Design Thinking And The Digital Hustle

Smart Afrikan
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Design Thinking & The Digital Hustle is your go-to podcast for creators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners building bold ideas in the digital age. Hosted by Sophia and powered by Smart Afrikan LLC, each episode dives into design thinking, digital tools, and business strategy—with real stories, smart insights, and a few laughs. From no-code apps to funnels and AI, tune in and learn how to hustle smarter, not harder

  1. 4D AGO

    Why Your Small Business Probably Needs an App (Like, Yesterday)

    Ever had a customer ask, “Do you have an app?” and your only response was a nervous chuckle? 😅 In this episode, which is the first part of a 3 part mini series called - Do Small Businesses Need A mobile App?  Ebenezer Wey gets brutally honest (and hilariously real) about why mobile apps are no longer just for big brands. We’re talking speed, convenience, customer loyalty, and how your mobile-friendly website just isn’t cutting it anymore. If your business lives on your phone, your app should too. Tap in and let’s debunk the myths, baby

    11 min

  2. AUG 27

    Episode 12: Design Thinking in Everyday Life: Faith, Food, and Small Business Tech

    In the final episode of our two-part vacation special, Sophia and Ebenezer wrap up their candid conversations about life, faith, music, and the lessons design thinking can teach us about living well. Ebenezer talks about finding balance between work and rest, how music keeps his creativity flowing, and why hosting family meals might be just as important as meeting project deadlines. Plus, we get a rapid-fire round of fun personal favorites — from his go-to fruit to his current favorite gadget. As the mini-series closes, Sophia and Ebenezer look ahead to next week’s brand-new topic: Native Mobile Apps for Small Businesses — a deep dive into how apps can help local entrepreneurs grow, engage, and thrive in a digital-first world. If you enjoyed the laughs, warmth, and realness of this special series, you won’t want to miss what’s coming next

    7 min
  3. Episode 11: Creative Downtime & Design Thinking: Gadgets, Faith, and Plantains

    AUG 20

    Episode 11: Creative Downtime & Design Thinking: Gadgets, Faith, and Plantains

    In this lighthearted and insightful first part of our two-part vacation mini-series, Sophia Bennett sits down with Ebenezer Wey — Creative Director of Smart Afrikan LLC — to explore how design thinking shows up in the most unexpected corners of life. From the gadgets that keep him productive to the African meals that keep him grounded, Ebenezer shares how downtime fuels his creativity, the role his faith plays in shaping his perspective, and why plantains might just be the perfect metaphor for great user experience. Expect laughs, relatable stories, and a few surprising connections between tech, culture, and everyday living. Whether you’re a creative, a small business owner, or just someone who loves an easygoing conversation about life’s joys, this episode will leave you both inspired and entertained.

    17 min
  4. 🎧 Episode 10: The Funnel Toolbox — Tools That Power Your Sales Machine

    AUG 11

    🎧 Episode 10: The Funnel Toolbox — Tools That Power Your Sales Machine

    Boom! 💥 We’ve made it to the grand finale of our Deep Dive Into Sales Funnels series on Design Thinking & The Digital Hustle — and this one’s packing heat 🔥. In this final episode of the mini-series, we open up the Digital Hustler’s Toolbox™ and geek out (in the best way) over the top tools that transform messy customer journeys into smooth, revenue-generating highways. Whether you’re building your very first funnel or are tired of duct-taping ten apps together, this episode is your funnel-life upgrade. 🧰 From ClickFunnels and Kajabi, to Thrive Architect, Kartra, and even those under-the-radar power players—Ebenezer Wey (yes, our digital magician from Smart Afrikan LLC) breaks down the real MVPs that get funnels up, running, and scaling. Expect: ✅ No-fluff, founder-tested tool tips✅ Advice that doesn't require a PhD in automation✅ Real talk on what you actually need (and what’s just shiny noise ✨)✅ And yes… a few funnel horror stories too 👻 Whether you’re trying to catch leads, build a course, run an e-comm store, or just stop losing sales in your DMs—there’s a tool (or 3) for that. 🎉 And hey, the funnel party may be ending… but the next series is about to get even hotter. Up next:🚀 "Would You Like a Native Mobile App for Your Small Business?" We’re diving deep into the world of apps for small and local businesses—what they do, how they work, and why your hustle might need one! 📲 Spoiler: You might not need a tech team, just Smart Afrikan’s no-code app-building magic. 💡So buckle up, digital dreamers—hit play, get inspired, and don’t forget to take the FREE Smart Afrikan Business Quiz to figure out what your business really needs: 👉 quiz.smartafrikan.com/zs/i0BqRD 🎙️ Let’s wrap up those funnels—and start building mobile empires.

