Sponsored Post: Promote your business at the Diva Choice Valentines Event

Dear Business Owner(s)

Diva Choice are hosting their annual pre valentines event on the 4th of February 2016 at the Primo Bar, Park Plaza Hotel 200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7UT.

This will be a night filled with entertainment, games, laughter, fashion, shopping and much more.

Diva Choice are inviting you to take part, so if you have a product or service that you would like to promote get in touch we have limited stalls available at £25 for the evening.

There will be a fashion show on the night showcasing Diva Choice collections. If you are a fashion business and you would like the opportunity for your fashion line to be modeled in the show. This can be arranged for a fee of £40 only. (subject to view) .

This event will be broadcasted live, you will have an opportunity to present your brand to clients that attend as well as to a radio audience, this is a great opportunity do not miss out

Call 07539004492 or email info@divachoice.co.uk

Thank you

Diva Choice.


The Primo Bar, Park Plaza Hotel

Diva Choice

Guest Blog: How To Create a Space That Inspires and Motivates You

By Tim Smith

Your house is your home base and the place where you spend the most of your time. No wonder it’s essential to make it a space that is motivational and pleasant to be. Decorators are often faced with the challenge to create an area that is not only beautiful, but also inspires. Your home should be your sanctuary, so creating nooks that motivate and spark your creativity are essential. There are some simple steps you can take to spruce up your home and feel more confident and inspired within.

First, revamp your home office. If you are someone who works from home, this space is especially important. You’ll want to create a space that sparks your creativity and makes you want to spend time inside. There is nothing more depressing than a utilitarian grey office. Revamp your office with pops of color and inspirational wall art. Make sure you have plenty of workspace so that you aren’t cramped, and invest in organizational tools. Choose an accent color and purchase folders and binders to match. Metallics or bright colors make especially good accents. Be sure to display any awards or achievements in a prominent place. This will keep you focused on your goals and motivated to reach even higher.

Via Modernize

Create a gallery wall in your home to express your personal style. This type of decor has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. Experienced decorators know it’s a foolproof way to create an inspirational space. First collect a few of your favorite things that you feel express your personality the most. You could choose old family photos, letters, dried flowers, an heirloom, a favorite hat, an abstract art piece, or something you collect. Try to get an eclectic mix. Next you will frame each piece using different types of frames. If the item is not a flat paper, you will mount it directly on the wall and surround with a frame. Each frame will be placed on the wall like a puzzle, creating a cluster of treasures representing your personality. You can find tons of tips for creating gallery walls at Modernize.com. The gallery wall will be a favorite spot in your home, and displaying your interests will leave you inspired and confident.

Via Modernize

Use color psychology to create a more motivating space. Every color has a specific mood or effect on your psyche, so by adding in certain colors you can create a more motivating space. For energy, choose yellow. Yellow is a color that excites and grabs attention. If you are someone who has trouble getting up in the morning, incorporate this color into your bedroom. Orange is a nurturing color and would be great included in your children’s play area or in the kitchen. This color warms up any room and makes it feel homey and secure. Green is a color attached to growth and would be best in a place where you feel stuck or stagnant. It is also a favorite of many doctors for it’s calming effects. Blue is a color for comfort and is perfect to create a zen-like oasis within your home. Purple is the color of many royal families and is know to spark creativity. Add a purple shade in your kitchen to inspire more creativity at meal time. Red-orange is the most vibrant of colors and is like a jolt of lightning to any room. Use this shade to encourage activity and excitement.

Incorporate these few ideas into your home and you’ll have an inspired space in no time. 

You’ll be shocked and amazed by your increased productivity and happiness.

Author:  "Tim Smith is a former contractor who writes about home improvement and energy efficiency topics forModernize.com. Tim loves spending time with his family and loves DIY projects."

Social media platforms:

https://twitter.com/remodeling

https://www.facebook.com/modernizehome

https://www.pinterest.com/modernizehome/

The 2Inspire Network Supports Small Businesses!

Here are pictures from our Supporting Small Business event at Ogilvy & Mather in Canary Wharf.

We will be located at their offices in Canary Wharf to create Pop-up market and shopping experience for their staff to enjoy over this seasonal period throughout December. With such a high number employees and associates from neighbouring companies in the Canary Wharf area this is a superb opportunity to promote small businesses. 

The next dates we have are:
14th December
18th December 
22nd December 
23rd December 
If you are a small business and are interested in attending one of the dates to showcase your business please email events@2inspirenetwork.com.

