Shows
Friends in Beauty PodcastEp. 293: The Dark Truth About Meeting Your Mentors - Akua RobinsonIn this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m opening up about something that isn’t talked about enough in our industry — the not-so-pretty side of meeting your mentors.I recently hosted my first event for someone else, and it reminded me how much I love community, connection, and growth. I’m so grateful for all the beautiful opportunities that keep flowing my way. But as much as I love highlighting the positive moments, I also believe it’s important to share the other side — the experiences that challenge us and teach us valuable lessons.In this...
2025-10-2230 minFriends in Beauty PodcastEp. 292: Interviewing Your Fear - Akua RobinsonIn this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m diving into a topic that I know so many of us can relate to: fear. Whether it’s the fear of showing up online, raising your rates, hosting your first class, or being truly seen, I want to help you understand how to stop letting fear take over and start taking your power back.As we step into the last quarter of the year, I’ve been reflecting a lot, not just on what I’ve accomplished, but on the things that have been holding me back. Be...
2025-10-1527 minFriends in Beauty PodcastEp. 291: Why Creatives Are Losing Their Spark (And How To Get It Back) - Akua RobinsonIn this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m sharing how I spent the month of September fully immersed in community, connection, and creativity. 💕I’ve noticed that so many beauty pros and creatives — myself included — have been feeling a little uninspired lately. In this episode, I open up about what’s been happening in our industry, why so many of us are losing our spark, and most importantly, how to get it back.From attending inspiring industry events to having real, unfiltered conversations with my #FriendsInBeauty, I was reminded of how powerful community rea...
2025-10-0829 minFriends in Beauty PodcastEp. 285: 💔 Burnout, Boundaries & Beauty: Why I’m Taking a Break - Akua RobinsonOn this week’s solo episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m keeping it real with you. This is my last episode before I take a much-needed pause, and I want to share why.I’m opening up about what burnout really feels like as a beauty pro and entrepreneur, and why it’s so important for us to prioritize our health for longevity in this industry. From setting and honoring boundaries with clients, to living in Washington, DC during such a tense political climate, to processing the weight of world news in Gaza, Sudan, and Liby...
2025-08-271h 00Friends in Beauty PodcastEp. 257: The #1 Reason I Stay Consistent In My Beauty Business - Akua RobinsonOn this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast you get me all to yourself and we’re talking about your favorite topic…CONSISTENCY!Consistency is the secret sauce to success, but let’s be real—it’s not always easy to show up every day. In this episode, I’m sharing the#1 reason I stay consistent in my beauty business, even when I don’t feel like it.Spoiler alert: It’s bigger than me.Over the years, I’ve built something that people rely on—a podcast, a community, a space for beauty pros to lea...
2025-02-1229 minFriends in Beauty PodcastEp. 239: Why I Quit My Job To Become A Full Time Makeup Artist - Akua RobinsonOn this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast you get me all to yourself. I have so many new supporters on all of my platforms but I don’t think I do a good job of continuously sharing my story with you.
Unless you have been a part of my journey from the beginning you probably have no clue how I got into makeup, what kind of job I had before I was a Makeup Artist, and the reason why I decided to go full time as a Makeup Artist. It has been 11 years sinc...
2024-10-0922 min
Open Door ConversationsEp 100: Celebrating 100 Podcast Episodes and 5 Years in BusinessExecutive and Leadership expert Akua is celebrating a remarkable milestone of producing 100 podcast episodes of The Open Door Conversation Podcast.In this episode, Akua reflects on her journey of starting her podcast and how her vision has changed. With being 5 years in business, Akua shares the key lessons she learned professionally and personally. While taking a hiatus from social media, Akua looks forward to continuing her leadership framework and hosting People Before Strategy roundtables, providing a safe space for open conversations, which will be a great place for networking, and she will be answering questions....
2023-10-0124 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 99: Evolving Your Brand: Embracing Authenticity and ChangeEmbracing change can be difficult and uncomfortable, but when it comes to the business world, it's a necessary skill for leaders. Executive and leadership coach Akua Nyame Mensah has recently gone through the rebranding process, and in this episode, she shares the importance of evolving and staying relevant as a business leader. If you don't think you need a brand, or you're thinking of rebranding yourself and/or your business, this episode is for you. Akua dives into the specific reasons she wanted to rebrand, including matching her current look, reflecting her image in the corporate world, a...
2023-09-2524 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 98: Transformative Coaching for Intentional LeadersExecutive and leadership coaching, at its core, is about creating ease for you as a high-achieving leader. It's about supporting you in leveraging your innate personality so you can learn how to prioritize and maximize your time as well as the time of your team and stakeholders. In this episode, Akua talks about her coaching program and how one-on-one coaching can be transformational for leaders at any stage of their career. Learn how Akua helps clients become sustainably strategic, learn how to ask for help, and set boundaries so that they can build stronger teams and achieve per...
2023-09-1821 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 97: Your Guide to Next-Level LeadershipIf you're a leader considering investing in executive coaching or advisory support, you cannot miss this episode. In it, executive and leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah dives into the world of coaching high-performing leaders, founders, and managers and what sets her apart from the rest.Get a clear understanding of the benefits of coaching and why Akua might be a great fit for you and your team. You'll learn about Akua's unique approach, and she even walks you through a recent case study in which she worked with 50 fellows from diverse backgrounds who were building start-up teams.
2023-09-1129 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 96: Building a Cohesive Team and Hitting Goals with Clear ExpectationsExecutive and Leadership expert Akua is wrapping up her mini-series on expectation setting and goal setting in the workplace. In this episode, you'll also learn about the different resources that Akua has on the subject of expectation setting, including valuable blog posts and podcast episodes where you can just dip your toe or dive head first into the deep well of insights on expectation setting. As a leader or manager, it is important to set realistic and achievable goals and to provide the resources and support that others need to meet them. Perhaps most importantly, leaders must r...
2023-07-3111 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 95: 3 Overlooked Secrets for Setting Effective Expectations and GoalsWant to improve on goal-setting or expectation-setting? This episode is for conscious leaders who want to enhance their approach to goal setting and create a positive and productive environment for themselves and their team. Expanding on her third pillar of leadership, expectation setting/goal setting, host Akua builds on themes from episode 93. She unveils the three overlooked aspects of goal setting, including the "when" or timing of the goal, who is responsible for the goal, and the definition of success. Learn the eight themes to reflect on as a leader as well as themes to re...
