ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself

150 episodes listed below

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Self-employment, counted in real decisions.

The gist

ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself is a practical record of building income outside traditional employment. Episodes move between creator-business strategy, UK property decisions, YouTube experiments, hiring pressure, and the quieter math of financial resilience.

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About ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself

ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself is a practical diary of self-employment as it actually feels on the ground. It is restless, direct, and unusually specific. The show moves from creator strategy to household finance, then from UK property decisions to the pressure of scaling a one-person operation. Money is treated as a system, not a scoreboard. In the financial health episodes, wealth is measured through stress tests such as having a three-month buffer, understanding net versus gross income, saying no to unaffordable social spending, and leaving pension or tracker investments alone. That gives the show a grounded edge. It pushes back against social-media wealth performance without pretending that rising costs and financial stress are easy to ignore. The business episodes carry the same tone. A YouTube channel is built from zero with attention to channel art, thumbnails, posts, shorts, search demand, watch time, subscribers, and the usefulness of recording the process while it is happening. Success is not sold as a formula. The show repeatedly points out how timing, platform behavior, existing skills, and luck shape outcomes. Property episodes add another practical lane. They cover selling a UK house, comparing estate agents, reviewing valuations, thinking through rental income, considering tenant responsibilities, and weighing certificates, insurance, licensing, and hassle. Growth becomes a separate theme as the series turns toward the founder's ceiling. The question is no longer just how to earn. It becomes how to stay secure, how to delegate, and how to build a team without turning the business into another source of stress. ZulfTalks suits listeners who like lived experience, numbers, and process notes more than polished entrepreneurship theater. It is most useful when the hard part is not inspiration, but deciding what to do next.

Made for: Creators, self-employed people, business owners, and financially cautious strivers who want practical accounts of working for themselves. It especially suits listeners balancing creative ambition with property, savings, income stability, and long-term security.

What sets it apart: The show is built around live decision-making rather than abstract advice. It connects creator growth, UK property choices, hiring limits, and personal finance into one self-funded working life.

In their own words

I’m Zulf, and for 18 years I’ve lived the 'Work For Yourself' life . I started with Zulf Talks Photography 10 seasons of mastering the craft. But a craft without a business is just a hobby. I scaled my work into Trusted Creators, a company built to house the content and strategies that actually make money in the current economy. This podcast is the bridge between being a 'creative' and being a 'business owner.' No academic fluff just real-world experience from someone who has actually done it. Join me over seasons 11 to 20 as I dive into the raw reality of working for yourself.

Why you'd press play

Zulf turns a house move and a zero-subscriber channel into working notes you can borrow.

Press play if you want

  • to compare estate-agent advice before your own property decision becomes an expensive shrug
  • to watch someone document a YouTube channel from setup through the awkward early numbers
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
self-employment financescreator business strategyYouTube channel growthUK home selling and rentingfinancial stress testsincome versus securityhiring and delegationlong-term savings mindset

