Why Talent Isn’t Enough w/ Simon Squibb | Ep 391
The Futur with Chris Do
Personal Branding, Speaking Gigs, and Representation
Chris and Simon discuss building a personal brand, securing speaking work, and why representation creates access.
In this episode, Chris Do sits down with entrepreneur and philanthropist Simon Squibb to explore the imbalance between talent and opportunity. Together, they discuss how people can break through systemic barriers, the importance of resilience in creative fields, and why access—not ability—often determines success.
They reflect on Simon’s viral “What’s Your Dream?” project, the lessons he’s learned from mentoring others, and how creative education can become more inclusive. If you’ve ever questioned how to turn your skills into real opportunities, this conversation delivers unfiltered clarity and practical wisdom.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(02:10) - The Real Tests of Resilience
(04:42) - Building a Personal Brand
(07:28) - Getting Paid Speaking Gigs
(10:15) - How Representation Creates Access
(13:09) - Mentoring Young Designers Online
(16:45) - Why Women Hesitate to Apply
(19:52) - Fame Over Craft Discussion
(23:17) - Creating a Creator Accelerator
(27:44) - How to Price Creative Work
(31:55) - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
(36:20) - Freelancer to Business Owner Journey
(41:08) - Social Media Exposure Ethics
(45:50) - Diversity in Art Education
(50:32) - Why Minorities Lack Visibility
(55:04) - Cultural Expectations and Creativity
(59:58) - Representation and Role Models
(01:05:17) - How Simon Picks Dreamers
(01:10:23) - The Doorbell of Dreams Idea
(01:15:42) - Luck vs Hard Work Mindset
(01:21:50) - What Defines Good Design
(01:28:12) - Art vs Design in Practice
(01:34:25) - Mentorship That Scales Globally
(01:38:40) - Final Reflections on Opportunity
Check out today's guest, Simon Squibb:
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simonsquibb
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SimonSquibb
Website: https://simonsquibb.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonsquibb/?hl=en
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/
Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/
Twitter: https://x.com/thefuturishere
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere
Check out Chris Do:
Website: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdo
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/
Twitter:https://x.com/thechrisdo
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo
Threads:https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo
Zaap: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdo
Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/@thechrisdo
Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo
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