What It's Like ... with Luce

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with founder and CEO of Grypmat, the multi purpose non-slip flexible tool tray. Coming from a small conservative farming town in Ohio, this week’s guest didn’t grow up in an area that encouraged becoming hugely successful. Struggling with imposter syndrome, he began his working life in the Airforce National Guard so he could go to college and study mechanical engineering. From his early days playing with lego, he’d always had a knack for innovation so it was no surprise that on identifying a big pain point in his job as a jet mechanic, he set about creating a solution. Tired of his tools sliding off the curved surface of the aircraft, he took inspiration from the non-slip phone mat in his mom’s car and Grypmat was born. Bringing the product to life is only the beginning of his incredible story as he quickly sold to the likes of NASA, the FBI, Disney and secured fans in the Shark Tank judges where he appeared to successfully pitch his idea. Named one of 2018’s best innovators by Time Magazine, here’s what it’s like to be Tom Burden.

Shop Grypmat here and follow them on social media here @grypmat

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with an Irish TCR racing driver and finalist of Motorsport Ireland/Sport Ireland Young Driver of The Year. A true family affair, this week’s guest grew up surrounded by motorsports. Taking advantage of the go-karts they had in the garage, he quickly fell in love and worked hard to take things to the next level. Being nominated for Young Driver of the Year, opened doors for him and his time in single seaters took him from Formula Vee all the way to Asia to compete with Formula 4 and test a Formula 3 car. Now trying his hand at Tour Car Racing, he is battling his way through the championship with his eyes firmly locked on the top spot. Sharing his experiences so far, here’s what it’s like to be Max Hart.

Keep up to date with Max and his racing career by following him @maxhartracing

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with founder and CEO of Huckletree, a company building co-working hubs and communities across the UK and Ireland. Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, this week’s guest knew from an early age what it would take to create a successful business. However, despite studying the subject at university, it was the world of film that first caught her eye for which she moved to New York to pursue. Coming to the realisation that becoming a working actress was perhaps an unrealistic career for the ambitious entrepreneur, she decided to leave it and the city behind and pick up her life back in London. She didn’t return from America with nothing though, as during her time there she discovered the concept of co-working and had an idea brewing ever since. Enlisting the help of her co-founder once settled back in the UK, she set to work drawing up plans for what would soon become Huckletree, her very own collection of co-working spaces with an emphasis on supporting innovation and cultivating communities. Sharing how she did it and everything in between, here’s what it’s like to be Gabriela Hersham.

To see what Huckletree has to offer, visit https://www.huckletree.com and keep up to date with them on social media @huckletree

Follow Gabriela on social media @gabrielahersham

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with one of Amsterdam’s rising music stars. Growing up in the home of EDM, it didn’t take long before this week’s guest had transformed his childhood bedroom into a makeshift studio. Teaching himself the ins and outs of mixing via Youtube tutorials and industry blogs, at just thirteen years old he was ready to take the stage and entertain crowds. It was during this time he secured his first gig with the help of friend Martin Garrix and from there, things only went up. Deciding to pursue the career full time, he delved into producing his own tracks and landed his first international show playing the opening slot at Ushuaïa Ibiza. Not long after, he teamed up with Martin once again and released the track that would attract eyes from some major record labels. Since that day, the Justin Mylo brand has grown from strength to strength and the 24 year old has no intentions of stopping anytime soon. Chatting to me about the early days, pressures of living such a hectic lifestyle, the effects of the virus and his new release Still Around, here’s what it’s like to be Emilio Behr.

Listen to Still Around here and follow Emilio on social media here 

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with CEO and founder of Ground Plan Studio marketing agency and Peace Over Pieces domestic abuse non profit. Coming from a multi-national family, growing up in the conservative state of Missouri was an interesting experience for this week’s guest. Being made to feel different due to the ethnicity of her parents wasn’t the only hurdle she had to overcome however, as she was also a victim of domestic abuse. At just 16, realising the severity of her family’s situation, she founded a drop shipping company in an attempt to earn money to move her mother and siblings out of home. The setting up of her online store, Soak Boutique, gave the ambitious young founder an insight into what would become her entrepreneurial future. In junior year of college, inspiration struck her again as she brainstormed ways to pay her tuition fees and so was the beginnings of Ground Plan Studio. Fast forward six months, her marketing agency now boasts over 50 clients including the likes of Lisa Vanderpump and Postmates and her non profit organisation to help domestic abuse survivors connect, is in full bloom. Sharing her journey, here’s what it’s like to be Clara Baldwin.