The 2inspire Network Launches The Support Small Business Campaign

Since the launch of the 2inspire Network in 2012 one of its main objectives has been to support women in enterprise and to assist them to enhance their socio-economic outcomes. The aim was to assist female entrepreneurs to find innovative ways to promote their business, provide interactive forums and events that allowed these women to network, develop collaborative working relationships and inspire others.

We have held several events over the past 3 years that have allowed businesses to promote their products and services, now we are working in partnership with corporate organisations around London to develop this concept further via our Support Small Business campaign.

Over the next couple of months we have been given the opportunity to support small businesses on a more corporate scale with major organisations in the City of London. These companies, located within the Square Mile itself and within neighbouring boroughs, are committed to encouraging and supporting enterprise and small business growth due to the fact that small and medium-sized enterprises are a significant contributor to the wider UK economy and within the City, driving growth and employment.


To kick start this campaign we will be working in partnership with Ogilvy & Mather UK. We have been given 6 dates; in which we will be located at their offices in Canary Wharf to create Pop-up market and shopping experience for their staff to enjoy over this seasonal period. With such a high number employees and associates from neighbouring companies in the Canary Wharf area this is a superb opportunity to promote small businesses.

The dates we have are:

• 27th November
• 30th November
• 14th December
• 18th December 
• 22nd December 
• 23rd December 

If you are a small business and are interested in attending one of the dates to showcase your business please email events@2inspirenetwork.com.

If you belong to or know of an organisation that would be interested in supporting our campaign please email hazel@2inspirenetwork.com.

Inspirational Men's Profile: Nick Ebdon of Advanced Hypnosis Training

Nick founded Advanced Hypnosis Training Ltd in 2015 to replace NEtherapy his former hypnotherapy business. After a successful job trading commodities as an executive director at Morgan Stanley, Nick decided he was unfulfilled, trained as a hypnotherapist and has not looked back. He is a registered hypnotherapist, a NGH Board certified hypnotist and instructor and most significantly, recently became the first OMNI Hypnosis designated instructor in the UK ( OMNI Hypnosis is one of the most prestigious names in hypnosis training around the world). Because of his OMNI training, AHT is now also the OMNI Hypnosis Training Center® of London.

Nick offers a number of accredited courses in hypnotherapy from a foundation level certification right through to the OMNI advanced training - which is the worlds first ISO 9001 approved training in hypnosis. In addition he is a Certified NLP trainer providing both Practitioner and Master practitioner along with many hypnosis and NLP orientated workshops and courses.Nick the founder is renowned for helping individuals deal with personal issues with a number of therapeutic methods and works with a number of voluntary organisations to help them to provide support, solutions  and coping mechanisms for their clients. Read more about Nick and his work in our latest 2inspire Mens special interview below.

1/ Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

A typical business day for me will involve either seeing clients locally or in the City of london for a number of issues from stress and anxiety, emotional problems, fears, phobias, weight loss and stopping unwanted habits. When not with clients I may be writing or researching other techniques and methods. My best days are when I am holding workshops or training programmes which is what I actually enjoy doing the most.


2/ What made you start the business and what steps did you take to start operating as a business?

It sounds cliche but I wanted to make a difference. I suffered from stress and hypnotherapy helped me turns things around at a low point in my life. The biggest step for me was to walk away from a career that financially had been very rewarding. I decided to transition my career from doing what I was doing, which was trading metals and consultancy work to becoming a self employed hypnotist. I got my first qualifications while still working in my existing job and made the transition that way. That does have its downside however.


3/ What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

I have had some notable successes in consulting work, but my recent approval to be the first OMNI Hypnosis Training Center® provider in the UK on a personal and professional level is my greatestaccomplishment so far. Gerald Kein who founded OMNI in 1979, is considered by many, including me to be the best hypnotherapist out there. I am very honoured that he and his successor Hans Wipf picked me to bring OMNI live classes to the UK.


4/ What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

My biggest challenge was transitioning from an amazingly well paid job, to jumping into the unknown. I found that it ended up being counterproductive to both old and new as it just split my focus to the point that neither areas of work were getting the attention they need. Apart from one regular consulting contract I focus entirely on change work and training now.

5/What are your future plans for the business?

I want to expand my client waiting list to the point that I need to hire more therapists, hopefully that I’ve trained through my OMNI classes, which I also intend to really push over the next two years. I have also outlined a book which will hopefully be fleshed out in 2016 and maybe do some work with 2inspire too!


