JobsWorth

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Essex-based musician, photographer, filmmaker, writer and artist Buster to explore what it really means to build a creative life and avoid what his grandad would have called a “real job”.
His path to becoming a full-time creative wasn’t linear. From being an anti-authoritarian teenager at school to missing his UCAS deadline and unexpectedly landing a football scholarship in the United States, Buster’s journey took him from Essex to Ohio and eventually to six transformative years living in Hawaii.
We talk about how that experience reshaped the way he sees the world, the moment creativity truly clicked for him, and why storytelling sits at the heart of everything he does, whether through music, photography, film or writing.
This episode also explores:
The reality of pursuing a creative career
Whether everyone is truly creative
How to find inspiration in everyday life
The dangers of creating for the algorithm instead of yourself
Why making your passion pay can sometimes strip the joy away
The question Buster believes everyone should ask themselves: “If you had to give this up tomorrow, how would you feel?”
We also discuss social media, comparison culture, financial instability, reinvesting in yourself, and the freedom and responsibility that comes with carving your own path.
Whether you’re a creative professional, considering a career change, building something of your own, or simply questioning what success really means, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to live and work with conviction.
Please enjoy… Buster.
Want to find out more about Buster, his music and his many talents...you can do that here 👇
https://www.bustermeaney.com/
https://www.instagram.com/busterandthepigeons/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/busters.garden/?hl=en
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/

Contact the show on [email protected]

We're taking a break this week so for this episode we've done something a bit different. 
I’ve pulled together some moments from recent conversations that have stayed with me... stories about backing yourself, getting things wrong, staying motivated, saying no, and figuring out what work actually means to you.
You’ll hear from brilliant people including Leanne Reardon, Laura Hart Raja, Jack Hodgson, Henry Knock, George Artemi and Keith James...each sharing honest lessons from their own journeys.
If you’re thinking about change, building something, or just trying to make sense of where you’re at with work, I hope there’s something in here that resonates.
Much love, 
John x 
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/

Contact the show on [email protected]

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Tony and Sue Kelly, owners of Essex-based Home Estate Agents, as they reflect on nearly two decades of building one of Leigh-on-Sea’s most recognisable property businesses.
As Home approaches its 17th anniversary, Tony and Sue share the story behind the business — from their early days in the property industry in the 1980s to launching their own estate agency, receiving an offer for their first company just eighteen months in, and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship while raising a young family.
We talk about what it really takes to succeed in the world of estate agency, how the property market has changed over the years, and the mindset required to keep going through setbacks — including a period that forced them to start again from scratch in the very week their son was born.
Tony and Sue also offer an honest look at why buying and selling a home can be such an emotional process, what they believe needs to change to make moving house less stressful, and practical advice for anyone thinking about buying or selling property.
In this episode, we cover:
Building and growing an independent estate agency in Essex
Lessons from over forty years in the property industry
Resilience, failure, and backing your own judgement in business
How the UK housing market has evolved
Why the home-buying process is so emotionally charged
Tips for buyers and sellers navigating today’s market
Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, property, small business journeys, or simply love hearing how people build lasting careers, we think you’ll love this episode.
Find out more about Tony, Sue and Home here 👇
Website- https://www.homeofleigh.com/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/homeestateagent?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/

Contact the show on [email protected]

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Ian and Charlie Patterson, the husband-and-wife team behind Little Fin Coffee Roastery.

This one’s been a long time coming, and it didn’t disappoint.

A little over a year after opening their first coffee shop, we sit down to discuss how roasting beans in their garage led to them supplying speciality coffee, machines, and equipment to over 80 businesses across Essex and beyond.

We learn what led Ian to leave a super-secure job after seventeen years, how he and Charlie dealt with the transition from more traditional employment to growing a start-up, and find out what they’ve learned about making the move into hospitality.

Between running a roastery, a coffee shop, the wholesale side of the business, and raising two kids (oh, and I forgot to mention that Charlie also runs her own cleaning business), I ask how the pair keep all of their plates spinning. Stay tuned for a super-relatable answer.

Little Fin has quickly become synonymous with amazing customer service and that is, in no small part, down to the incredible team Ian and Charlie have built. That being the case, it was only right to get them involved in this week’s game.

Please enjoy… Ian and Charlie.
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/

Contact the show on [email protected]

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Hamid Oukili, an Essex-based businessman and one of the original founders of The Brunch Co, a brunch, breakfast, coffee and cocktail spot based in Leigh-on-Sea.

The Brunch Co opened its doors at their original site over seven years ago, and in that time Hamid, co-founder Dan and their team have built a brand that’s become recognised for its original menu, electric atmosphere and incredible customer service. But it’s taken time, mistakes and a whole lot of learning to get there.

We explore the variety of jobs Hamid took on before entering the world of hospitality, how they shaped his approach to leading his own team, and why he’s a big believer that failure in business is just part of the process.

We also learn how an experience at a US fast food restaurant changed Hamid’s approach to staff development, why health and wellness are key to him staying focused, and why achieving work–life balance…at least in the early days of running a business…is nigh on impossible.

Please enjoy… Hamid Oukili.
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/

Contact the show on [email protected]