    8 min
  5. 🎧 Episode 9: Funnels That Fit — Finding the Right One for Your Business

    AUG 8

    🎧 Episode 9: Funnels That Fit — Finding the Right One for Your Business

    Welcome to Part 3 of our Deep Dive Into Sales Funnels series — and today, we’re stepping into the funnel jungle to help you find your perfect match. Because guess what? Funnels are not one-size-fits-all, and trying to use the wrong one is like wearing skinny jeans during the harmattan. Just don’t. In this episode, host Sophia teams up once again with our resident digital wizard, Ebenezer Wey, Creative Director at Smart Afrikan LLC, to map out the 7 superstar funnels every entrepreneur should know: 🧲 Lead Generation Funnels🎤 Webinar Funnels🛒 E-Commerce Funnels🔐 Membership Funnels🚀 Product Launch Funnels🎯 Sales Page Funnels🤝 Application Funnels ...and more juicy breakdowns than a reality TV reunion. Expect: ✅ Real-life examples (no jargon, just straight talk)✅ Funnel matchmaking advice—so you can stop ghosting your leads✅ Relatable metaphors (hint: your funnel isn’t Tinder, stop swiping randomly)✅ Insights that will make your lightbulbs pop 💡 Whether you’re a coach, course creator, beauty brand, or baker of the best banana bread in town—there’s a funnel built just for your hustle, and this episode will help you find it. 🎙️ Up Next → Part 4 is the big finale of this series, where we reveal the top tools to actually build and launch these funnels—without needing a tech degree or sacrificing your sleep. You won’t want to miss it! 🔥 Until then, quiz your way to the right funnel (and maybe your next breakthrough):👉 quiz.smartafrikan.com/zs/i0BqRD Hit play, grab your notes, and let’s make your sales funnel make sense!

    10 min
  6. 🎧 Episode 8: Anatomy of a Killer Sales Funnel — What Makes It Convert?

    AUG 6

    🎧 Episode 8: Anatomy of a Killer Sales Funnel — What Makes It Convert?

    Part 2 of the Deep Dive Series Into Sales Funnels So, you’ve heard the buzz. You know what a sales funnel is (shoutout to Episode 7!). But now you’re staring at your screen wondering, “Umm… how do I actually build one that doesn’t suck?” Welcome to Episode 8 of Design Thinking & The Digital Hustle, where we roll up our sleeves and dive headfirst into the nuts, bolts, buttons, and magic that make up a high-performing sales funnel 🛠️✨ Joining host Sophia is the brilliantly witty Matilda, marketing strategist at Smart Afrikan LLC—and part-time funnel therapist for entrepreneurs suffering from "Conversion Anxiety." Together, they break down: 🔧 The core components every funnel MUST have (no fluff, just facts)🚨 Common mistakes that make funnels flop harder than a bad hair day🎯 How to design your funnel for real business goals—not just digital vibes📦 Real talk on CTAs, upsells, landing pages, and all that juicy, click-worthy stuff Expect laughs, lightbulb moments, and at least one analogy involving dating apps, because yes—funnels are like relationships. And if yours ghosted your leads… it might be time to rebuild. Whether you’re funnel-curious or funnel-frustrated, this episode is your blueprint for turning casual clicks into cash flow. 🎙️ Up Next → In Episode 9, we’re going full beast mode and exploring the different types of sales funnels—which one fits your business like a glove (or a good pair of stretchy pants)? Stay tuned. It’s gonna be 🔥. 💡 And hey, if your brain’s buzzing with ideas but you need help choosing the right funnel for your hustle, take the Smart Afrikan quiz now:👉 quiz.smartafrikan.com/zs/i0BqRD Because a pretty funnel that doesn’t convert is just digital decor. Let’s build something that works.

    13 min
  7. Episode 7: So… What Exactly Is a Sales Funnel?

    AUG 4

    Episode 7: So… What Exactly Is a Sales Funnel?