6/If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I think I would study the really successful therapists, coaches and instructors to see what they were doing that set them apart from the rest and copy it. I wasted a lot of time doing too much by trial and error and not enough exploring what was already proven to work. As mentioned before as well, I would have a little more conviction and a little more self belief and throw myself into the job where my passion lay.


7/ What’s the best compliment you could receive in business?

That I made the difference in someone’s life. Whether it was to get them out of a hole they were in, or to inspire them in some way. Jerry Kein, who I mentioned earlier said that if you have changed just one person’s life; help them turn a corner, lift them from depression etc. then your life has been worthwhile. It may not get you your own private jet (unless you’re Tony Robbins!) but it will help you sleep better at night and give your life much more meaning.

8) Why is it so important to inspire the next generation  to follow their dreams?

Because to be fair they don’t have much to inspire them elsewhere. They do not have many quality role models of note so their lives are dictated by materialistic incentives. I worked in a job where the more rewarding it got the more miserable I became. There is nothing wrong with what I did in my old career as a commodity trader, but I wasn’t passionate about it in the way that I am now. If you can do something you want to do and you have enough passion about it and you enjoy and believe in the service you are providing or the product you are selling,  I really believe with enough focus you will ultimately be much happier.


9/ What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?

Be trained by the OMNI Hypnosis Training Center® of London - its the best training in becoming a hypnotherapist!!


10/What or who inspires you in business and why?

Self belief in people (as long as it’s not delusional), people who may have got dealt a crap hand but excel themselves in life. Also those that contribute beyond themselves give us all much needed perspective sometimes.

11/What is your favourite inspirational quote?

‘Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes’ - Jim Carrey

Email: nickebdon@advancedhypnosistraining.co.uk
Website:  WWW.ADVANCEDHYPNOSISTRAINING.UK
TELEPHONE: 0800 7734183

2Inspire Network Inspirational Woman: Denise Rabor, Founder of Wow Beauty and Leadership3Sixty

Denise Rabor has been making a living from her passion for makeup and beauty as an international make-up artist for over 15 years. In her latest entrepreneurial venture, Businesswoman Denise, who has worked with major publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, ELLE & Vanity Fair, is set to shine a spotlight on inclusivity in the beauty industry with Wow Beauty. She is also the Founder Leadership3Sixty, a leadership empowerment platform which celebrates diversity in the corporate sector. Read her inspirational interview below and find out how you can have LIMITLESS POTENTIAL.

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

To be honest, there is no typical business day for me, simply because I'm involved in more than one business, so I approach each day according to priorities. Like many people I can sometimes feel as though there are not enough hours in a day to get things done, especially when there are meetings to participate in, events to attend and of course the unexpected things that suddenly occur which can completely throw a planned schedule out of the window! One thing is for sure is that my days are always varied and never boring!

What made you start the business and how did you get started?

Having been in business all my life I couldn't help myself, I'm always looking for a new business opportunity. I am very fortunate that I'm able to create businesses out of things that I love. My love affair with the world of fashion and beauty began as a child, growing up in New York and has never left me. I was always a magazine junkie and still have a collection of US & UK Vogues amongst others going back to the 80’s.

While I was involved in running the family business I managed to have a successful parallel career as an international makeup artist; Wow beauty came about because although I always knew that I'd do something more in the beauty industry, I just wasn't sure what. Once I realised that I wanted to share my experience and expertise I took my time to get myself together in terms of collating my thoughts and ideas for the formulation of the website and launched wow beauty in May 2015. Wow beauty is a website devoted to inclusive beauty and wellbeing, encouraging women of all ages and ethnicities to be empowered by owning their unique beauty. There is beauty in diversity.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

In business I set clear outcomes which have so far exceeded my expectations. So doing this whilst being actively involved in my other businesses has shown me that I'm a resourceful and capable woman. I have two web based businesses that have diversity and inclusion at their core whilst being focused on female empowerment in different ways. I find them both satisfying because they allow me to express female empowerment on the inside and outside.

So, I have to say that my greatest accomplishment is that I own my story and that alone has been a journey.  The second accomplishment is that I still love everything that I do and that is a blessing.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

I have never defined myself by my gender or my ethnicity, simply because my parents brought me up to to be myself, to put my best self forward and to ‘just do it’. Don't get me wrong there are always challenges but my attitude is to push past them.

As women there are challenges and barriers that we face in business on a daily basis, we need only look at the dire statistics for women in leadership roles, in tech or on boards; compounded by the challenge is of managing the doubting inner voice that sometimes appears, trying to sabotage our progress; as a woman of colour these challenges are even greater, but I am inspired more every day by the sheer power of women finding their voices and uniting those voices in pushing past the barriers, moving forward and refusing to be cowed. My mother is a successful female founder, my sister and I are female founders …..as Melinda Gates said “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.”