Talks about

Podcasts like ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself

Episodes

  1. 1

    Finance Foundations: Managing Money & Roadblocks S14EP1

    ·12m
  2. 2

    6 Mindset Shifts for Long Term Security S17EP11

    ·10m
  3. 3

    The Founder's Ceiling: 6 Lessons on Hiring & Trust S17EP10

    ·13m
  4. 4

    The Income Illusion: Why More Money Isn't Easier S17EP9

    ·10m
  5. 5

    Creating a YouTube News Channel from Scratch S16EP6

    ·14m
  6. 6

    6 Ways to Stop Being Busy and Start Making Progress S17EP8

    ·12m
  7. 7

    What I Got Wrong in My First Year as a Director S17EP7

    ·15m
  8. 8

    6 Invisible Expenses That Kill Profit S17EP6

    ·11m
  9. 9

    Company Money vs My Money: 5 Hard Lessons on Getting Paid S17EP5

    ·16m
  10. 10

    Sole Trader or Limited Company? 5 Lessons on Incorporation S17EP4

    ·13m
  11. 11

    7 Essential Expenses to Launch Without Going Broke S17EP3

    ·14m
  12. 12

    5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Quit Your Job Yet S17EP2

    ·13m
  13. 13

    Is Working for Yourself Actually Freedom? S17EP1

    ·13m
  14. 14

    Deep Dive into YouTube Data & AI Content S16EP5

    ·18m
  15. 15

    What to Do if Your YouTube Topic Fails S16EP4

    ·18m
  16. 16

    How to Get Your First Views on YouTube S16EP3

    ·18m
  17. 17

    How I Chose My YouTube Channel Idea And How You Can Too S16EP2

    ·17m
  18. 18

    Starting My YouTube Journey from Zero S16EP1

    ·21m
  19. 19

    UK House Buying Nightmare: Real Issues & How to Fix Them S15EP8

    ·12m
  20. 20

    10 Home Selling Issues in the UK & How to Solve Them S15EP7

    ·16m
  21. 21

    Selling Direct: How I Sold My House to a Neighbour S15EP6

    ·12m
  22. 22

    Should You Rent or Sell Your House? S15EP5

    ·31m
  23. 23

    How to Sell Your House Valuations & Estate Agent Secrets S15EP4

    ·45m
  24. 24

    Will House Prices Collapse or Increase? S15EP3

    ·9m
  25. 25

    Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? S15EP2

    ·15m
  26. 26

    Is It the Right Time to Buy a House? UK Market Guide S15EP1

    ·16m
  27. 27

    How to Create a Budget & Stick to It S14EP11

    ·11m
  28. 28

    How to Pay for Things Online Securely S14EP10

    ·13m
  29. 29

    How to check and build your credit history S14EP8

    ·14m
  30. 30

    Saving for Your First Big Purchase: Budgeting & Side Hustles S14EP7

    ·11m
  31. 31

    How credit cards work : Simple guide for UK creators : S14EP6

    ·15m
  32. 32

    How to Borrow Money Wisely S14EP5

    ·22m
  33. 33

    How I Provided Proof of ID UK Tax Residency for Google Adsense

    ·17m
  34. 34

    How Savings Accounts Work: Interest, Taxes & Bonds S14EP4

    ·18m
  35. 35

    Getting Your First Bank Account: Documentation & Process S14EP3

    ·18m
  36. 36

    Which Bank Account is Right for You? S14EP2

    ·10m
  37. 37

    6 Things I’d Do Differently If I Was Starting As A Director

    ·11m
  38. 38

    Is this M Word the key to Success s11ep19

    ·49m
  39. 39

    Why It’s Not Too Late To Start YouTube - Bonus

    ·41m
  40. 40

    Photography News Update, New Cameras - AI and More

    ·14m
  41. 41

    How to find and set up the best video lighting

    ·39m
  42. 42

    Lessons Learned: How YouTube Shorts Hurt My Channel (and What I Wish I Knew)

    ·17m
  43. 43

    How You Can Film and Which cameras shoot 4K video at 60fps

    ·19m
  44. 44

    Winning at Work: 10 Tips to Achieve More in Less Time

    ·23m
  45. 45

    Holdup Camera Robbery, Lenses, and Vlogging - Photo News ZTP

    ·15m
  46. 46

    If I Started a YouTube Channel now, I'd Do This S16EP8

    ·24m
  47. 47

    Starting a YouTube Channel from Scratch in 2026 S16EP7

    ·24m
  48. 48

    Photo News Update - Nikon Z8 RF-Mount Replacement for the Rebel - R100 and more - ZTP