2023-07-2420 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 94: A Leader’s Guide to Setting ExpectationsIn this episode, Akua explores the third pillar in her three-step leadership framework: setting expectations (sometimes referred to as goals setting, OKRs, or KPIs). Akua uses her own experience as a case study to illustrate the importance of setting expectations for yourself, and she highlights the impact of expectations on personal and professional growth.Whether you're a solopreneur, team leader, or aspiring achiever, this episode will empower you to set clear and realistic expectations for yourself, be consistent, find the right support, and ensure that your projects align with your ultimate vision. Highlights in t...
2023-07-1717 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 93: The Final Step to Leadership Success: Setting ExpectationsThis is the first in a mini-series of episodes that will be based on the final step in Akua's three-step leadership framework: setting expectations. Whether you call it expectation setting, goal setting, or utilizing frameworks like KPIs or OKRs, these episodes will transform the way you approach expectation-setting and communication.Leaders and managers will learn the significance of expectations and their impact on leadership and how to set achievable and realistic goals for their team. Importantly, leaders will also learn the crucial step of communicating expectations to their team, which will cultivate a positive work environment and...
2023-07-1014 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 92: Elevating your Engagement StrategyThis week, leadership and executive coach Akua Nyame Menasah wraps up her series of episodes dedicated to engagement, the second step in her three-step leadership framework. This is a helpful roundup and summary of six of her past episodes on engagement. Leadership is a habit, a routine that you need to cultivate intentionally. Being self-aware is the first step, then you must decide how to engage with your team. Be inspired and learn how to gain confidence and credibility, how to tell powerful stories that inspire, and so much more when you listen in!Enjoy t...
2023-07-0309 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 91: Mastering Meetings: Secrets to Engaging and Efficient FacilitationEver been in a meeting that feels like a waste of time? Of course, you have. That's because many leaders and organizations don't know how to effectively facilitate a meeting that engages team members. In this episode, you'll hear portions of a recent training Akua gave on how to be an effective moderator and facilitator. Learn about the three basic types of meetings (and which one isn't really a "meeting") and why a well-moderated meeting actually begins well before the meeting starts. After listening, you'll be well on your way to leading the most effective, ef...
2023-06-2617 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 90: Creating High-Performing Teams with Trust and Empathy Joris Merks-BenjaminCreating a high-performing team that is also human and inclusive is possible! Listen as Akua talks with organization transformation expert Joris Merks-Benjamin about how to balance high-performance standards with inclusivity and humanness in the workplace. Formerly Head of Google Digital Academy, Joris became one of the highest-scoring managers of all time. After 12 years with Google, Joris has recently gone freelance and developed the Managing Without Power program. He is an award-winning author of several books, his newest being “Managing Without Power.”In this episode, Akua and Joris talk about the importance of trust, empathy, and commu...
2023-06-1933 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 89: Network Internally First << My first stab at it.Networking can elicit groans and dread from even the savviest of business leaders. If you dislike networking or feel like you’re bad at it, or if you believe you don’t NEED to do it, this episode is for you. Akua starts with why networking is important and gives four important things to work on to become better at building connections in business and in life.Learn why reframing your thinking and becoming self-aware about your beliefs around networking can help you build more authentic relationships. Plus, Akua gives some amazing resources (linked below) where you can...
2023-06-1213 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 88: Storytelling for EngagementToday, Akua talks about leveraging storytelling to connect and engage with your stakeholders, whether they're clients, team members, employees, or investors. Engaging with your team is one of the most important things you can do in your role as a leader. Telling stories can be a powerful tool in your engagement toolbox, helping to inspire, build rapport and align and reach goals with your team. Learn the three basic purposes for telling a story, tips on how to incorporate stories into your daily life, and how to know where and when to tell a story.I...
2023-06-0512 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 87: Smashing Barriers and Reaching Peak Performance with Darcy LuomaReaching peak performance as a leader, manager, or business owner takes practice and training, much like an athlete. This week, Akua welcomes Darcy Luoma, the author of the book "Thoughtfully Fit, Your Training Plan for Life and Business," as she talks about tackling barriers and becoming mentally and emotionally fit.Darcy is a triathlete, mother, and CEO of Darcy Luoma Coaching and Consulting. A Master Certified Coach, Darcy has worked in 48 industries, with 210 organizations and 500+ individual clients, to create high-performing people and teams.If you're a leader or manager who feels too busy to strategize...
2023-05-2931 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 86: GROW your leadership by asking powerful questionsIn order to coach others, you first have to be able to coach yourself. In this episode, Akua dives deeper into the engagement pillar of her three-step leadership framework. Engaging with yourself, also called self-regulation and management, is key to being able to support others as they explore their own areas of growth and boundaries. As a leader, you want to inspire your employees and motivate them to get their work done by making sure they are excited to come to work and problem-solve. While coaching is not always the right answer, using coaching tools and techniques c...
2023-05-2219 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 85: Demystifying Executive Presence with Kelly Lynn AdamsExecutive presence - all leaders want it, but not all know how to get it. Join Akua as she shares pieces of a recent conversation with Executive and Life Coach Kelly Lynn Adams. They talk about leadership, vulnerability and mindset, and how to regulate and manage your emotions to inspire confidence among your coworkers.Conscious leaders like Kelly Lynn know that leadership starts from within. Kelly Lynn began her journey on Wall Street, climbing the corporate ladder for 18 years before starting coaching and speaking in 2009. Trauma-informed Kelly Lynn helps leaders, visionaries, founders, executives & entrepreneurs break through what...
2023-05-1523 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 84: Engagement Starts with Self-Regulation & ManagementThis episode of the Open Door Conversations podcast focuses on the second step in Akua's three-step leadership framework: the importance of engagement. In addition to self-awareness and setting expectations, engagement is a crucial part of becoming a conscious and effective leader in the workplace.As a business leader, founder, or executive, sometimes your biggest barrier to engaging with your team is staring at you in the mirror. Find out how your own thoughts, emotions, and existing habits could be sabotaging your efforts and some simple ways to self-regulate your way to meaningful engagement, influence, and productivity as...
2023-05-0813 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 83: Angel Investor Tomi Davies' Focus on Find, Fund & FollowIf you're interested in learning about a framework that can bring your vision, business, or startup to life, you don't want to miss this episode. It is jam-packed with actionable advice from Tomi Davie (T.D.), who was named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2021 by New African Magazine. Harry ‘Tomi Davies (TD) is Collaborator-in-Chief (CiC)’ at TVC Labs, an entrepreneurship support organization in Lagos, Nigeria which he founded. TD is the co-founder of the Lagos Angel Network (LAN), founding President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), and Board Member of the Global Business Angels Netwo...
