Episode: Career Paths, Reinvention & Apprenticeships with Mel Papworth

Hosts: Michelle & Nicola

Guest: Mel Papworth, Greater Lincolnshire Career Hub

KEY TOPICS:

Career Reinvention Journey Mel shares her non-traditional career path from admin roles at Valo and Ford Motor Company through juggling four jobs while raising kids, to becoming an accidental manager at Nationwide Building Society. A broken foot (thanks to a kitten rescue attempt!) led to a life-changing pause during which she discovered her dream role in career education.

The Power of Apprenticeships

• Apprenticeships aren't just for 16-year-olds - available at ANY age, even into your 70s
• Mel completed a Master's in Senior Leadership via apprenticeship
• Great alternative to university with hands-on learning and earning while you learn
• National Apprenticeship Week highlights ongoing opportunities

Advice for Parents & Students

• Use process of elimination: identify what you DON'T want to do first
• Attend PD (Personal Development) days - they're actually career days!
• Speak directly to school career leaders who know your child best
• Visit local businesses - knock on doors and explore what they do
• Don't assume university is the only path

Breaking Barriers

• Women weren't allowed past certain lines in factories during Mel's early career
• Career paths can be non-linear - it's okay to change direction
• Going back to education at 32 for GCSEs opened doors to better opportunities
• Your 16-year-old choices don't lock you in forever

Resources:

• Greater Lincolnshire Career Hub on LinkedIn
• Connect with Mel Papworth on LinkedIn
• Parent webinar on apprenticeships (check Mel's LinkedIn for details)
• Gov.uk for apprenticeship listings (though not comprehensive)

Memorable Moments:

• The kitten that changed everything
• Four jobs + college at age 32
• Thailand trip for 50th birthday
• Winning Apprenticeship of the Year award
• The Chapel Roan Grammy dress debate

Contact: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk | @thereinventiondiariespodcast

www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk

www.mrsstylewright.com

Guest: Flick Hamnett-Day - Social media marketing expert, keynote speaker, scout leader, and real ale campaigner

Episode Highlights

From Stage to Social Media Flick shares her unexpected journey from a 5-year performing arts career to becoming a social media expert. After leaving the stage for financial reasons, she found herself in corporate roles that nearly cost her sense of self.

The Mirror Moment A powerful turning point came when Flick burst into tears looking in a mirror - not from sadness, but from finally seeing herself again after losing her identity in a conforming corporate role. Her husband's sarcastic "you've worked out how a mirror works" became a pivotal moment of self-recognition.

Reframing Fear as Excitement Drawing on her stage experience, Flick explains how fear and excitement are the same adrenaline - it's all about reframing "I have to do this" into "I get to do this."

The Expert Journey Flick discusses her struggle with calling herself an "expert," battling comparison and imposter syndrome before finally owning her expertise in social media marketing.

Mental Health & Confidence She candidly shares how poor mental health once silenced even her inner critic, making her grateful now to hear that voice - even when it's negative - because it means she's present and alive.

Sister Act 2 Wisdom Flick references the profound message: if you wake up every morning saying "I am a writer" (or whatever you aspire to be), then you ARE that thing - regardless of what critics say.

Finding Your Tribe The importance of surrounding yourself with "radiators not drains" - people who lift you up rather than bring you down.

New Venture Flick announces her new podcast "Wildly Intentional" with co-host Verity, discussing business, ADHD, and authentic entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways

• Don't listen to people you wouldn't take advice from
• Confidence comes AFTER doing the thing, not before
• Your story matters - don't hide parts of yourself
• Trust yourself before external validation arrives
• Show up 110% as yourself to avoid losing who you are

Connect with Flick: The Social Dragonfly (all platforms) New Podcast: Wildly Intentional

Connect with the hosts: Nicola - www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk

Michelle - www.mrsstylewright.com

Welcome to The Reinvention Diaries, where hosts Michelle and Nicola explore the challenges of reinvention, rediscovery, and regaining confidence. In this episode, they tackle the January blues, the silence of starting something new, and finding validation when no one's clapping yet.

Episode Highlights:

Blue Monday & January Struggles

• The hosts discuss Blue Monday and whether January really lives up to its gloomy reputation
• Michelle shares how January and February are traditionally slow months for her photography business
• The feeling of starting over each year, even when you know the seasonal cycles

The Silence of Reinvention

• That difficult phase when you're working hard but no one's noticed yet—no applause, no validation, just silence
• How silence can feel harsher than criticism when you're trying something new
• The importance of self-validation before seeking external validation (as their previous guest Rachel emphasised)

Keeping Momentum When Money's Tight

• Why the financial pressure of starting a business is one of the biggest barriers to making the leap
• The challenge of proving the concept to yourself when cash isn't flowing yet
• How being forced into change (like redundancy) can sometimes make the transition easier

Building Self-Belief & Social Proof

• "Fake it till you make it"—projecting confidence even when you're uncertain
• Starting with testimonials from friends, and building reviews
• The importance of visibility: "People buy from people they trust, and if they can't see you, they can't trust you"

The Grief of Starting Over

• Nicola's experience going from Director of Operations to beginner photographer—losing mastery and starting from scratch
• The emotional toll of stepping backward to move forward
• Dealing with self-doubt: "Whose she to tell me what to wear?" (Michelle's internal struggle)

Comparison & Competition

• Why comparing yourself to someone in year three when you're in month three is unfair
• The value of befriending others in your industry rather than seeing them as competition
• How collaboration and networking can accelerate growth

Practical Advice for Getting Through the Silence

• Say yes to everything early on (even if you learn from mistakes)
• Get your face everywhere—networking, social media, business cards
• Build proof for yourself through testimonials and small wins
• Remember: exposure doesn't pay bills immediately, but it leads to opportunities that do

Random Acts of Kindness

• Michelle's almost-act:
• Nicola's avoided act:
• A sweet mention of Nicola's 12-week-old grandson

Key Takeaway: When you're in that silent phase of reinvention—when no one's clapping yet—you have to validate yourself first, keep showing up, and trust the process. The sunshine is coming.

Connect with The Reinvention Diaries:

• Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk
• Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcast
• www.mrstylewright.com
• www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk
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