What really happens after a layoff? In this episode of Strive Chat, Dolapo (aka your Strive Auntie) sits down with Eli, a former account manager who pivoted into a Business Development Manager role in tech sale, after facing unexpected career setbacks and rejections.

Eli shares his honest and powerful story:

• How getting laid off pushed him to rethink his job search approach

• Why applying randomly without a plan wasn’t working

• The game-changing role of coaching, structure, and accountability

• The power of using referrals, cold outreach, and 90-day plans

• How he gained confidence, refined his interview skills, and secured a tech sales role with a stronger offer

Whether you're navigating a job loss or trying to break into tech sales, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and encouragement to help you keep going—and keep winning.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your job search or wondered how others bounce back stronger, this is the episode you need.

Episode 5
Dolapo’s chatting with the unstoppable Tife Soloye—Chevening Scholar, LSE grad, tech sales girlie, and content creator. From four rejections to a fully funded master’s at one of the top schools in the world, Tife drops wisdom on resilience, purpose, and applying with strategy.

💫 Do It Again: Rejected four times? Tife still made it.
📝 Application Glow-Up: Use numbers, STAR method, and mock interviews.
🎯 Know Your Why: Don’t apply just to leave—have a purpose.
👯‍♀️ Network Horizontally: Your peers matter just as much as the big names.
🌍 Exposure = Power: LSE changed her mindset and her life.

“Before there’s a testimony, there’s the test.”
“Don’t fake it. They can tell.”
“Even roses have thorns.”

🎶 Song of the Week: “This Is Me” – Keala Settle
📺 Tife’s Chevening Interview Tips on YouTube
📚 Apply for Chevening

📧 tifesoloye@gmail.com
📸 @tifesoloye
🎥 YouTube
💼 LinkedIn

💌 Loved this episode? Share it with your friends, fam, and future scholars. Leave us 5 stars on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—we’re building a community, not gatekeeping success. 🌟

Welcome to Season 2 of Strive Chat! We’re thrilled for today's conversation with an extraordinary guest, Tenisha Noel—an award-winning scholar, valedictorian, and future trailblazing lawyer. In this episode, Tenisha takes us through her inspiring journey from an average high school student to securing multiple scholarships and pursuing a master’s degree at Osgood Hall Law School. She shares how resilience, community, and a strategic approach to opportunities have helped shape her success.

What You’ll Hear:

• Tenisha’s Story: Growing up as a first-generation student, Tenisha reflects on her journey of self-discovery and ambition, fueled by her multicultural upbringing and her family's sacrifices.

• The Turning Point: How grade 11 marked a pivotal moment in her academic journey and her strategy for getting involved in school.

• Scholarship Success Strategies: Practical tips on preparing applications, securing recommendation letters, and leveraging unique experiences.

• Persistence Pays Off: How Tenisha overcame challenges, including doubts from others, to win over a dozen scholarships and awards.

Words of Wisdom from Tenisha:

• “Don’t be average.” Take every opportunity to stand out and pursue excellence.

• “Focus on significance, not just success.” It's not about what you’ve accomplished; it's about the impact you’ve made.

• “Ask for feedback.” Use every rejection as an opportunity to refine and improve for the next opportunity.

Where to Follow Tenisha:

• Instagram: @TrailblazerTenisha

• LinkedIn: Tenisha Kiana Trailblazer Noel

🎥 Keep up with Tenisha’s journey and valuable scholarship tips by following her Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!

Quick Thanks:

A big shoutout to Tenisha for sharing her wisdom, energy, and honesty with us. Her journey is a powerful reminder that self-belief, consistency, and a supportive community can open doors you never imagined.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

What resonated most with you from this episode? Drop us a DM, tag us, or leave a review to let us know! And of course, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Strive Chat.

🎧 Ready to be inspired? Hit play now!

Episode Overview:
Welcome to Season 2 of Strive Chat! We’re starting things off with an inspiring guest, Allison Gacad—a Loran Scholar, climate journalist, and all-around powerhouse. In this episode, Allison gets real about her journey from a high school student in Toronto to receiving one of Canada’s most prestigious scholarships. She spills all the details about what it takes to stand out in the Loran Scholar Program and shares how it’s completely shaped her life and career.

What You’ll Hear:

• Allison’s Story: Growing up in Toronto as a child of Filipino immigrants, Allison talks about her multicultural upbringing and how it fueled her passion for leadership and environmental activism.
• Breaking Down the Loran Scholar Process
• How the Scholarship Changed Everything
• Her Career Today

Words of Wisdom from Allison:

• Be authentic. Focus on what drives you and how it aligns with the opportunity.
• Practice sharing your story. Whether it’s through writing, mock interviews, or just talking with friends and family, get comfortable articulating your “why.”
• Bet on yourself. Invest in your passions and talk about the work you’re doing—it’s how the right people and opportunities will find you.

