Hi Guys, I recently had the opportunity of speaking to Nmachi Jidenma, A Masters student at Cornell University, She talks about her passion for entrepreneurship and African development and starting CP-Africa.com

Hello Nmachi, Welcome to YHP, How are you doing today?

Doing great Jo, thanks!

So tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?

I am a Masters student at Cornell University studying Applied Economics & Management. I have a passion for entrepreneurship and African development. I found the perfect intersection for both in journalism/new media and I am a proud Africa buff.

Now to CP-Africa.com, How did it all begin?

It started as an account on blog-spot in April 2009. Over-time it moved to the domain, CP-Africa.com

Why did you decide to start it?

Well like many young people like me sharing content on the web, I found myself constantly sharing links on positive trends on the continent (with an emphasis on my home country, Nigeria). I looked to the web for a platform where I could get inspired and find more inspiring content.

At the time, TED Global was the only place I could go to, but as we all know TED is very broad and though there is an African component, the Africa focus is not as heavy. As such, I decided to create my own space for inspiration on the web. I believed at the time that if we celebrate our success stories, we will be inspired to believe in ourselves and do much more. I still do.

Tell us about what you do @ CP-Africa.com? How many people are currently involved in CP-Africa.com?

Currently, there are 3 people involved. Personally, I do a lot of news curation, blogging, blogger recruiting and online partnerships.

Is CP-Africa something you do full-time?

No. It’s all part time.

How has the journey been so far?

It’s been really great. I enjoy doing it, a lot. African development has always been my passion. The blog gives me the opportunity to stay on top of African news and trends, promote causes and learn about inspiring stories of entrepreneurs, activists and enterprises. It’s something I’m very happy I chose to get involved in.

What are you looking to achieve with this platform?

With the platform, I’m looking to inspire Africans everywhere and provide a space for them to showcase their creativity, insights and ventures. I want the site to be the platform of choice for learning about the hottest progressive trends on the continent, the hottest start-ups, the latest events, the best ideas and the most inspiring accomplishments.

Can you tell us the essence of online collaboration and how it has helped your business?

Online collaboration has definitely helped in expanding our reader base. CP-Africa serves as a broad platform delving into a variety of areas so collaborations are inevitable. Collaborations have helped us get the word out and has helped strengthen our brand.

What has been your most memorable moment so far?

Well I’ll say it’s whenever I get a shout out about the blog and how it’s inspired someone. Those moments are very special to me. It’s always nice to have people appreciate your passion and vision.

What are the most crucial things you have done to grow the business?

I’ll say expanding the blog’s focus. My background is in Economics and I’ve always had leanings towards African development. In fact the blog’s first post was on aid to developing countries…so those kinds of topics have always come to me naturally to want to blog, share or rant about.

But ultimately, I want the blog to be a platform for people of all interests and so over time, I opened it up and gave it more of a group focus so that bloggers with different interests could use it as a space for voicing their opinion. Opening up was also nice because it enabled us venture into areas such as technology, music and fashion which are currently top trending areas on the continent.

What plans do you have now to expand it further?

I’d like to feature more Guest Bloggers and Thought leaders. Currently, we have good representation in Nigeria and Kenya but we can do more to expand our reach in both countries as well as in other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa.

We’d also like to do more to attract a global audience because ultimately our goal is to change perceptions globally and brand the continent as a place of creativity, ideas and dynamism.

What do you do for fun, especially when you’re not busy with CP-Africa.com?

I am a self confessed workaholic. However, whenever I get a minute, I hang out and I also watch movies. Music is also a wonderful outlet for me. I am also constantly working to improve my writing skills, so I try to read and write a lot- all genres, from poetry to fiction.

Are you involved in any other project?

With CP-Africa yes. We recently just launched a community feature which is essentially a voting and news aggregation site for African readers. We want it to serve as a hub for sharing interesting blog posts, literary pieces and news items. We would like the community portal to help promote strong writers that African readers might otherwise not have been aware of and thus provide value to African readers everywhere.

I am also involved with EwellAfrica.com, an African health and wellness site sponsored by Emzor, a leading Nigerian pharmaceutical firm.

I also have some side entrepreneurial ideas that I am currently exploring. If any of them pop off, I’ll certainly alert you!

What is the future plans for CP-Africa.com, what should we be expecting from you in the future?

Well, I just hope CP-Africa.com continues to grow and that we continue to expand our reach; that’s the immediate and long term goal. We want to be Africa’s leading hub for progressiveness; highlighting positive trends, ventures, people, ideas and initiatives. We also want to be Africa’s leading voice online showcasing our best blogging voices by giving them a platform to showcase their creativity.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs looking to start their business?

Find your passion, stay with it. Don’t be afraid to do what you love.

Thanks for your time Nmachi.

You’re welcome. Thanks for having me Jo!

I have trying to get this interview done for a while now and you would agree after reading it, that the wait was totally worth it.

Loy okezie shares some insight into his company startups nigeria and also talks about the nigeria startup community.

Hope you enjoy the interview

Hi Loy, Welcome to YHP, tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi Jo, thanks for this opportunity.

No problem man, nice to finally get you on YHP

I have a background in Business Management & Strategy and upon graduation; I’ve been working on several projects with a focus on the impact of technology on media, business and entertainment.

You’re a business graduate right? What influence do you think attending University has on an entrepreneur’s life? Do you think it makes you more aware and prepared to start your own business?

