The third instalment of the International Series, I am excited to bring to you my guest and godbrother – Independent Music Artist 720 goD.

In his own words…

D21 aka 720 goD

Revolutionary minded music…

Radical and Freeing.

From A Father And Friend Of Humanity.

Forever A Fighter Forever Fighting

When is…

720goD aka D21

In this episode you will hear wise words of wisdom from 720 goD, born in east London but spent his early years in the Bronx New York, USA. In 2004, 720 goD retuned to London and has carved a unique sound and following, where his music has gathered support from the UK urban industry with international performances in the USA and Eastern Europe.

Business Contacts

Music: https://d21-creative-support.myshopify.com

YouTube: TheOnlyD21

IG  @720god_blackmobb

FB @TheOnlyD21

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia

The international series is here which highlights entrepreneurs who have moved from their birth country to start a new life elsewhere.

If you know me, you would know that my favourite music genres are Roots & Culture and Dancehall. Having the opportunity to share the employability matters couch with CJ Joe was such a pleasure. In this episode CJ Joe openly shares his passion and influences of reggae music, purpose and reasons why he left Japan as well as understanding the importance of being positive during these unprecedented times.

Throughout his career CJ Joe has performed in Japan, Jamaica, United States, Canada, UK & Europe, strictly influenced by Bob Marley, Garnet Silk and Dennis Brown.

His past history goes way back from 1993 releasing various Japanese Reggae singles, full and compilation album's in Japan.

CJ Joe in his past has opened up for various superstars in Japan, Jamaica, US, UK & EU, including Buju Banton as well as being able to cross over to the Hip Hop scenes and opened up for the Wu-Tang Clan. Other front acts in Japan Include icons such as Johnny Osbourne, Maxi Priest, Yami Bolo, Brigadier Jerry, Admiral Tibet, Everton Blender, Jah Mason, Inner Circle, Rankin Joe, Macka Diamond, G Wizz and many more.

He is one of a kind "Original" via "Old & The New" that no one has ever listened to or ever have seen before.

Business Contacts:

Website  http://www.cjjoefareast.com/

IG  https://www.instagram.com/cjjoefareast/

FB https://www.facebook.com/people/CJ-Joe-Fareast/100008383996411/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjkxK4BwUgsKRDjIrGvC7nA

Purchase music and new singles Hold On and EN-JOY-LIFE available now!

Sound Cloud https://soundcloud.com/cj-joe-fareast

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QIGqXhhFOyAm8aXAYPjhk

Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cj-joe/1164154098

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia

The international series is here which highlights entrepreneurs who have moved from their birth country to start a new life elsewhere.

I visited Ghana in 2003 and it left a lasting impression on me, so I was very happy to speak with Samantha Barrett-Acquah who moved from the UK to Ghana in 2008. 

In this episode Samantha shares her career journey as well as provides useful tips for those who might want to live in Ghana.

Prior to moving to Ghana, Samantha worked with young people aged 7-21 and undertaken roles such as Senior Practitioner for the Youth Offending Service and a Business Mentoring Programme Manager at a Further Education college in the UK.

This amazing woman wears several hats, she is also the Co-founder and Director of an online tutoring company called Aspiring Minds Academy and works as a full-time School Counsellor & Leadership Coach within an international school based in Ghana, Accra.

Business Contacts

http://www.aspiringmindsacademy.com/

FB & IG @ aspiringmindsacademy

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia

In this episode we focus on the funeral industry and the role of a Civil Celebrant.

Never heard about this job before? Well, in this episode you will hear from Maxine L Edgar Founder of BronzeAsh Funerals, who shares her insights about her career as a Civil Celebrant, which she describes as "the best job in the world".

In Maxine's words..

“I was fed up of listening to badly written Eulogies and hearing Ministers portray untrue images off the deceased; often distant and at times absolute folly. I became frustrated with angry sermons on sin and hell; executed without love by the untrained.

During my training, I realised that there was much more to funerals than we know. There is a changing face in funerals. Families are no longer being dictated by establishments that have little empathy or passion for funerals. As an independent Celebrant and Funeral Arranger, I encourage my families to be creative with their funeral ceremonies.

BronzeAsh Funerals work with families in creating and presenting a ceremony that is primarily focused on the life of the deceased. There is little that cannot be achieved at our funerals; we ensure that the client is given a choice and we listen to them!"

Business Contacts

https://www.bronzeashfunerals.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

FB @bronzeashfunerals

IG @maxinemitchelledgar

For careers & training information check out:

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/funeral-director

https://jobs.coop.co.uk/funeralcare

https://independentcelebrants.com/find-a-celebrant/

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia

The spotlight is on the health industry, in particular Occupational Therapy.

In this episode you will hear from Ofe Kogbodoku who shares her insights about her career journey as an Occupational Therapist, working within the NHS.

Ofe completed her degree at Plymouth University and has risen throughout the ranks. She has vast experience within this occupation including working in a senior role in emergency medicine, frailty as well as a placement coordinator for student learning.

For careers & training information check out:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/occupational-therapist

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/occupational-therapist

https://www.rcot.co.uk/about-occupational-therapy/become-an-occupational-therapist/how-become-occupational-therapist

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia

Prior to the pandemic, the creative industries were one of the fastest growing parts of the UK economy. They are defined by the UK government as “those industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property”. Source: https://www.creativeindustriesfederation.com/statistics

So this episode focusses on the creative art industries and features Sam Addo, who is the Founder of Shaddow Group, which is a mixed media company and includes an impressive list of clientele.