    ·21m
  49. 49

    The Power of a Clear Call to Action (CTA) for Creators S13EP8

    ·28m
  50. 50

    Instagram Reels Hurting Photographers and Why Printing Your Photos Is Important

    ·15m
  51. 51

    Which Sony A7 camerato buy and Hasselblad dumps DSLRs News roundup

    ·20m
  52. 52

    How I handle OVER 13 Channels and keep organised

    ·55m
  53. 53

    Photography Tips and ideas to take better photos

    ·11m
  54. 54

    10 Simple Habits for a More Fulfilling Life S13EP6

    ·7m
  55. 55

    How to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity S13EP5

    ·10m
  56. 56

    The Art of Self-Care: Taking Time for You S13EP4

    ·9m
  57. 57

    Mindfulness & Inner Peace Techniques S13EP3

    ·7m
  58. 58

    Goal Setting Guide for Entrepreneurs S13EP2

    ·8m
  59. 59

    Power of Positive Thinking for Entrepreneurs S13EP1

    ·7m
  60. 60

    How to Transfer Everything to a New Phone S12EP22

    ·10m
  61. 61

    Should You Get a Business Mobile Contract? S12EP21

    ·21m
  62. 62

    Is It Worth Upgrading an Old Computer? S12EP20

    ·1h 9m
  63. 63

    45 Minute Jazz Vibes Lofi Sax Beats Relax Study Working for Yourself Focus Session

    ·49m
  64. 64

    10 Lessons from My First Year as Managing Director S12EP19

    ·37m
  65. 65

    CEO, Founder, or Director? Choosing Your Title S12EP18

    ·20m
  66. 66

    20 Mins Positive Affirmations - You Can Do It- Daily New Year Motivation ZulfTalks

    ·22m
  67. 67

    Training Your Mind for Deep Focus S12EP17

    ·33m
  68. 68

    Did I Waste Money on TikTok & Reddit Ads? S12EP16

    ·25m
  69. 69

    Things I Wish I Knew Before Using a Password Manager S12EP15

    ·14m
  70. 70

    What I Learned in My First Year of Business S12EP14

    ·25m
  71. 71

    5 Best Free Programs for Working for Yourself S12EP13

    ·17m
  72. 72

    How to Choose the Right Accountant S12EP12

    ·35m
  73. 73

    Brand Discovery: Turning Ideas into Businesses s12 Bonus Ep

    ·33m
  74. 74

    Setting Up as a Sole Trader: The HMRC Guide s12ep11

    ·24m
  75. 75

    The Self Employment Audit: 6 Questions to Ask S12ep10

    ·16m
  76. 76

    Mindset & Experience: Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? s12ep9

    ·15m
  77. 77

    Client Privacy & Business Boundaries s12ep8

    ·14m
  78. 78

    Balancing Business and Family Crisis s12ep7

    ·11m
  79. 79

    Should You Quit Your Job? The Transition Phase s12ep6

    ·12m
  80. 80

    Scaling Your Hobby: Upselling and Reinvesting s12ep5

    ·14m
  81. 81

    First Paying Client: How to Transition from Hobby to Pro s12ep4

    ·13m
  82. 82

    Hobby to Career: The Real Cost and Reward S12EP3

    ·11m
  83. 83

    Mold Your Life: From College Skills to Business Success s12ep2

    ·12m
  84. 84

    What it takes to get into Business Life - S12EP1

    ·15m
  85. 85

    ZulfTalks: Working Life, Redefined

    ·5m
  86. 86

    Is this M-Word the key to Success

    ·47m
  87. 87

    You can't always do everything yourself - Hire good people s11ep18

    ·43m
  88. 88

    Creative Careers: From The Daily Show to Songwriting s11ep17

    ·44m
  89. 89

    How to Get The Attention You Deserve - Working for yourself s11ep11

    ·35m
  90. 90

    Higher Education or Working for Yourself? Brandon Dobel S11Ep5

    ·33m
  91. 91

    Why You Should hire a Professional Web Designer s11ep14

    ·39m
  92. 92

    Does Business Coaching Work?

    ·42m
  93. 93

    Every content creator should have these

    ·23m
  94. 94

    Content Tips for Self-Employed Creators s11ep15

    ·24m
  95. 95

    The ONLY 3 Things You Need to Grow Your Podcast s11ep12

    ·30m
  96. 96

    Why Relationship Intelligence Matters in Business Railey Molinario s11ep3

    ·26m
  97. 97

    Affordable and Professional Gift Ideas for A Work Colleague

    ·11m
  98. 98

    How to Pivot Your Business and Career Lekky Ferry s11ep8

    ·25m
  99. 99

    5 Tech Things New Business Owners Struggle With s11ep10

    ·33m
  100. 100

    How Do Mortgages Work? A Beginner’s Guide S14EP9

    A beginner's guide explaining what a mortgage is, types, process, costs, and repayment options for buying a house.