Where to Follow Allison:

• LinkedIn: Allison Gacad
• Instagram: @allisongacad
• Website: Linked through her LinkedIn profile.

🎥 Don’t miss Allison’s upcoming docu-series on climate solutions—follow her Instagram for updates!

Quick Thanks:
A big shoutout to Allison for sharing her wisdom, humor, and vulnerability with us. Her story is a reminder that believing in yourself and embracing your journey—no matter how unconventional—can lead to amazing things.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
What resonated most with you from this episode? Drop us a DM, tag us, or leave a review to let us know! And of course, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Strive Chat.

🎧 Ready to be inspired? Hit play now!

It’s Episode 2, besties! 🥳 Dolapo kicks off this season of Stripe Chat with an incredible guest—Abigail Ralph, neuroscience queen and McCall-McBain Scholar. Abigail spills the tea on her journey from being doubted by guidance counselors to leading groundbreaking research and creating opportunities for others in STEM. You’ll leave this episode inspired, motivated, and probably adding “apply for scholarships” to your to-do list.

What You’ll Learn:

1. How to Manifest Like a Pro: Abigail literally had her eye on the McCall-McBain Scholarship for two years before she was even eligible. Talk about vision board energy!
2. Keep It Real: She didn’t prep for her interviews with cookie-cutter answers. Abigail brought her full personality to the table—and it worked.
3. Handling Setbacks: From family challenges to unsupportive counselors, Abigail faced it all and still rose to the top.
4. Building a Legacy: Abigail is creating a pipeline for Black students in STEM with Mor Initiative and Scholarly. She’s not just talking about change—she’s making it happen.
5. Nonprofit ≠ No Problems: Abigail gets real about running a nonprofit and the hustle to keep it sustainable while valuing her time and her team.

Biggest Mic Drops:

• “If the doctors don’t know what’s wrong, I’ll figure it out myself.” – Abigail on what sparked her interest in neuroscience.
• “Your vibe is your power. Be you, unapologetically.”
• “Nonprofit really means no profit, and that’s something I learned the hard way.” – Abigail on the realities of funding grassroots projects.

Resources You’ll Love:
🎶 Song of the Week: “Yamore” by Salif Keita (Add this Afro-house banger to your playlist ASAP!)
📚 Scholarship Spotlight: McCall-McBain Scholarship
✨ Abigail’s Projects: Mor Initiative | Scholarly

Your Homework:
Abigail wants to hear from you! Slide into her inbox with:

1. Something cool you’re working on.
2. How she can help.
3. Something you can teach her.
   (Her email is in the show notes, and yes, she’s expecting you to reach out.)

Takeaways for Your Glow-Up:

• Be intentional: Abigail didn’t stumble into success—she planned for it and trusted her gut.
• Trust your people: She ran her big decisions by her closest friends for perspective and support.
• Stay bold: Whether it’s your application, your goals, or your next move, don’t dim your light.

Where to Find Abigail:
📧 Email: abigail.harmony.ralph@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: @morinitiative

ICYMI:
This episode is a whole vibe, so don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with your friends, family, and anyone chasing big dreams. Don’t forget to leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—5 stars only, we’re manifesting good energy here! 🌟

Up Next:
Catch us next week when Dolapo chats with another trailblazer who’s redefining what it means to do the most. You don’t want to miss it. 👀

Welcome back to Season 2 of Strive Chat! In this episode, Dolapo chats with Manorama Joshi, a Schulich Leader Scholar and current mechanical engineering student at UBC.

Manorama shares her inspiring journey from Fort McMurray to becoming one of Canada’s top STEM scholarship recipients, receiving the Schulich Leader Scholarship, which awards $100,000 to exceptional students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math.

We talk about her high school years filled with robotics, community leadership, and her best tips for standing out in the competitive application process.

Learn more about the Schulich Leader Scholarship here: ⁠schulichleaders.com⁠.

Want to connect with Manorama? Reach out on LinkedIn: ⁠Manorama Joshi⁠.

If you're curious about scholarships, love a good success story, or just need some inspiration, this episode has something for you. Listen in, take notes, and get ready to be inspired!

Connect with Strive Auntie

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp⁠

Website: ⁠striveopp.com⁠

Email: ⁠ceo@striveopp.com

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Katrice and we talk about:

• School life during the pandemic.
• Tips for those who want to enter the IT space.
• How to manage a full-time job and a side hustle.