2023-05-0143 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 82: Cultivating Self-AwarenessPausing and reflecting is something all leaders should prioritize. That's why Akua is using today's episode as a recap of the last several weeks as she's talked about the first step in her leadership framework: cultivating self-awareness. Learn to understand better your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and preferences so you can be the most impactful leader possible. Founders, leaders, and managers will benefit from listening to all the episodes around self-awareness, but If you don't have time to go back, this is where you can catch up and be ready to move on to Akua's second step in he...
2023-04-2412 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 81 : The Inner Game in LeadershipThis episode is for leaders who want to have a big impact - and who doesn’t? This is the last in a series about the first of three steps in Akua’s leadership approach: cultivating self-awareness. Despite what some might think, effective leadership is not only about performance and delivery, or what the sports world would call the “outer game .”Conscious leaders know that self-awareness and mindset, or “inner game,” are just as important and really affect every aspect of their leadership and its impact.Today Akua looks at leadership through the lens of the “inner gam...
2023-04-1719 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 80: Pivoting with Tech CEO Alex BramOvercome your resistance to change as Akua talks to Ghanaian CEO Alex Bram. Akua and Alex talk about the importance of being self-aware and in tune with your team and the climate around you in order to provide products needed to solve problems. They also talk about the need for authenticity and honesty in leading a company and why it's crucial to make bold changes and mini-pivots in this fast-changing world. This episode will inspire business leaders as Alex talks about co-founding fintech company Hubtel and the pivots he has made, allowing him to bootstrap it to 25 m...
2023-04-1034 min
Friends in Beauty PodcastEp. 158: Tea Time With Akua - Transparency In The Pursuit Of SuccessIn this episode I’m sharing my current woes. Life, business, clients, social media…everything is annoying. Let me know if you can relate. Cheers to transparency and keeping it real! Enjoy this episode! Leave us a 5 star review and share this episode with a friend or 2 or 3. info@friendsinbeauty.com FRIENDS IN BEAUTY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY www.facebook.com/groups/friendsinbeauty FOLLOW FRIENDS IN BEAUTY ON IG www.instagram.com/friendsinbeauty S...
2023-04-0525 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 79: Leadership is InfluenceWhether you work with two people or 2,000 people, influence is a key leadership skill. Some might even say influence is synonymous with leadership. In this episode, Akua helps you recognize the importance of leveraging your influence and the role of self-reflection and communication in the process. This episode is for you if you're a first-time manager, an established leader, or just feeling invisible in your current work environment.Listen as Akua dives into the four pillars of influence: power, emotions, acumen, and non-verbal signals/visuals. You'll learn about each and identify one pillar you may w...
2023-03-2722 min
Friends in Beauty PodcastEp. 156: Tea Time With Akua - Law Roach RetirementIn this episode I’m sharing my takeaways on Law Roach’s retirement from being a celebrity fashion stylist and his recent interview with The Cut by NY Magazine. I stress the importance of us prioritizing our happiness, health, mental health, friends, and family. Never be afraid to take a step back. Your authentic existence depends on it. Click here to listen to Law Roach’s interview and leave a comment to share your takeaways. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Enjoy this episode! Le...
2023-03-2226 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 78: Being the Message & CommunicationDo your words match your actions? Are you “being the message?” How you communicate with others (and yourself) is key when it comes to being a conscious leader. This week Akua, an executive and leadership coach, talks about the importance of reflecting on your communication style and aligning what you say with what you value. Akua dives into what she means by “being the message,” a popular mantra among coaches and advisors. She also explains the three main communication styles, as well as three lessons around communicating as a leader, cultivating our awareness around how to engage while kee...
2023-03-2020 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 77: JR Kanu on the Importance of RetrospectivesToday's guest, JR Kanu, is an entrepreneur, design thinking coach, and the author of "Money Brain: Career and Money Management in Your 20s and 30s." He is also the founder and CEO of REACH, working with businesses to understand their consumers and helping individuals who want clarity on their personal finances.In this episode, host Akua Nyame-Mensah talks with JR about the evolution of his business and how self-awareness and reflection have ensured growth and continued success. He also talks about the fascinating five-step framework that makes up transaction informatics (the methodology used) for allowing you to...
2023-03-1331 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 76: Time AwarenessDo you feel stressed, busy, and short on time? If so, it's time to get a handle on what you do and when you do it. Here, Akua expands on last week's episode, cultivating self-awareness and presenting your personality in the form of SOPs to team members. This week, Akua focuses specifically on how to be more time-aware as a conscious leader and how it can help you move from fire-fighting mode into strategic leadership.Find out what questions to ask yourself and how to reflect on your time management to become more productive, prioritize better, and...
2023-03-0625 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 75: Reboot Your Operating SystemCultivating self-awareness in order to become a conscious leader is essential. In this episode, Akua guides you in reflecting on your communication style, decision-making style, and how you respond in stressful situations and how this relates to your innate personality.She'll also discuss the concept of personality and how it is not set in stone but constantly evolving. Like an operating system, it is continually updating and can be influenced and changed.If you're ready for a "reboot," listen in as Akua takes you through some exercises that she uses with her clients that will...
2023-02-2721 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 74: Reflections for Conscious LeadersTaking time to reflect is essential to being a conscious leader and moving forward effectively. In this episode, your host Akua dives deeper into how founders and leaders can reflect, what specifically to consider when reflecting, and how to make the most of the people around them who can help get them to the next level. If you're wondering how to use reflection to surround yourself with inspiration, innovation, and the best people, this episode is for you. Akua talks about diversity and inclusion, how to create an environment of psychological safety at work, and why hiring p...
2023-02-2022 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 73: Creating Headspace: Tips for LeadersIf you’re a leader who is constantly firefighting and feels like you’re not as effective or influential as you’d like to be, today’s episode is for you. Learn how to go from a reactive to a proactive leader by clearing more headspace so you can be a more conscious leader, able to see the big picture in your business. Executive and Leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah gives you insight into her See Better Method, the key to having more headspace and the capacity to make more strategic, rather than tactical, decisions. This episode wi...
2023-02-1317 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 72: The Importance of Liking Yourself with Oluwatosin OlaseindePersonal finance guru, Oluwatosin "Tosin" Olaseinde talks about growing into her role as CEO, her growth as a leader and founder, and how it's okay not to have everything figured out. Founder of financial literacy and investment platforms Money Africa and Ladda, Tosin aims to democratize access and means of wealth-building for the long term. Tosin is famous in the world of personal finance in Africa as she helps others build their knowledge about finances and build their wealth through smart investments. In this episode, Tosin speaks with host Akua Nyame-Mensah about the lessons she's le...
