Afripreneur
Turnup.Travel: An Innovative Travel Company Creating Bespoke Travel Experiences
By 2027, Travel & Tourism is expected to support more than 380 million jobs globally, which equates to 1 in 9 of all jobs in the world and the sector is expected to contribute around 23% of total global net job creation over the next decade. Thus, we are using travel and film to address negative perceptions, create opportunities for content creators and businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry and contribute to the new Africa narrative and development of the continent. In this e-Interview with Alaba Ayinuola, Muthuri Kinyamu, a co-founder of Turnup.Travel speaks on how they are using travel to create opportunities and connect people to what they care most about across Africa. Excerpt.
Tell us about yourselves and Turnup.Travel
Muthuri Kinyamu is a marketer by training, publicist and traveller turned tour operator, travel designer and a host. Previously, led a social media takeover campaign for Kenya Tourism Board to promote the Great Migration and domestic tourism and was part of the Nest.vc Africa journey since Day 1, building an Asian Venture Brand and community from scratch into the continent and Nest.vc is now synonymous with VC and entrepreneurship in Africa.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/muthurikinyamu/
My co-founder Brian Gatimu graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at Oregon State University in the US but decided the only way to truly enact change was to go back home and develop his passion in photography by changing perceptions about Kenya and Africa armed with a Canon 700D.
Turnup.Travel is an inbound and outbound tour operator, a holiday concierge and a production arm that delivers stunning visual content, digital campaigns and stories. Turnup.Travel has a digital marketing arm called Turnup in Motion with a dedicated professional crew of photographers, filmmakers, writers, producers and licensed drone pilots. We also have Turnup for Good, which is a storytelling agency where we organize themed tours and craft campaigns to amplify sustainable tourism, fundraising and CSR initiatives.
How much did you need to start your business and how were you able to raise that capital?
We are a self funded enterprise so we used our savings to fund the operation using customer revenue and reserves. Turnup.Travel was conceptualized at Voyager Beach Resort when two guys met during one of the KTB Social Media Takeover Campaign trips and decided to start something. You’ve probably heard modern travellers are looking for unique experiences and so we started Turnup.Travel to serve this demographic and we are already
What are the challenges you face in your business and how do you overcome those challenges?
My co-founder and I come from very different backgrounds which weren’t tourism but since he is people-centric while I am process driven we make a great team always learning and improving. We had to learn first and fast the intricacies of running a travel business and then built an experienced team to deliver. We invest in people first, tools and then seek collaborations to make things happen.
We are exposed to seasonality and cyclical nature of tourism but we are changing the behavioural aspects of this to inspire travel all year round. Besides that, we have a production and digital marketing side of the business that serves the hospitality industry thus we are busy all year round. Besides that, we are affected by things beyond our control like taxes, visas, incentives, infrastructure, security and safety concerns that hinder or facilitate the movement of people, our competitiveness of a destination and uptake of our packages.
What inspires you and keep you going?
Everyday hustle. Every so often in a generation, disruption happens to ‘norms’, bringing trends and changes in thinking. Business leaders who thrive are always at the forefront of these disruptions; they’re quick to sniff the next big thing and connect with discerning audiences so for me it’d be the people who say yes to our crazy ideas, methodical madness and out of the box approach. Turnup.Travel stands out as an innovative travel company, creating bespoke travel experiences and opening hidden gems and thus we have been at the forefront of introducing new and unique products.
Our customers and partners keep us going and we are forever grateful. Besides that, we get to see in real life the resilience, appreciate diversity and inclusion through our travels. Each person is on their journey and pretty much inspires us to keep at it. So here’s to rebels and misfits – the courageous ones who continue to reject the norms and choose to be among the first. May the odds be in your favour.
Where do you see your business in 5 years from now and what steps are you taking today to reach that objective?