What are your future plans for the business?

Wow beauty  is my newest venture and it’s going well. A lot of work has been done in the industry and I’m picking up the mantel and running with it. I’m known for my belief in pure limitless potential! For me there are no limits, and that gives me a buzz….I guess I got that from my parents and my New York upbringing.

I have a big vision for Wow beauty …I want to build on the way that women view beauty– firstly that they start to #own their beauty and that they see the connection that exists between beauty, wellbeing and the self awareness that is required for career growth. Secondly, I want to really make a stand for inclusive beauty. It's a big vision, it’s a shared vision and it's time.

Personally I am a work in progress so in 5 years I will be learning and growing, and excited about the future, pushing the boundaries of my potential and working to  make a difference in the lives of other women.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

There’s nothing that I would change personally. Of course it feels different when you're in the thick of your journey, but when I look back  I can see the threads of cohesion and flow which makes it all make sense and ultimately feel timely. I'm a big believer in my two favourite words of serendipity and synchronicity! Ultimately in the words of the famous song ‘I did it my way’.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?

Because they need to understand that dreams and a vision are vital to a life of purpose.

It's essential for them to link dreams with goals and a clear timeline to achieve those dreams. That's the secret they need to know because dreams don't work unless you do! Women have over the years often struggled to find our voice in the world, whether educationally, at work or in business; fortunately over the last few years there has been a huge uplifting surge of woman power globally, and it's this that I hope is motivating and inspiring. I'm certainly motivated and inspired by it daily. There's a quote by Maya Angelou that I love love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass." .

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?

It's a long list but it's worth remembering:

• Do your research 
• have a clear vision 
• speak to and keep company with positive, growth orientated people
• do some sort of business plan to guide you 
• plan, plan and plan again
• enjoy the journey
• trust your intuition
• have your cheerleaders nearby 
• learn new skills
• set sustainable targets 
• control your budget
• look after yourself.

What or who inspires you in business and why?

I have always been inspired by my mother, and my late father. My parents are phenomenal groundbreakers who in the 70’s took a chance, moved to NYC and started businesses. Today my mother continues to learn new skills and seek new business opportunities. I am inspired.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

That's a tricky question because I have so many, a couple of which I’ve already mentioned so here's a few more…I love a great quote!

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." Maya Angelou

"Don't tell us the sky is the limit when there are footsteps on the moon.” Unknown

“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.” Maya Angelou

www.wowbeauty.co

email: denise@wowbeauty.co

twitter: @WOWbeaute

www.leadership3sixty.com

email: denise@leadership3sixty.com

twitter: @leadership3sixt 

2inspire Network Men's Special Profile: Lawrence Zidyana of Hona Media

Lawrence Zidyana is the Founder of Hona Media, a video production company that tell stories using moving pictures and sounds. He writes, shoots and edits short films, documentaries, music videos and events. He is also the host of Sadza With Chips, a podcast that's irreverent about African news.

Lawrence Zidyana

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

The thing I love about filming is that, just like each job, no work day is the same. Nothing is typical. My day depends on what stage of production. After discussing client's film/video needs I get into pre-production. That is when I scout locations if needed, draft storyboards and make sure I source the necessary equipment. Production is when I film or record audio and that is never in the same location. Post production/editing  is when I spend a lot of time on my computer and make all the audio, video, pictures and animation make sense. I am usually in touch with a client when I have a draft version to show them. I also have different days when I have a film out and need to promote it.

What made you start the business and what steps did you take to start operating as a business?

I made a few of my own films which many people liked. Some of them contacted me to make films for money. To start operating as a business I needed a bit better equipment so I opened an account with a rental company.

Lawrence filming for "In My Kitchen" 

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

I made a film called Am I Not A Mother? featuring Zimbabwean women discussing post natal depression. It was very well received, was featured on Zimbabwean state radio, got me my first TV interview and was screened at the British Film Institute. I also directed and edited a two part documentary filmed in northern Nigeria exploring the effects of Boko Haram terrorists on residents. The client who gave me the job has been invited to speak at a stake holders meeting on the 26 October to discuss humanitarian aid with the Nigerian Vice President who watched and was touched by the film.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?
Convincing some people about the cost of video production. It is not simply pointing a camera, it is about the time and skill.


What are your future plans for the business?

