It's rare to sit down with a person who is equally as obsessed with freelancing and delve deep into topics that have consumed you for years. This is one of those moments.

Our conversation traversed from the teachability of business to the significance of language, the pros and cons of AI, and the future landscape of freelancing. Although we aim to keep each episode consice, there were too many juicy morcels that we had to keep them in and release a longer episode than normal. 

Robert Vlach is a leading expert on freelance entrepreneurship and a senior business consultant specialising in supporting independent professionals and business owners. His book The Freelance Way, has become an international business bestseller translated into five other languages. Robert is the founder of Freelancing.eu and Navolnenoze.cz — two of the largest freelance communities in Europe. 

On this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Helen Hill, a remarkable individual whose journey is a testament to resilience, resourcefulness, and a touch of unexpected brilliance. 

Battling two chronic health conditions, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, my guest’s mornings often started with tears at the foot of her bed and physical and emotional exhaustion so acute that it led to her to fall asleep behind the wheel, more than once. 

Navigating a landscape where mental health struggles were met with scepticism from her own team, she found herself ensnared in a toxic environment where understanding and compassion were scarce commodities. 

This pattern culminated in a meltdown whilst in the office and served as a catalyst for change. She decided to seize control of her life, leave the rigidity of traditional employment and forge her own path as a freelancer. 

Through freelancing, she discovered the power of autonomy, shaping her schedule to fit her needs rather than the other way around.

In less than two years, my guest has transformed her narrative, taken ownership of her journey and documented it in a book. ‘Falling Off The Ladder” is a mindset manual for those who don't fit the one-size-fits-all workplace culture, who have been pushed out or treated like they are broken, and now want to succeed in self-employment. Throughout the book, we not only gain an insight into my guest’s journey but also hear from other inspirational individuals who have made strong choices to take control of their professional lives.

Students Are Unprepared For Today's World Of Work was the provacation we put to Victoria Fabbri, an Enterprise Manager at the University of the Arts London for this episode of Freelancers: Next Gen.

UAL is known for its work nurturing freelancers and small businesses in the creative industries and Vicky's 15+ years of experience came to the fore in this fascinating conversation. 

We explore the current working landscape from the perspective of solopreneurship, the expectations of students, innovative solutions to real-world freelance experience and lots more. 

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As the Associate Director of Careers and Employability at Goldsmiths University in London, my guest is faced with a rapidly changing world of work and adapting to the way students are engaging with their university experience.

We discuss the challenges faced by universities when it comes to engagement, whether or not the current system of measuring success is fit for purpose and how Goldsmiths integrate principles of diversity and inclusion into their services.

We are delighted to welcome, Yasmina Mallam-Hassam.

Welcome to Freelancers: Next Gen podcast. In this episoide I had the pleasure of speaking with an actor turned academic who, after many years imparting his entrepreneurial wisdom, is planning a return to the world of freelancing.

We delve into the intricacies of teaching entrepreneurship, explore the impact of politics on budding freelancers, and propose innovative ways for universities to align with the evolving demands of the modern work landscape. 

It's my great pleasure to introduce Steven Sparling. 

Join me as I host a true trailblazer in the world of freelancing and entrepreneurship. 

My guest today not only champions diversity and inclusion, she lives and breathes it in every aspect of her remarkable journey. As a business owner, freelancer, consultant, devoted mother, mentor, and presently a lecturer in Enterprise Education at Cardiff Met University, she's exemplified what it means to walk the walk.

We discuss the highs and lows of launching a fashion brand tailored to Muslim women, to her unwavering belief in the transformative power of role models. We outline the need to champion more role models emerging from diverse backgrounds to authentically inspire the generations to come.

Allow me to introduce you to the incredible Rifhat Quershi.

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Welcome to our latest episode where we embark on a journey into the realm of higher education strategy and the challenges faced by the next generation of freelancers. Our guest of honour is the accomplished Pro Vice Chancellor Student Enterprise & Entrepreneurship at Anglia Ruskin University, Gary Packham.

Join us as we uncover the intricacies of his pivotal role, exploring his key responsibilities and focal points within the institution. With a personal chair in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Gary shares the experiences that have fueled his unwavering commitment to these areas in higher education.

Drawing from a background steeped in strategic planning and organisational development, we delve into how Gary ensures Anglia Ruskin University remains at the forefront of a rapidly evolving Higher Education landscape.

We broaden the scope to understand how supporting entrepreneurship benefits the university as a whole. Plus, Gary generously offers insights into both short-term plans and long-term aspirations for Anglia Ruskin University in the context of enterprise and entrepreneurship.

For all the enterprise leaders seeking to bolster their cohorts and students aspiring to blend entrepreneurial ventures with traditional education, Gary imparts invaluable advice that you won't want to miss. Tune in for an episode brimming with wisdom and forward-thinking strategies.

In a candid conversation, our Founder, Matt Dowling, sat down with the erudite Cerys Jayne Murray, a scholarly Master's student at the University of Nottingham, who simultaneously assumes the roles of a part-time barista and a freelance content creator.

Together, they delved into the intricate realms of university support, or rather the lack thereof, that confronts ambitious freelancers like Cerys. They also discussed the delicate balance between work, life, and education that she valiantly strives to maintain, the challenge faced by students when asking to be paid for their services, and the profound psychological hurdles plaguing students, including imposter syndrome, inhibiting them from confidently valuing the worth of their skills.

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In our latest 'Next Gen' series, the insightful Zsofia Kunvari, a professional in the realm of Enterprise Education, Well-Being, and Organisational Behaviour, delves into the current mental health challenges faced by students who aspire to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey while juggling academics. From the pressure of launching a freelance business, side hustle or startup, to finding that perfect balance between work, life and study.

Zsofia also sheds light on the ways universities are stepping up to support their enterprising students. From tailored resources and mentorship programs to fostering a culture of openness, compassion and understanding, universities are playing a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of business leaders, and yet, there are still gaping holes in support and plenty of room for improvement.

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The sixth annual IAN conference, run by the Centre for Entrepreneurs and hosted, took place this June at Sheffield Hallam University. This flagship annual event convened incubator managers from across the UK for best-practice sharing, networking and collaboration. The Founder of Freelancer Club, Matt Dowling, was invited to provide insights into the freelance journey and share some data on the challenges faced by students and universities. 

Among the distinguished presenters was James Ker-Reid, co-founder of Revenue Academy. Following the presentations, Matt and James struck up a conversation over a cup of coffee, wherein they discovered a shared vision for nurturing the upcoming generation of entrepreneurs as well as a sense of frustration regarding the challenges faced by founders and freelancers in their pursuit of success.

Recognising the potential significance of their chat, they made a decision to convene, unpack these issues, and record their conversation in order to offer their insights to universities, students, and stakeholders alike.

Topics 

1. The critical differences between starting a business and freelancing
2. Can entrepreneurialism really be taught? 
3. The S Word - the role of sales in the startup/freelance sector
4. Why are more students keen to be their own boss? 
5. What’s the new reality of starting a business or becoming a freelancer? 

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