We are a digital first, content-driven and customer-centric business with a huge focus on new age travellers like millenials but we also serve other demographics. We are expanding our technical capabilities to sustain growth and scale beyond boarders. We also use travel to connect people to what they care most about thus we see ourselves as enablers and a lifestyle concierge to help transform your dreams into memories beyond getting you from point A to B thus we can expand across verticals and different passion points.
Turnup.Travel is launching an app where you can find, book, plan and pay in instalments for our signature experiences. It’s an experience marketplace with a financial management component to help you check what’s available (discovery), budget and book.
Visit https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.turnup
At Turnup.Travel, we combine the power of photography, film and storytelling as we leverage on social media platforms to reach our clients. We are thus combining film and tourism being at the intersection of travel, film and media we are well placed to fulfil the intense global demand for live travel experiences and content that resonates on a deeper emotional level so hopefully we should have our own travel TV show to inspire a new generation towards their path of self-discovery. At the moment, we are posting our videos on YouTube but we hope to bring that to your living room or device in your pocket or screen at your workplace
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2uKvoTBgiD9L4p4ovlhCtg
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to start a business or invest in Africa?
I think first there is no one way around this so chart your path and find your way around. There is a lot of literature around things to do, lessons and guides but some of these things do not apply in the continent where we have unique underlying challenges. We have immense problems which would thus give any curious mind a canvas to think of solutions. I would say do not be narrative driven but look out and analyse opportunities.
Always remember if something doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean you are a failure so rise and get on to the next thing. If you cannot build it from scratch, you need to figure out how to bring a minimum viable product to the market to start with what you have and can do then figure out the rest as you go. People are willing to support what’s already in motion not to push or restart what has stalled so you got to start and keep moving no matter what. Good luck!
How is your business participating to the development of Africa?
By 2027, Travel & Tourism is expected to support more than 380 million jobs globally, which equates to 1 in 9 of all jobs in the world and the sector is expected to contribute around 23% of total global net job creation over the next decade. As a travel and production business, we create direct jobs and income-generating opportunities along our value chain, we source from locals and small businesses and impact communities around the destinations we visit.
We always pursue a triple bottom line in everything. It must be fun for participants, must bring ROI/ value to our trade partners/sponsors and be impactful and socially conscious to the community. In the past, for example, we have donated proceeds to Homeless of Nairobi children’s home and we have an upcoming Heritage Tour specifically aimed at fundraising for the kids education and rehabilitation of street children. Through Turnup for Good, we seek to highlight good social initiatives by showcasing their work to bring their stories to our audiences and help them with fundraising or direct donation.
We are thus using travel and film to address negative perceptions, create opportunities for content creators and businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry and contribute to the new Africa narrative and development of the continent. Getting people to travel opens borders, brings foreign exchange and boosts trade. Every month we directly engage content creators through our Instagram tours thus creating an opportunity to learn from each other, collaborate and showcase which thus contributes to skills development, opens new places for consideration and opens doors to more income-generating opportunities for young creators on the continent.
We started in Kenya because charity begins at home, but we have a pan African vision and global mindset. This is the last frontier and we are excited about what the future looks like for the continent. Join us!
How do you relax and what books do you read?
Our business is travel so I am lucky enough to mix business with leisure. I am an introvert so a good conversation indoors or outdoors with someone and maybe a picturesque view with Turnup. Travel family helps me unwind. In my line of work, I get to meet lots of interesting and fascinating people from all walks of life who inspire, challenge me and give me unique perspectives. I take most from these interactions in everyday Africa.
Pharmacist Oluchi Anoruo is a visionary healthcare leader and a passionate advocate for global health and well-being. As the Co-founder and CEO of SmartPharm, Oluchi has leveraged her extensive experience to drive innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. Her over six years of practice as a pharmacist have equipped her with a deep understanding of clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, and patient care. Under her leadership, SmartPharm is at the forefront of transforming access to healthcare products, ensuring better health outcomes for patients. In this interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Oluchi shares her entrepreneurship journey, advocacy for global health and well being and how she is addressing access to healthcare products in Nigeria with SmartPharm. Excerpts.