    ·20m
  101. 101

    7 Financial Stress Tests: Are You Actually Wealthy? S18EP1

    The host discusses seven financial stress tests to help listeners assess their true financial health, arguing that passing even three indicates doing better than most people on social media.

    Apr 6, 2026·11m
  102. 102

    6 Things I’d Do Differently If I Was Starting As A Director

    The host shares six things he would do differently if starting as a director from scratch, emphasizing the role of luck and timing in his success.

    Mar 30, 2026·11m
  103. 103

    6 Mindset Shifts for Long Term Security S17EP11

    The host discusses six mindset shifts for achieving long-term security after years of self-employment and building a business from zero.

    Mar 23, 2026·10m
  104. 104

    The Founder's Ceiling: 6 Lessons on Hiring & Trust S17EP10

    The host shares six lessons on hiring, trust, and letting go to help creators scale their businesses beyond the founder's ceiling.

    Mar 16, 2026·13m
  105. 105

    The Income Illusion: Why More Money Isn't Easier S17EP9

    The host debunks the myth that earning more money makes life easier, explaining that growth actually increases complexity and requires more discipline.

    Mar 9, 2026·10m
  106. 106

    6 Ways to Stop Being Busy and Start Making Progress S17EP8

    Mar 2, 2026·12m
  107. 107

    What I Got Wrong in My First Year as a Director S17EP7

    ZulfTalks host Zulf frames his first year as a director through mistakes rather than a highlight reel.

    Feb 23, 2026·15m·1 clip
  108. 108

    6 Invisible Expenses That Kill Profit S17EP6

    Feb 16, 2026·11m
  109. 109

    Company Money vs My Money: 5 Hard Lessons on Getting Paid S17EP5

    ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself episode “Company Money vs My Money” sets out five lessons from the host's experience moving from sole trader to company director.

    Feb 9, 2026·16m
  110. 110

    Sole Trader or Limited Company? 5 Lessons on Incorporation S17EP4

    Feb 2, 2026·13m
  111. 111

    7 Essential Expenses to Launch Without Going Broke S17EP3

    ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself episode 3 asks what it costs to launch a business, beyond paying an online company-formation fee.

    Jan 26, 2026·14m
  112. 112

    5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Quit Your Job Yet S17EP2

    Jan 19, 2026·13m
  113. 113

    Is Working for Yourself Actually Freedom? S17EP1

    Jan 12, 2026·13m
  114. 114

    Creating a YouTube News Channel from Scratch S16EP6

    Jan 5, 2026·14m
  115. 115

    Deep Dive into YouTube Data & AI Content S16EP5

    Hidden gem

    In S16EP5 of ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself, the host audits a Harry Potter channel with 156 videos and 156 subscribers.

    Dec 29, 2025·18m·1 clip
  116. 116

    What to Do if Your YouTube Topic Fails S16EP4

    Dec 22, 2025·18m
  117. 117

    How to Get Your First Views on YouTube S16EP3

    Dec 15, 2025·18m
  118. 118

    How I Chose My YouTube Channel Idea And How You Can Too S16EP2

    Dec 8, 2025·17m
  119. 119

    Starting My YouTube Journey from Zero S16EP1

    Hidden gem

    ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself, Season 16 Episode 1 documents a 2025 experiment to build a YouTube channel from zero toward monetization using no outside sponsors or funding.

    Dec 1, 2025·21m·1 clip
  120. 120

    UK House Buying Nightmare: Real Issues & How to Fix Them S15EP8

    Mar 19, 2025·12m
  121. 121

    10 Home Selling Issues in the UK & How to Solve Them S15EP7

    Mar 12, 2025·16m
  122. 122

    Selling Direct: How I Sold My House to a Neighbour S15EP6

    Mar 5, 2025·12m
  123. 123

    Should You Rent or Sell Your House? S15EP5

    Hidden gem

    ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself compares selling the host's house with renting it through estate agents, using estimated sale values from £175,000 to £220,000 and rent around £1,100 per month.

