Creative Of the Month <br>Chinenye Ugonna

Meet Chinenye Ugonna, Co-Founder, Partner and Chief Operating Officer for Get Tailored Ltd. 

African Gist at the DIDA virtual event

The DIDA aims at enhancing technology transfer from the diaspora towards the African Continent.

African Gist and Levi Strauss & Co.

African Gist took part in the Afropean Youth Summit organised by Levi Strauss & Co.

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5 Must-Have Mobile Apps for Every Creative Entrepreneur.

80% of the work creative entrepreneurs do today is done using technology. You’re a contemporary artist? There is a 99% chance that there’s no Adobe application you do not have. A writer? It is less likely that you still use an actual pen; you are most likely typing the piece you’re working on at the moment. A social media content creator? Your entire job is tech-based. 

Needless to say, technology and creative industries are a sailing 21st-century relationship. Technology, as one half of this pairing, exists to make everyday tasks easier. And so beyond your regular business-specific applications (e.g. Adobe Illustrator for designers to make sketches, or iMovie for video creators), there are essential apps that, more than just easing the work you do, can also help you to level up your business, especially in today’s economic climate where we all have to deal with social distancing and working remotely. 

Thus, here’s a put-together list of the top 5 mobile apps every creative entrepreneur should be using today. 

1. Dropbox. 

 Has the solution to a problem in a project ever randomly hit you somewhere, but your work computer is at home or in your office? This can be a huge bummer because, especially with creatives, inspiration can be very fleeting. The hours it takes you to eventually get to your computer can be enough time for you to lose all or a significant part of your ideas. 

With Dropbox, you can access project files or works-in-progress on your mobile phone anywhere and at any time so you never have to deal with lost inspiration again. The mobile app also offers handy tools like a document scanner, offline access, the ability to share files with people both on and outside the Dropbox app, and so much more. 

2. Buffer 

Social media promotion is a whole new generation of digital marketing, and to leverage all its benefits, you have to get it right. Pre-planning and organizing your creative content and posts is a best practice in that respect and Buffer assists you in achieving this organization as well as a wider reach with your business profiles across several social networks. 

The app also gives you access to social media analytics and enables quick and easy engagement with your customers even when on the go. 

Sub-mention: Canva- Canva makes design amazingly simple (and fun)! You can create beautiful designs and professional graphics with photos and videos—even if you’re not a design 

3. Square. 

You can never be boxed up with Square. This app offers you the best in terms of sales mobility, making it possible for you to process credit and debit card payments wherever and whenever. So if you are selling your paintings or customized t-shirts at a pop-up sale, or even just randomly meet someone that wants to make an impromptu purchase from you, the Square app has you covered in all corners to make collecting payments super simple and hitch-free. 

Square also offers an upgrade to Square Stand if you’re looking to pin down your sales in a more permanent location such as a countertop or store. 

4.  LinkedIn.

Everyone knows LinkedIn. As a social media platform dedicated to professional networking and career development, it is the best app for entrepreneurs on which you can define your personal brand and put your creative enterprise out there for the world to be able to see. LinkedIn is also the perfect forum to find suitable jobs or get recruited for your skills and experience. It is one of the best tools to help you 

level up as a creative entrepreneur; all you have to do is set up a profile that portrays the best image of you and your expertise. 

5. Freshbooks.  

No one really enjoys managing their books but it remains a must for every business. Built for entrepreneurs and small businesses, Freshbooks is a cloud-based platform that makes handling the finances of your creative enterprise easier than ever. It enables you to easily send invoices, check payment statuses, store receipts, and even communicate with your clients on the app. It also has a time tracking tool which is invaluable when you want to claim tax-deductible expenses. 

All in all, Freshbooks takes care of the financial side of your business so that you can have more time to focus on the creative aspects. 

5 podcasts to listen to while building a business in Africa.