    Part 1 of the Deep Dive Series into Sales Funnels Imagine standing at the edge of the internet, shouting, “Buy my product!” …and all you hear is crickets. 😬 That, dear hustler, is what life looks like without a sales funnel. In this laugh-and-learn kickoff episode, host Sophia sits down with Ebenezer Wey, digital architect and funnel whisperer at Smart Afrikan LLC, to answer the question most entrepreneurs Google at 2am: “What on earth is a sales funnel—and why does everyone keep yelling about it?” Here’s what you’ll walk away with (besides a few good laughs): 🧠 A beginner-friendly breakdown of what a sales funnel really is 🛠️ Why every business needs one—whether you sell wigs, webinars, or wedding cakes 🔁 The four magical letters: AIDA (Awareness, Interest, Decision, Action) 🚫 Why a website alone won't cut it—and how to stop treating yours like an expensive digital flyer 💡 How to shift focus from “tech tools” to customer journeys (hint: it’s not about the software) Plus: Ebenezer shares golden nuggets (and a few hilarious missteps) from helping businesses across Africa and the diaspora go from digital confusion to conversion machines. 🔥 Whether you're a side hustler, startup boss, or scaling entrepreneur, this episode gives you the why behind the funnel—and gets you ready for what’s next. 🎙️ Coming Up Next → In Part 2, we’ll roll up our sleeves and show you how to build a basic sales funnel from scratch—no tech headache required. 💡 And don’t forget: if you’re ready to find the right sales funnel for your business, take the free Smart Afrikan quiz: 👉 quiz.smartafrikan.com/zs/i0BqRD Because your hustle deserves more than a “Contact Us” page. Let’s build something that sells

    12 min
  8. 🎙️ Episode 6: Whose Stuff Is It Anyway? The SLA Saga, Secrets, and Scary Stories

    AUG 1

    🎙️ Episode 6: Whose Stuff Is It Anyway? The SLA Saga, Secrets, and Scary Stories

    Imagine this: You’ve launched your shiny online business, the homepage is chef’s kiss, the booking system is humming, and you’re feeling like the next tech mogul. 🚀 Then one day, you ask your developer to tweak the header image—and they reply, “Technically, you don’t own that… we do.” Wait, what?! 😳 Welcome to Episode 3, the grand finale of our series "Who Owns What? Understanding Asset Ownership in the Web Design Industry" — where things get real about ownership, rights, and the digital fine print you didn’t know you needed to read. This time, host Sophia is back in conversation with Ebenezer Wey, Creative Director at Smart Afrikan LLC, and self-proclaimed digital architect of dreams (and sometimes digital therapist for frustrated business owners 😅). 🎯 In this episode, Ebenezer dives into: 🧾 Why Service Level Agreements (SLAs) aren’t just corporate jargon—they’re your shield in the wild west of web development. 🌐 Who actually owns your landing pages, logos, images, and copy (spoiler: not always you). 🔐 How to protect your digital assets like a pro—even if you’re just starting out. 👻 And yes, more horror stories of clients who thought they owned it all… until they didn’t. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you’ll probably check your contract five minutes after listening. 💡 Whether you're building your first landing page or running a full-blown online brand, this episode gives you the inside scoop on ownership, transparency, and protecting your digital hustle. 🛑 Don’t be that business owner who gets locked out of their own empire. Tune in, take notes, and share this with that one friend who “knows a guy building their site for exposure.” 🎉 As we wrap up this eye-opening 3-part series, know this: your digital journey is just beginning—and we’ve got so much more goodness coming your way. 📢 Up next on Design Thinking & The Digital Hustle: New episodes packed with smarter strategies, creative insights, and digital moves that make money and sense. 💥 Meanwhile, take the free Smart Afrikan business quiz and find out exactly what your online business needs right now: 👉 quiz.smartafrikan.com/zs/i0BqRD 🎧 Hit play, laugh a little, learn a lot—and keep hustling smart.

    6 min
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Design Thinking & The Digital Hustle is your go-to podcast for creators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners building bold ideas in the digital age. Hosted by Sophia and powered by Smart Afrikan LLC, each episode dives into design thinking, digital tools, and business strategy—with real stories, smart insights, and a few laughs. From no-code apps to funnels and AI, tune in and learn how to hustle smarter, not harder

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