    Feb 26, 2025·31m·2 clips
  124. 124

    How to Sell Your House Valuations & Estate Agent Secrets S15EP4

    Hidden gem

    The host shares his personal journey and insider tips on selling a house in the UK, covering estate agent selection, valuations, and the selling process.

    Feb 19, 2025·45m·2 clips
  125. 125

    Will House Prices Collapse or Increase? S15EP3

    Feb 12, 2025·9m
  126. 126

    Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? S15EP2

    Feb 5, 2025·15m
  127. 127

    Is It the Right Time to Buy a House? UK Market Guide S15EP1

    Jan 29, 2025·16m
  128. 128

    How to Create a Budget & Stick to It S14EP11

    Feb 12, 2024·11m
  129. 129

    How to Pay for Things Online Securely S14EP10

    Feb 5, 2024·13m
  130. 130

    How Do Mortgages Work? A Beginner’s Guide S14EP9

    A beginner's guide explaining what a mortgage is, types, process, costs, and repayment options for buying a house.

    Jan 29, 2024·20m
  131. 131

    How to check and build your credit history S14EP8

    Jan 22, 2024·14m
  132. 132

    Saving for Your First Big Purchase: Budgeting & Side Hustles S14EP7

    Jan 15, 2024·11m
  133. 133

    How credit cards work : Simple guide for UK creators : S14EP6

    Jan 8, 2024·15m
  134. 134

    How to Borrow Money Wisely S14EP5

    This episode provides guidance on borrowing money wisely, covering financial assessment, borrowing options, interest rates, credit scores, and budgeting tips.

    Jan 1, 2024·22m
  135. 135

    How I Provided Proof of ID UK Tax Residency for Google Adsense

    Dec 31, 2023·17m
  136. 136

    How Savings Accounts Work: Interest, Taxes & Bonds S14EP4

    Dec 25, 2023·18m
  137. 137

    Getting Your First Bank Account: Documentation & Process S14EP3

    Dec 18, 2023·18m
  138. 138

    Which Bank Account is Right for You? S14EP2

    Dec 11, 2023·10m
  139. 139

    Finance Foundations: Managing Money & Roadblocks S14EP1

    Dec 4, 2023·12m
  140. 140

    Is this M Word the key to Success s11ep19

    Zulf interviews Phil, host of Nudge and senior product marketer at Buffer, about whether marketing is the key to success for people working independently.

    Dec 3, 2023·49m·3 clips
  141. 141

    Why It’s Not Too Late To Start YouTube - Bonus

    Hidden gem

    Zulf interviews former professional basketball player and entrepreneur Huggie Johnston about leaving weekly YouTube uploads after growing Baller Bootcamp to 200,000 subscribers.

    Nov 26, 2023·41m·3 clips
  142. 142

    Photography News Update, New Cameras - AI and More

    Nov 26, 2023·14m
  143. 143

    How to find and set up the best video lighting

    A comprehensive guide to finding and setting up the best video lighting for different budgets, with tips and examples.

    Nov 19, 2023·39m
  144. 144

    Lessons Learned: How YouTube Shorts Hurt My Channel (and What I Wish I Knew)

    Jun 19, 2023·17m
  145. 145

    How You Can Film and Which cameras shoot 4K video at 60fps

    Jun 14, 2023·19m
  146. 146

    Winning at Work: 10 Tips to Achieve More in Less Time

    Jun 12, 2023·23m
  147. 147

    Holdup Camera Robbery, Lenses, and Vlogging - Photo News ZTP

    Jun 7, 2023·15m
  148. 148

    If I Started a YouTube Channel now, I'd Do This S16EP8

    Jun 5, 2023·24m
  149. 149

    Starting a YouTube Channel from Scratch in 2026 S16EP7

    May 29, 2023·24m
  150. 150

    Photo News Update - Nikon Z8 RF-Mount Replacement for the Rebel - R100 and more - ZTP

    May 24, 2023·21m