For more information on Ground Plan Studio visit https://www.gpsmarketing.info and to learn more about Peace Over Pieces visit https://www.peace-over-pieces.org

Keep up with Clara on social media by following @clara.baldwin

It's the 50 TH EPISODE... and today I’m chatting to Youtube star and one of the UK’s biggest online influencers. From the start, this week’s guest knew he was heading for the world of entertainment. Interested in editing and stitching pieces of film together, he chose to study the subject at university where he fell in love with the idea of setting up a Youtube channel. Releasing fun challenge videos with his sister’s friend, it wasn’t long before he’d built up a following and made a name for himself in the online space. Going full time on the platform just six months after graduating uni, his audience now boasts numbers of over one million people and hasn’t stopped growing since the very first day he clicked upload. Sharing his thoughts on how Youtube has changed throughout the years, finding fame on the internet and his important decision to speak about mental health struggles on his channel, here’s what it’s like to be Mark Ferris.

Watch Mark's videos here and follow him on social media here 

*I can’t believe we’re already at 50 episodes so a huge thank you to anyone who continues to support the show, it means the world to me! Here's to 50 more!! 

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with an Irish professional triathlete, coach and founder of the #prison2pro programme. Growing up in Darndale, this week’s guest had dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Despite being faced with massive adversity, at age 15 he was scouted to play in Scotland where he was offered a youth training scholarship. Just six months into his time there, his future was shattered when he received the call from home telling him his father had been sentenced to prison for manslaughter. Returning to Ireland, he found himself in an impossible situation, being left to care for his five siblings without any parental guidance. Under threat in the community, he turned to a local criminal gang for protection and to put food on the table for his family. In 2013, this led to a two year prison sentence for drug offences. Leaving prison and witnessing the death of his close friend, he realised it was time to break the cycle and look towards creating a brighter future for himself and his family. Surrounding himself with positive people, one day he went to watch a triathlon and well, the rest is history. Now a professional Irish athlete and coach, he is hoping by telling his story he’ll inspire others to change their generation too. Here’s what it’s like to be Ger Redmond.

For more information on Ger's coaching programmes, visit https://gerredmond.com

Follow Ger on social media @gerredmond5

On today’s episode, I’m joined by one of Holland’s best up and coming DJs, producers and STMPD RCRDS artist. Beginning to mix music at just fifteen years old in his bedroom, it wasn’t long before this young creative from Apeldoorn, caught people’s attention. Curating a unique sound by mixing electronic genres, his energy gained fans in the likes of Martin Garrix who eventually signed him to his record label in 2018. Since then it’s been all guns blazing for the Dutch talent, putting out fresh music and touring some of the world’s biggest stages including Tomorrowland, Ultra Singapore, Mysteryland, Amsterdam Dance Event, as well as in China, Taiwan and Japan. Taking 2020 by storm with the release of his first EP, Void - here’s what it’s like to be Seth Hills.

Visit Seth's website here 

Listen to VOID here 

Follow Seth on Instagram here 

On today’s episode, I’m joined by fashion assistant and founder of Torey Iola Vintage. A creative from the very start, it wasn’t long before this week’s guest decided on a career in fashion, which would ultimately take her to the heart of the industry in the city of London. Quickly realising a lack of information and entry ports into the Irish industry, she shifted her focus to a course in London College of Fashion and was accepted to study fashion journalism where she’s been for the last few years. Since then she’s set up an online community to help others navigate kickstarting their career in the space and launched her own vintage depop shop. Sharing her experiences with internships in magazines such as Marie Claire and Fabulous, the realities of moving away from home for the first time, misconceptions about the industry, using social media to boost your chances and the contrast between opportunities in the UK and Ireland - here’s what it’s like to be Torey Cassidy.

Keep up with Torey on social media - @toreycassidy

Shop Torey Iola Vintage - https://www.depop.com/toreycassidy/ & @toreyiolavinatage

Visit Tastemakers for fashion career advice - https://www.tastemakersireland.com

On today’s episode, I’m chatting to author, speaker and co-founder of GEM Advertising. Growing up this week’s guest had quite the different start to life than what you would expect looking at his LinkedIn today. Putting on a pair of ice skates at the age of three, he had his sights set on taking his figure skating career all the way to the Olympics. Learning the harsh realities of failure at a young age when this didn’t happen, gave him the drive he needed to pursue his other passion for business and entrepreneurship. Now, co-founder of a multi million dollar advertising agency, TEDx speaker and author of Honest to Greatness, an observation on how today’s leaders use brutal honesty to achieve massive success - I think it’s safe to say all that time learning to pivot on the ice translated pretty well into real life as he transformed a hard situation into a fully fledged corporate success story. To tell us how he did it, here’s what it’s like to be Peter Kozodoy.

Visit Peter's website here 

Buy his book here 

Watch his TEDx Talk here 

Follow him on social media here