In this powerful episode, we hear from Toni, a keynote speaker and social mobility advocate who grew up on a council estate in Basingstoke. Her early life was shaped by grief, limited opportunity, and the pressure to contribute financially instead of pursuing her creative dreams.

Starting in a fruit and veg shop, Toni thought that was as far as she could go, until a job at Reed Recruitment transformed her path. That role taught her life skills, built her confidence, and ultimately set her on a journey that led to working at Microsoft, all without a degree.

Toni now speaks at corporate events, bringing raw honesty and lived experience to the topic of social mobility. She’s one of the few working-class women on the keynote circuit and uses her platform to challenge assumptions around class, access, and merit.

In this episode we cover:

- Breaking into corporate without a degree

- Class, creativity & the limits placed on working-class talent

- What’s really happening with DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in the workplace

- The power of networks, both good and bad

- Why location still locks people out of opportunity

- How Toni built The Common Good Network to support upward mobility

Toni reminds us that moving on doesn’t mean forgetting your roots and that tenacity, curiosity, and directness can get you through doors that seem shut.

🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socio-economic backgrounds!

👍 Like this if you enjoyed Toni's journey!

🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Toni!

Follow Us:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/

- Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial

- Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198

- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9

- Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep

Follow Toni Kent

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonijkent/

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_tonikent_/

- Website - https://thecommongood.network/

Thanks for listening!

#initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #SocialMobility #WorkingClassVoices #Microsoft #DEI #KeynoteSpeaker #ClassInTheWorkplace #CommonGoodNetwork #UpwardMobility #NoDegreeNoProblem #WomenInLeadership #CouncilEstateToCorporate #keynotespeaker

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Growing up on a council estate in Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham, Matt left school with no GCSEs, apart from an A* in PE. Never seen as a high achiever, just one of the kids that got lost in the middle, his journey took a dramatic turn after witnessing the loss of his father. That moment became the catalyst for change. From night school to earning a PhD, while cleaning to fund his studies, Matt carved a path into academia, becoming a research scientist focused on aging. Rooted in working-class values, he’s now helping the next generation of students see what’s possible when you back yourself.

In this conversation, we cover:

- Growing up working-class in Chelmsley Wood and being “lost in the middle” at school

- How grief and personal experience shaped his research interests

- Going from no GCSEs to earning a PhD through night school and self-belief

- Navigating academia as a working-class individual

- The challenges of class bias and microaggressions in professional spaces

- Why resilience, community, and risk-taking were key to his journey

- How he now mentors students from similar backgrounds

- His thoughts on systemic change in education and the role of universities in DEI

- Staying grounded and instilling working-class values in his own children

🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds!

👍 Like this video if you enjoyed Matts journey!

🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Matt!

Follow Us:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/

- Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial

- Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198

- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9

- Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep

Follow Matt

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-hill-3870701a1/

Thanks for listening!

#initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #workingclassculture

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In this episode, Michael J. Diamond, freelance producer and director at WEIGHT. Films, shares his journey from a single-parent home in East London to carving out a space for himself in the UK’s creative industry. Drawing on his working-class roots, Michael reflects on how upbringing, location, and access shaped his path. He opens up about the challenges of breaking into film without privilege, the limits of university education, and the power of community and lived experience.

Michael also talks about forming WEIGHT. Films to tell stories often overlooked by mainstream media, and why embracing your background can be a creative superpower. From advice on building a network to the importance of being "easy to help," this conversation is packed with insight for anyone navigating the creative world, especially those coming from outside the usual pipelines.

Topics Covered:

- Defining working-class identity

- The role of geography in creative access

- Challenges of breaking into film without privilege

- The importance of mentorship and self-belief

- Founding WEIGHT. Films to tell diverse stories

- Advice for emerging creatives

🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds!

👍 Like this if you enjoyed Michaels journey!

🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Michael!

Follow Us:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/

- Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198

- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9

- Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep

Follow Michael J. Diamond

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjdiamond/

- Personal Portfolio Site - https://www.mjdiamond.com/

- WEIGHT. Films - https://www.weightfilms.com/

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michaeljdiamond/

Thanks for listening!

#initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess

#WorkingClassVoices #CreativeIndustry #Filmmaking #MichaelJDiamond #WEIGHTFilms #Mentorship #Storytelling #LondonFilmScene

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