Yeah, I think that University should prepare us all for the business world. Whether you have a background in IT, Business or Arts, I think that the knowledge, skills and networks you build over the years at the University should be leverage for you when starting a business.

As a result of some knowledge, skills and networks acquired while studying at the University, I started a small training outfit that helped over 100 students from different backgrounds to improve on their presentation skills.

From that experience, I learned how to deal and handle people with different abilities while improving my communication skills. Ultimately, I learned some practical lessons on managing people and running a business.

How did you get involved in technology and start-ups?

I grew up with computers and although I didn’t have my first PC until I was in the University, I developed a lot of interest in the technologies (I use every day), the companies (that innovate them), the people (behind them) as well as emerging technology developments in the new web space.

My inspiration came from several books I read on how technology companies such as Google, Yahoo and eBay started. Then, I started reading technology blogs such as TechCrunch, Mashable, VentureBeat, GigaOM and RWW, all of which provide a daily dose of Internet companies and their activities.

That said, my most inspiring entrepreneurial driving force is Sir Richard Branson, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. His adventure into space tourism with Virgin Galactic which takes paying passengers into suborbital space is the most audacious venture I’ve ever heard of.

Thus, upon returning from France in 2008 where I spent about 3 years studying, I invested a lot of my time and resources exploring web start-ups. As a result, I founded Startups Nigeria in order to showcase technology-related companies especially web 2.0 and mobile start-ups from Nigeria.

This has afforded me the opportunity to meet some of the smartest brains behind some of the best start-ups as well as some potential investors in the web and mobile space.

Tell us about Startups Nigeria?

Back in April 2008, I founded Startups Nigeria as a startups and technology news-related blog with an international focus on Nigeria. The blog eventually became very popular, influential and highly respected within the Nigerian and African technology and social media space.

Today, Startups Nigeria is a youth-driven, online community for technology enthusiasts, internet start-ups, companies, entrepreneurs, investors and students, all pioneering innovations in Nigeria’s emerging start-up eco-system and Internet economy.

With the new platform found at www.startupsnigeria.org (still in private beta), users can build their profile page, add and promote their start-ups, share their start-up stories, photos, videos, follow other start-ups, find ideal start-up partners, find technology-related jobs, find entrepreneurs and investors and lots more.

The idea of the platform is to help build Nigeria’s emerging dot-com Internet industry and contribute towards a knowledge-based economy in Nigeria by the year 2020 and beyond.

In the future, we hope to become a technology start-up incubator and help fund financially viable start-ups from Nigeria and African entrepreneurs.

What companies are you excited about in the Nigerian start up community?

Basically, I’m excited about companies that are using innovation to create value and solve problems. Thus, if there are any entrepreneurs and start-ups out there that apply this principle, I’ll be singing their praises louder and possibly backing them financially.

What change are you looking for in the Nigerian start up, changes that should be adopted to bring growth and expansion in the start-up community?

We need to see a lot of innovative thinking and approach.

We need to see new and exciting business revenue models.

We need to see collaboration with other entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Africa.

We need to see a vibrant technology community that fosters healthy discussions on the emerging web, mobile and Internet industry.

We need to see our Universities teaching emerging web and mobile app technologies.

We need to see web and mobile app development competitions sponsored by huge technology companies and targeted at University students.

We need to see technology incubators and angel investments.

Do you think it’s important that any internet company fully engage in social media to be successful?

Not necessarily, but it could go a long way in building a community faster and easier.

You’ve typically been ahead of the curve with tech and social trends (video blogging, social media, etc). What do you see as the “next big thing” – a technology or trend that will change the game yet again?

Location-based services like Foursquare and Gowalla.

Any other words of wisdom for young entrepreneurs looking to start a new business?

Never Think Average. Never Quit.

So what’s next for you?

Building an emerging digital media brand that will change the way we live.

Thank you for your time loy, hope to speak to you soon.

Interview by Bobieh Ansah

I love to see students find a clever way of doing business whilst at university and last week I was back at my old university Kingston. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Emmanuel Oladokun Sekumade .

He is an aspiring entrepreneur who runs a removal business (Kingmaker transport) for students in the Kingston surrey area. I remember having this problem, not having anybody to help me move.

Emmanuel Has found a gap in the market.

So, Tell me about you?

My name is Emmanuel Oladokun Sekumade, from Nigeria and Kingston University, I will be starting my second year in September (2010) and I study Chemistry and Business Management.

Tell me about the whole movement, what’s the name and how did it get started?

Basically I’m into moving students and Luggages,  I run a business called Kingmaker Transport.

About a year ago, I went to Portsmouth Uni and after seeing my cousin moving into halls and realising how many students move in and out of halls, I thought, hold on a second, there’s a big market here.

I live locally in Kingston, I have a driving licence, and I thought if i could rent a van or get a car i could move students moving out of halls into storage or from halls to back home. I even do the storage myself.

What has been your main influence or inspiration?

The person I look up to is Richard Branson and the Whole of Virgin. So, I hope to be as big as virgin who knows.

So how Long have you been Running Kingmaker Transport for?

I only started this summer, I got my first customer on the 31st. It’s a new movement. I will be targeting Kingston University and Neighbouring universities.

So what’s the difference between you and a mini cab service?

The differences between myself and minicab services is that I offer really cheap services to students, being a student myself I know how it feels to be exploited by older people and I can related more closely to my customers because I’m a student I also help the student moves their things like I’m doing right now. But the mini Cabs drivers don’t help you move your things so, it’s more customer focused basically.