---

Programs for Business owners

• The Changemaker Hub
• The Black Advisory Hub

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

---  

Connect with Katrice

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katricejustice/

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/katricejustice/about/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatriceJustice

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katricejustice/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Afoali and we talk about:

• How she discovered her passion and started her business.
• Why she chose to study translation in Montreal and Concordia as an international student.
• Growing up in seven different African countries.

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

---  

Connect with Afoali

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_afoali/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Afoali-Ngwakum-129262341924937 
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afoali 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_9Z1RKMht1QZVhKQXap7bg 

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_afoali
  

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Reni and we talk about:

• What inspired her to leave corporate life.
• Tips for people who are being forced to take on more.
• The importance of saying no to things.

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

---  

Connect with Reni

• https://www.instagram.com/xoreni/
• https://www.instagram.com/dontgobroketrying/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Tosan & Moyo (Peas In A Podcast) and we talk about:

• How they met and what inspired them to start the podcast.
• Navigating life as an international student.
• Advice for international students considering a move to Canada.

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

---  

Connect with Tosan & Moyo (Peas In A Podcast)

• https://peasinapodcast.my.canva.site/
• https://www.instagram.com/peasinapodcast.tm/
• https://www.instagram.com/moyyo__/
• https://www.instagram.com/iamtosant/
• https://www.thelatibule.com/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Tobi and we talk about:

• His career changes and why he decided to switch to ESG.
• Lessons learned from playing football and applying it to professional life.
• Advice for young athletes and parents; Understanding where the parents are coming from.

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

---  Connect with Tobi

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobi-adesanmi/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Susie and we talk about:

• What it means to be an entrepreneur out of school.
• What it means to work in a startup or build a startup; Choosing a co-founder and working with friends.
• Advice for those who are considering a career change and advice to women in tech.

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

--- 

Connect with Susie

• https://www.instagram.com/susie_pan/
• https://susiepan.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/susiepan/
• https://criterioninstitute.org/
• https://coralus.world/about-coralus/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Chidinma and we talk about:

• Working in the city planning industry and tips for navigating the urban planning industry.
• How to find or navigate LinkedIn for a new job while already in an existing role.
• What inspired her to start the ''But What Do I Know™️Podcast''.

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

--- 

Connect with Chidinma

• https://www.instagram.com/bwdikpodcast/
• https://www.bwdikpodcast.com/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Aditi and we talk about:

• Transitioning from psychology to political science to law
• The jump from the government agency to the tech ecosystem
• Working in tech as a first-generation immigrant

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠⁠

--- Connect with Aditi

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadhaditi

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Archi and we talk about:

• Tips for applying to tech specifically tech sales
• Community initiatives and resources
• Advice from a recruiter on building a resume
• Advice to first-generation immigrants in the tech industry

---

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Coralie and we talk about:

• Being creative and having ambitions
• Guidelines for women in STEM
• Finding opportunities in community

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠⁠

*TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠striveopp.com⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠⁠

---

Connect with Coralie

• https://www.instagram.com/coralie_tcheune/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Natalie and we talk about:

• Her experience as a publicist
• Exploring unexploited fields
• Building your own background
• Advice on entering college or university and choosing a career

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠

*TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠

Website: ⁠striveopp.com⁠

Email: ⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠

---

Connect with Natalie

• https://www.instagram.com/natalienadeen/
• https://www.instagram.com/unapologeticallyherpod/
• https://www.instagram.com/m2mrundown/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Janae and we talk about:

• Activism and empowerment
• Unapologetically me
• Navigating uni and getting internship in tech

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*⁠

*TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*⁠

Website: ⁠striveopp.com⁠

Email: ⁠ceo@striveopp.com⁠

---

Connect with Janae

• https://www.instagram.com/janae.dream/ 

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode, I am joined by Kaylin and we talk about:

• Wellness and Community
• Navigating business school
• Studying abroad

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*

*TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*

Website: striveopp.com

Email: ceo@striveopp.com

---

Connect with Kaylin

•  https://www.instagram.com/kaylind_/

• https://www.instagram.com/catalystbykaylin/

Welcome to Strive Chat! In this episode I talk about:

• Lessons from the first month of building StriveOpp full time
• Wins: Customers, Speaking Gigs, Programs I got accepted into -
• Goals for the next month  
• The power of reflecting; realizing I increased my income by 49k in one year

Connect with Strive Auntie

*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveopp/*

*TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@striveopp*

Website: striveopp.com

Email: ceo@striveopp.com

---

Tech Fellowship: https://ewor.io/post-idea-fellowship/