Login
But What Do I Know?

The Reality of Building A Startup Feast. Diane Kone

October 14, 2026
The Reality of Building A Startup Feast. Diane Kone

What does it really take to build a business before the funding, recognition and success stories arrive?

This week on But What Do I Know? Podcast, Chidinma is joined by Diane Kone, founder of Swayed, a tech platform designed to make discovering stylists for afro/ textured hair (WAYY) easier.

Together, they discuss Diane's journey into entrepreneurship, the problem that inspired Swayed, and the realities of building a tech startup from the ground up (hint: the platform crashed and Diane had to switch web developers about 4 times). From product development and navigating funding to the unique challenges facing Black women founders in Canada's startup ecosystem, Diane shares what it means to keep building while the business is still finding its footing.

This is a conversation for the entrepreneurs about learning as you go, and the work that happens LONG before success becomes visible.

—

Connect with "But What Do I Know?" Podcast:

Leave A Voicenote: https://www.speakpipe.com/BWDIKPodcast

Podcast Community: ⁠https://www.bwdikpodcast.com/

Subscribe and watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BWDIKPodcast

IG: @bwdikpodcast 

Tiktok: @bwdikpodcast 

—

Connect with Diane Kone: @deemtrl

Visit Swayed: https://www.theswayedapp.com/

—

Episode Credits:

Executive Producer: Chidinma Azubuike

Audio and Video Editor: Aleks van der Westhuizen  

Podcast Theme Music: Hamid Bello


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


Read more

0 comment

Be the first to comment on this content.


The podcast

No longer are we hiding behind the phrase “But What Do I Know?”. In this space, we are confirming our knowledge, sharing our experiences and learning from ourselves as well as each other. This is a space for learning and unlearning, healing and laughter.

Latest episodes

How can I listen to other podcasts?

Click here to discover another podcast randomly, or here to browse our categories. Lazy? That's okay, we did some research and selected podcasts just for you.


And what is Podmust?

Podmust is a french project aiming to promote the best podcasts. You can help us by sharing this page (this also helps the podcast, by the way). Thank you! 🙏

Stay informed, the audio way.

Podmust curates what you need to listen.
Discover some of our collections: our best Music podcastsour best News & Politics podcastsour best Business podcasts.

UK Edition

Well, the bad news is: we're French. But the good news is: Podmust curates the world's podcasts so you can focus on staying informed or entertained. And voilà!

© Podmust
Navigation