The power of intellectual property and brand-building when producing film, factual entertainment and script-writing competitions.

Natalie Edward-Yesufu is a multi-award-winning producer, creative leader, and CEO of Transition Stage Company, known for her bold approach to storytelling. A classically trained actor with a Master’s from Birmingham Royal Conservatoire, she has appeared in BBC productions and produced over 50 new plays and three films, securing international funding across the UK and USA. She is also the founder of Enter.Stage.Write and StoryTown – Ideas You Own, two platforms that merge storytelling, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property, drawing hundreds of creatives and industry leaders each year.

Natalie earned her a Duke of Edinburgh TV Inclusion Award nomination in partnership with Disney, and she has collaborated with the BBC, BFI, Channel 4, and BAFTA-winning producers to elevate new and underrepresented talent. In 2024, after having her first child, she launched ELVÉ—a lifestyle and events company offering curated wellness, education, and community experiences for expats and modern families.

We talk about…

Natalie’s early career in New York, cultivating confidence and ambition
How and why she founded her production and entertainment company in Birmingham, UK
Her early experiences pitching her business ideas
The importance of personal branding and how Natalie built her profile
The challenges around production and funding in Birmingham
The importance of managing money and the business side of the creative industry
The importance of creatives understanding what intellectual property is and how to protect it
The challenges and opportunities in the broadcast and film industries
The impact of winning awards on Natalie’s personal and business brands
The importance of building and owning your own creative platforms

Natalie’s socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natyesufu/#
Transition Stage Company website: https://transitionstagecompany.com/
Transition Stage Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionstagecompany_/
ELVÉ Events Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experience_elve/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/her-she-natalie-adele-edward-yesufu-98694469

Mwenya’s socials:

https://www.mwenyakawesha.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mwenyakawesha/ https://www.instagram.com/theroadofstars/?igsh=c3g2YXhrdzU5am4y&utm_source=qr#

Disclaimer: All views are my own and all my guests' views are their own. There is no product placement in this episode.