Inspiration with Michelle – State of Escape

18.10.2024

Discover what fuels the creative journey of Michelle Akhidenor, the founder of Australia's first BIPOC, female-led podcast agency, The Peers Project.

The quest of an entrepreneur is unpredictable yet exhilarating, with many a lesson to be learned. We recently caught up with Michelle in Los Angeles to delve into her sources of inspiration, and what drives her forward both in business and in life.

Tell us about yourself?

Hello, I'm Michelle - Pisces sun and Aries moon, obsessed with all things business, travel & living life on your terms! You'll often find me at an airport lounge, jogging on the streets of New York or in a podcast studio.

My work is an extension of me. I run Australia's first BIPOC, female-led podcast agency, The Peers Project. My team and I make podcasts for progressive brands like Shopify, Indeed & Alibaba and most recently, we've launched in the US.

I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and have been fortunate enough to have lived around the world in Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, Northern UK and now, New York. I speak foreign languages French & Chinese (Mandarin) and I am bi-racial—half-Nigerian & half-Greek—you could say I am a true global citizen!

What inspired you to start your business, and how has your journey evolved over time?

I have always been deeply curious and hugely passionate about doing work that I love. So, I think it was only inevitable that I'd start something of my own at some point in my career. But my journey to starting a business most definitely wasn't linear... The year was 2017, I was 23 years old and working in corporate finance (a job/career I wasn't very passionate about) when I decided to start a podcast. At this time, podcasting wasn't "a thing" yet and I had no intention of making it my full-time job... but as with everything I do, I went all in. I ended up flying to NYC to launch my podcast and interview young entrepreneurs from the Forbes 30 Under 30 List — all of whom were doing work they loved.

I had zero clue what I was doing. Zero experience in media production. No network in NYC. I was clearly very naive. But I was also bold. And it turns out, after a lot of hustle & heart, a year later I ended up quitting my finance job and launching my business The Peers Project. My journey over these last 6 years of building The Peers Project hasn't been easy but it's been very rewarding — I feel as though as my business has grown, I've grown as a person right alongside it!

Where do you find inspiration in your day-to-day life, and how does it fuel your work?

Travel and being immersed in different cultures and cities inspire me. If I'm not travelling, I'm usually on Pinterest adding new inspiring photos to my Pinterest boards and planning my next destination. For me, it's always been about drawing inspiration from my surroundings and if you can't physically be elsewhere then at home, becoming immersed in different worlds online. It's truly a gift that we have access to such diverse content and platforms.

What are some wellness practices you incorporate while on the road to stay inspired?

I like to keep my wellness routine nice and simple — it's always: some sort of movement as soon as I wake up in the morning - either a run, a walk, hot yoga (if I can book myself into a studio nearby) or online pilates, followed by two boiled eggs & a banana and a chai latte instead of a coffee - I don't drink caffeine! For me, routine is everything especially when I'm travelling for work — giving myself this time in the morning just for me is really the greatest act of self-care.

"Routine is everything especially when I'm travelling for work — giving myself this time in the morning just for me is really the greatest act of self-care."

What are some wellness practices you incorporate while on the road to stay inspired?

What daily routines or habits keep you motivated and focused on your goals?

I mentioned my daily wellness routine earlier but aside from that, I always like to make sure I cook myself a nutritious meal for lunch/dinner so that I can feel my absolute best. Conquering your goals day after day is like running a marathon - you need to be properly nourished and have the stamina required to keep going. I find that when I'm taking time to cook myself a nutritious meal, I always feel more motivated and focused to get the job done. Aside from this, I also really enjoy some alone time at the end of my day to unwind and decompress — for me, this is often watching an episode of a Netflix series I'm into or picking up a book that I can get lost in for an hour. Taking that time just for me to disconnect is crucial.

How do you balance the demands of running a business with maintaining your well-being?

It's not easy! For me, I've had to learn to put myself first — ahead of everything else including my business. This took years for me to learn but now, I can't imagine not looking after myself and doing what makes me feel good (and stay sane!) whilst building my company. I often find that when I'm maintaning my wellness routine, I end up performing better at work and I can usually get things done more efficiently than if I'm not. It's a personal choice to make you your top priority and I should also add — it's a privilege as I am not a mother and don't yet have others who depend on me — and so, I have the luxury of making myself my top priority and this isn't lost on me!

How do you want to inspire others through your work and personal journey?

I always work to live my life in alignment with my values and passions. It’s something I pride myself on although it’s taken immense courage over the years to break free from the status quo and forge my own path. I hope that by living out my own dreams and living in alignment with my own values and passions, I can inspire others to do the same. We only have one life, one shot — why not try to live a life that you love!

What’s your favourite podcast to listen to at the moment?

I get this one a lot! My favourite podcast at the moment is Almost 30 — it’s all about navigating those pivotal life transitions (aka your saturn return), health & wellness and learning to live life on your terms; becoming your true authentic self. Huge fan. Highly recommend for anyone currently going through a transitionary season in life!