Passion & Hustle Podcast: Recent Episodes
Westminster Enterprise Network
Welcome to Passion & Hustle Podcast. We speak with a range of successful entrepreneurs, self-driven freelancers and motivated individuals that are here to help encourage you to hustle and turn your passion project into reality.
Brought to you by Westminster Enterprise Network from the University of Westminster.
In today's episode we are excited to welcome Sahar Zand. Our guest today is an award-winning journalist who has produced a range of award-winningstories from across the world, including some of the most remote and hostile environments. Our guest has worked for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, Vice, and a number of other international broadcasters.
In today's episode we are excited to welcome Neeraja Raj. Neeraja is an award-winning film director and storyteller from a person who has lived in manydifferent countries like Dubai, India and the UK and has produced incredible animated films. As a film director, our guest produces stories which entertain, educate, and most importantly, impact change. Our guest has worked with many NGO’s such as WaterAid where she helped them turn their worst year to one of their best by reaching 15.9 million people.
In today's episode we are excited to welcome Aniefiok Ekpoudom. Our guest is an award-winning writer and storyteller from South London who documents and explores British culture. As a writer and journalist, our guest tells stories about the voices, sounds and communities of contemporary Britain. Our guest has told people-driven stories and worked with some top brands including Nike, GRM Daily, British GQ and Netflix.
In today's episode we are excited to welcome Damon Bonser. Damon is the founder of The British Design Fund, an early-stage investment fund that specifically invests in, and provides support for, early stage UK product design and manufacturing companies. The Fund seeks to work with extraordinary entrepreneurs, with scalable products, who are ready to accelerate growth and build long term value and thriving stand-out businesses.)
In today's episode, we are excited to welcome Mae Yip & Sam Hornsby. We have the two founders of ERIC, an award-winning career exploration platform designed for 16 – 25-year-olds interested in the creative industries. Sam and Mae are obsessed with 'entertainment-first' education (why can't learning be fun, right?) and they are on a mission to enable young people to learn about their career options in the creative industries with their free-to-use platform, The ERIC App.
Today we talk to Henry Nicholson COO of The Rebel School, who takes on an alternative route with valuable insights into make starting a business achievable for anyone and everyone. So, let's tear up the rule book together and act, be prepared for a thoughtful and meaningful interview, loaded with lots of business gems that would appeal to anyone , no matter their starting point or background. The great part due to their sponsorship model all The Rebel School courses are free.
In today’s episode, we are excited to welcome Segun Akinwoleola who will share with us his business acumen creating great tasting super healthy food to fuel your lifestyle!
The Gym Kitchen provides high protein, macro friendly ready meals for health conscious on-the-go individuals living and working in today’s ever more fast-paced society.
Fuelled by his passion for change, Segun’s The Gym Kitchen range of food products and fitness advice will help set you apart from the rest. Segun has previously worked in FMCG for some major global companies and the Gym Kitchen is about good food and nutrition and that can help enhance a balanced fitness regime.
In today’s episode, we are excited to welcome Shahlaa Tahira. Shahlaa is an experienced TV presenter, BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ and podcast host. Her 1 hour talk show on BBC Radio 1Xtra covers current events and social issues, tackles difficult conversations and makes them relatable to a young audience of 16-25 year olds.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Aram Tufan. Aram is a University of Westminster graduate who has gone through our Big Idea Competition and was crowned champion of the Accelerator category last academic year. Our guest today can speak first hand of his experience starting a business whilst balancing his studies simultaneously. As well as recently receiving funding, our guest has had his business accepted onto the Microsoft Start Up Accelerator programme. We are excited to hear his highs and lows of starting a business as a student and how to take advantage of all the opportunities around you.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Declan Cassidy. Declan is a forward thinker who makes creative ideas a reality across community, technology, and education. Our guest today is the CEO of Into Games, a non-profit organisation set up to find and develop talent into the UK video games sector with a particular focus on underrepresented groups.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome an ecopreneur, a founder, sustainability lead and TedX speaker. Our guest has recently founded her sustainable skin care business that focuses on creating value from waste, for your skin. Scrubbee repurposes what would typically be considered ‘waste’ from a variety of levels within the beverage supply chain and upcycle’s them into affordable, effective cosmetics. Our guest is a confident public speaker and does not shy away from talking about the real issues that we face in society today.
