ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself

You’ve made it through the first 12 months now what? In Season 12, Episode 14, Zulf reflects on the reality of his first full year in business. Recorded just before the New Year, Zulf discusses his recent "distraction detox," explaining why he removed most email access from his phone to reclaim his time. He also dives into his current marketing experiments with Google and TikTok ads, and...

Stop overcomplicating your workflow. In Season 12, Episode 13, Zulf reveals his "Minimalist Tech Stack" five free programs that eliminate friction and boost output. From using email drafts as a professional note taking system to the security of open-source password managers, this bonus episode is a guide to building a business without the subscription fatigue. Zulf also shares behind the...

Is your business outgrowing your spreadsheets? In Season 12, Episode 12, Zulf dives into the complex world of professional accounting. After spending a month interviewing various firms, Zulf shares the lessons learned in finding a partner that actually adds value. We discuss the different tiers of service from simple annual tax returns to full-scale corporate payroll and the importance of finding...

Stop waiting for permission to start. In Season 12, as a bonus episode, Zulf takes you inside his "Idea Lab" to show you exactly how he builds brands from nothing. This episode is a live demonstration of extracting value from your daily routine. Zulf walks through his own morning checking emails, walking the dog, investing and shows how those trivial moments translate into profitable niches like "...

Are you trading or just having a hobby? In Season 12, Episode 11, Zulf demystifies the legal side of working for yourself in the UK. This episode covers everything from the definition of a "Sole Trader" to the specific dates of the UK tax year (April 6th to April 5th). Zulf explains the "Trading Allowance," the difference between cash-basis and traditional accounting, and why y...

Have you ever thought about what it would really be like to be your own boss? In Season 12, Episode 10, Zulf breaks down the first part of a 6 question audit every aspiring entrepreneur should take. From the psychological stamina required to work without encouragement to the financial debate of savings vs. credit cards, this episode is a reality check for the "dream." Zulf also shares a...

Are you the right type of person to work for yourself? In Season 12, Episode 9, Zulf explores the internal questions every aspiring entrepreneur must face. From the "Catch 22" of needing experience to get experience, to the importance of documenting your journey rather than just being an "expert," this episode is a blueprint for building your own path. Zulf also touches on his...

"Don’t be fooled by their smiles and small talk." In Season 12, Episode 8, Zulf shares a raw, early career experience that serves as a vital lesson for any entrepreneur: never assume your clients respect your privacy as much as you do. From a borrowed tablet to ransacked emails, this episode explores the "nosy and sneaky" side of business relationships. Zulf discusses how to ha...

Life doesn’t always follow your business plan. In Season 12, Episode 7, Zulf gets candid about a life changing family illness that forced him to rethink his entire "work for yourself" trajectory. From understanding the impact of a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis to making the difficult decision to step down from a senior finance role, this episode is about the "unplanned" parts of be...

"Don't give up your day job." It’s a cliché, but in Season 12, Episode 6, Zulf explains why it’s actually the most valuable advice for a new entrepreneur. Following his journey from a finance office to international fashion catwalks, Zulf breaks down the "bridge phase" working 9 to 5 for the bills and 6 to 9 for the dream. We dive into the world of automation, workflow macr...

You’ve got your first clients now what? In Season 12, Episode 5, Zulf explains exactly how he took a few "free" high street portraits and scaled them into a repeat client marketing campaign. From offering social media management to dessert shops to reinvesting in macro lenses for high end jewellery photography, this episode is a masterclass in "upping your game." Learn why the...

How do you go from a student with a camera to a professional with a paycheck? In Season 12, Episode 4, Zulf reveals the "High Street Strategy" that landed him his first four major clients. We discuss the difference between artistic photography and commercial reality, why returns happen when photos are too "filtered," and how to use personal banter to break down barriers with bu...

Should you turn your hobby into a career? In Season 12, Episode 3, Zulf explores the transition from "Zulf Talks Photography" to a decade long career in content creation. We dive into the financial sacrifices required to go pro like choosing an entry level DSLR over the latest smartphone and why it’s vital to have a goal to aim for. Zulf also shares a candid look at why some hobbies are...

