*Trigger warning for this episode: discussion of infertility and baby loss*

What does it really take to start a charity from scratch?

In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace sits down with Bex and Laura, founders of 'The Worst Girl Gang Ever Foundation', a charity supporting women and families through miscarriage, baby loss and infertility.

What started as two strangers connecting over shared experiences during lockdown quickly grew into a powerful community, a podcast, a book, and eventually a registered charity helping thousands of people feel less alone.

Bex and Laura share:

• How their personal experiences of miscarriage and baby loss led them to start something bigger
• Meeting through Instagram and instantly connecting over the lack of support
• Why they started a podcast with zero experience (and a “Podcasting for Dummies” book)
• How honest, raw storytelling helped break the taboo around baby loss
• Growing a community organically through Instagram
• Turning listener demand into courses, support groups and resources
• Why they initially charged for support, and why it didn’t sit right
• The process (and challenges) of applying for charitable status
• Why having the right board of trustees is crucial
• How fundraising actually works (grants, campaigns and community challenges)
• Building campaigns like “Run 10K to Raise 10K”, and raising £36K instead
• Creating safe spaces through both online and in-person communities
• The reality of running a charity alongside jobs, families and life

If you’re interested in:

• Starting a charity
• Turning personal experience into purpose
• Community building
• Mental health & grief support
• Social impact work

This episode is for you.

Take a look at the charity here: https://theworstgirlgangever.co.uk/

@the_worstgirlgang_ever

🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨

🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path

📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to be an ethical queer brand owner?

In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace sits down with Adam, founder of Rainbow & Co, to talk about building an LGBTQIA+ apparel and accessories brand that puts community, representation and integrity first.

From studying graphic design and advertising to running a business from his apartment, Adam shares how personal experience, creative instinct and a strong moral compass led him to create queer merch that actually reflects the full community, not just the parts that are most visible.

Adam shares:

• Why he always wanted to do something creative
• How studying graphic design, media and advertising shaped his path
• Why university was harder than expected as an autistic person
• How early side hustles on Etsy gave him his first taste of selling online
• What he learned from working for a luxury leather jacket brand
• Why burnout pushed him to leave full-time employment
• How an autism diagnosis helped him understand his working style
• Why he started Rainbow & Co after noticing a gap in Pride merch
• How he taught himself to build a website, design products and run the business
• Why trans, lesbian and bi-focused products became so important to customers
• How he turned a pocket guide into one of the brand’s bestsellers
• Why subtle queer design can matter just as much as bold statements
• What “rainbow washing” means and why he refuses to do it
• How Access to Work and support workers helped him build a sustainable business
• What it means to grow slowly, ethically and on your own terms
• He also opens up about:
• Masking, burnout and late diagnosis
• Working from home while others do 9–5 jobs
• Why he wants to hire based on values, not just experience
• Creating a business culture that reflects the ethics of the brand
• Why queer-owned businesses matter in Pride season and beyond

If you’re interested in:

• Queer-owned businesses
• Ethical branding
• Pride merch
• Small business journeys
• Autistic entrepreneurs
• Creative careers
• LGBTQIA+ representation

This episode is for you.

Visit his business here: https://rainbowandco.uk/

🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨

🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path

📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Grace sits down with Paul, founder of BOL Foods, a leading plant-based, nutrition-focused food brand.

Paul’s journey is anything but traditional. From dreaming of becoming a professional footballer, to working on a game reserve in South Africa, to breaking bones as a snowboard instructor… his path zig-zagged before leading him into the world of food.

After 14 years helping scale Innocent Drinks, Paul took a leap into entrepreneurship, building BOL into a brand focused on making healthy, convenient food accessible to everyone.

We talk about:

• Taking unconventional career paths (and why they matter)
• What working at Innocent Drinks taught him about business
• How BOL Foods was born from a real gap in the market
• The realities of launching and scaling food products
• Why most ideas don’t work, and why that’s okay
• Building a strong team and company culture
• The importance of passion in business

✨ “If you don’t truly care about what you’re building, it’s very hard to get through the tough times.”

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in startups, food & drink, or building a purpose-driven brand.

🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨

🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path

📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at hello.howtobecomea@gmail.com

📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.