How To Become A... Founder of a Design, Build and Facilities Management Company

How To Become A... Founder of a Design, Build and Facilities Management Company

What does it take to build a successful design, build, and facilities management company from scratch? In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace speaks to Matt about creating MWA, a company that designs, builds, and maintains commercial spaces for major global brands including Nike, Converse, Jimmy Choo, Net-a-Porter, and more. Matt shares the reality of building a business over 24 years in one of the toughest industries out there, including surviving recessions, COVID, rising costs, and the constant pressure of winning work. He explains: * What a design, build & facilities management company actually does * How commercial office and retail fit-outs work * Why facilities management became a huge part of the business * What it’s really like working with global brands He also shares: * Dropping out of university after 6 weeks * Finding his career path almost by accident * Starting his business through redundancy negotiations * How referrals and relationships built the company organically Plus, we get into: * Winning huge projects for Net-a-Porter, Nike & Jimmy Choo * Why construction is such a high-risk industry * Hiring the right people and building strong teams * Writing his book Made With Ambition and opening up about personal struggles If you’re interested in: * Entrepreneurship * Construction and design careers * Commercial interiors * Starting a business * Facilities management * Business growth and resilience * This episode is an honest look at the highs, lows, risks, and ambition behind building a company that lasts. https://www.mwaprojects.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Made-Ambition-Build-Legacy-Honesty/dp/B0G26N2WVW 🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨ 🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path 📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How To Become A... Nike Coach

What does it really take to become a Nike Coach? In this episode of How To Become A..., I sit down with Harriet Wright, Nike Coach, women's health advocate, marathon runner, founder of the Like A Girl community, and full-time market researcher. Harriet shares her unconventional career journey, from studying Business & Management and building a successful corporate career, to becoming a qualified running coach, personal trainer, and one of the faces helping women feel stronger, more confident, and better supported in sport. We talk about: 🏃 How Harriet became a Nike Coach 💪 Women's health, fitness and the gender research gap 🧠 Living and working with ADHD 👟 Building a running community from scratch 📈 Balancing a full-time job with multiple side projects 🌎 Marathon running, Nike campaigns, and unforgettable running experiences ✨ Why you don't need to have your entire career figured out This episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections, and inspiration for anyone looking to create a career that combines passion, purpose, and impact. Follow Harriet's journey and discover why sometimes the best opportunities come from simply doing what you love. 🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨ 🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path 📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How To Become A... Plastic Surgeon

What does it really take to become a plastic surgeon and what actually happens behind the scenes? In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace speaks to Shan Shan about building a career in plastic surgery, from trauma reconstruction to cosmetic work, and the years of training, discipline, and resilience it takes to get there. Shan Shan breaks down: * What plastic surgery actually involves beyond the TV stereotype * The difference between reconstructive and cosmetic work * Why so much of her role is about service, precision, and patient care * How plastic surgery can improve both function and confidence * She also shares: * Growing up in a family of doctors and academics * How her creativity showed up early through art and doodling * Why she chose to explore charity missions in Africa * The long and demanding training pathway to becoming a plastic surgeon Plus, we get into: * Working across the NHS and private cosmetic care * Why some procedures once funded by the NHS now end up in cosmetic practice * How she approaches surgery with empathy and careful planning * Why honesty, trust, and patient education matter so much * If you’re interested in: * Medicine and surgical careers * Plastic surgery and reconstruction * Cosmetic surgery explained * Medical training in the UK * Female doctors and career journeys This episode is a fascinating look at one of the most demanding and rewarding careers in medicine and the human stories behind it. @drshanshanjing 🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨ 🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path 📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How To Become A... Hairdresser

What does it really take to become a hairdresser and how do you turn a passion for hair into a career? In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace speaks to Jomelyn about building a career in hairdressing, specialising in colour, and creating a private one-to-one hair experience for clients in Hackney Wick. From doodling hairstyles in school books to running her own hair suite, Jonalyn shares the reality of breaking into the industry and carving out her own path. She explains: * What a day in the life of a hairdresser really looks like * Why trust and client experience matter so much * How apprenticeships helped her learn hands-on * What it’s like to specialise in Asian hair and colour * Why creativity and confidence go hand in hand in hairdressing She also shares: * Her early interest in theatrical hair and makeup * Why she changed direction from makeup to hair * How she learned through trial, error, and YouTube * What it was like working in salons, wigs, and with cancer and alopecia patients * How she built her own business around calm, personal, and ethical service Plus, we get into: * Starting again after COVID * Growing a client base through word of mouth and social media * Why finding your niche can change everything * The importance of creating a space where clients feel seen, relaxed, and cared for * If you’re interested in: * Hairdressing careers * Creative jobs and beauty careers * Apprenticeships and specialist training * Salon life and entrepreneurship * Building a business in the beauty industry This episode is an inspiring look at what it really means to become a hairdresser and how much artistry, patience, and personal connection sits behind the chair. @jomelynferrashair 🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨ 🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path 📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How To Become A... Policy Advisor to the Civil Service

What does a policy advisor actually do and how do you get into the civil service? In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace speaks to Adam about building a career as a policy advisor in the UK civil service. From working on Brexit to shaping tech regulation, Adam breaks down what policy work really looks like behind the scenes and why it’s one of the most impactful (and misunderstood) career paths out there. He explains: * What the civil service is (and how it differs from politicians) * What policy advisors actually do day-to-day * How policies are researched, designed, and turned into law * Why policy can take years to develop and implement He also shares: * His journey from a sports degree → economics → civil service * The Fast Stream application process (and how competitive it is) * What assessment centres are really like * How to break into government roles without a traditional path Plus, we get into: * Working on Brexit and major national decisions * Balancing personal opinions with apolitical work * Why curiosity about politics and society really matters * How to build a meaningful career that impacts real lives If you’re interested in: * Civil service careers * Government jobs UK * Policy, politics, or economics * Grad schemes and Fast Stream * Meaningful, purpose-driven work This episode is a fascinating look at how decisions that shape the country actually get made and the people behind them. 🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨ 🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path 📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com 📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.