Besides just being business news platforms created by Africans, these podcasts tell you exactly as it is in the African business scene. The truth, just like capital investments, is one thing every budding business needs. Whatever industry you’re building under, whether corporate or creative, your business goals can only become more than dreams of dollar signs if you work towards them with a clear understanding of the economic climate around you. Plus, there is a wealth of encouragement and advice to be received from the entrepreneurial stories that are told in these podcasts. 

So if you are building a business in Africa, here are the top 5 podcasts to subscribe to for your required daily dose of commercial news .

1. The Smallstarter Business Podcast by John-Paul Iwuoha. 

Building a business in Africa, you will most likely start small. The Smallstarter Business Podcast with John-Paul Iwuoha offers practical tips, advice, and insights that will help improve your chances of starting right, and growing or turning around your business. Take it as an intriguing, informal business essentials class where John-Paul will teach you everything you need to know about strategy, market entry, sales and customer acquisition, growth, expansion, raising capital, developing strong business systems, leadership, and hiring capable and loyal people on your business team. 

Podcast Link: https://www.smallstarter.com/podcast/ 

2. African Business Stories by Akaego Okoye. 

According to the World Bank, Africa is the only region in the world where more women than men choose to become entrepreneurs. African Business Stories is a weekly podcast created to tell the stories and share the experiences of these frontrunner females in the African business landscape. There is a goldmine of inspiration and direction to be obtained from the stories of these successful 

women. And if you’ve ever found yourself in need of a boost in morale and encouragement to keep pushing forward regardless of whatever business struggles you may be facing, then this is the perfect podcast for you. 

Podcast Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/892033 

3. Africa on Focus by MS.ABA. 

Africa on focus is a podcast dedicated to celebrating the triumphs of young black entrepreneurs in Africa and the diaspora. These young entrepreneurs have been recognized as a new and bright generation in the African business scene, revolutionizing the status quo in lifestyle, business, entertainment, charity, sports, and more. If you are building a business in Africa today, you are building a future for yourself, and so what better way to find motivation than from the stories of the generation of people that are the future themselves too. 

Podcast Link: http://www.africaonfocus.com/ 

4.  Classic Business by Michael Avery. 

Michael Avery is always keeping up with the ever-changing business times and the economic climate of the day. Classic Business is a South African podcast through which he promotes business intelligence using economic and market analyses that are well-balanced, candid, and acute. His ultimate goal is to inform and educate so that you as a listener will always be up-to-date and never ignorant in the world of business. And don’t worry—his news podcasts are so entertaining, you’ll never doze off while listening. 

Podcast Link: https://iono.fm/c/3504 

5. Newscast – Africa. 

This Africa Business Radio podcast brings you all the leading news from across Africa, on business, economy, markets, and politics. The Newscast – Africa podcasts 

are brief, go straight to the point, and have you adequately informed on relevant issues in 60 seconds, more or less. 

Podcast Link: https://www.spreaker.com/show/newscast-africa 

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The CV clinic and digital skills session

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African Gist awarded with the Out Of The Box Award 2020

The Out Of the Box Award 2020 is a recognition awarded to community-based projects and initiatives contributing to participation, positive social changes, or social innovation. 

In June 2020, African Gist received the Out Of the Box Award 2020. This recognition is awarded to community-based projects and initiatives contributing to participation, positive social changes, or social innovation. 

The ceremony was organized by Out Of the Box International in Brussels, Belgium to mainstream the importance of community-based entrepreneurship for positive changes in local communities. 

The event aimed at promoting and recognizing the accomplishments of 3 promising and innovative businesses of young entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds through their business practices. It also aimed at encouraging positive practices in general.

Amongst attendees were representatives of local policymakers, youth organizations, and European Institutions.

Together with the awardees, they discussed how to promote positive stories, innovative solutions, how to use community-based entrepreneurship as an approach to foster openness to employing minorities and thus to actively contribute to their long-term integration and inclusion.

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