So how do you plan to balance your studying with you business when semester starts?

This kind of business is seasonal it’s not an everyday thing. And I’m not moving for everyday people I’m just moving for students so, because students only move at the end of semesters I’ll have nothing to do.

So where do you see you business in 5 years time?

In 5 years time I see myself with 5 mini vans (laughter) hopefully, I just see myself doing a lot better than this you know. Serving Brunel Uni and all the neighbouring universities in Kingston.

What’s the overall dream?

The dream is to be as big as Richard Branson to be a major competitor in the market. Who knows Kingmaker Airways Lagos to Heathrow, but yea that’s the dream.

Money or Love?

Love is important you know…. what kind of love are we talking about? (Laughter)

The love for whatever you’re doing, the passion should I say?

Oh yes the passion for what you’re doing .Money is not a good motivator. I’ve driven all around the country it’s the love, I like to drive it’s my hobby and hopefully the love brings money.

So how can people find out about your business?

I have a Blackberry group called Kingmaker transport and i also have a group on Facebook called Kingmaker transport group and you could also find us on Kingmakertransport.blogspot.com

Thanks for your time emmanuel.

I would like to thank Josephine Bankole for making this interview possible.

Who thought t-shirts could motivate people into losing weight or spending time in the gym.

YHP had the privilege of doing a quick interview with olu Johnson, founder of the get hench or die trying brand, a company that started from the gym.

Hope you enjoy the interview

Hello Olu! Thank You for giving YHP your time. How are you today?

I’m fine thanks for asking, and thank you for having me on here.

Can you give us some brief background information about yourself?

I am 26 years old, Nigerian born and British bred(I am bi-lingual). I am a graduate of Law. I am currently a trainee lawyer and junior manager for a company in the Rail sector!

Please, start off with giving us just a little info on who you are and what you do…Where did the concept for “Get Hench” come from?

The concept for the Get Hench brand came from a training session in the gym . After a period of about 6-8 months that my friend Shayne and I had trained intensely to be unquestionably the henchest guys in our local gym, we started training some of the younger boys in the gym who asked for help. During one of the sessions, one of the youths, Tavell, said ‘I didn’t come here to die, I’m not on this get hench or die trying sh**’. Everybody laughed but me, it occured to me that that was his perception of our attitude towards training and I thought we could sell that image.

How long did it take the “Get Hench” to get up and running, how many of you running it are there and where is it currently in operation?

I’m not one for procrastinating so when I had the idea, within a week I had samples selling like hot cakes and then my problem was I needed more t-shirts to meet my demands. A month later, I had funding and we were off the ground. There are three people in charge of the brand. Somehow I ended up being the posterboy/spokesperson of the executive group.

How did you fund your business in the beginning?

Initially, I funded the business by myself. I paid for all the samples to be done recouping my costs as I went along. When I needed funding to do things on a larger scale, I went to people I knew had the type of money I was looking for.. I was quite fortunate that I only had to speak to one person. The pitch wasn’t perfect but the evidence of the potential and the enthusiasm I had were obvious and I think that helped a great deal.

When would you say, you first experienced your entrepreneurial talent?

I first experienced my entrepreneurial talent when I sold homeworks at school. It only happened a few times but I was excited that I was trading……or maybe it was that I was getting money that I could spend on sweets etc. Either way, I always seized any opportunity I had since then to make a sale.

What types of setbacks have you encountered? How would you say you deal with them?

The biggest setback I’ve encountered is other people. That includes people I’m working with(my camp) or people working with me(outsiders). No one else will be as reliable or as enthusiastic as I will about my products therefore I have learnt to anticipate non-performance of duties by others and have a backup plan.

Sometimes, it is life itself that gets in the way. Everyone does what they’re supposed to and then it snows or rains or floods or there is an outbreak of swine flu or events get cancelled or something drastic interrupts ones plans. When that happens, all you can do is mitigate your losses if you have any and have the strength of character to continue with your plan.

You recently climbed a mountain, what the motive behind it was?

I recently climbed the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike) for Breast Cancer Research UK. The motivation for me to do it was two-fold. One, I wanted to do something for a charity and Cancer Research was the obvious choice for me because I lost my biological mother to cancer. Two, I wanted to do something unusual for me and that I would find difficult and extremely challenging. The mountain climb was it.

I had no training for it and made no preparations just because I didn’t have the time(work & everyday commitiments). It was an immense achievement for me. Conquering the mountain reboosted my belief in my ability to conquer other ‘mounatins’, some of which the Get Hench brand presents.

If you could change one thing about your business what would you change?

If I could make any changes, I cant definitely say it would be to the business itself. Perhaps maybe to contacts I’ve had/used and prices I’ve paid. (Always check to see if someone is willing to beat your current price in order to gain your custom)

Finally, what “wisdom words” do you have for young entrepreneurs of today?

‘Words of Wisdom’ – Always do what you’ve said you will do, even if it is to your inconvenience. The reason for this is that your integrity matters in business and people will judge you on it(it is a very small world and people talk). Also, don’t be afraid to ask for things(reductions in price, funding, deals, extras……whatever).

The worst a person could say is no and that does not leave you in a worse position than you were in prior to. Finally, don’t discriminate on who you sell your product to(you don’t have to like them). Every person you snub is potential profit you push away………..in addition, make every single customer feel like they are the reason you’re doing what you’re doing. You will always get repeat business.

Thanks for your time olu

No problem.

