Michaella, a rising podcast producer, is deeply committed to amplifying the voices of cross-cultural women as they build and scale their businesses. Witnessing the empowerment that comes from realizing one's dreams inspired her decision to dedicate herself full-time to podcasting.

Michaella draws inspiration from leading podcasters such as the creators of 'Brown Ambition with Mandi & Tiffany,' ‘Professional Troublemaker with Luvvie Ajayi Jones,’ and Myleik Teel. She aims to provide a platform for WOC to share their vision and narrative, fostering a sense of interdimensional community. Her ultimate goal is to dismantle the barriers that hinder women from reaching their full potential and to create spaces where they feel valued and understood.

Michaella has realized her vision beyond her wildest expectations through her path and victories. Among many honors, a podcast she produced, Speaking with Women, has received a 2023 Silver Davey Award, with a listenership of over 13,000. A second podcast, Unspeakable Leadership, was selected as one of 180 projects chosen from over 1100 submissions for the 2024 Essence Film Festival. These achievements stand as a testament to her talent and dedication, inspiring confidence in her abilities.

Building a high-end multimedia production and development studio is just the beginning of Michaella's five-year plan to support cross-cultural women who want to amplify their brands and scale their businesses. Her future projects, aimed at redefining perceptions of business and society, especially as they relate to WOC success, are sure to inspire and excite. Michaella can only get better from here and has much more to give.  

Follow Michaella on her podcasting journey on Instagram: @michaellamutoni and @fadi.studio_.

What inspired you to found {business} and what were the main challenges you faced?

I was inspired to found FA.DI Studio by my passion for storytelling and my commitment to amplifying the voices of cross-cultural women. Having lived in seven countries across Africa, Europe, and North America, I've experienced firsthand the power of diverse narratives and how they can shape our understanding of the world. I wanted to create a platform that tells these stories and bridges generational and cultural divides, fostering a more inclusive society.

The main challenge I faced in founding FA.DI Studio was navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, particularly in a landscape where the middle market is under significant pressure. I had to make strategic decisions about positioning—whether to cater to a high-end market or offer low-cost services—and ultimately chose to differentiate FA.DI Studio provides personalized, high-end services that truly meet our clients where they are. Another challenge was building a solid personal brand and mastering self-promotion, which are critical in gaining credibility and attracting clients in the B2B space. It required me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the spotlight to share my journey and the value that FA.DI Studio brings.

Despite these challenges, my dedication to reshaping cultural narratives and creating meaningful impact has driven me to push through, and I'm proud of the work we've accomplished so far.

Did you start the venture alone?

Yes, I started the venture alone. However, as the business grew and the demand for our services increased, I recognized the need to build a solid team to help scale our operations. Today, I have a talented team that includes a few skilled editors and an operations manager who helps ensure every project is delivered with the highest quality and efficiency.

What's your business model, and how have you grown your revenue?

Our business model is centered around offering personalized services that meet our clients' unique needs. We specialize in launching mini-season podcasts, which serve as an entry point for new clients. These mini-seasons are designed to help clients quickly and effectively bring their podcast ideas to life, providing them with an entirely produced season in just a few months. This approach showcases our expertise and builds trust and credibility with our clients.

Once we've successfully launched a mini-season, many clients choose to continue working with us through our additional podcast management services. This includes ongoing support, content strategy, and production for their podcast series. By offering a comprehensive suite of services, we can maintain long-term relationships with our clients and provide them with continuous value.

Our focus on personalized service and high-quality production has been vital to growing our revenue. We've built our reputation by delivering exceptional results, which leads to repeat business and referrals.

By combining a solid service offering with effective client acquisition and retention strategies, we've steadily grown our revenue and established FA.DI Studio as a trusted partner in the podcasting space.