JobsWorth

On JobsWorth this week I’m speaking with Essex based Nutritional Therapist, Alexandra Allan.  Alex describes herself as having been lucky enough to have had two careers.  The first was a 20 year run in publishing…a world she’d wanted to work in from a young age and one where she achieved a great level of success.  The second began when Alex turned 40, inspired in part by a book she picked up in an...

On this weeks episode of JobsWorth I speak with Gemma and Will Jones, the husband and wife team behind Essex based bakery business Wilma's. This conversation is, as its heart, a lesson in starting again.  After the pair were forced to leave their previous careers behind it was time to go back to the drawing board.  What followed was the creation of a brand that has become synonymous with all...

In the first of our brand spanking new JobsWorth Express episodes I jump on a call with Mark Green, CEO and Founder of Change Rebellion.  Mark has been working in the change and transformation space for almost two decades and in 2023 he decided to forgo the security (perceived security at least) of a permanent job to set up his very own business.  We explore the events that led to him making that...

This week I'm sitting down with Ralph Tait, founder and owner of The Hatch in Leigh on Sea.  The Hatch has become a bit of a haven for me over the past couple of years. You'll regularly find me there a couple of times a week hunched over my laptop while knocking back some of their incredible coffee.  As a result, I've got to know Ralph a little better and it was a complete no braine...

This week we flip the script on the traditional JobsWorth format. It’s my turn to be on the receiving end of a barrage of questions and there’s only one person I’d trust with the job. My little brother Luke Adam Hawker. This conversation was super special. As well as talking about our careers, what it takes to start a business and how we juggle work and fatherhood, we also explore the importance o...

We wrap up this batch of JobsWorth Reshare episodes with Roll Boys Rising from October 2024. George Artemi, founder of Roll Boys, was certainly a fan favourite and 6 months on he's gone from strength to strength, building a brand that is renowned for making sensational cinnamon rolls.  In this episode, I sit down with George Artemi, founder of Roll Boys, who shares his journey from aspiring p...

For our penultimate Reshare episode we're going back to a conversation I had in March 2024 with Charlotte Debond-Sayer, founder of Essex based wedding and events venue, The Boundary.   Ever wondered how a childhood passion can ignite a trailblazing career in interior design and entrepreneurship? Charlotte Debond-Sayer joined me to share her extraordinary journey from dreaming of beautifying s...

On this weeks JobsWorth Reshare episode we're going back to our very first episode and a conversation I had with my mum, Lisa Hawker, back in September 2023. Have you ever wondered how the dreams of your childhood could possibly shape your future? Well, on this maiden episode of 'JobsWorth' we explore that very concept with my guest, Lisa Hawker, who also happens to be my Mum.  We d...

We're halfway through our JobsWorth Reshare episodes and this week we're revisiting a conversation I had with professional writer Charlie Brown back in December 2023. Is Minimalism For Me remains one our most downloaded episodes and first time out this topic really struck a chord. For some, it was genuinely a game changer. Let us know what you think.  Craving a life less ordinary? Imagin...

We're back with another JobsWorth Reshare episode and this we're going back to May 2024 to sit down with Sam Hamblin and Ed White, owners of Essex based menswear business, The Local Merchants. This was a real fan favourite. Let us know what you think.  The Local Merchants website is here; https://thelocalmerchants.co.uk/ Follow The Local Merchants on Instagram here: https://www.instagram...

In the first of our JobsWorth Reshare episodes we revisit my brother Luke's interview, first shared on the 13th December 2023.   Do you ever feel like you're living a life that's not truly your own? You're not alone. I've invited my brother, Luke Adam Hawker, an accomplished artist, best-selling author, and father, to share his journey of trading a stable job for one fuele...

In todays episode, I have a conversation with actor Sam Strike. Sam shares his journey from growing up in Essex to becoming a successful actor in both the UK and the US. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including his early interest in acting, the challenges of navigating education, and the breakthrough roles that defined his path. Sam reflects on his time in EastEnders, the...