2023-02-0724 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 71: A Remarkable 2022 and What’s Up NextIt's a new year and a new season of the Open Door Conversations podcast. In this short episode, Leadership and Executive Coach (and your host) Akua Nyame-Mensah, talks about her accomplishments over the past year and shares what you can expect from the upcoming season! Akua will start the season by welcoming top leaders in their respective industries to talk about the first pillar of leadership, cultivating self-awareness. She'll also incorporate space for guests to celebrate their accomplishments with you. This empowering practice is important, especially for underrepresented groups, who often shy away from flexing their self-promotion m...
2023-01-3010 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 70: New Year, New Team?It's the last episode of 2022, and Akua is going over having a New Year, New Team. There is always the opportunity to reintroduce yourself to your team. People aren't robots, they evolve and change, and in order to keep your leadership relevant and influential, it's always a great idea to periodically reintroduce yourself. Akua calls it the "power of introductions."Akua works primarily alone when doing facilitation and coaching. But recently, she has been joining many new teams for short engagements, where they must come together quickly and not only work together but teach, coach, and facilitate dozens of...
2022-12-1221 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 69: #AskAkua // Bootstrapping a Team"I'm bootstrapping, which means that the talent I can afford right now is not as experienced as I would like." Sound familiar? In this #AskAkua episode of the Open Door Conversations podcast, Akua Nyame-Mensah gives insight on how to start a team on a limited budget and how to give your team more confidence to make decisions independently. Bootstrapping looks different to every business, but this episode will give you a framework with which you can learn how to bring together or re-engage a team. Don't have a team? You will still get great information on discovering y...
2022-12-0523 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 68: #AskAkua // I’m Getting Results; Why Would I Need Coaching?Starting your own business, running a startup for someone else, or leading a team is a heavy weight to bear, and it’s easy to feel like you’re alone. But you don’t have to be. In this #AskAkua episode of the Open Door Conversations Podcast, leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah discusses the benefits of executive and leadership coaching, even if you’re already getting results as a leader.She’ll help you identify if coaching is right for you. If you already know it is, you’ll learn how to convince your stakeholders that coaching is an important...
2022-11-2824 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 67: My Top Tools that Get Me Exponential ResultsIn this episode, leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah shares the top 5 tools and apps that allow her to work more efficiently, connect with and convert clients, all while being more productive. These are tools that help her get exponential results in both business and her personal life and allow her to do more in less time.Having recently done an audit of her revenue streams and where she spends her time inside her business, Akua recounts her experience doing the same with the tech tools she uses. The result: she managed to trim $500 worth of subscriptions for tools...
2022-11-2119 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 66: A Non-African Manager and Founder Working in Africa with Chris SuzdakBeing a leader/manager/founder in a foreign country poses a unique set of challenges, especially one where you stick out as being foreign. Founder and American expat living in Mauritius, Chris Suzdak joins Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah to talk about what it’s like to work and start a business in a foreign country. He also discusses his leadership journey and his experiences with executive coaching.Chris has worked across the African continent for several years and is now based in Mauritius. He is a founder of a new startup, CoffeeChat, a coaching platform trusted by to...
2022-11-1432 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 65: #AskAkua // How do I stop myself from seeing problems and coming up with new ideas while I focus on my start up?Many entrepreneurs are multi-passionate individuals who always have lots of new ideas. It can be hard to focus on just one thing, like your startup, business, or project at hand. Sounds familiar? In today's #AskAkua episode, Executive Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah answers a question she received via Twitter: How do I stop myself from seeing problems and coming up with new ideas while focusing on my startup?This is an applicable question for any sector of business, whether you're a CEO, manager, or team leader. Learn how to recognize whether focusing on a problem serves y...
2022-11-0715 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 64: How to Take Over Another Leader's Team or BusinessTaking over a team that already has structures and work culture in place can be daunting. Set yourself up for success with advice from Executive Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah she will tell you the steps you need to take for a smooth transition. This episode is relevant for any leader, especially if you are taking over a department/company, are inheriting a CEO role from a founder, or taking over another person’s online business. If you are a leader, this episode will provide you with tangible, actionable steps you can take as you assume your new rol...
2022-10-3126 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 62: #AskAkua Should You Be Friends with Your Employees?Should a boss, CEO, or company leader be friends with employees? On this #AskAkua episode, Certified Executive Leadership Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah delves into her experience and perspective regarding friendships and relationships at work.Depending on the culture in which you work, industry and sector, and even the stage of the organization's growth, relationships, and their meanings can vary. And because no leader is the same, friendships can look different from person to person. But no matter what, when it comes to being a leader, it's imperative to maintain respect, treat employees and teams equally, and have appropriate...
2022-10-1724 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 61: How I Make Money as a Full-Time Certified CoachWe're into the fourth quarter of 2022. Do you know where your finances are? If you're a coach or consultant, or just someone self-employed, It's important to check in annually - even quarterly - so you can assess what is working for you and, just as importantly, what isn't. That way, you can pivot your energy as necessary.In this episode, Akua Nyame-Mensah breaks down her finances in her own quarterly review to help shed some light on how she makes money as a self-employed certified leadership coach and to share her perspective while giving you ideas of...
2022-10-1018 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 60: Meet Introverted Investor & Operator Sherul MehtaIf you've ever worked for a company or a family business and you didn't feel like it was a good fit, you'll be inspired by this episode as Sherul Mehta joins Akua to share how he leveraged his vast experience to become an entrepreneur, investor, and operator. Knowing the value of IT in business, Sherul studied computer science and business management while at university. He went to work at Goldman Sachs, then joined his family's diamond business. Finding himself bored and unfulfilled, Sherul went into business with his cousin, where he acquired two businesses that focus on h...
2022-10-0326 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 59: #AskAkua // The Top Questions You Need to Ask When Hiring an External Facilitator or CoachInvesting in outside support for your team can be intimidating. If you are a business leader, founder, or manager, you might be asking yourself what kind of service provider to invest in for that support and how to get the most out of your investment. Here you will learn why it's important to reflect on the type of help your team needs, and all about pricing and whether the cost of bringing in a professional is worth the investment. As a certified professional coach, facilitator, and speaker, Akua Nyame-Mensah has an insider's perspective on pricing an...
2022-09-2632 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 58: The Three Things ALL Successful Executive & Leadership Coaches Must MasterFind out the three top issues that coaches and consultants face when starting their businesses and why it’s important to master them to be a successful executive and leadership coach!If you are interested in starting or growing your own coaching or consulting practice or want to find out how to get clients consistently, you don’t want to miss this episode. Leadership and Executive Coach Akua Nyame-Mensah comes to you from the business side of her coaching business to reveal the results of a survey of accomplished professionals who are either new coaches or co...
