Damie Idowu always had a passion for fashion, even before she had a terminology for it and this love for fashion has taken her on a most interesting journey which culminated in her creating Míe, a conscious brand with sustainability as a key part of their ethos.

Piriye Isokrari or Peedi Picasso, as he is popularly known, built the Aristokrat Group from the ground up. Starting from humble beginnings in Port Harcourt, Nigeria 10 years ago, to the power house it currently is today and on this episode, he talks us through his journey and shares from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

Mide Ayeni, popularly known as “Ghost” and one half of the rap Duo, Show Dem Camp, grants us very rare access to his world and we talk about everything from, life and family, to music and business plus all that’s made his journey what it is.

Ese is largely behind the scenes but you’ve probably heard of or worn something from her clothing brand called Allen and Fifth. On this episode, we talk about her journey; making and learning from your mistakes, choosing your battles, mental health, legacy and so much more. I particularly love this episode because at some point, her beautiful daughter makes a cameo during our conversation.

Also known as “The Black Gypsie”,  Sam Lambert learnt how to create his own world as a kid growing up in Angola, with whatever he had and this ability has led him on a most interesting journey through what seems like different lives. Every step in his journey prepared him for the next and Sam’s openness to learn, adapt, change and create has led him to different parts of the world and it’s ultimately morphed into he creating the Art Comes First collective with his friend and brother, Shaka Maidoh.

Modé Aderinokun had always communicated through her art for as long as she can remember and grew as an artist with the support and nurture from her parents, especially her mum who would file away and preserve art that Mode created as a kid. Her parents also played a role in her choice of what to study in university, but not in the way that you’d imagine. Her dad was a banker and not just any banker, but the co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest banks and her mum was a lawyer. So Mode made up her mind not to have anything to do with either banking and finance or law. Now, Art and computers came naturally to her so she decided to combine them and study animation and that’s when her journey truly begins. On this episode, we get a very rare behind the scenes glimpse into Mode’s story, her thoughts on ownership, mental health, people’s perception of artists in Nigeria, monetizing art and a whole lot more.