In todays episode I sit down with boxing and conditioning coach Vic O'Dame. Vic shares his inspiring journey from growing up in South London to becoming a beloved figure in the local gym community. He discusses the lessons learned from boxing, the importance of discipline, and how exercise can positively impact mental health. Vic also reflects on the transition to full-time coaching, parentin...

This week I sit down with photographer Mia Davies. During our conversation, Mia reflects on her childhood dreams, the challenges of navigating school with ADHD, and the societal pressures to conform to traditional career paths. Mia discusses her transition into photography, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the ongoing struggle to balance work and family life. The conversation also touches on t...

In this weeks episode, I sit down with Emma Huggett, founder of Monty's Play Hub. We discuss her journey in education, the challenges of teaching, and the impact of systemic pressures on educators as well as Emma's experiences with workplace bullying, burnout, and the importance of passion in teaching. She reflects on the changes she's seen in the education system over the years, ho...

On this weeks episode of JobsWorth, I sat down with Mark Barnacle and Mike Barnes, co-founders of the charity Together in Musical Expression (T.I.M.E). They discuss their early musical influences, the evolution of music consumption, and the therapeutic power of music, especially in relation to memory and emotional well-being. We also learn about their experience of establishing a charity, the chal...

This week, I sit down with Dave Harland, a copywriter, who shares his journey from young Scrabble enthusiast to a successful freelancer and agency owner. As well as exploring the events that lead to him changing his relationship with work talk about the importance of humor and authenticity in copywriting, the challenges of building a personal brand, and the evolution of his agency, Copy or Die.  D...

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with professional actor Ricky Champ. Ricky shares his journey into the world of acting, discussing his early inspirations, the importance of resilience in the industry, and the impact of rejection on his career. He reflects on his time in EastEnders, delves into the emotional weight of portraying heavy themes in his work and how he navigates the balance...

In this episode, I sit down with Whitney Lodge, a naturopathic nutritional therapist and yoga teacher, who shares her journey from a stable career in law to pursuing her passion for nutrition and health. Whitney talks about her journey into specialising in fertility nutrition and the holistic approaches she employs in her practice to promote health and wellness. In this conversation, Whitney also...

In this episode, I sit down with Ky Wilson, a hairdressing entrepreneur. We discuss the evolution of Ky's career over the last 18 years. In this conversation, Ky shares his journey in the hairdressing industry, emphasising the importance of networking and seizing opportunities. He discusses his transition from a small-town hairdresser to working in London, the challenges he faced, and the inn...

In this episode, I sit down with George Artemi, founder of Roll Boys, who shares his journey from aspiring professional footballer to successful entrepreneur. George discusses the challenges he faced after being released from football, his experiences in the hospitality industry, and the personal struggles that led him to a turning point in his life. George also discusses the importance of self-di...

This week I sit down with Lucy Bardrick who shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Cornwall to becoming a professional dancer and now an exec at Arbonne International. She discusses her early passion for dance, the unwavering support from her family, and the challenges of pursuing a career in the arts. Lucy also emphasises the importance of mindset and resilience. We discuss Lucy introd...

In this episode, I sit down with Gemma Simpson, owner of Other Kids, a childrens footwear and fashion store in Leigh on Sea. We discuss Gemma's early aspirations of becoming a pop star to her experiences in various jobs, leading to the establishment of her own business. The conversation delves into the challenges of running a small business, the importance of customer relationships, and the b...

This week I sit down with Katie Southgate, founder of Gold Geese, a charity supporting families of children with cancer. Katie shares her personal journey of her daughter Hattie's leukemia diagnosis and how it inspired her to create Gold Geese. The conversation explores the challenges faced by families during treatment, the importance of community support, and the various services Gold Geese...

This week Sam Hamblin and Ed White, owners of Essex based menswear business The Local Merchants join me to discuss the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and what it's like to grow a business with your best mate.  The Local Merchants website is here; https://thelocalmerchants.co.uk/ Follow The Local Merchants on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thelocalmerchants?utm_source=ig_web_but...