2022-09-1921 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 57: African Storytelling & Evolving Your Definition of Success with Joko EduGet inspired by Jokotola Edu "Joko," an entrepreneur who has pivoted careers several times and has a wealth of experiences in different countries and sectors. In this episode, Akua welcomes Joko to chat about her perspective on being able to evolve and adjust the definition of success. Joko is the founder of Joko Edu, a stationary company using storytelling to highlight and preserve the rich culture and history of Africa. She tells the story of how she fell in love with history while going to Gustavus Adolphus College in the US. There she learned US history from m...
2022-09-1237 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 56: #AskAkua //Tired of Wasting Money on Building Your Team's Capacity?As a team leader, department head, or founder, it can be challenging to know where to invest in order to increase your team’s capacity. In this episode, coach and facilitator Akua Nyame-Mensah talks about the different questions you need to ask yourself in order to decide if a training, workshop, or course would be most beneficial to your employees and team members. With so many online and in-person options, it can be hard to know where to start. Here you’ll find out important differences between training, workshop, and course, and then what questions to reflect on to...
2022-09-0529 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 55: How to Take A Holiday as a Founder/ Solopreneur/ CEOIf you’re a CEO, founder, or solopreneur who thinks it’s impossible to take time off, or you’re afraid of missing out on money or helping a client, this episode is for you. Leadership coach Akua Nyame-Mensah is back from vacation, and she’s ready to share how she prepared for her time off so that she could return feeling re-energized, rested, and not overwhelmed with a backlog of work. Learn what Akua feels she did well in prepping for her holiday, how to make the most of your own vacation, and what to do upon retu...
2022-08-2920 minOpen Door ConversationsEp: 53 #AskAkua Episode: Listen to This if You are Thinking About Investing in a Professional CoachLeaders, CEOs, and founders who have benefited from great coaching know how powerful it can be in setting and achieving goals, so it's natural to want to recreate the experience for your team. But is hiring an external, professional coach a good investment for all employees? On today's #AskAkua episode of the Open Door Conversations Podcast, certified executive and leadership coach Akua will answer this common question in depth so you can make the best decision when it comes to supporting your team. This is part 1 in a 3 part series that dives into Akua's perspective on coaching a...
2022-07-1825 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 52: The True Price of Losing an Employee (There are SEVEN costs)Employee retention is key to building a sustainable and scalable business. In this episode, Akua talks about what leaders, managers, and founders should look for in attrition rates and how to avoid high turnover. During this era of “the great resignation,” employees reflect on the type of work they do and often take advantage of better or more aligned opportunities. Subsequently, it is more important than ever that leaders focus on retention and on the workers that are already in the company rather than constantly recruiting new ones. Akua has personally experienced hiring and even firing...
2022-07-1119 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 50: Celebrating 50 EpisodesAkua is celebrating her 50th podcast episode! She’s sharing some words of wisdom about podcasting and what she’s learned about herself in the process, as well as the top three most popular episodes and what they offer.It’s been about a year since Akua started releasing her weekly podcast episodes. If you’ve ever wanted to be a public speaker in any capacity or host your own podcast, Akua has some thoughts about how you can show up and be consistent.Long-time listeners of the Open Door Conversations podcast know that even as an ex...
2022-06-2717 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 50: Celebrate 50 EpisodesAkua is celebrating her 50th podcast episode! She’s sharing some words of wisdom about podcasting and what she’s learned about herself in the process, as well as the top three most popular episodes and what they offer.It’s been about a year since Akua started releasing her weekly podcast episodes. If you’ve ever wanted to be a public speaker in any capacity or host your own podcast, Akua has some thoughts about how you can show up and be consistent. Long-time listeners of the Open Door Conversations podcast know that even as an exp...
2022-06-2717 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 49: I Used to Be a #HorribleBoss - Here’s How I Became Better (It’s Not Too Late)Nothing kills productivity like a toxic work environment. When employees don’t feel psychologically safe at work, leaders need to look inward to try and find answers. This episode focuses on what a toxic work environment looks like, why a horrible boss could be to blame, and how founders and leaders can cultivate self-awareness and identify what can be changed to help employees flourish in the workplace.According to leadership coach (and a former horrible boss herself) Akua Nyame-Mensah, there are two kinds of horrible bosses: those who know they are horrible and don’t care, and thos...
2022-06-2034 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 48: I Graduated 12 Years Ago: Here are the 5 Top Lessons I've Learned Building My CareerSince it's the end of the school year in many places in the world, Akua is talking about the things she's learned since graduating 12 years ago and starting her own business as an executive and leadership coach. If you are fresh out of school or you've been out for a while and find yourself questioning your major or career choice, this episode will help put things into perspective and guide you in the direction of your joy. Remember, you are not what you studied in college. You are complex, multi-talented, and multi-passionate; you are not ON...
2022-06-1322 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 47: Pursuing your Purpose with Dorcas NakayeTo find success and purpose in a career, it is important to possess both the skill AND the passion for what you do. But what if the skill you’ve invested so much time (and money) into learning leaves you unfulfilled? In this episode, Akua welcomes her virtual assistant, Dorcas Nakaye, as she shares her inspiring story about being empowered to pivot her career to pursue purpose and happiness. After studying accounting at her university, Dorcas landed a great job. On paper, it was perfect; it suited her skills and paid well. But even after the first day...
2022-06-0644 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 46: #AskAkua Episode - 3 Things I Would Do Differently If I Started Over Again with my Coaching BusinessThis #AskAkua episode is densely packed with helpful information for aspiring business coaches. Tune in as Akua pulls back the curtain on her own coaching business to tell you what she would do differently if she had to do it all again. Find out if she would have invested as much in courses and the important metric to tell if you’re getting the most out of them. She also shares her thoughts on social media and whether having a website is necessary to get clients.Akua also gives great advice on how to complete your 100 hours of...
2022-05-3018 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 45: How to Deal with Failure as a High PerformerNo one likes to fail, especially high performers or achievers, but it happens to everyone at some point. Dealing with these feelings of failure and disappointment can either be productive or hold you back in business. In this episode, Akua teaches four helpful strategies to help leaders cope with these setbacks. They can be more resilient and confident and get back to working towards their ambitious goals, despite a few bumps in the road.As Akua discusses, failure is a very personal thing. There isn’t one “right” way to deal with failure (though there may be some w...
2022-05-2320 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 43: #AskAkua - For Reluctant NetworkersIt’s another “Ask Akua” episode on the Open Door Conversations podcast! In this episode, Akua answers two great questions about networking and gives helpful strategies for business leaders, managers, and founders to help you build your important relationships in person and online. To be successful in business, one of the most important things to learn is relationship building. But as a reluctant networker herself, Akua knows what it’s like to have a bit of anxiety around the topic. Whether you do most of your networking online or need some tips on how not to be a wallflo...