Get in touch with him on facebook

Hey Guys, Check out the interview I did with niccolo brandes, an upcoming music artist, he’s only 20 years old and he’s got a great future ahead of him, hope you enjoy the interview.

How are you doing Niccolo?

I’m doing well! Glad to be doing this interview with you!

Can you give us some background information about yourself?

HI! My name is Niccolo Brandes I’m 20 years old and currently attend California State University Long Beach (Go 49ers!) where I am majoring in Computer Engineering but my hope is to get into teaching music so I could share my knowledge to inspire others to play music.

Out of all the instruments you play, which one is your favourite and why?

I would say the piano because it is where I can express myself the most. I play the guitar and ukulele as well and I love you playing those instruments, but there is something about the piano that when I sit down, I feel like myself.

How did you get into playing the piano? Why did you want to learn how to play?

I got into playing the piano through my mom. My grandmother and mother both played piano as well so when I was young they suggested that I should learn how to play to see if I would like it and sure enough I did and the rest is as they say, history.

How difficult is it playing than ear rather using sheets?

I don’t think it is that much harder to play by ear than use sheets because the only real difference I believe is the memorization. With sheets if you forget a note, or a segment of notes, you can always go back and find the part you forgot. With playing by ear, if you forget a part, then you have to go back and listen to find the part you forgot.

Are you looking to learn how to play using sheets?

I’m able to play using sheets but I feel like it slows me down somewhat because I’m so used to just playing by ear.

Who are musical inspirations?

Of course have to start with of course my family, without them I would have never touched a piano or any instrument. My friends who support what I do and are always there for me. Finally my girlfriend who provides the love and gives me the drive to keep trying to be better.

Who would you point to that has been an inspiration to you in your musical career?

I believe my parents inspired me to keep practicing and be the best not only musician but person I could be by laying a good foundation and keeping me down to earth. Also, taught me to have fun with what I do because there’s a time to have fun and a time to be serious.

What are your immediate career goals? Where do you see your career going?

Well I am focusing on finishing school and would like to see where my degree could take me or what other opportunities will arise.

Did you have any difficult moment, when you just want to quit, what was your inspiration to fight back and keep going?

There was one point where I stopped playing from middle school to the end of high school where I just grew a disinterest in playing finding it boring somewhat. I guess I have to give credit to Youtube for inspiring me to get back into it because I was seeing that normal people like me were getting famous for showcasing their talents and I wanted to see if my talent could get some exposure.

Can you give me some of the key moments so far in your ongoing career?

I have performed in a Benefit for the Blind concert, which was a benefit concert for blind people which included a performance by Americas Best Dance Crew season 2 winners Super Crew . I have been featured on artists websites such as B.O.B., Mike Posner, and Charice Pempengco. Of course I consider this interview to be a significant moment in my career as well!

How would you say YouTube has helped in sharing your passion and also connecting with people?

Youtube gives hope to the average person that if you have talent, you will get discovered one way or another. Whether it’s playing music, singing, being a comedian, making movies, your talent will be discovered.

What do you outside music? Any other hobbies?

I enjoy playing basketball in my free time (Go Lakers!) and basically just hanging out with my girlfriend and close friends. I’m a pretty normal guy outside of Youtube.

What are key fundamentals that you think anyone looking to learn how to play the piano or want to make a career out of it needs to have or know?

PRACTICE and MOTIVATION. A lot of people ask me this question a lot and the first thing I tell them is to keep practicing because you can’t get better without it. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t practice, that talent is just going to stay hidden.

What would you see yourself doing apart from music as a career?

I would really love to teach either at the high school or college level because I enjoy sharing what I know with other people and in turn I learn more because of what someone else has learned.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Hopefully have finished school and started my career whatever it may be and just being happy with my life and the people that are in it.

Thanks for your time Niccolo

Connect with him:

Twitter
Twitter.com/nicoflow

Facebook!
facebook.com/NiccoloBrandes

Hey Guys, I had the opportunity to interview the beautiful and multi-talented media artist Sheena, Sheena has used social media to share her passion for music, TV and film.

She just finished her new video on youtube, check it out!

Hope you enjoy the interview.

Hi Sheena, How are you doing?

I’m doing great thank you!

So can you quickly give us some background information about yourself?

That’s an easy question (laughing)! In a nutshell I would say I’m a Media Artist, with roots as a singer-songwriter. In today’s digital age, I find myself attracted to various areas along with music, like TV/Film, and of course the Internet has been good to me as well!

How would you describe your style of music?

My music is really an amalgamation of many different styles. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been influenced by different corners of the world. I grew up in Canada, studied jazz, and opera and always loved R&B/Pop music.

My grandfather, who was a composer in India taught me to appreciate Indian classical music from an early age. And, to add to the mix, I lived in Tokyo a few years ago and that really opened my ears and my heart to a whole new musical world.

What type of music do you listen to?

I love any kind of music that speaks to me. The message can be found in a catchy beat, a beautiful storyline, or even something weird and quirky that catches my attention. I love music that is moving.

Doesn’t matter what the style is, as long as I can feel the passion behind the beat or words, I’ll keep listening.

Who are your musical inspirations?

I cannot just name one or two people who have inspired me. I am really lucky that way because my inspiration stems from everything and everyone around me.

We all have music in us. Of course, my family and friends contribute the most to my songwriting, because I write from my experiences (or theirs!); and, in terms of inspirations to sing, the list starts with my first choir director and range to my favourite singers and songwriters today.