We are in production for a web series called In My Kitchen at the moment. It going to be good. In the long run I would love to do a TV series, thriller or comedy. A documentary would be just fine as well. TV is big at the moment. Call me I am ready.

Lawrence on Set

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would start much sooner and not worry too much about equipment

What’s the best compliment you could receive in business?
Being told what I have made is beautiful. Image wise and story wise.


Why is it so important to inspire the next generation  to follow their dreams?

For me following your dreams helps you find yourself and your identity. Doing what you have a passion for means you explore it so much more and that process will test you as a person. The results could help build your character and you will find where you belong. Isn't that what we are all searching for? 

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?
Do not worry about equipment. Have confidence and make sure you learn how to tell a good story. 

What or who inspires you in business and why?
I am inspired by creativity. There are some pretty smart people out there. When I watch their films I go "wow how did they think of that?" I am also inspired by well made low budget films that make big money. I would love to do that. Allow me to dream.


What is your favourite inspirational quote?

Trust me man it's okay - it is actually a line from a song by rapper 50 Cent. I am a pretty calm person and to me that is like a trigger word to get steady. In any situation I want to be able to always say that and be convinced that things are really under control.

Watch Hona Africa Films on YouTube

Tweet @honaafrica and @lawrieblaz

Great line up of exhibitors, entertainment and activities at the 2inspire Network Winter Fayre this Saturday, 7th November 2015

We have a great day lined up for attendees to our Winter Fayre on Saturday 7th November at Croydon Fairfield Halls:

---

Take a look at some examples of some of the products available on the day from exhibitors:
Almocado, KaiPD Designs, Black Secret Make up, Scentsy, Jazzieotextile, Funky Sisters, Younique, Shea Decadence, Tropic, Dee Jewels & Gems, Colour Creations, Eminence Mode, Ritatari Designs and our event Sponsor:Cupcakes by LaLa Plus more.

---

 

Kids activites, facepainting and fun from Kids Bee Happy & K Enterprises:  

Live entertainment from Candice Chenade + more

 with a special guest performance from Lara Lee (BBC1,The  Voice finalist) who will be showcasing her business brand: So Naturally Divine.



In addition, in line with the 2inspire Network agenda we are offering a business clinic as a special bonus for business owners that attend.

Entry is free all day, registration is not necessary for free entry but those who pre-register get automatically entered into our raffle prize draw sponsored by Sony:
For more information about the event or to register please click on the registration link below
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2inspire-network-free-winter-fayre-tickets-18916464655

2 inspire Network Men's Special Profile: John Byrne - Theatre & Entertainment Industry Careers Advisor

John Byrne combines his own successful career as a writer, artist and broadcaster with his work as Entertainment Industry Career Advisor for The Stage newspaper, helping a wide range of actors, singers, presenters and artists develop their careers. In addition to his Stage work he runs Actors Business Plan workshops and one to one sessions across the country. He is associate director of New Wonder Management a talent agency representing a diverse range of established and emerging artists as well as a tutor for the London Art College, and is also a huge draw (pun intended!) at festivals nationwide with his Learn to Draw Cartoons Live show. 

 

Image by Kirstin Reddington

What is a typical working day for you?

I’ve always been an early riser, so it’s good to get the creative work done at the least ‘distraction heavy’ time of the day. I’ll usually start the day with a short period of prayer and meditation, focusing both on the day ahead, but also on what I am grateful for from the day just gone. You can always find something, even in a difficult period, and when you do, you start the new day on a much more positive and hopeful note. I tend to divide my day between mornings where I work on my own projects, which might range from Journalism for The Stage or Cartoons for Private Eye and other publications, as well as more long term script and book work.  Afternoons are the time when other people’s projects and careers are more the focus. There are often theatre shows or events to attend in the evening, so I try to take some time out around lunchtime to go for a walk, as having your bum on a seat all day is never a good thing!  Not every day is typical, but probably the one thing I have learned in almost 30 years of self-employment is that keeping to good routines and systems as much as you can is pretty essential.

What made you start the business and what steps did you take to start operating as a business?

