I talk to Jake Pearce, the seventeen-year-old founder with four years of business experience under his belt. He talks about starting his first business at thirteen, the benefits of failure and the importance of having purpose in our life. Words, Rachel Byrne
The starting pistol has fired and she is off to a fighting start. London-based photographer, Tess Priya Washburn is embarking on a career in photography. I find out about her journey so far, and how growing up with a mixed cultural background has influenced her approach to life and her work. Words, Rachel Byrne.
We recently photographed Rosy Khalastchy of Beauchamp Estates; London-based, luxury real estate specialist. An authority in her field, with a wealth of experience, it made sense to ask her for business advice. What is the one piece of business advice she’d pass on? Read on to find out. Words, Rachel Byrne.
IMPERIAL COLLEGE’S Women in Business Society President CHAELIN LEE talks about her role. Wise beyond her years, she explains the benefits of gender diversity in the world of business, what she has learned from her role as President, and shares her favourite piece of business advice. Words, Rachel Byrne
Born in Japan, CYBER SECURITY Tech Founder TERUYOSHI ADACHI was playing with his father’s computers at three years old. By age six he was coding. A fascinating man with a dense CV, he loves to read, and tells me he can often be found with a book in his hands as he brushes his teeth in the morning. The Author, Lecturer, Industry Adviser and Tech-Founder explains his most recent start-up, as well as the importance of enjoying where you are in life, and why failure can be a necessary tool for success. Book recommendation hidden within. Words, Rachel Byrne.
I speak to RACHEL ARTHUR, founder of BOOM SALOON; a print publication and creative studio with a focus on democratising creativity for good. She speaks about Boom’s recent project which supports those affected by dementia. She also explains the cultural shift in mindset she has seen in regards to helping others over the past five years. A beautiful example of caring for others being central to a business’s DNA. Words, Rachel Byrne
Coach, speaker and author of the book ‘ENERGIZE’, SIMON ALEXANDER ONG is an expert on strategy, goal and life optimization. He explains the importance of not waiting, and reveals the challenges and blessings of writing his book. If you’re looking for inspiration, read on. Words, Rachel Byrne
DIGITAL MARKETING and Social-Media Strategist LAURIE WANG shares her advice on why it’s import to build your audience outside social media platforms, why creating boundaries is necessary when using social media for business and the thing that inspires her most about her job. Words, Rachel Byrne
MOHAMED ABDULLAHI is not a game developer. In fact, he works in e-commerce. He doesn’t know how to code, at least not well enough to create an app. But he had an idea for a game and so decided to create it. What lessons can we take away from his venture? Read on to find out. Words, Rachel Byrne
Law Graduate FARNAZ TOLOU has her sights set on FinTech Law. She is currently working at Apple’s head office whilst garnering industry experience through internships and work experience. She explains why being clued up on the law can protect us, and why she prefers the idea of ‘creating yourself’ instead of ‘finding yourself’.
Holland-based MARIEKE MCKENNA has worked in the music industry since she was just seventeen. She founded her record label MINK RECORDS at twenty-one and later, MINK PUBLISHING; a music publishing company. As well as running Mink, she teaches at The Conservatoire of Amsterdam and The Abbey Road Institute in Amsterdam – her phalanx of experience aggregated from the running of her label and managing artists. She gives us an insight to the challenges and rewards of running a record label, as well as the benefit of naivety and boldness when embarking on new terrain. Words, Rachel Byrne
Thoughts for a new year. A reminder of our natural creative advantage and why it is wise to nurture and make use of this valuable gift in both life and business. Words, Rachel Byrne
Meet Scott, a copywriter with an obsession with words and how we use them. He explains copyrighting, its influence in our every day lives, as well as showing us how we can use its principles to our advantage… and why sometimes, the fancy word just isn’t the best one to use.
Journalist and political columnist at the Financial Times, Janan Ganesh answers some quick-fire questions on what he enjoys most about his job and the challenges he faces, as well as sharing the advice that helped him early on in his career.
Founder of sustainable events consultancy, The Positive Event, I speak to Ying Ying Li two years after our first interview. She touches on why the pandemic inspired her to start her own business, and encourages us to be more aware of our environmental impact as hosts and attendees of events.
Founder of Phonesmart Ltd, a Glasgow-based tech recycling company, answers some quick fire questions on the challenges he navigates when running his company. He also gives his candid advice for anyone looking to step into the world of business.
The 101 on how to take a more professional looking portrait of yourself at home. Welcome to the world of portrait photography, where the nuanced of changes can make a big difference. Words, Rachel Byrne.
