In this episode, we sit down with Ama Owusu-Afriye - founder and host of the Nova & Boba Start-ups Podcast - to explore what it really takes to build a podcast from scratch.

Ama shares how she launched Nova & Boba after her first start-up, grew it from zero to thousands of streams, and turned it into a go-to platform for Gen Z founders and early-stage start-up stories.

We talk about pitching dream guests, building confidence behind the mic, and growing an audience when no one knows your name yet. It’s an honest conversation about finding your voice, staying consistent, and creating the space you wish existed.

We cover:

💭 Why she started Nova & Boba

🚀 How to grow a podcast from nothing

💡 Learning to take up space as a Gen Z founder

🎧 Lessons in confidence, consistency, and community

If you’re dreaming of starting something of your own - this episode is for you.

KEY MOMENTS:

00:00 – Intro & Meet Ama

02:00 – Why Ama started the Nova & Boba podcast

04:00 – Gen Z & the rise of entrepreneurship

05:00 – Ama’s interview with Georgie Holt & building confidence

07:00 – Ama’s early entrepreneurial moments (Galaxy Cookie Crumble)

09:00 – Building an educational platform & balancing creativity

16:00 – Dealing with trolls & taking risks

17:00 – How Ama sources guests & grows the podcast

19:00 – Getting big-name guests & changing the pitch

20:00 – Marketing strategy & early growth hacks

21:00 – Why “bubble tea” is part of the brand

23:00 – Running a podcast team & managing interns

25:00 – Bubble tea personality analysis

26:00 – Lessons from her first business

29:00 – Dealing with rejection, failure and setbacks

32:00 – Tips for new podcasters

33:00 – Hot takes: growth, rejection & social strategy

37:00 – Listener dilemma

40:00 – Final reflections & what Ama wishes she knew sooner

🎙 Hosts: Senna & Serenity

💛 Follow us: @whatiwishiknewsoonerpod

✨ Listen to Nova & Boba on Spotify and YouTube

📲 Follow @novaandbobapod

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