I realised I was spending as much time consulting with other people on advancing their arts careers as I was working on my own. Economically, I had the choice to either focus solely on me or to try and make the advisory side at least cover its costs. I set up a website as the ‘Showbusiness Life Coach’ (Cringe!) in the early days of the net, and got a surprising number of clients…but in working with them I realised that what arts people need most is not big ‘lifecoachy’ visions and ideas (they are already good at those) but very practical business advice and support to make a practical plan and stick with it until they see results.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

As I have been advising and mentoring for almost two decades now, the best feeling is being able to feature successful performers in my Stage column whose stories can inspire others, knowing that I may have once given those people their first press coverage or helped with their own original career plan.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

The biggest challenge is doing business ethically in the entertainment and arts industry and making it work-you can quite easily create a business ripping off people who have acting, singing or writing dreams-they will pay huge amounts of money (often way outside what they can afford) for workshops, seminars and ‘secrets’ most of which are of no practical value. I don’t want to be yet another person who takes advantage of that. In addition to offering quality support, I try to make my service affordable to people who are on a low budget. That can involve creative thinking whether it is linking up with government training organisations or industry events (so that they fund the work and the clients can access at low cost) or doing the occasional ‘pay what you can’ day of one to one sessions.

John with recent participants at an Actors Business Plan Workshop held at Spotlight in London.

What are your future plans for the business?
I’m keen to explore using the power of the net and social media to reach more people, but without losing the ‘human touch’. The arts can be a very lonely business and often it is contact with just one other person who is actually on their side which actors and singers-even very famous ones- most need.


If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Interesting question-when I started off as a cartoonist and comedy writer in Ireland, there was no internet so I had to physically come to London to find work. If I was starting now, I often wonder if I could have stayed in Ireland and worked from there. I love Ireland, but I have met so many wonderful people over here that I certainly don’t regret having had to make the move.


What’s the best compliment you could receive in business?

While most of the work I do is helping people to achieve goals, occasionally performers have decided not to do something, even to the extent of turning down what on the surface have been financially attractive offers, because I felt the jobs were ultimately not in their best interest.

One person even turned down a major prime-time TV spot because I felt it was setting her up rather than building her up. I am always really grateful and humbled by that level of trust.

Why is it so important to inspire the next generation to follow their dreams?
Hard work is important, but it is hope which inspires hard work. So many young people are told ‘somebody like you can never achieve something like that’. Without playing down the work and sacrifice which might be involved we need to reassure them that though not everybody starts with equal opportunity, everybody has equal value and the right to our support in creating more diverse opportunities to even that balance. 

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?  It is neither easy nor impossible. It’s both an art form and a business and to succeed, your time and focus needs to be divided sensibly between being your best at both.

What or who inspires you in business and why?  My wife Lola Williams is going to say I am only picking her because she is my wife, but that’s not true. She is an excellent actress who has juggled her talent, her work as a high level programme director and the needs of the family for years, and who, as the director of the New Wonder agency is hugely and genuinely committed to supporting other artists in developing their own careers, based on the lessons she has learned building her own.

She can also work late into the night to finish a project, and then watch her favourite crime shows, which as a morning person who is fit for nothing but dreamland by 11pm, is a constant source of wonder to me!

John and his wife Lola Williams at the National Television Awards

What is your favourite inspirational quote? 
It’s not really a quote as much as something I occasionally hear God whispering to me whenever I realise that I’m not half as calm, positive and in control as my ‘public’ self likes to pretend: ‘’Relax…I’ve GOT this.’’ God probably has to whisper this quite often-it’s just that I usually have to get to the end of myself to be ready to listen.

Contact details:

John’s performing careers website:

www.performingcareers.com

John’s cartoon website:

www.johnbyrnecartoons.com

New Wonder Management Website:

www.newwondermanagement.co.uk

Twitter: @dearjohnbyrne

The Stage newspaper www.thestage.co.uk

John Byrne is originally from Dublin Ireland, and his work in the arts encompasses regular journalism and cartooning for a wide range of publications such as The Stage, Private Eye, The Guardian, Media Week, The Bookseller and many more. He has authored over 40 books for publishers ranging from Random House to Harper Collins including Writing Comedy (now in its 4th edition) and Learn to Draw Cartoons which reached 12 editions. Broadcast work has included on air and behind the scenes roles for BBC, Nickelodeon, Five and Virgin, while theatrical work has included Opera, Comedy and Musical Theatre. In John’s careers role, he regularly speaks at venues ranging from The Guildhall, Portsmouth University, University of Cumbria, The Brits School, Stanmore College, NSDF, Surviving Actors, Perform and The Edinburgh Festival, often in conjunction with Drama UK, Spotlight and other industry bodies. Hi ongoing work for The Stage involves regularly interviewing successful performers and industry leaders across the domestic and international scene (currently 1200 plus and counting), as well as contributing to publications and broadcasts ranging from Young Performer magazine to the Actors Podcast and the popular In Anything Blog.