Meet Remi

I’m a trainer, a speaker, a writer and a coach. I create training programs for organisations that work with freelancers, business owners and artists – and with individuals from the creative industries: think music, visual arts, film. I’m from London and work all over the UK and beyond!

I have always loved sharing what I know (coming from a family of teachers!), and working with creative and artistic people (also a family of musicians and music managers). My background is in operations – I love a spreadsheet and a plan, and have never been in a role that I wasn’t the first person to do – so the constant learning and discovery kept me excited by this for many years.

However, after being made redundant from a role in 2012 I found that I no longer desired being employed by one company, and set out to create a professional life that fit me perfectly, earned me an honest living and brought me joy. I also wrote a book, made two children, set up a social enterprise and was honoured to receive an MBE for services to the music industry along the way.

I now have a practice where I am able to help others to shape their business in a way that fits them.

How did I get here?

I grew up in Haringey, North London in the 80s, and was fortunate to be exposed to many activists, authors and artists who were a huge influence on me and who I credit with my need to “make a difference”. I gained an MSc in Psychology and History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds, and had had 10 different jobs by the time I graduated (I started young) ranging from newsagent’s assistant to bank clerk to barmaid and even working for a Silicon Valley Fintech company. My interests, even then, were being behind the scenes with creatives (East Finchley Youth Theatre, Leeds Uni Backstage Society, college drama productions, being a member of People’s War Carnival Band, and co-promoting the Afterglow Blu live music nights featuring artists like Jamie Woon, Fola Phillip, Eshe Escoffrey and Rennell Shaw).

My ‘big break’ was in 1999 when I got a role at the Association of Independent Music, a new trade association that had just been set up in London by indie record labels including Beggars Banquet, Ministry of Sound, Mute and PIAS. I was fortunate to work with some brilliant businesses there as the music industry transformed into a digital online driven world, and to get my MBA in that time. I wound up as General Manager, having created a mentoring programme for the music industry, 100s of training events and conferences and run the day-to-day operations up to a £1million turnover (it was 0 when I joined, so a steep learning curve!).  I was then Director of Operations at lobbying organisation UK Music working across the music industry, where I was able to be involved in governance and strategy at board level, and lobbying government on behalf of the industry – by personal highlight was creating the first music industry equality and diversity plan.

In between, I had a project manager role at video design company 59 Productions working on the animation that was created for the London 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony. Watching Danny Boyle direct and seeing the whole event being planned behind the scenes was my dream job as a former amateur stage manager, music fan, costume maker and – of course – lover of spreadsheets.

Who have I trained and coached:

Growth Consultants, Music Studio Owners, Dance Companies, Theatre Makers, Charity CEOs, Social Enterprise Founders, Musicians, Visual Artists, Photographers, Filmmakers, Designers, Festival Promoters, Songwriters, Composers, Artists, Makers, Sculptors, Agency Owners, Fashion Brand Creators, Young Entrepreneurs, PRs, Portfolio Career Creators, New Parents, Personal Brands, Freelancers, Influencers.

What are they looking for:

To sort out their personal and professional finances, to know where their money is coming from and how to realise their business goals, to transition and maybe exit their organisation, to create new income streams and more autonomy, to create a portfolio career that works around their life, to drop roles that no longer serve them, to increase their earnings and to build a loyal customer base, get their heads around transitioning to being a freelancer or a freelance parent.

What am I like to work with:

I am full of helpful, actionable advice but also know how to listen and find the heart of what your challenges are. My clients have said “brilliant advice”, “insightful and doable”, “inspiring”, “extremely valuable”, “knowledgeable”, and “a fantastic person to work with”.