A person can be inspired just about anywhere and I think the trick is just to be receptive to it. I once heard that songs are already written, we just have to find and share them. I believe that 100%.

At what age did you realise that singing was a career path you wanted to pursue?

I’ve never really wanted to do anything else to be honest. Of course, I’ve had bad days, weeks or even months, but when music hits me hard I shift my focus to screen projects (nothing that I can reveal yet I’m afraid!) or to the SheenaMelwani.com world! How can you really complain when you do what you love every day?

What will you say has been some of the benefits of posting your videos online, especially on YouTube and the power the internet has given individuals and talents to be able to share their passion with the world?

I was in Japan when I posted my first video on YouTube, and thought it would be a good way to stay connected with my friends back home. It was my way to share my voice and music with my circle of friends and family (and I thought a few others might watch as well, and that was fine by me).

Now, two years and over 10 million hits later, people from all over the world are encouraging me every day to finish my album, to sing another song on SheenaTV, to help guide their own budding careers. I get messages in English, French, Spanish, Hindi, Japanese, German, Portuguese – the list goes on and on!

The internet has literally brought us all together and it’s thanks to YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and such sites that independent artists now also have direct access to a worldwide fan base.

Why did you decide to start SheenaTV?

I first started SheenaTV because I was contacted by Yahoo! to be one of the very first broadcasters for a beta project called Yahoo! Live. I thought it would be a nice way for people to get to know the real me and agreed. Ironically, the Yahoo! program died but SheenaTV went from an average of 50 viewers an episode to close to a 1000 – thankfully not everyone chats at the same time!

People enjoy connecting in ‘real-time’ and SheenaTV allows me to do so directly with my fans. Apart from playing the part of the ‘Human Jukebox‘ (people don’t seem to care if I know all the words to their favourite songs), I also sample some original music, discuss issues the group wants to discuss and sometimes give everyone a ‘behind-the-scenes’ view of a video being filmed.

What do you outside music, what other projects are you involved in?

I’m into a lot of things other than music! Music may be my heart, but it is not the only thing in my life! I spend almost every morning at the gym, enjoy practicing yoga, love to cook, and most of all – love to eat!

What should we be expecting from you in the near future?

Many wonderful things I hope! I have an album in process, an iPhone app in the making, some screen ideas somewhere in the mix and I’m just going with the flow. Its not about the destination, but the journey, right?

What has been your greatest challenge?

When you handle everything independently, it really takes discipline and motivation to keep moving forward. I think this has been my biggest challenge thus far. Somedays, you can wake up and feel like you’ve moved backwards, and that’s not a nice feeling!

Lucky for me, that doesn’t happen too often, and when it does the people in my life are great at getting me back on my feet. And, when that doesn’t work I just get on SheenaMelwani.com or Facebook and seeing people commenting from around the world, at all times of the day and night reminds me immediately why I do what I do.

What advice do you have for those who want to pursue a career as a singer?

Don’t take no for answer. If you want to be a professional singer, then keep singing and don’t be afraid to put yourself and your music out there. Not everyone is going to like your voice, but you have to keep pushing. And in this day and age, with all these social media tools right at your fingertips, there really is no excuse anymore. Sing because you want to sing, not because you want people to listen!

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

A lot can happen in five years! I hope I’m doing more of what I’m doing now. Working on various media projects for a wider audience. I am a big believer in destiny, so I too am excited about what destiny may have in store for me!

Any last words for your fans and the readers of YHP?

Of course, I always have something else to say! Thank you for watching me, listening to my music, visiting my website, and simply for believing in me. It makes all the work much easier to do when you see people enjoying the final product, so a big “Thank You” – from the bottom of my heart for making my experience such a wonderful one.

Thanks for your time Sheena

You are very welcome. Thank you for your time as well!

Connect with Sheena

SheenaMelwani.com
Facebook.com/SheenaMelwaniMusic
YouTube.com/SheenaMelwani
Twitter.com/SheenaMelwani
Myspace.com/SheenaMelwani

Just recently done an interview with Zae, a young music artist from Philadelphia.

Hope you enjoy the interview!

Hey Zae, How are you doing? So cool of you to join us on YHP

Hey, I’m doing great! Thanks so much for this opportunity.

So before we move on, tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Zae, and I’m an aspiring singer from Philadelphia.

How did you get into music?

I never really known how I got into music, all I know is it’s something that always caught my attention. Whether it was records, tapes, instruments, I was always around music stuff as a young child.

How long have you been singing? Who inspired musically as a child?

I’ve been singing ever since I could remember. I was always inspired by artist such as Brian McKnight, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.

Do you have other siblings who are into music?

I do have an older cousin that also sings. She is amazing, might I add. When I was really small, we always sung together. I was always bugging her to help me sing. After she got me started, she couldn’t stop me. Not even until this day! (Laughter!)

How do you classify your music?

I like my music to speak for itself, but if I had to choose a genre, I would say Pop/R&b.

Why did you start posting cover songs on YouTube and how has that helped your music career?

I started posting videos for fun. I never really knew how many people watch other people sing covers. I didn’t expect to get famous off it though, just to create a buzz for myself. YouTube has brought me many opportunities such as management and also a chance to sing the national anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies.

What’s the best thing about doing what you do now?

The best thing about what I do is just making people happy. I’ve noticed that many people appreciate what I love to do, and that’s what keeps me going. Also getting to know new people is awesome!

What’s the downside?

The downside is the music industry is a very crazy business. There are a lot of barriers you have to face, but you have to go in with a strong mind and thick skin.