2022-05-0913 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 42: Mindfulness for Busy LeadersThe challenges of running a business, regardless of where you live, can create a lot of anxiety. In this episode, Akua outlines nine exercises that will help any startup founder or leader increase productivity, decrease stress, and recalibrate, especially if you experience heightened uncertainty from living in an emerging market. Akua is very familiar with various environmental stressors (she brings you this episode while experiencing a power outage as well as trying to avoid ambient noise from the nearby airport in Accra, Ghana). This episode seeks to normalize stressors like these that are beyond our control, particularly i...
2022-05-0223 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 41: Stop Giving Out Equity with Kirin Kalia of Growth Through StoryIn this episode, Akua welcomes startup veteran Kirin Kalia to talk about how startups can grow their revenue faster without giving up equity. If you are a startup founder looking to create meaningful relationships with investors and enterprise clients that ensure future growth, this episode is a must-listen. As a tech and business journalist in New York during the dot-com boom, Kirin gained a deep appreciation for the energy and drive she witnessed from startup founders as they struggled to bring products and services to market. Her experiences launching and growing online publications and working on corporate i...
2022-04-2532 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 39: How to Build a Remote Career as a Global CitizenIn this episode of the Open Door podcast, Akua welcomes guest Hawa Kombian, a global citizen who is building an amazing remote career. The two discuss working remotely while employed with a company/organization and the crucial things that need to be considered before going remote or allowing your employees to work remotely. Whether you’re an employee looking to stay remote after shifting out of the office temporarily, or you’re a team leader considering whether remote work is sustainable long-term, this is the episode for you. Hawa dives into how she became a remote worker in he...
2022-04-1131 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 38: Entrepreneurial Burn Out with Dora PetrovaIf you’re an entrepreneur, it’s likely you want to make a meaningful impact; you’re passionate and willing to do whatever it takes to grow your company or organization. But what happens when your dedication to your work comes before your mental and emotional well-being? BURNOUT.In this episode, Akua welcomes the founder of the FemGems Club, Dora Petrova, to talk about burnout and how putting yourself first is integral to the success of your business.Dora started her podcast, FemGems, as a way to feature early-stage female founders in a male-dominated field. As the...
2022-04-0433 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 36: All About Uplevel Your LinkedIn For Thought LeadersAre you looking to take your LinkedIn game up a notch? LinkedIn is a powerful tool for thought leaders, and with the right tools and strategies in place, you can use it to its fullest potential.Akua's UpLevel for Thought Leaders program is exactly what you need. This comprehensive program offers unlimited critiques, templates for every important piece of content, and step-by-step strategies to help you effectively and efficiently master LinkedIn. Plus, you'll get access to live co-working sessions, repurposing workflow workshops, and done-for-you content.Enrollment for this life-changing program is only open until the...
2022-03-2133 minOpen Door ConversationsEp35: #AskAkua // The best Time To Get FeedbackIn this episode of #AskAkua, Akua covers the importance of feedback and how leaders can benefit from opening themselves up to getting and receiving it. Feedback is essential for growth but it's also one of the most challenging things to solicit and act on. Maybe you've been resisting or ignoring feedback because you don't know how to process it or feel overwhelmed by it.Whatever the reason is, Akua will help you better understand and leverage feedback, and also provide actionable tips on what you can do to make the most of it, especially when it's difficult...
2022-03-1418 minOpen Door ConversationsEp #33: My Windy Journey: Career TransitionsStorytime! Last weekend Akua had someone approach her and ask if she supported career transitions. And first and foremost – yes! She loves supporting leaders by creating a safe space to reflect on where they are and where they want to go. In today's episode on the Open Door Conversations podcast, Akua shares her windy journey – her career transitions and what she kept in mind about why she made the decisions she did. Aku is chatting about her experience working in the corporate world. She shares her time as an entrepreneur and how she eventually found her way into...
2022-02-2825 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 32: #AskAkua // The 5 Top Productivity Tools You Need To KnowAs a leader who has so many things to do, it can be hard to get everything crossed off on your to-do list. You might get to the end of the day and wonder where did all that time go. So in today's episode, Akua shares with you her top five tools that have helped improve her productivity in business so that you can get more done in less time.Not only will you learn about these five tips, but she'll also teach you how to apply them in your own life and business. And in her...
2022-02-2121 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 31: Sex and Love for Leaders with Intimacy Coach Erica M. DanielThe topic of this Open Door Conversation is getting to know yourself better, on an intimate level, to be exact. Akua interviews Erica Daniel, an intimacy coach that has led a multi-passionate life. Erica values learning and exploring the world through cultures, food, and the people living in it. She has always supported love for all people; after a few career shifts, she is currently working as an intimacy coach, focusing on married men and single professional women.In this episode, Akua and Erica talk about getting in touch with ourselves to maintain intimate relationships with others...
2022-02-1430 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 30: How to Apologize and Practice CompassionDo you want to learn how to apologize effectively as a Leader?A lot of people find apologizing difficult. But it's an important skill to learn, especially if you're a leader in your company or organization. Apologizing is about much more than just saying the words, "I'm sorry." It starts with learning to look inward and see your impact on others.In this episode of the Open Door Conversations podcast, Akua will be talking all about how to apologize as a leader. We all make mistakes, and it's important to learn how to apologize with...
2022-02-0720 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 29: Being Authentic on Social Media with Jenna WarrinerIf you have ever said to yourself: I am not wired for social media or social, or it's too scary. I'm not sure how to show up authentically. I don't know what to post. How do I get people to buy for me? Or how can I sell on social media? Then this is the podcast episode for you!In today's episode, Akua interviews JennaWarriner, a social media expert, about leveraging social media. Jenna shares all her favorite tips and tricks that help her clients show up on social media with ease. She walks through all the...
2022-01-3124 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 28: #AskAkua // Goal Setting TricksThis episode of the Open Door Conversations Podcast is for leaders who are serious about conquering their goals. It's for the reluctant leaders, for the overwhelmed leaders, and for the leaders that find themselves somewhere in between. But most importantly, it's for leaders who are looking for tangible ways to be successful in 2022.In today's episode, Akua shares how to make the most of your goal setting this year. She outlines mistakes she sees leaders make and offers a plan on how to reserve them. Sit back and listen as she shares a five-step system for leaders...
2022-01-2420 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 27: I'm still a Reluctant Thought Leader - How I Leverage LinkedInThis episode of the Open Door Conversations Podcast is for those who are serious about growing their brand in 2022. While a lot of people may have goals of reaching new highs, without leveraging social media, it will be hard to grow. Whether you are using social media but are not consistent, or maybe you are shy and reluctant, hopefully, this episode will help inspire you to build awesome things this year.In today’s episode, Akua shares her approach to Linkedin. She gives great tips and talks about the things she’s learned through her experiences in her...