Alaba: Could you briefly share your entrepreneurial journey, and what inspired you to start a pharmacy aggregator startup?
Oluchi: My journey as a founder started in 2017 when I lost my aunt due to the lack of access to an emergency drug needed to reduce the swelling in her brain caused by head trauma she sustained in a car accident. Her death was preventable. This painful experience exposed me to the bottlenecks patients faced in accessing vital medications and made me more intentional as a pharmacist to help patients gain easy access to vital medications. Leveraging on the influence I had within my professional circle, in 2018, I created an e-directory of some Pharmacies in Owerri, Imo State on Google sheet which I regularly updated. This e-directory was extremely useful in quickly finding the Pharmacy in the community to visit for a particular medication.
Having no entrepreneurial or tech skills, I embarked on numerous self-development journeys that enabled me to gain the required skills. I enrolled in online courses on EDx for entrepreneurship. During this time (2019), I got selected by Circuit Pointe a women focused non-profit organization for a 5 months web development course. On completion, I equally got awarded the fully funded Andela/Google/Pluralsight scholarship on android development. It was during this program I got coaching that helped me to pursue product design as it was more relatable , human centred and gave me room to hone my problem solving skills. I enrolled in Pixels online design school, graduated top of my class and got a scholarship sponsored by UK tech hub to further develop my product design skills. During this time, I registered SmartPharm as a business name.
I went on to work remotely as a contract product designer for various healthtech companies while building SmartPharm and also working as a community pharmacist. As a testament to my academic, professional and social achievements, I enrolled at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM) in September 2021 as one of the selected sixty scholars for a fully funded one-year postgraduate program on tackling African perennial challenges. During my time in NUTM I was able to develop the first MVP of SmartPharm with the help of some colleagues who I parted ways with after the program. I also met one of my co-founders at NUTM. My co-founders and I have gone on ahead to achieve great milestones and we are positioning to achieve more towards our goal of changing the way Nigerians access their healthcare products.
Alaba: What specific problems does your platform solve?
Oluchi: We are addressing the poor and untimely access to healthcare products (medication, medical devices and pharmaceutical cosmetics) for persons who are in need of them.
Alaba: How does your platform aggregate pharmacy services, and what benefits do users gain?
Oluchi: We typically work with and onboard registered community pharmacies. Our users get to enjoy discounted prices offered in partnership with our partner pharmacies.
Alaba: Can you walk us through your platform’s key features and user experience?
Oluchi: Using smartpharm.net is pretty easy. Our platform is a webapp for now and you can find and order your health products in 3 easy steps – search, order and receive(door delivery or you can pick it up yourself.)
We pride ourselves in providing timely access to your medication and also delivery. On the average, we typically find and deliver within an hour (within Lagos). We are in Lagos for now.
Alaba: How do you ensure competitive pricing and discounts for users?
Oluchi: We are very customer centric and we are always on the lookout for our customers. Because we have a lot of pharmacies in our network, our customers get to choose the best price to buy their health products.
Alaba: What strategies do you employ to retain users and encourage repeat business?
Oluchi: It’s simple- we put the customers/users first.
Alaba: How has your entrepreneurial journey impacted your personal life and values?
Oluchi: Being an entrepreneur has given me the opportunity to make impact by contributing to reducing avoidable deaths due to poor and untimely access to health products and also instil values that made me over the years such as integrity, fair hearing, respect, empathy and discipline into my business through the way we treat people who work for us and they people we serve.
Alaba: Lastly, What role do you see pharmacy aggregators playing in improving healthcare outcomes?
Oluchi: I strongly believe that the adoption of tech enabled solutions into the healthtech (pharmacy tech space), will completely revolutionize the pharmacy space in the nearest future culminating in enhancing the way people access their health products subsequently helping to improve people’s health outcome. If Mr A can have constant access to affordable health products without the need to worry about his next refills or where to get his next refills, then he will be able to stay faithful to taking his medications with all things being equal.
