Long Story Short

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/

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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:

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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:

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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

Becoming the best version of yourself!

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Dr Wayne Dyer (self-help, spiritual author and motivational speaker)

My guest for this episode is Julie Nelson, who is a Social Entrepreneur and Founder for JDN Consulting UK empowering women to be the best they can be! JDN Consulting UK delivers a selection of free personal development training courses for women living in London as well as working with organisations to deliver Corporate BeYou Personal and Career Development Programmes for Women.

Click to read testimonials and register for BeYou courses.

Business Socials and Contacts:

http://www.beyoutraining.org/

Email: [email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/jdnconsultinguk

Twitter: @jdnconsultinguk

IG: @jdnconsultinguk

For careers & training information check out:

https://www.the-sse.org/

https://luminalearning.com/about/about-us

https://mhfaengland.org/

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

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening. Remember to leave a comment and share this episode with those you care for.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia x

1. Did you know that jobs in e-commerce, healthcare and digital content freelancing are seeing the fastest growth in the UK ?  (LinkedIn list of roles on the rise for 2021).   

2. Did you know that Pharmacists are experts in medicines and their use?  

3. Did you you know that pharmacy is the third largest healthcare profession in Great Britain ? (source: www.rpharms.com)  

My special guest Linda Oparaocha was born in Nigeria and moved with her family to the UK at the age of 13. She completed her GCSE’s and A Levels at Sydney Russell and Robert Clack School respectively.  

Linda went on to complete her Pharmacy Degree at De Montfort University and gained further professional qualifications and achieved her Postgraduate in Clinical Pharmacy as well as Independent Prescribing.   

Pre- recorded November 2020.

For careers & training information check out:

https://moderndaymedics.com

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/pharmacy

https://www.rpharms.com/pharmacycareers

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/pharmacy

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/pharmacist

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

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Facebook

Thank you for listening.

Take good care of yourself!

Sophia x

A career within the British Armed Forces. 

The British Army says it is on track to meet its annual recruitment target for only the second time in eight years amid tentative signs that the pandemic crisis has acted as a “rallying cry to serve”. The Guardian 7/1/21

Apparently applications rise during periods of economic weakness. With high unemployment and economic uncertainty, the British Army might be a great career option for some.

This episode features my special guest Jameelia Cooper who is currently serving in the Royal Signals. They are the communication beacon of the army. 

Jameelia attended the University of West London achieving a BSc (Hons) in Social Work, however she soon discovered that she wanted a more arduous career. In her final year of university, Jameelia was inspired by an advert encouraging people to join the Army Reserves. Fast forward, she joined the Army Reserves in 2014 then decided to go full time and joined the regular British Army in 2016.

Working as a Communications Systems Operator, she operates a variety of communication kits and equipment, such as handheld airwave radio to building portable satellites. In addition her job role gives her opportunities to take part in ceremonial duties, providing situational awareness for the Royals and Heads of States.

Connect with Jameelia online:

Instagram: jamz_pc

Facebook: Jameelia Cooper

Snapchat: jamming_jamz

For careers & training information check out:

https://www.army.mod.uk/careers/

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/law-enforcement-and-security/armed-forces-careers

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

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you for listening & take good care of yourself!

Sophia