Idea to Empire with BYO

Bola Yinka-Obebe

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Idea to Empire is where African entrepreneurship meets identity, creativity and honest conversations. Host Bola Yinka-Obebe sits with founders and creators to explore their journeys—the fears, lessons, culture and clarity behind building in today’s Africa. Real stories, real growth, imperfect and human. New episodes weekly.

12/30/2025

Creativity as Strategy: How Storytelling Builds Brands Across Africa with Jay Chukwuemeka

What if creativity wasn’t just about expression but about impact, strategy, and legacy?In this episode of Idea to Empire, I sit with Jay Chukwuemeka, entrepreneur, creative strategist, and partner at Imaginarium Marketing Communication, to unpack why storytelling is one of the most powerful business tools in Africa today.We discuss:Why creativity is a serious business weaponHow poverty reshapes financial disciplineCreativity vs partnerships, what really scales brandsBuilding legacy through brand narrativesRaising children without erasing the lessons that built usTurning ideas into lasting influenceWith over two decades shaping campaigns across Africa, Jay shows that great brands aren’t built on vibes, they’re built on strategy.Watch, learn, and rethink creativity.PODCAST LINKS- Watch more on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30UFxZNlwCR8GboEQOZSkkw3&si=ozSilBZxKYX1AVaj- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jxKJw0iFz7WgkEYI34qPT- Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/idea-to-empire-with-byo/id1802606748- Listen on Youtube Podcasts: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30X9rz-QDIPT-EZuy21ngTJs&si=hJ6kdjjvVlhWTL88FOLLOW THE HOST:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolayinkaobebe | https://www.instagram.com/idea2empirepod/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bolayinkaobebe- Twitter: https://x.com/bolayinkaobebe- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolayinkaobebeLike, Comment & Subscribe for More Business Insights!

1h 57m
12/23/2025

Grace, Conviction & Purpose: Faith-Driven Leadership with Olufunke Adu

Empires aren’t built on vision alone, they’re built on conviction. In this episode of Idea to Empire, I sit with Olufunke Adu, entrepreneur, mentor, co-CEO of Tantacom Group, co-lead at Culinara, and founder of Ignite You, to explore what it means to lead with grace in spaces that demand toughness. We talk about: Leading without shrinking Faith as a leadership anchor Grace over comparison Building businesses with purpose Making clear decisions in uncertain seasons Showing up consistently, even when you feel inadequate This conversation is calm, powerful, and deeply grounding — especially for leaders building something bigger than themselves. Listen with intention. PODCAST LINKS- Watch more on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30UFxZNlwCR8GboEQOZSkkw3&si=ozSilBZxKYX1AVaj- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jxKJw0iFz7WgkEYI34qPT- Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/idea-to-empire-with-byo/id1802606748- Listen on Youtube Podcasts: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30X9rz-QDIPT-EZuy21ngTJs&si=hJ6kdjjvVlhWTL88FOLLOW THE HOST:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolayinkaobebe | https://www.instagram.com/idea2empirepod/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bolayinkaobebe- Twitter: https://x.com/bolayinkaobebe- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolayinkaobebeLike, Comment & Subscribe for More Business Insights!

1h 42m
12/16/2025

Turning Pain Into Power: Creativity, Identity & Reinvention with Jennifer Odufuwa

What happens when everything falls apart — your business, your sense of self, your will to keep going?In this deeply honest conversation, Jennifer Odufuwa shares her journey through loss, suicidal thoughts, and reinvention — and how creativity became strategy, not escape.Jennifer is the visionary behind Thrive Beyond, Tantacom Group, and Culinara, and in this episode we explore:How pain can become a platformRebuilding after losing everythingWhy clarity often comes from silenceStaying aligned in noisy seasonsTurning bold ideas into sustainable impactLeading with authenticity as a womanThis episode is raw, grounding, and powerful especially for anyone rebuilding their life or business.Listen with an open heart.PODCAST LINKS- Watch more on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30UFxZNlwCR8GboEQOZSkkw3&si=ozSilBZxKYX1AVaj- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jxKJw0iFz7WgkEYI34qPT- Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/idea-to-empire-with-byo/id1802606748- Listen on Youtube Podcasts: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30X9rz-QDIPT-EZuy21ngTJs&si=hJ6kdjjvVlhWTL88FOLLOW THE HOST:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolayinkaobebe | https://www.instagram.com/idea2empirepod/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bolayinkaobebe- Twitter: https://x.com/bolayinkaobebe- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolayinkaobebeLike, Comment & Subscribe for More Business Insights!

1h 28m
12/09/2025

The Legal Truth Behind Due Diligence, Structure & Wealth inn Nigeria.