B I O G R A P H Y
Pharmacist Oluchi Anoruo is a visionary healthcare leader and a passionate advocate for global health and well-being. With a robust educational background that includes a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Uyo and postgraduate studies at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Oluchi combines academic excellence with practical expertise. Her dedication to lifelong learning is evident in her numerous certifications, including notably Jim Leech Fellowship and Ashoka in Social Innovation in Health and Wellness.
As the Co-founder and CEO of SmartPharm, Oluchi has leveraged her extensive experience to drive innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. Her over six years of practice as a pharmacist have equipped her with a deep understanding of clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, and patient care. Under her leadership, SmartPharm is at the forefront of transforming access to healthcare products, ensuring better health outcomes for patients.
Afripreneur
Redefining Real Estate Marketing: An Interview with Imelda Usoro Olaoye, Founder of Thinkmint
Imelda Usoro Olaoye is a seasoned sales and marketing leader who has worked in various sectors of the economy. Imelda is an expert in real estate, marketing consultancy, using new tools, technology and methods having successfully launched and run an award winning real estate digital marketing firm with branches in Lagos, Nigeria and Estonia, Europe; Thinkmint Nigeria and Europe. She started her real estate/home sector marketing career in Clarions UK after which she joined PropertyPro.ng where she rose to lead the company’s media, real estate transactions and exhibitions team. In this exclusive interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Imelda shares her entrepreneurship journey with a passion for creating solutions that meet people’s needs and the real estate market in Nigeria. Excerpts.
Alaba: Could you briefly share your entrepreneurship journey, and what inspired you to start a real estate deals marketing company?
Imelda: My entrepreneurship journey began with a passion for creating solutions that connect people with the resources they need. While working in media, exhibitions, and events, especially as the Head of Transactions, Media/Exhibitions and organising the African Real Estate Discussions & Awards (AFRECA) at Tolet.com.ng ; now PropertyPro.ng, I recognized a significant gap in the real estate market: the need for a platform that simplifies transactions and bridges the gap between buyers, sellers, and industry professionals. This inspired me to found Thinkmint, a real estate marketing company. It was born out of the desire to provide a seamless experience for clients and to use technology as a tool for creating accessibility and efficiency in real estate marketing.
Alaba: Can you share your experience in real estate marketing and notable achievements?
Imelda: Over the years, I’ve built a robust experience in real estate marketing by managing high-value transactions and leading teams to deliver measurable results. Notably, I spearheaded the launch of Real|Life Magazine, an innovative publication showcasing real estate opportunities, developed an online marketplace, www.thinkmint.ng/buyrealestate, which simplifies the discovery and purchase of offplan properties with No Agency Fees, Flexible Payment Plans and Low Entry Fees. Additionally, through events like the Real Estate Discussions and Awards (REDA), I’ve fostered industry networking and thought leadership, which have contributed to the visibility and credibility of Thinkmint in the real estate sector. We recently also launched a branch in Estonia, Europe to allow for ease of transactions for Nigerians in Diaspora.
Alaba: What services do you offer, and how do you differentiate your company from other platforms?
Imelda: Our services include real estate marketing, lead generation, content creation, and event management tailored specifically to the property sector. What sets us apart is our focus on integrating cutting-edge digital tools with traditional marketing techniques. We offer personalized solutions for clients, leveraging data analytics to optimize campaigns and drive results. Additionally, our platforms, including Real|Life Magazine and www.thinkmint.ng/buyrealestate, provide a unique blend of informative content and actionable opportunities, creating a comprehensive resource for the real estate market, with a focus on offplan properties.
Alaba: What marketing strategies do you find most effective for real estate deals, and how do you leverage technology in your marketing efforts?