In today's episode we welcome the founder of a family run business. The Alpine Pizza Co was inspired by fond memories of childhood ski trips to the Italian mountains where wood fired pizza was welcome fuel after a long day on the slopes. Our guests creative and practical skills came together when he designed and built a unique mobile catering trailer equipped with a wood fired pizza oven.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Yewande Akinola. Yewande is an award-winning Engineer and Innovator. Our guest’s experience and responsibilities include the design of sustainable systems, engineering design management of large projects, and manufacturing for construction in the built environment.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Ugur Tanriverdi. Ugur is the CEO and co-founder of Unhindr. Unhindr is an early-stage adaptive robotics company, which develops wearable devices by combining artificial intelligence with robotics and microfluidics in a unique, award-winning and innovative way.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Michel Masquelier, Michel is an entrepreneur that has spent over 3 decades at the heart of the sports industry. Making his way up the ladder at IMG Media from intern to chairman, he has become a respected leader in his field, and recognised as people’s manager. Michel is still a compulsive networker, but his passion has shift to stimulating education, especially amongst future generations.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Vandana Dass, the managing director of Davenport Solicitors, a specialist employment and immigration law firm based in London. Davenport Solicitors help businesses of all sizes, from large corporates to start ups, on all aspects of employment law and business immigration. Vandana was extremely proud to be named the winner of the “Rising Star in Law” category of London Asian Business Awards. These awards recognise, celebrate, and showcase the achievements of Asian men and women who greatly contribute to their industries in London.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Paul Woods. Paul is an LA based designer, author and CEO of global design agency Edenspiekermann. Paul graduated from the University of Westminster in 2011 with an MA Design for Communication Course. Paul has been at the helm of projects for organisations such as Red Bull, Google, Faraday Future, The City of Santa Monica, among many others over the course of his career.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Christopher Kenna, an entrepreneur and marketeer with over 12 years’ experience and a passion for diversity in media and marketing. His business, Brand Advance is the industry’s first dedicated global diversity media network.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Maxim Cramer, a CEO, technical coach, and consultant who helps women entrepreneurs create world-class software. Our guest has the ability to erase the gap between the technology and business, she’s worked on apps that have seen a million downloads on the first day and been featured in Apple retail stores around the globe.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome a social media guru, somebody who has taken digital marketing in her stride, having an abundance of experience in the industry, and now founding her own social media agency, The Self Hood. Working with clients such as Bills restaurant, Puttshack and Candy Kittens, our guest has helped give online interactions that more friendly feel and build a solid social media strategy.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Michael Edward Stephens, an LGBTQ+ wellbeing advocate, somebody who has overcame a series of life changing events and mental health challenges who is excited to share his story with us today. Stepping aside from his flourishing career in the creative industry we speak about how our guest has developed his non-profit organisation, WE CREATE SPACE.
In today’s episode we are excited to be joined by Harry Hough, managing director and founder of DvG Creative. Bearing an array of experience in different areas of the creative industry, Harry has worked in content creation, production, marketing, and advertising. We are delighted to have Harry join us today where we will discuss how he went from being a freelancer in the early years of his career to building his own business spanning across two major UK cities.
In today’s episode we are excited to be joined by Jake Nava, a ground-breaking Director who has displayed authenticity and integrity to a wide range of audiences. Jake’s impressive portfolio displays award winning music videos for A list artists such as Beyonce, Adele and Kanye West. Aside from directing music videos and commercials, Jake has worked with brands like Armani, Bacardi, and Remy Martin and in this interview, we dive into how he has gone about working with such huge names.
Jake is an Alumni of the University of Westminster with a breadth of experience and knowledge to make us all sit up and take notes.
In today’s episode we are excited to welcome Olivia Lucy, a printmaker and book designer who upon graduating from university in Norwich has decided to take working remotely to the next level. Basing herself in Cornwall she works as a freelancer and has taken on a new adventure by working from the back of her van in which she also lives. Not only this but whilst at university she started her own company, “Norridge Porridge”, a pop-up café in the heart of Norwich which proves that porridge is anything but boring!
In todays episode we are delighted to welcome Tobi Ajala from TechTee. Tobi is the Founder and lead of TechTee; a powerful digital agency specialising in spanning the void between software development, design and UX. We speak about some of the challenges she may have faced throughout her journey and what led to her being recognised in the "2021 Forbes European technology 30 under 30 list”.