Born and raised in the heart of East London, Sam discovered his passion for the film and TV industry, through creating his own documentaries & music videos at the tender age of 15.

Sam's creative flare led to him being given the opportunity to work as a Promo Director for the BBC in the early noughties. After a few years at the BBC Sam honed his skills further by creating the popular youth show No Bling! TV, which was designed to give uk talent a voice. He was the Head of Production at Channel U (at the time was Europe’s biggest youth entertainment TV station).

With an exciting musical film project in the pipeline and his debut feature film Cards on the Table now available on Amazon Prime, Sam adds to his list of achievements all the while helping others progress in the industry.

Business Contacts

http://www.shaddowgroup.com

IG @shaddowgroup

FB @shaddowgroup

Amazon Prime: Cards On The Table | Available to stream now

For careers & training information check out:

https://www.intofilm.org/theme/72/about

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/media-and-internet/jobs-in-the-film-industry

https://www.creativeindustriesfederation.com/about

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia

I am a greeting cards addict! I so love the process of selecting the cards to writing personal messages for my family and friends. 

I also love receiving them too.

So, you can imagine how excited I was when I had the opportunity to interview Sarah Bishop, who is the founder of Jambo Cards, which is an online diverse greeting cards retailer. Jambo Cards fills a gap in the current retail industry by stocking a vast range of black greeting cards and works with 10-12 black creatives.

Sarah states 'it's important that consumers feel represented when purchasing goods, so Jambo Cards aims to help with that’. I fully agree and have purchased a few cards from the site myself! 

Sarah is also a Chartered Accountant by trade and contracts for film and TV. She is also the Founder of www.businessofcolour.com a recourse for Black businesses and start-ups, which shares tips for ways to access finance and shares key tools for effective business and charity management.

This woman is amazing 🤩 

Business Contacts

http://www.jambocards.com

IG @jambocards

FB @jambocards

For careers & training information check out:

https://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en.html

https://productionguild.com/training-hub/current-courses/

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia x

Its all about LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ❤️   

It was with great pleasure that Zara Muirhead the Founding Director of Love Literacy, joined me for this episode of Employability Matters.

Love Literacy is an English and Maths Intervention Provision which was established to raise the academic achievement of all children. Zara has over 13 years’ experience as a qualified teacher, specialising in literacy intervention, mainstream education and Inclusion.

Love Literacy which has been in operation for 8 years includes an online learning platform, ensuring there are no barriers to children’s progress- not even a National lockdown.   

Her Master’s degree and middle leadership experience has contributed to the success of her work with Love Literacy and hundreds of students from age 5 through to adults.   

Most recently, Zara has self-published a creative journal entitled, I Heard the Word. Inspired by her 2 children, this journal provides a space for reflection, inspiration and personal growth.  

Recorded November 2020.

Business Contacts

http://www.love-literacy.com

IG: @loveliteracyltd

FB: @loveliteracy

IG: @iheardthewordjournal

FB: @iheardthewordjournal

For careers & training information check out:

www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia x

A spotlight on the fitness industry. 

The global gym industry is worth $96.7 billion in 2020. (www.statista.com) The last year of lockdown measures has heightened the importance and value of keeping fit to take care of your long term health wellbeing.

Have you ever wanted to pursue a career within the fitness industry?

OR possibly set up your own fitness brand?

Well, I am pleased to introduce you to Shanice, who is the proud owner of S Core Fitness. Shanice is a 25 year old entrepreneur. She holds a degree in marketing/ events management and has a background in HR Recruitment.

Shanice has an unswerving passion for fitness training and in this episode you will hear about her entrepreneurial journey starting S Core Fitness, which is an online brand that sells affordable accessories from sweat belts to resistance bands. Perfect for everyday use at the home or gym, which can be purchased via amazon or the website.

Her motto is ‘Health is Wealth’ and I truly see Shanice as an ambassador of the fitness industry.

S Core Fitness has been in operation for almost 2 years and has customers from all over the world including South Africa, New York, Germany and France.

Recorded December 2020.

Business Contacts

http://www.s-corefitness.com

IG @s_core_fitness

For careers & training information check out:

https://www.leisurejobs.com/jobs/fitness-jobs/

https://careers-in-sport.co.uk/health-and-fitness/

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia

A spotlight on the fitness industry. The global gym industry is worth $96.7 billion in 2020. (www.statista.com) The last year of lockdown measures has heightened the importance and value of keeping fit to take care of your long term health wellbeing.

Have you ever wanted to pursue a career within the fitness industry?

OR possibly set up your own fitness brand?

Well, I am pleased to introduce you to Shanice, who is the proud owner of S Core Fitness. Shanice is a 25 year old entrepreneur. She holds a degree in marketing/ events management and has a background in HR Recruitment.

Shanice has an unswerving passion for fitness training and in this episode you will hear about her entrepreneurial journey starting S Core Fitness, which is an online brand that sells affordable accessories from sweat belts to resistance bands. Perfect for everyday use at the home or gym, which can be purchased via amazon or the website.

Her motto is ‘Health is Wealth’ and I truly see Shanice as an ambassador of the fitness industry.

S Core Fitness has been in operation for almost 2 years and has customers from all over the world including South Africa, New York, Germany and France.

Recorded December 2020.

Business Contacts

http://www.s-corefitness.com

IG @s_core_fitness

For careers & training information check out:

https://www.leisurejobs.com/jobs/fitness-jobs/

https://careers-in-sport.co.uk/health-and-fitness/

Join the conversation and community online through our social channels here:

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia