From private dinners to viral TikToks — and now Netflix.In this episode of NEXUS Talks, we sit down with MsJoyceK, the self-taught chef whose journey from hobbyist cook to culinary entrepreneur is as inspiring as her recipes.

Joyce shares how a spontaneous trip to Congo turned into a two-year adventure that sparked her passion for food, how posting her home-cooked recipes online led to a job offer from The Ivy, and how she found herself competing on Netflix’s Five Star Chef — all while staying true to her authentic, flavour-driven style.

We dive into:

🍴 How she built a thriving food career without formal training

🌍 The lessons she learned from cooking across cultures

📱 Turning simple recipes into viral content

💡 Finding balance between creativity, business, and burnout

🔥 Her tips for aspiring food creators and private chefs

This is a story about passion, perseverance, and purpose — and what it really takes to turn what you love into a sustainable creative career.

Instagram: @msjoycek

TikTok: @msjoycek

Twitter/X: @imjoycek

NEXUS Talks is where founders, creators, and innovators share their journeys — the real stories behind building something from nothing.

Hosted by Deana Soni and powered by NEXUS Creative HQ, we connect creative and tech entrepreneurs with ideas, funding, and community.

👉 Subscribe for more founder stories, creative lessons, and startup inspiration.

🔗 Connect with MsJoyceK💬 About NEXUS Talks

✨ What no one tells you about being a founder… until it’s too late.

In this episode of NEXUS Talks, Adaora Oramah — CEO & Founder of Amaka Studio — gets brutally honest about the reality of building a startup in the creative industry. From the tears and near-burnout moments to redefining what success actually means, Adaora shares the lessons that most founders only learn the hard way.

🚀 You’ll hear:

* Why being *obsessed with the problem* is the secret to scaling

* The hidden struggles African creatives face in the global creator economy

* What “success” really looks like when you’re in the trenches

* The one founder skill no one prepares you for (but makes or breaks your business)

This isn’t your typical glossy founder story. It’s raw, unfiltered, and packed with insights that could save you months — or even years — on your own journey.

🎧 Don’t miss this one. Founders are already talking about it.

Got it — since Spotify doesn’t have teasers at the beginning, we’ll start the timestamps from **00:00**. Here’s a clean, **Spotify-friendly timestamp list** that listeners can use to jump into key parts of the episode:

00:00 – Welcome Adaora Oramah

Introduction to the Founder & CEO of Amaka Studio.

00:59 – From Singer to Startup Founder

Adaora’s creative journey and why she built Amaka.

02:58 – The Problem with Representation**

How African creatives are misrepresented in global media.

05:00 – From Tears to Triumph**

The struggles, pivots, and lessons behind building Amaka Studio.

07:02 – The Advice Every Founder Needs**

Why being obsessed with the problem matters more than anything.

11:53 – Barriers African Creators Face**

The payment and access challenges — and how Amaka solves them.

14:23 – A Proud Founder Moment**

Helping a young creator get closer to her dreams.

16:23 – Founder Burnout Is Real**

Learning the hard way to take breaks.

18:55 – Redefining Success**

Why Adaora doesn’t feel “successful” yet — and what that really means.

23:42 – The Lesson No One Prepares Founders For**

Why business is all about people management.

26:01 – You Can’t Be Everything for Everyone**

How to stay focused when representing a whole continent.

28:31 – The Power of Mentors**

Why mentorship has been key to Adaora’s journey.

30:25 – Overcoming Self-Doubt**

The mindset shift that keeps her moving forward.

33:46 – What’s Next for Amaka Studio**

New features and campaigns on the horizon.

35:09 – Staying Authentic as a Founder**

How Adaora stays grounded in her mission.

36:47 – Final Message to Founders**

Adaptability, persistence, and being obsessed with the problem.

💥 Four years to land one deal?!

Founder Ashley Ainsley, co-founder of Colour in Tech, reveals the unfiltered truth about building partnerships with big brands — and why most founders get it wrong.

From being one of only 32 Black students at Oxford to leading a movement that’s transforming diversity in tech, Ashley shares the lessons, setbacks, and wins that every entrepreneur needs to hear.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

* The patience and strategy behind multi-year deals

* How to turn diversity into a competitive advantage

* The realities of running a sustainable nonprofit

* Why transactional networking is killing your chances

* The nationwide AI upskilling initiative is changing the game

Connect with Ashley:

LinkedIn: Ashley Ainsley

Twitter / X: @AshleyAinsley

Colour in Tech: @colourintech | colourintech.org