2022-01-1722 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 26: Building Irresistible Products & Relationships with Josh Hayman of Interact Quiz MakerIn this episode of the Open Door Conversation Podcast, Akua interviews Josh Haynam; CEO and founder of Interact Quiz Maker. Josh describes himself as an atypical entrepreneur, although his entrepreneurial journey started 15 years ago in high school. Upon graduating from UCLA, Josh and his friends jumped into the world of starting their own business. Josh tells his story of building Interact, discusses team building and team relationships, and tells us about the struggles and successes that Interact has had through years of growth. Josh and his team used determination and a bit of stubbornness to continue working to...
2022-01-1029 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 25: #AskAkua Leadership LessonsAs an experienced leadership coach, Akua has plenty of experience and wisdom to share based on what she has learned and seen through coaching. Today Akua shares her top 5 resources for growing your business and leadership lessons she has learned along the way. Get ready to consider your biases, get out of your comfort zone, and value self-care. Akua will discuss this and more in today's episode. No one is born an amazing leader; there are skills and lessons learned along the way that build incredible leaders. It's normal to feel overwhelmed if you are new to a...
2022-01-0328 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 24: Quitting and Evolving Without Ego with Dzifa AbabioHello and welcome back to the Open Door Conversations podcast. Today Akua interviews Dzifa, an entrepreneur and wellness enthusiast living in Accra, Ghana. Dzifa has a hand in many fields such as the legal domain, marketing and branding, food entrepreneurship, and starting a menswear brand. He also started a wellness company and will soon release a wellness journal. Dzifa has let his career and interests evolve as he learns more about himself. He has organically moved to the next passion calling his name. He still has a hand in many of the entrepreneurial endeavors he began, and he...
2021-12-2741 minOpen Door ConversationsEP #23: Burnout - Better Leaders are not Stressed Out (Denial About Burnout)Today Akua dives deeper into a topic she has mentioned many times on the Open Door Conversation Podcast. This topic is a major problem among corporate companies, leaders, and entrepreneurs. Today Akua covers burnout; what is it, how we recognize it, and how we avoid it. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by extreme stress. When you lose the passion, excitement, and reasoning behind what you do, the effects of burnout become much more prevalent. As humans, we are not meant to work until we drop from exhaustion. We need rest, inspiration, an...
2021-12-2026 minOpen Door ConversationsEP #22: Firefighting!This episode of the Open Door Conversations Podcast is for the firefighting leader. If you feel that you have to redo your team’s work to make it better, you are always needed to solve problems as they arise, or you are overworking to avoid feeling guilty, you might be addicted to fighting fires. In today’s episode, Akua shares what it looks like to be a firefighting leader. Before you can fix this issue, you must recognize that it is happening and that you are the main reason it happens. Once you cultivate your awareness around the is...
2021-12-1321 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 21: Eliminating Imposter Syndrome and Being a New Coach with Kim WittenToday’s Open Door Conversation is with Kim Witten. She has a history of working in different fields and has gained wonderful experience from diverse occupations. Each one has taught her lessons and led her closer to her current passion, coaching for individuals and small organizations on the path to finding their more true selves.With over 20 years of human-centered design experience, a Ph.D. in Sociolinguistics, and an accredited diploma in Transformational Coaching, her unique approach addresses the root of confidence issues. Find your WAY to your WHY is her new program to help people understand wh...
2021-12-0626 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 20: Check in With Your Goals NowCreating goals is a wonderful habit for leaders. But are you keeping track and checking in on those goals? How often? Akua shares the simple 3 step process for checking in on your goals. Doing this regularly will help you hit the next level of success in your business. Without goals, you won’t have a compass to navigate your personal and professional life. Reflecting on your goals is a huge part of using this compass correctly. In this episode, Akua explains the 20-minute check-in she does with her goals. Highlights from the episodeHow often...
2021-11-2922 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 19: #AskAkua Episode // Live Coaching Session to Gain Confidence With NegotiatingNegotiation comes naturally to some and is quite uncomfortable for others. In this Ask Akua episode, she welcomes her client, Morgan. Morgan is the founder of Geometric, a handcrafted accessories and apparel brand in Ghana. Akua and Morgan walk through a coaching session to discuss negotiation conversations focusing on negotiations for startups and small businesses. In this real-time coaching session, you will hear Akua and Morgan get to the root of the negotiation troubles Morgan has experienced and together brainstorm ways to prepare for future negotiations. After listening to this episode, you too can feel more confident go...
2021-11-2225 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 18: Want to Make Better Decisions? Rest MoreAre you living for the weekends because it is your only time to rest? Maybe you can feel yourself burning out, yet you are still pushing yourself until your next scheduled vacation. Both of these behaviors lead to an unhealthy relationship with rest. In this episode, Akua walks you through the 7 different types of rest (yes, 7!) and examples of how you can practice them. As human beings, we should build rest into our daily schedules. By following Akua's strategies, looking inward, and possibly asking for help from others, getting the rest you need will be easier than yo...
2021-11-1527 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 17: Authoring Your Own Story with Former Googler Amy YipIn this Open Door Conversation, Akua has the joy of speaking with life transformation and mental fitness coach Amy Yip. Amy works with high-achieving women to help them recognize what they want in life and become the author of their own stories. She reminds us that if we don’t author our own story, someone else will. Amy shares her journey from a high-level corporate job at Google to living and loving the nomadic lifestyle she has now. Akua asks Amy about what challenges she faced while deciding to leave behind the expectations of others to find the...
2021-11-0830 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 16: Meet Kenny, Serial Entrepreneur and Master DelegatorAkua interviews serial entrepreneur Kenny Schumacher. Kenny has been starting businesses since college, where he studied accounting. For him, the thrill is all in the startup and the building of the company. He has founded many businesses and successfully sold 2 of them. He thrives in handling operations and building out teams to operate the business.It may sound crazy to many business owners, but Kenny tries to remove himself from the business he created as soon as he can. Many CEOs would say their business is their highest priority and that they can’t imagine things running wi...
2021-11-0127 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 15: #Ask Akua // Let's Talk About MoneyWelcome to this #AskAkua episode about something we all have experiences and feelings about- money. A lot of people have a mindset about money that needs some updating. It makes many people uncomfortable, but it does not have to be that way. Our attitude towards money will often dictate the results we get from it. Get comfortable with money and how you think about it by using the process Akua shares today. By cultivating our awareness around money, we can begin thinking about what we should be compensated with. Highlights from the episodeRecognizing the...