In Season 12, Episode 2, we continue the journey back to college. Zulf explores how "boring" subjects like Microsoft Access and PowerPoint actually built the foundation for his career as a Data Analyst and a Content Creator. From the "historic mistake" of text heavy slides to the power of visual storytelling, learn how to capture an audience's attention and mold your future...

In the premiere of Season 12, I’m taking you back to where it all started. From my days studying ICT in college to spending over a decade in the UK financial sector, I explore the lessons learned along the way. If you’re currently working a 9 to 5 but dreaming of more, this episode is about the mindset shift required to move from being a "pawn" in a company to the architect of your own l...

Ever feel like you’re building someone else’s dream while your own sits on a hard drive? Welcome to ZulfTalks. I’m Zulf, and for 18 years, I’ve lived the 'Work For Yourself' life. I started with 10 seasons of mastering the craft in photography, but I quickly learned that a craft without a system is just a hobby. I scaled that experience into Trusted Creators , a company built to house the operatio...

It can be difficult to discover everything you need to know to succeed. In this episode, I have a guest speaker Phill Agnew and I will concentrate on the M-Word. After listening to his Nudge podcast I am convinced it is at least one of the main keys to success. If you haven't guessed yet the M-Word is….. The show will be scattered with hints of deep dives into Phill and his podcast episodes I foun...

In Season 11, Episode 18, I’m talking with comedy writer and music producer Adam Blotner about building a sustainable creative business. From viral videos with 14 million views to working as a Universal Studios guide, this episode explores how to build credibility, monetize your talents, and transition from a 9 to 5 to working for yourself. Timestamps:0:00 - Unplanned Bonus: Meeting the jingle cre...

In Season 11, Episode 17, I sit down with Mike Hatch—a songwriter, digital producer, and animation expert who has spent over a decade navigating the entertainment industry. From interning at The Daily Show during its peak Emmy streak to writing Off-Broadway musicals, Mike shares the raw truth about what it takes to succeed when "the words" are your business. Timestamps:0:00 - Intro: Succ...

In Season 11, Episode 11, I’m joined by Angel Tussey an award-winning speaker, radio host, and 15 time best selling author. Angel shares the exact strategies she used to move from local radio to building a global community of 12,000+ experts. In this episode, we cover:0:00 - Introduction & Hurricane Prep in Orlando2:01 - The Problem with One-on-One Marketing4:05 - Leveraging Other People's...

Are you stuck between going back to university or taking the leap to work for yourself? In this episode, I’m joined by Brandon Dobel , a producer and educator with over 25 years of experience in the classroom and the studio. Brandon shares his unique perspective on how a background in history and teaching led him to founding his own media company, How I Got That Way Media LLC . We discuss why the...

In Season 11, Episode 14, I sit down with Sydney Ling, a Graphic Designer and Front End Developer, to discuss the real difference between "making it work" and "making it professional."Sydney breaks down the famous "House Analogy" for web development and gives an honest look at what you should actually be paying for logos and branding in 2026.Timestamps:0:00 - Intro: G...

Are you struggling with the technical side of your new business? In Season 11, Episode 10, I sit down with Pixel Vid, a tech expert with over 20 years of experience. We discuss how small businesses can get "enterprise-level" stability without the enterprise-level price tag. In this episode, we cover:0:00 - Introduction to Technical Challenges1:23 - Pixel Vid’s Background: 20 Years in Tec...

I hear much about getting coaching and how it could help your business. In this episode, I speak to a Certified Life and Positive Intelligence Coach  to give us an insight into what a "coaching" conversation could sound like. Does Business Coaching Work? - Hear what a coaching session sounds like Topics In this Episode What Does A Business Coach Do?  What Can A Business Coach Help With? What quali...

In this episode, I talk about the essential things to make a content creator's life easier and more relaxing. This is from my point of view and what I carry and use. creator's Topics in this Episode: ZINZ Slim & Expandable Laptop Backpack Power bank: Anker Portable Charger, PowerCore Essential 20000 Camera one Canon EOS REBEL SL3 Digital SLR Camera Resources My podcast links and Working for Yo...