Who are your inspirations in the music industry?

My inspirations in the music industry today are all the young artist doing their thing such as Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, Charice, Travis Garland, Karina Pasian, and many others making a name for themselves.

What’s been your most memorable moment so far?

My most memorable moment had to be singing for the first time at my middle school. It was the first time I told them I can sing. I sung “I Believe In You and Me” by The Four Tops, and they were scared to death for me. They were pleasantly surprised and they gave me a standing ovation. It was an amazing feeling.

What are your current projects? Upcoming ones?

As of right now, I am working on my demo for the Record Labels. That’s the main goal. It’s almost done and it’s sounding great! I can’t wait for you guys to hear it! Then off to shop to the Labels!

What is your opinion about the state of music today?

I believe music today is basically about making you feel good and keeping you entertained. Everyone now-a-days want to be entertained, so the biggest artist today are those entertainers thinking outside the box.

What do you do outside music for fun?

Outside music, I basically like to do regular things like hanging out with friends and family, going to the movies and the mall, i love swimming, and I really enjoy travelling to different places. Oh, I also love texting!

When can we expect a full length album from you?

Maybe by next year, maybe sooner I’ll keep you guys updated!

Thanks for your time Zae

No problem, Thank you! & don’t forget to stay following me via YouTube

Follow him on twitter and subscribe to his youtube channel.

Picking up Spanish in my 1st year of university only got me saying hello and goodbye, apart from that, i didn’t really consider going the extra mile with different languages, although you would argue that the need to learn multiple languages is becoming very handy especially French and Spanish.

Throughout my time dealing with different languages and might i add that i tried a bit of French during my secondary school, but i have never thought about the power of language translation?

My Day with Godwill Bindeeba

Godwill Bindeeba is a young entrepreneur that started his company Quick Lingo during his 2nd year at UEL.
Quick Lingo is a professional translation and interpretation service provider to the corporate community and public sector.

They translate anything from passports to complete websites and currently work with over 5000 translators across the globe which allows dealing with over 100 languages at any point with clients ranging from marketing firms to online casino firms.

His story really describes how far hard work, perseverance, discipline and dedication can get you.

Quick Lingo was registered in 2008 whilst Godwill was in his 2nd year of studies at UEL, which allowed him to work on his business plan and network with a lot of potential clients for the future.

His plan was to be self-employed as soon as he finished university.

You could say good things come to those who wait and plan, after finishing university in June 2009, Godwill launched Quick Lingo as a trading entity.

GOING BACK!

Born in Uganda, Godwill came to the UK and attended Forest Gate Community School and then moving on to Huddersfield College to Huddersfield University (1st year) then switching back to London at UEL (2nd & 3rd yrs).

He started his first business at 17 in Huddersfield College, which was an online fashion clothing site, selling designer clothing from shoes to sunglasses to fellow students, “This was not a serious business because I was doing it for pocket money! But I learnt a lot about business discipline and dedication” He said.

His next business was running a website about Huddersfield Town, the idea was to sell advertising space to pubs and restaurants in Huddersfield – this turned out to be a bad idea! Although he still managed to make 5 sales.

Whilst at UEL, He was elected president of the UEL Entrepreneurship Society which gave the opportunity to help fellow students with business support/education, including his involvement with NACUE which helps promotes national entrepreneurship in the UK.

Quick lingo is currently going from strength to strength with a few big contracts and a loyal customer base which is due to the excellent accurate translations that they offer.

They have also recently won their single biggest translation contract for over £60k in the last couple of months.

Looking back, you must be really happy with your current position, what inspired you to start a business?

From a young age I wanted to be a businessman but didn’t know what to do exactly because all my ideas were already taken by other people like Richard Branson! (Haha)….but on the serious note, I did not want to get a job after university, and I wanted to be financially independent by the time I hit 25.

Getting a 60k project is not a joke, How did you get the initial funding for your business?

I didn’t! In fact, I failed miserably! when I was writing my business plan, I wanted to get a business loan for £40k and I remember going to all the banks and all of them eventually turning me down with two reasons

which were (1) I was too young – I was 19 at the time and full-time university student – so they had a point (2). It was in the recession crunch period – probably the worst time you want to look for a business loan! So, they turned me down due to my student status. I did not want to get angel investors involved at such an early stage.
So, I got myself a part-time job at Pizzahut whilst at university plus my student loan – with this money I started Quick Lingo Ltd.

With hard work – a year later I am in a position that allows me to fully focus on the business and perhaps start looking at serious investments in 2 years time when we shall be looking at international markets.

How many hours you work on your business on an average day?

On average, I work about 12 hours per day, 6 days a week. But even when I go home I am still in work mode, it’s amazing how many ideas of making money you can think of while sleeping!! (Yes, I admit that I am a bit of a workaholic, I try to mix my work with squash and gym in the evenings to keep healthy.

What is the future for Quick Lingo?

I plan on establishing Quick Lingo as a top translation agency in the UK and branching out to international markets within 2 years. I have planned and expect continued organic growth and more clients joining us at Quick Lingo.

Hey Guys, i had the opportunity to do an interview with an all round amazing guy and artist, you would agree with me that through this interview, you get to see how cool he is and how hard he has worked to get to where he is.

Victor Kim shares some of his experiences with me, and i have to tell, it’s simply inspirational, if you’re looking for that something, to give a kick up your backside, then this interview is for you.