Every empire needs structure and in Nigeria, no one explains structure quite like Ayobami Tunde, co-founder and managing partner at T&A Legal.From advising $100M acquisitions to brokering $20M construction deals, Ayobami breaks down the realities behind:• Due diligence (beyond surface checks)• Real estate risks most buyers ignore• How to identify the right property• Why your realtor matters more than you think• Legal strategy as a competitive advantage• Building long-term wealth through real estateIf you’ve ever considered buying land, investing in property, or building a business in Nigeria this episode is essential.Imperfectly recorded. Perfectly insightful.Listen and learn.PODCAST LINKS- Watch more on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30UFxZNlwCR8GboEQOZSkkw3&si=ozSilBZxKYX1AVaj- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jxKJw0iFz7WgkEYI34qPT- Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/idea-to-empire-with-byo/id1802606748- Listen on Youtube Podcasts: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30X9rz-QDIPT-EZuy21ngTJs&si=hJ6kdjjvVlhWTL88FOLLOW THE HOST:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolayinkaobebe | https://www.instagram.com/idea2empirepod/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bolayinkaobebe- Twitter: https://x.com/bolayinkaobebe- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolayinkaobebeLike, Comment & Subscribe for More Business Insights! #IdeaToEmpire #RealEstateNigeria #LegalStrategy #EntrepreneurshipAfrica

1h 44m
12/02/2025

Systems, scaling & the realities of media production in Nigeria.

In this episode, Soji Ogunnaike, founder of Rushing Tap, breaks down the REAL story behind scaling a creative business in Nigeria.We dive into:How he built production infrastructure from scratchThe mindset shift from hustling to structured growthMistakes creatives make when scalingWhen to hire, when to outsource, when to pauseThe power of systems, not vibesSurviving chaos in the Nigerian media ecosystemIf you’re a creative, storyteller, producer, or entrepreneur trying to grow beyond talent into a real business — Soji’s journey is a masterclass.

1h 17m
11/25/2025

The Inner Work Every Entrepreneur Needs: Healing Fear, Identity Shifts & Emotional Exhaustion

This episode is a deeply grounding conversation with Adeola Kingsley-James, a hypnotherapist and emotional wellness guide who works with blended families, step-parents, and founders navigating silent battles.We talk about:Why entrepreneurs break down internally while building externallyEmotional exhaustion and identity shiftsHealing childhood patternsHow inner peace affects business successThe connection between spiritual alignment and bold decisionsThis is the episode that reminds us that your business can only be as healthy as you are.If you’re carrying emotional weight while trying to build an empire… this one is for you.PODCAST LINKS- Watch more on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30UFxZNlwCR8GboEQOZSkkw3&si=ozSilBZxKYX1AVaj- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jxKJw0iFz7WgkEYI34qPT- Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/idea-to-empire-with-byo/id1802606748- Listen on Youtube Podcasts: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv68HLyt30X9rz-QDIPT-EZuy21ngTJs&si=hJ6kdjjvVlhWTL88FOLLOW THE HOST:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolayinkaobebe | https://www.instagram.com/idea2empirepod/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bolayinkaobebe- Twitter: https://x.com/bolayinkaobebe- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolayinkaobebeLike, Comment & Subscribe for More Business Insights!#hypnotherapy #rapidtransformationaltherapy #rapidtransformation #rttd #jokes #entrepreneur #ideatoempire #idea2empire #entreprenuership #nigeria #africa

1h 25m
05/27/2025

Moments 002: Turning Passion into a Car Empire

In this Moment of Idea to Empire, we go under the hood with a visionary entrepreneur who’s redefining Nigeria’s automotive industry. From designing sleek sports cars to launching a full-scale manufacturing operation, this is the raw, unfiltered journey of turning passion into a thriving car empire. We explore how he’s balancing creativity with profitability, building eco-conscious vehicles, training local artisans, and bridging critical skill gaps in Nigeria's auto space. He also shares bold plans for a renewable-energy-powered bus factory and breaks down the government's CKD incentives for local assembly. This is more than just car talk, it’s a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and turning garage-built dreams into national infrastructure. Chapters00:00 – From Passion to Profit: The Car Dream Begins01:23 – How COVID-19 Impacted Auto Innovation02:31 – Thinking Bigger: Vision-Driven Manufacturing04:04 – Building Eco-Friendly Cars in Nigeria05:13 – Inside the Plans for a Sustainable Factory10:01 – Training Local Talent for the Auto Industry11:49 – Fixing the Skills Gap in Nigerian Manufacturing

17 min
05/13/2025 · BONUS

Moments 001 :What They Don’t Teach You About Creative Business

We highlight moments from the entrepreneurial journey of Aderonke Bamgbade, a leader in hospitality, wine culture, and interior design. Aderonke shares her strategies for managing work-life balance, raising children, and growing a business simultaneously. She reflects on her passion for interior design, inspired by her architect father, and discusses the challenges of maintaining staff integrity and mitigating business risks. This episodic moment is a thorough exploration of balancing multiple roles and navigating the complexities of scaling a business. 00:00 Introduction to Sustainable Success in Hospitality 00:05 Balancing Work and Family Life 00:18 Building an Empire: The Early Days 12:01 Challenges in Hospitality and Business

27 min

Idea to Empire is where African entrepreneurship meets identity, creativity and honest conversations. Host Bola Yinka-Obebe sits with founders and creators to explore their journeys—the fears, lessons, culture and clarity behind building in today’s Africa. Real stories, real growth, imperfect and human. New episodes weekly.

Creator

Bola Yinka-Obebe
Years Active

2K
Episodes

16
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Bola Yinka-Obebe
Show Website

Idea to Empire with BYO