Imelda: Digital marketing has proven to be the most effective strategy. We rely heavily on SEO, targeted social media campaigns, and email marketing to generate leads and close deals. Technology plays a crucial role in our operations—we use analytics tools to track campaign performance, understand customer behaviour, and refine our strategies. We also utilize CRM systems to manage client relationships effectively and online marketplaces to streamline property listings and inquiries.
Alaba: What trends do you see shaping the real estate industry in Nigeria?
Imelda: The industry is rapidly embracing technology, with the rise of online property listings and virtual tours gaining traction. There is also a growing interest in eco-friendly developments and smart homes, reflecting global trends. Additionally, flexible payment plans and increased involvement in public-private partnerships are helping to address housing deficits. As the market evolves, I see technology continuing to drive transparency and efficiency in real estate transactions.
Alaba: What inspired you to create a business women’s hub, and how do you aim to empower women in business?
Imelda: The platform Business Women Hub is a non-profit organization inspired by my belief in the power of collaboration and mentorship. Women often face unique challenges in business, including limited access to resources and networks. The hub serves as a platform to connect women entrepreneurs, provide educational resources, and create opportunities for collaboration and growth. Through workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs, we aim to equip women with the tools and support they need to thrive in their ventures. Business Women Hub specifically caters for women within their first five years in business and has grown to have over 1500 registered businesses located in Nigeria , South Africa , Kenya , United Kingdom, Canada , New Zealand, Australia & USA.
Alaba: What challenges do you see women facing in business, and how do you address them?
Imelda: Women often face challenges such as access to funding, balancing work-life responsibilities, and overcoming societal biases. To address these issues, I advocate for policies and programs that provide financial support and promote gender equity. Through the Business Women’s Hub, we create a supportive community where women can share experiences, learn from one another, and gain confidence to navigate these challenges.
Alaba: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and businesswomen?
Imelda: My advice is to stay resilient, consistent, embrace continuous learning, and never underestimate the value of networking. Build a strong support system and seek mentorship from those who have walked the path before you. Also, be open to innovation and leverage technology to create solutions that stand out. Most importantly, believe in yourself, and your vision—success often starts with a mindset of possibility.
B I O G R A P H Y
Imelda Usoro Olaoye is a seasoned sales and marketing leader who has worked in various sectors of the economy. Imelda is an expert in real estate, marketing consultancy, using new tools , technology & methods having successfully launched and run an award winning real estate digital marketing firm with branches in Lagos, Nigeria and Estonia, Europe ; Thinkmint Nigeria and Europe.
She started her real estate/home sector marketing career in Clarions UK after which she joined PropertyPro.ng where she rose to lead the company’s media, real estate transactions and exhibitions team. Prior to this she had worked in the banking and pharmaceutical industry.
A graduate of the University of Port- Harcourt, she has honed her skills in digital marketing, PR & advertising and business practice from the Edinburgh Business School.
Imelda is a member of the International Real Estate Federation, FIABCI. She is also the Founder of Business Women Hub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth of female-owned businesses , especially within their first five years of existence, and 1303 DSylva Events.
Apart from being an entrepreneur, she is a very passionate business growth manager, an award winning real estate consultant and philanthropist.
Akpan Emmanuel and Uche Nwaobi are the Co-founders of International Community for Educational Technology – ICEDT makers of Ai Teacha, a teaching app that has an engaging and interactive experience for both educators and learners. As pioneers in the educational technology sphere, Akpan and Uche understand the evolving needs of teachers. They are on a mission to empower educators with tools that transcend traditional boundaries. In this exclusive interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Akpan and Uche share their journey and why they are committed to reshaping the landscape of teaching and learning through cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Excerpts.
Alaba: What inspired you to start an EdTech company focused on Africa?
Emmanuel: My inspiration came from witnessing the challenges educators and students face across Africa, particularly in underserved communities. Through initiatives like CS First Lagos Edu Consultant and Code Nigeria Project, I saw how technology could transform education by bridging gaps in access and quality. AI Teacha was born out of a desire to amplify this impact by empowering educators with AI-driven tools that reduce their workload, enhance student engagement, and improve learning outcomes. The platform represents my vision of using technology to make education accessible and equitable for all.