Hey Victor, Thanks for doing this interview with me on YHP, How are you doing?

My pleasure! and im doing excellent, thank you for asking.

Can you quickly give some brief background information about yourself?

Absolutely! My name is victor kim and i was born and raised in Sacramento. I moved to southern california to go to college at UC Irvine where i graduated with a degree in Economics, through a series of amazing and unexpected events, i am currently a professional dancer and musician.

How did you get started online, posting videos on YouTube and sharing your hobbies with the world?

I was inspired to post videos online by people such as Passion, AJ Rafael, David Choi and many other artists that i admire. I loved the idea of sharing something you love with the world. also, as soon as we got off ABDC, the first thing i did with the prize money was to buy a macbook! ever since then i’ve had the chance to meet and become good friends with many of the artists i look up to.

What has been the most memorable experience so far?

It’s hard to choose a specific moment as the most memorable, but one experience that i vividly remember is a memory from hawaii.

I was laying down at one of the most beautiful beaches i have ever seen in my life, and realized how blessed i am to be doing what i love, with the people i love. it was a very surreal moment, where i had the sensation that i was living a dream.

How did you join Quest Crew and why?

I met the guys of Quest through the hip hop dance community in southern california when i was in college. My two best friends in school were both on collegiate hip hop teams (Mike Song was in Kaba Modern and Anthony Lee was in CADC), and as much as i loved watching these teams, the style of dance wasn’t my particular brand, then i met the guys of Quest and things just clicked.

I joined with them because they inspire me not as just dancers, but as people as well.

How does it feel to win the MTV’S Season 3 of the American best dance crew?

The most honest way that i can describe winning ABDC, is that thats how i imagine heaven to be. there was so much leading up to that moment where mario lopez announced our names as the champions, and when he did the first thing that i did, (after having a mild heart attack on stage) was to get on my knees and thank God.
I felt so close to Him in that moment, and it was a huge affirmation that i am doing what He wants me to be doing with my life.

Share with us one of the most difficult time in your life and how you handled it?

The most difficult moment of my life was during my freshman year of high school. back then, i had very little ambition in my life, and all i wanted to do was skateboard and do graffiti. I dont know what sparked this rebellious nature in me, but it all stopped when i got arrested for vandalism.

The specific moment that changed my life was when i saw my mom’s eyes looking at her son in the back of a police car. from then on i made a promise to myself that i would never make her cry again, and that i would do everything i can to make her proud. from then on, i started working harder in school and eventually got transferred to the honors and AP classes.

I became more active in church, and picked up playing the guitar and starting dancing.

You pretty much do everything, dancing, singing, playing instruments, arts..What can’t you do
(LAUGHTER?)

haha thank you ! there are definitely many many things that i cannot do, but i try to focus my time and energy on the things that i am very passionate about. but i must admit, im not the best in the world with driving directions !

Haha..Finally something you’re not good at, I’m only joking..

How the hell did you learn how to do all of this, and to do it properly as well, it’s totally crazy?

Well, i suppose there is a slightly obsessive tendency when it comes to things that i enjoy. when i first started breakin, i would spend hours and hours every day in my living room trying to do windmills. then after that, i would lock myself away in my room (not literally) with my guitar and practice till my fingers couldnt take it anymore. perhaps its just the attitude that if you truly want something, you have to be willing to work harder than everyone else to achieve it.

Who/what has been your inspiration to keep going even when things aren’t going well?

There have definitely been times where things werent going as successfully as they are now. towards the end of my time at UC Irvine, i was very lost with what i wanted to do with my life post-college. but one thing that provided strength and hope in those times, was the belief that God is in complete control.

I firmly believe that God has written out the story of my life long before i was even born, and that i am simply living out the motion picture that He has already created for me.

Do you think it takes a lot of discipline and also sacrifice to make it to the top? What has been the toughest decision you’ve had to make?

There is definitely a lot of discipline involved in achieving any goal that is worthwhile. like i mentioned earlier, you must be willing to work harder than everyone else. but discipline isnt solely dependent on what you physically do but what you do with your mind and soul is also equally as important, and the thoughts that you carry with you everyday are crucial in determining the course of your life.

Who are your musical, artistic, dance inspirations?

Anyone who is truly passionate about what they do. they are my inspirations.

If you had to choose one of the things you, to pick one as a career, which one would it have to be?

I would probably choose music. as much as i love to dance, i might be less inclined to do hollowbacks when im 60!

Haha! You just never know…

Is it ever overwhelming, you know, the support from people, realising that people on the other side of the world are inspired by you?

It is definitely a blessing. if i were to go back in time and tell myself that there was people in Australia that enjoy my music and dancing, i wouldnt even believe it. when i first started out doing these things, i did them simply because it made me happy to do them. now that i find other people finding happiness in what i do, it is incredibly encouraging to work even harder.

How do you keep your humility and focus?

My parents. as long as i can remember, and even to this day my mom and dad told me how important it was to be humble. i am very thankful for the values that my parents have instilled in me and my brothers. as far as focus, i guess its just good genes !

If you could go back in time, what person would you like to have a chat with or hang with and why?

I would love to hang out with Jesus. He just seems like a really good guy you know?

What are your thoughts on the internet, websites such as YouTube, its advantages, the benefits it has given you?

I was watching an interview on Conan O’Brien and he was talking about the power of the internet, and how we are living in a new generation where things are now possible that weren’t in the past. instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars marketing his personal tour across America, he simply twittered about it. the tour was sold out in a matter of hours.

