How They Got There

Susan Murray is a professional stand up comedian and part time comedy gig promoter.  We talk about what life is like for a professional comedian, the importance of learning and training and building your profile through hard work.  Susan shares advice for aspiring comedians and talks about setting up and managing a comedy night in London – one which gets some of the biggest stars in comedy and up-and-coming talent.

Oli Reeves manages a record label, manages bands, is a DJ himself and works in a record shop in London.  We talk about how he went from being an ecologist surveying bats to working in the music industry.  Oli talks about how a loss in the family made him realise he needed to do the things he loves and cares about, how he leans into his fears and how a persuasive friend were all key to him getting into the music industry.    

Joe is an award winning musical director and vocal coach based in London and has worked on a range of projects, from theatre, to choirs, to teaching.  We talk about Joe being a natural instigator but not always a finisher.  The challenges of working in musical theatre and the need to balance the kicks, kudos and cash he can get from projects

I reflect back over the last five podcasts and draw out five key themes that have enabled those guests to make their ideas a reality.  Learning form others is key for anyone wanting to make an idea a reality.    

A year ago, James Harrison co-founded and opened Yonder, a multidisciplinary space with a climbing centre, a co-working space, yoga studios and a café and bar.  James has a practical background and started a furniture building company after leaving university which he worked on part time.  He furthered his skills and experience by taking on a number of roles in other companies.  James went full time on his own business 10 years ago which he has grown slowly and organically, very differently to Yonder, which required investment, risks and plenty of challenges.     

Four years after leaving the Army, Laurence joined a disaster relief charity.  Laurence and I talk about taking risks, investing in yourself and using networks to help get to where you want to go.  We talk about using stepping-stones and training to build experience and the need to be committed as the journey is never a straight line.  

Laura moved to Thailand two years ago and set up her own digital marketing company after realising London and the 9 – 5 wasn’t for her.  We talk about how Laura made the move to Thailand and how she used her day job to up-skill herself ready to go it alone.  Laura talks about the awkwardness of self promotion, the imposter syndrome, the benefits of learning early and the importance of developing a clear offering for clients.   

Tom is a freelance web designer & developer and has his own business. Tom co-founded his first company at 21 but chose to leave due to burn out.  He later co-founded a coffee selling business which was sold before setting up his own web design and development business.  Tom shares his journey and how he learned the skills to make his business work.  We talk about deep work, building and using a network to grow your business, the importance of teaching yourself, whether to do work for free when you start out and many other things.

Jacek has written and self published four books. He and his wife, Rebecca, left the corporate world and travelled the world on a motorbike for 3 years.  Whilst away they learned to become yoga teachers.  They settle back in the UK, in South Wales, where they teach and have gown a community around yoga.  Jacek writes non-fiction, each book an exploration of a new subject that interests him.  This is a far cry from handing out leaflets for Domino’s Pizza in London where he began his working life after moving to the UK from Poland. Jacek studied as well as worked and eventually became a senior project manager – a role that started to burn him out.  It's at this point he bought a motorbike…    

I quickly introduce the podcast.  How do you become an author, set up a radio station or start your own business?  Every episode I talk to somebody who has set something up or made their dreams a reality.