SUSTAINABILITY LEAD and REGIONAL DIRECTOR at engineering consultancy firm DSSR, FIONA WILLIAMSON gives us an insight into her world of structural engineering, offering her take on how we can begin to live more considered lives; from better engineering buildings, to the importance of making small changes everyday in our lives. Words, Rachel Byrne
I speak to RACHEL MASON about her role as SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST at sustainable engineering consultancy firm DSSR. She explains financial benefits of sustainable engineering, as well as the beauty of keeping an open mind. Words, Rachel Byrne
We were commissioned by Able2 – BT’s Disability People Network – to take a series of environmental images that better reflect employees of all abilities utilising the space of their new headquarters based in London – One Braham. I reflect on the care and responsibility woven into the buildings design. Words, Rachel Byrne
In 2016, accountant Enoch Adeyemi founded what has now become Black Professionals Scotland – a platform that provides networking opportunities and professional support to black professionals, making it easier to break into and advance in their careers. In 2020, courtesy of the Black Lives Matter movement, George Floyd’s killing and COVID, his organisation grew exponentially. Adeyemi talks adapting to his organisations growth, and the beauty of creating businesses that solve problems.
In the crowded working world, we often spend time with people, and in environments that we wouldn’t normally choose to. The musing of a quote that’s over a century old could pose a remedy to this challenge; as it looks at the importance of becoming more influential in our own lives. Words, Rachel Byrne.
In an interview that felt like a guided meditation, actor and yoga teacher HARRIET MACMASTERS-GREEN explains how to use mindfulness to tackle our brains – often overwhelming abundance of thoughts. As well as explaining the importance of accepting our dark side, and the advice she’d give to her sixteen-year-old self.
I explore the trite, yet eternally relevant topic of ‘the avoidance of failure’, reflecting on my own experience, as well as the latent dangers present in making decisions that are led by fear of failure – both those conscious and unconscious. Words, Rachel Byrne.
We speak to hydrogeologist MARC ADDISON who reveals the increasing dependency of groundwater of our ever-growing human population. He explains why it is set to take place as the commodity of the future and proffers valuable life advice for those uncertain of their next step. Words, Rachel Byrne.
Exploring the idea that competition is a form of collaboration. Who you choose to compete with is important, as it is considerably influential to the rate at which you grow, and central to a richer development. Words, Rachel Byrne.
London native and editor at ROULEUR magazine, ANDY McGRATH, took some moments to converse with LAPORTRA, detailing his career beginnings with The Daily Peloton, to his obsession with making every issue of Rouleur perfect. Discover below his thoughts on the importance of truthful journalism in the present culture of fake news. Words, Rachel Byrne
Not all portrait studios are created equally; I observe the differences between poor and skilled portrait photography; educating you on how to discern between both and avoid paying for the bad. Words, Rachel Byrne.
Classical musician and soprano Alexandra Shrinivas boasts a repertoire of violin, clarinet and piano in her musical arsenal. Here, she ponders the art of appreciating where we are at every stage of our career and the unforeseen perils of perfecting one’s vocal technique. Words, Rachel Byrne.
More often we are being introduced to each other online rather than in-person; I look at how this affects first impressions, and explore why the professional portrait is a potentially powerful tool in light of this new digital age of online introductions. Words, Rachel Byrne
Born in Holland and grown up around the world, on account of his father’s diplomatic vocation, Jasper has lived South Africa, Kenya, Brazil, Thailand, before going on to study and settle in Scotland. In this short fire Q&A, I learn about Shadowbreak International—the company he has co-founded, and his views on perspective—a gift his early peripatetic life has blessed him.
Following government guidelines, our studio is now closed until further notice. Let’s reflect on the time this affords us, and how we might hope to embrace it as a chance to regroup, adapt and grow.
A member of the Scottish green party at 16, and the youngest ever MSP at 21— at 25 he’s still fighting. Here he explains how gender, climate change and poverty are all interrelated, and why recycling is not at the top of his agenda.
Born in Shanghai, and having moved to Geneva at 13 years old, YINGYING LI has three languages under her belt, alongside an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering. Currently completing a masters in ecotourism, she drops by with her dog LOUP (pronounced Loo—French for wolf) to enlighten me on conscious traveling & why she didn’t feel at ease living in one of the world’s most beautiful countries.
The face behind our portraits- Paul, a chartered accountant based in Glasgow. In this short Q&A we catch a glimpse into his working world.
Rich in language and deep in thought, I sit down with artist Daniel DeWolfe to discuss his creative process, the beauty of living a simple life and the importance of practicing caution when using social media.
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