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This week, we sit down with Gemma Matten, Business Engagement Manager at the University of Suffolk, to unpack a career journey full of unexpected turns, tough moments, and bold decisions.

From working in recruitment and property sales, Gemma shares how redundancy during the 2008 recession and just after having a baby, pushed her into starting a business!
We talk honestly about the reality of self-employment, the pressure that comes with it, and why mindset matters more than having a perfect plan.

The conversation also dives into apprenticeships, employer engagement, networking without the awkward sales pitch, and how businesses can tap into student talent to solve real problems. Plus, we hear how an unexpected podcast studio purchase eventually led Gemma to becoming a podcast host herself.

Packed with practical advice, career lessons, and real-life perspective, this episode is for anyone navigating change, building something new, or wondering what could happen if they just took the leap.

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You definitely do not need a perfect story. We get into what actually works when the microphones are on: turning up as yourself, dropping the business façade, and speaking with the kind of honesty that makes listeners lean in.

Guests who are willing to give a little more than the safe, tidy answer create interviews that feel human and relatable. We also dig into why not taking yourself too seriously matters, especially on a business podcast where reputation can make people guarded. When the vibe is chilled and the chat is real, time disappears, guests open up, and the result often feels like a mini therapy session or a genuine trip down memory lane.

If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a mate who is guest-shy, and leave us a review. What do you think makes a brilliant podcast guest?

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The plan sounds straightforward: land a top banking job, grind hard, make serious money, and buy yourself freedom.

Richard Grainger actually lived that path, from studying Economics at University of Cambridge to working in Canary Wharf.
This conversation pulls back the curtain on what that lifestyle really looks like. We get into the brutal hours, the pressure that keeps you chained to your desk, and the survival mindset nobody teaches you when you’re applying for graduate schemes and dreaming about “making it” in the City.

Everything shifts once Asia enters the picture. Richard talks about the culture shock of Tokyo and Korea, why Hong Kong suddenly clicked, and how the lifestyle can quietly take over your identity. But there’s a trade-off: nonstop travel, relentless expectations, and family life constantly competing with work. He opens up about the regrets, the burnout, and the strange reality that your highest-earning year can also be your least fulfilling.

Now back in the UK building Clear Idea Finance, Richard shares what success looks like on his own terms.

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