Alaba: Could you briefly share your personal experience with education in Africa and how it shaped your vision?
Uche: Having spent over 25 years in the classroom, I’ve experienced the daily challenges teachers face: overwhelming workloads, limited resources, and difficulty integrating technology into teaching. As a Microsoft Innovative Educator Master Trainer and TeachSDGs Ambassador, I’ve witnessed how transformative technology can be when used effectively. AI Teacha is my way of scaling those solutions. By combining local insights with global best practices, the platform addresses critical gaps, making it easier for educators to provide engaging and impactful lessons.
Alaba: What specific problems does your platform solve for African learners?
Emmanuel & Uche: AI Teacha solves several pressing issues;
Overburdened Educators: Teachers often spend countless hours on administrative tasks. AI Teacha automates processes like lesson planning and assessment creation, giving them more time to focus on teaching.
Resource Constraints: Many schools lack quality teaching materials. Our platform provides AI-driven tools that help create lesson aids, activities, and personalized learning resources. Educational Equity: Students in underserved regions often have limited access to engaging and inclusive learning experiences. AI Teacha bridges this gap by offering affordable, accessible tools that cater to diverse learning styles.
Alaba: Can you walk us through your platform’s key features and benefits?
Emmanuel & Uche: AI Teacha offers a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools designed to simplify teaching and improve student engagement:
Lesson Plan Generator: Automates lesson planning, saving educators significant time.
Assessment Generator: Provides customizable assessments tailored to student needs.
Visual Aid Generator: Enhances classroom learning with interactive visuals. Text-to-Audio Conversion: Supports auditory learners by converting text into audio resources.
Activity Generator: Creates engaging activities to boost classroom participation. These features reduce workload by up to 80%, making teaching more efficient and impactful while ensuring every student receives a high-quality education.
Alaba: How do you envision the future of learning in Africa, and what role does your company play?
Emmanuel: I envision an Africa where technology eliminates barriers to education, enabling every child to access high-quality learning opportunities. AI Teacha will play a critical role in this future by equipping educators with tools to create personalized, engaging, and effective learning experiences. Our platform empowers teachers to reimagine their classrooms and inspires students to love learning.
Alaba: How do you measure the impact of your platform on learning outcomes?
Uche: We measure our impact through metrics like time saved by educators, improved student performance, and engagement rates on the platform. Additionally, we gather feedback from educators and collaborate with schools and education ministries to track progress. These insights help us refine our tools and ensure that AI Teacha continues to meet the needs of teachers and students.
Alaba: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an EdTech entrepreneur in Africa?
Emmanuel & Uche: Infrastructure Challenges: Limited internet connectivity in rural areas makes it difficult to scale technology solutions widely. Adoption Barriers: Introducing educators to new technologies requires significant training and awareness efforts.
Funding: Scaling AI Teacha in underserved regions while keeping it affordable has been challenging, but partnerships with schools, governments, and NGOs are helping us overcome these obstacles. Despite these challenges, our shared passion for transforming education keeps us focused and persistent.
Alaba: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring EdTech entrepreneurs? Both Founders: Emmanuel: Focus on solving real problems for educators and students. Build simple, scalable solutions, and don’t give up – transforming education is a long journey that requires patience and dedication.
Uche: Collaborate with teachers to understand their needs deeply. Invest in partnerships and prioritize affordability and impact in your solutions. Above all, believe in the power of education and technology to change lives.
Akpan Emmanuel is the Co-founder and Executive Director of International Community for Educational Technology -ICEDT makers of Ai Teacha. He is an Education Technology Consultant, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Master Trainer and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert.He is a Global Teacher and a facilitator for Global Project – a UN Project on SDGs. He supervises classrooms from US, Canada, UK, India and Greece teaching SDGs.
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