Two major record deals, and Billy Lockett walked away from both with nothing to show for it. Then his own manager told him an idea was career suicide, he did it anyway, and it changed everything!Billy Lockett is a self-taught singer-songwriter and pianist from Northampton who has spent over a decade in the music industry, including two major label deals (Warner, and a Virgin-affiliated US label) that both collapsed without ever recouping. After going fully independent, Billy (working alongside his mum) started posting real, unedited concert ticket sales numbers on TikTok and Instagram. One video hit 5-6 million views, hundreds of other artists have since copied the format, his monthly Spotify listeners have grown by 200,000-300,000, and his latest self-produced album hit No.1 in the UK indie charts.Chapters0:00 Welcome, Billy1:34 He Could Play Piano Before Anyone Taught Him3:03 The Loner Who Couldn't Fit In Anywhere8:09 The Talent Show That Changed Everything10:12 A Standing Ovation and a Drug Addict's High14:14 The Cost of Being "The Brand"17:18 Burning CDs and Selling to His Mates25:57 A Backstage Rider Full of Blank CDs and Cash28:15 Bin Bags Full of Money in a Fiat33:03 The Cancer Treatment His Dad Refused38:00 The Handshake Before His Dad Died41:37 A Year of Cocaine and Alcohol49:00 Warner Walks Into His Gig Unannounced52:03 "They Own You": Life Inside a Major Label55:47 Walking Away From Warner56:29 The Song That Reached James Corden1:01:03 Paying a Rapper a Fortune for Nothing1:04:07 The Idea His Manager Called Career Suicide1:14:14 The Video That Hit Six Million Views1:22:54 What Success Actually Looks Like NowSubscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and high performers.Follow Billy:https://www.instagram.com/billylockett/?hl=enFollow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

Watch full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtU5289Jn1sJulia Baldet left a successful career in investment banking and private equity after years of relentless pressure, burnout and serious health issues.In this episode of What It Takes, Julia shares the complete story behind building Elevate Smoothie Bar, one of London's fastest-growing wellness brands.This is an honest conversation about risk, discipline, resilience and what it actually takes to build a business from scratch.Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and high performers.Follow Julia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliabaldet/https://elevatewellness.uk/Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwbREb-yihwKirk Haworth has been through every challenge the hospitality industry can throw at someone.From training in some of the world’s best kitchens, to having his career completely stopped by chronic illness, to rebuilding everything from the ground up.We go into the realities of kitchen culture, the physical toll of the industry, and the moments that force you to rethink everything. You'll learn about standards, pressure, and what it really means to start again when you’ve already put years into something.Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35Follow Kirk:https://www.instagram.com/kirk_haworth/