Startup Culture; How Things Get Done When No One Is Watching

Culture is one of the most talked-about and least understood parts of building a startup. In this episode of African Hive, we unpack what culture really is, how it forms in the earliest days, and why founders must move beyond values on a wall.

This episode explores:
• What culture actually means in early-stage startups
• Why early culture is a reflection of the founder
• When and why culture begins to break as teams grow
• What it really means to codify culture
• How values should translate into behavior and performance
• Why culture can keep a company alive in difficult times

This conversation is for early-stage founders and builders who want to build companies that can grow without losing their core.

If you'd'like to be a guest on the show, email me at mbithekingori@gmail.com

In the earliest stages of a startup, team decisions often carry more weight than product decisions. This episode explores what founders need to know about building early teams when resources are limited and uncertainty is high.

We discuss why early hires are a strategic choice, how to recruit without large budgets, what investors look for in founding teams, and how culture begins forming long before it is named.

This episode is for early-stage founders and builders navigating the realities of building from the ground up.

Being a founder isn’t just hard work—it’s emotional labor.

In this episode of The African Hive, we open up a conversation we don’t have enough: mental health as a founder. From the daily emotional weight of leadership to the added pressure of raising capital, we’re talking about what it actually feels like to build a company when the world expects you to hold it all together.

But this isn’t just a venting session, it’s a practical guide.
You’ll learn:
- Why mental health matters in every season, not just during crisis
- What gets worse during a fundraise (and why)
- Steps you can take to stay grounded, even under pressure
- How to be honest with yourself and why it’s your greatest leadership tool

This is the episode I wish every founder heard before the burnout. Because your peace is part of the mission too.

🎧 Hit play. And share this with a founder who might be carrying more than they show.