I believe that this generation is extremely blessed to have resources such as the internet because through these vehicles we can share with each other so easily, and have the capability to reaching a mass audience. just like the dawn of the industrial age and information age, new opportunities are presenting themselves for those who believe.

What should we be expecting from you in the future?

Definitely more things with my brothers of Quest Crew. we have a lot of big dreams and i know that together we can accomplish anything. i am also planning on writing more original music, and possibly some more performances with the YoMama Crew (Mike Song and Anthony Lee). i have a lot of dreams yet to achieve !

What advice would you like to give anyone looking to follow in your footstep?

“Ask and it will be give to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7)

Thanks for your time Victor!

Anytime :]

Don’t forget to check out our sponsor: QuickLingo
Quick Lingo is a professional translation and interpretation service provider to the corporate community and public sector.

Hi Guys, check out this interview with wade johnston.

Wade is a young singer/songwriter, guitarist, one of the very many that have really benefited from youtube.
After creating his youtube channel in summer 2008, posting original songs and covers he was able to reach a large audience, creating a fanbase online and performing in various events and concerts.

One cover that got him noticed was Julia Nunes’ song, “Regrets.” the video response ended up catching Nunes’s attention. Soon after, in October, Wade was invited to perform at her side at the first ever YouTube Live in San Francisco, CA.

He is also in a band called Wade Johnston and the Navigators

Hi Wade, How are you doing?

Staying busy…very busy.

So quickly give us some background information about you?

Well, I’m a 20-year-old singer/songwriter from Cincinnati, Ohio. I like to make music—I make videos on YouTube, and I’m the front man of my band “Wade Johnston & The Navigators.” On the side (ha), I’m a full-time Urban Planning student at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati and I have a job.

How did you get into music?

I’ve grown up in a fairly musical family –I started off singing in a chorus at 9, played piano from about 11-13, and ended up choosing guitar around age 14. I began to experiment with writing music/lyrics soon after, and I’ve loved doing it ever since.

What is your favourite aspect of your own playing style?

I’m a sucker for harmony-driven music. More importantly, I love my band’s unique setup with me singing and playing guitar/ukulele accompanied by two other voices, steady hand percussion, and rocking electric bass.

What are you doing at this moment to keep things fresh for you and your audiences?

My band and I just released our first EP, so I’m transitioning back to song writing mode so I can get some new videos posted to YouTube this summer.

What has been your most memorable experience so far?

That’s a really tough question because YouTube has presented me with so many rewarding experiences. YouTube LIVE! was an amazing event, but I’ve also had some other unreal opportunities to travel and play over the past 2 years. Not to mention I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of YouTube’s finest, including Pomplamoose, Julia Nunes, and Danielle Ate The Sandwich. However, when I’m sixty, I think that having 20,000 fans across the world that enjoyed listening to my music will be the most memorable experience.

If you had to choose one, playing instruments or singing?

Hmm, another toughie. Probably singing. Sometimes I go a week without playing because I get so wrapped up in school and work, but I can’t go a day without singing. Or even an hour…

What has been the most challenging part of your career so far and what did you do to remain focused?

The most challenging part of my music career so far has been balancing my YouTube persona with that of my band. On YouTube, I make most of my videos all by myself, but in life performances I rely on my bandmates to help me create a unique sound. My goal for this summer is to integrate the two in order to allow viewers to get a better idea for my vision as a songwriter.

You keep picking up musical instruments and exceeding in it, which one out of all the instruments you play, is your favourite and why?

Although I love the island-like, upbeat feel of the ukulele, I think guitar is my favorite because 1) I’m better at it, and 2) I think it’s a more versatile instrument to perform with. The ukulele has just four strings and a few octaves to work with, but a guitar has many more options.

Are you looking to pick up another instrument anytime soon?

I’m always looking to pick up new instrument! Actually, I recently just picked up the juice harp. I’m really excited to have my own house next year so I can setup a drum kit and maybe get an upright piano. I’m also interested in learning banjo and mandolin when I can find the time.

Many people who are picking up the ukulele for the first time want to play like you. What advice can you give to aspiring musicians about music and creating their own style?

No matter what other people think, be true to yourself as a musician. If you’re already doing that, all you need to do is post some videos on YouTube and maybe you’ll get lucky like I did! (ha)

What do you think is the most important thing you have practiced, and how has it improved your playing?

Hands down, finger picking (pun intended, ha). Taking the time early in my guitar training to discipline myself has helped me write new songs and made me a more versatile musician overall.

Do you think YouTube and the internet in general has helped you taking your music career to the next level?

Let me put it this way: without YouTube and the internet, no one outside of Cincinnati would know who I am. YouTube and the internet have changed the way people listen to music, and I’m just happy that I was born into the right place at the right time.

What inspires you to learn instruments and make music?

Learning a new instrument is like exploring a new room in some crazy musical mansion. It feeds the indecisive composer in me who is constantly searching for new music. Music is a way for me to make the intangible in my life tangible. I love the feeling of creating something that I’m proud of. It’s almost therapeutic in the sense that it allows me to say what I otherwise might not be able to say with words.

What should be expecting from you in the future?

Lots of new videos, a new CD in the distant future, and maybe some US touring. Your guess is as good as mine for what opportunity YouTube will present for me next.

Thanks for your time Wade

Thanks Joseph!

Don’t forget to check out our sponsor: QuickLingo
Quick Lingo is a professional translation and interpretation service provider to the corporate community and public sector.