2021-10-2527 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 12: #Ask Akua // How to be an engaging virtual speaker and How to Deal with Your InboxIn today’s #AskAkua episode, Akua is answering questions that will help to improve your public speaking and our email habits. To start, she gives tips and tools that will serve both beginners and seasoned speakers with in-person and online presentations. Communicating is a critical part of building and growing a business. Practicing can turn the most nervous speakers into confident and prepared ones. Akua also covers email prioritization. Everyone gets emails, probably too many of them, but most people don’t know how to treat their inbox. Your inbox should not be your task list. Contrary to ho...
2021-10-0434 minOpen Door ConversationsEp 11: Time is Manufactured in the MindWe hear about time management all the time. Everyone tells us how important it is to manage our time; however people neglect to teach us how to manage our time effectively. Productivity is closely related to how we treat our time. There are ways we can improve our relationship with time to get the best outcomes from it. Everyone gets the same amount of time in a day but, everyone experiences that amount of time differently. Akua explains that because time is a mental construct, everyone should be treating their time uniquely to their thoughts and feelings. Sh...
2021-09-2727 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 09: #Akua // 3 Steps to Prioritize BetterThank you for joining today’s #AskAkua episode! This conversation is all about time prioritization. Akua brings 2 brand new questions from listeners and shares her perspective and advice. If you have other ideas or advice in response to these questions, please share with Akua through social media or by commenting below to continue the conversation.In her experience, leaders have had 2 problems with time: needing to save time or needing to create time. The questions today will encourage you to revisit and possibly rethink how you prioritize your time. Where do you place relationships when you think ab...
2021-09-1317 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 08: 5 Misconceptions about Leadership CoachingThought partner, cheerleader, sounding board, devil’s advocate. Leadership coaches wear all of these hats and many more in order to support their clients in personal and professional life. However, leadership coaching, like most everything, can get clouded by faulty ideas or misunderstandings. Akua is here to expel 5 common misconceptions about leadership coaching and give examples of these errors from her years as an executive coach.With Akua, leadership coaching concentrates on building up a client’s self-confidence and self-trust. In this episode, she will define who will benefit from coaching, explain the benefits coaching has over othe...
2021-09-0629 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 06: #Ask Akua // Self-Worth + Self-LoveIn this #AskAkua episode, Akua focuses on self-trust, self-worth, self-love, and self-advocacy. When you set high standards for yourself, it can be beneficial to remember that self-compassion is just as important to find growth and balance. Akua will answer 2 questions discussing how to show up in a sustainable way, how to define success and enoughness in your business, and how being too hard on yourself can affect your business. Akua shares her thoughts, gives specific examples of how she shows up in her business, and shows how defining a structure with variety has helped her throughout the pa...
2021-08-2325 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 04: Returning to Ghana and Building Brands with Healer, Writer, and Spiritual Warrior Araba Ofori-AcquahIn today's episode from The Open Door Conversation Podcast, Akua gets the chance to talk with an incredible writer, healer, and entrepreneur living back home in Accra, Ghana. Araba Ofori-Acquah is committed to helping Africans, and Diasporans connect with wellness in order to find their own potential, magic, and power. Araba is currently writing a book focused on many different ways to be African and ways to use ancient African wellness. She also teaches yoga and meditation and works to promote local Black businesses in Ghana through one of your businesses called Buy Black Ghana.During this...
2021-08-0928 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 03:#AskAkua // Masking Feelings + BalanceWelcome back to the Open Door Conversations Podcast! Whether you are looking for leadership info, unique perspectives on life, or to better understand yourself, you’ve come to the right place. Today, Akua is answering questions brought forward by listeners and breaking down her answers into easy-to-follow steps.How do you approach topics that are not so positive when those around you are pushing positivity at all times? Akua gives information and guiding ideas on how to engage with yourself or with others when positivity goes too far and becomes unhelpful.What about finding “balance” in life...
2021-08-0417 minOpen Door ConversationsEP 01: Akua's StoryWelcome to the Open Door Conversations Podcast! Akua is so excited to start this podcast that is sure to be full of open and honest conversations. Since leaving her job 3 years ago as a startup leader, Akua has worked for herself as a successful leadership coach focusing on skills that help leaders to love themselves, love their work, and love their life. The goal of this podcast is to share useful leadership information, different perspectives on life, and ways to know and love yourself even more.Frustrated, a little lost, and burnout, Akua decided to leave her...
2021-08-0430 minOpen Door ConversationsWelcome to The Open Door PodcastWelcome to The Open Door Podcast. In this welcome message, your host Akua shares with you what you can expect from the Open Door Conversation Podcast. If you want to know when we will be launching the podcast, connect with Akua on Instagram or LinkedIn, so when we launch the podcast, you will be the first to know.Connect with Akua Nyame-Mensah:Instagram: @akua_nmWebsite: www.akuanm.comLinkedIn: @Akua Nyame-MensahTwitter: @akua_nmSubscribe to her newsletter: www.akuanm.com/newsletterTake the Productive Leadership Style Q...
2021-07-1402 min
Friends in Beauty PodcastEp. 10: Top 10 Resources That Keep My Business RunningToday on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares her top 10 resources that keep her business running and how she uses each one in her business. As a working Makeup Artist, Beauty Educator, podcast host, event host, and creator of a lifestyle brand, Akua has several resources that she uses in order to connect with her audience, deliver content, create graphics, sell items, and so much more. She had to find systems that were effective and easy to use so that she can operate her business on a professional level. Listen to...
2020-06-1020 min
Glocal CitizensEpisode 24: Globetrotting, Facebook and Sci-Fi with Akua GykekyeThis episode marks my last conversation from the road for the time being. Wrapping up my Winter 2020 tour, I had the pleasure of meeting with Akua Gyekye at a bustling London eatery—please pardon the sound. Akua is Facebook’s Public Policy Manager for Africa and MENA Elections; she focuses on issues relating privacy, safety and security, freedom of expression, the impact of the Internet on economic growth, and new opportunities for democratic engagement in these regions.
Before joining Facebook, Akua, who is qualified to practice in NY and the UK, was a project finance lawyer, at Clif...
2020-06-0243 min
Friends in Beauty PodcastEp. 01: The Hero’s Journey - Meet Your HostToday on the Friends in Beauty Podcast you get to know more about host Akua Robinson, as she takes you behind the scenes of her journey, so far, in the beauty industry. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Akua shares how her unconventional upbringing helped to build her confidence and sense of pride in herself from a young age and how makeup wasn’t something that was a normal occurrence in her household. She shares how her love for beauty developed and what motivated her to pursue a career as a Makeup Artist. After 7 years in...
2020-05-0644 min