ZulfTalks: Working For Yourself

ZulfTalks

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.

  1. 5D AGO

    5 Lessons from Incorporation Sole Trader to Limited Company

    Every growing business eventually hits a critical fork in the road: how should the business actually be structured? In this episode, Zulf explores the transition from being a sole trader to incorporating as a Limited Company. While many entrepreneurs get stuck in analysis paralysis, Zulf shares his raw experience of how growth eventually forced his business to evolve. From the early days of manual spreadsheets to managing a professional corporate entity, this journey is about choosing the right foundation for long-term success.0:00 - Choosing your business structure2:05 - Overview of the five incorporation lessons2:33 - The starting line: Content creation and early income3:11 - UK tax thresholds and self-assessment rules4:49 - Managing growth and doubling down on effort6:09 - The trigger point for setting up a Limited Company7:21 - The truth about "YouTube Accountants" and vetting firms8:42 - Software traps: Issues with QuickBooks data portability10:09 - The mental shift: Becoming an employee of your own business11:32 - Limited Company benefits and personal protection12:05 - Preview: How to pay yourself in a Limited Company structure🎙️ About Zulf Talks Think of this as a chat between friends. I share business tips and advice on how I transitioned from a 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. Expect banter, financial freedom talk, and the reality of a documented career journey. Connect with me:Got a story about invisible wealth? Reach out!#UkCreators #InvisibleWealth #ZulfTalksPodcast #WealthMindset #StatusTax 📢 Please Note:The information shared is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and cannot address your specific requirements. Do your own research and seek independent advice.

    13 min

  2. JAN 26

    7 Essential Expenses to Launch Your Business Without Going Broke

    Zulf breaks down the seven non-negotiable categories of spending that every new business owner must consider, including why high revenue is often a “lie” if you don’t understand your net profit. Whether you are setting up your first website or navigating the frustrating world of lazy accountants, this episode provides a realistic roadmap for budgeting your first year. Learn how to calculate your “monthly survival number” and why a safety buffer is the only thing that will truly free you up to be creative in your business. Show Notes: https://trustedcreators.org/s17ep3/ 0:00 – Introduction to business startup expenses1:27 – Can you start with zero dollars? The honest answer2:25 – Digital infrastructure and website costs3:28 – The hidden reality of accountant fees4:19 – Setting up wages and director salary foundations5:06 – Legal requirements and business insurance types6:13 – Software subscriptions and receipt management tools8:15 – Reality check on gear: Laptop and production needs9:41 – Gross vs Net: Why high revenue can be misleading11:02 – The struggle of finding a proactive accountant13:30 – Preview: Sole Trader vs Limited Company options 🎙️ About Zulf Talks Think of this as a chat between friends. I share business tips and advice on how I transitioned from a 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. Expect banter, financial freedom talk, and the reality of a documented career journey. Connect with me:Got a story about invisible wealth? Reach out!#UkCreators #InvisibleWealth #ZulfTalksPodcast #WealthMindset #StatusTax 📢 Please Note:The information shared is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and cannot address your specific requirements. Do your own research and seek independent advice.

    14 min

  3. JAN 19

    5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Quit Your Job Yet

    If you’re feeling the pull to leave your job but aren’t sure when the right time is, this episode will help you slow down, think clearly, and plan the transition properly. Think of this podcast as if you are sitting and chatting with friends. A lot of business tips and advice on how I progressed from my 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. There will be banter about success and financial freedom the odd motivational speech to also give you a boost. I will share thoughts on various subjects and use this to document my career journey occasionally joined by guests. be sure to reach out if you have any questions. I will only send you emails relating to the topics I talk about in my podcast/show My Business Working for Yourself podcast is powered by TrustedCreators.org. Clarity 📣: The information talked about in this episode is not financial advice or recommendations. The information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. Do your own research and seek independent advice when required. 📣Views and opinions expressed in this episode by the guests and or speakers are those of their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Zulftalks.com or TrustedCreators.org. Having guests on this podcast does not endorse them, their services or their products. 🎯Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our videos on the TrustedCreators, ZulfPhotography and other encompassed channels created by TrustedCreators LTD here- https://trustedcreators.org/disclaimer/ Resources:This Season has its own dedicated show notes and resources on my website - www.ZulfTalks.com.

    13 min

  4. JAN 12

    5 Brutal Truths About Working for Yourself (That No One Tells You)

    In this season 17 premiere, Zulf strips away the “expensive coffee and sleeping in” fantasy of self-employment to reveal the gritty reality of being your own boss. Transitioning from a 9-5 isn’t an escape from hard work; it is a trade-off where you exchange the security of a manager for the heavy responsibility of choosing which problems you want to solve. If you have ever felt that “freedom” should feel easier, this episode explains why it actually requires more discipline than any office job ever could.Show Notes: ZulfTalks.com/s17ep10:00 – Introduction: A different kind of hard1:26 – The reality of discipline vs. freedom2:25 – The 5 brutal truths about going solo3:31 – Defining the Freedom Trap4:58 – CEO vs. Worker: Which mindset do you have?6:29 – Managing your life is managing your business8:38 – The importance of knowing your numbers and costings11:51 – Reflections on year five as a Director13:03 – Preview: Why you shouldn’t quit your day job yet 🎙️ About Zulf Talks Think of this as a chat between friends. I share business tips and advice on how I transitioned from a 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. Expect banter, financial freedom talk, and the reality of a documented career journey. Connect with me:Got a story about invisible wealth? Reach out!#UkCreators #InvisibleWealth #ZulfTalksPodcast #WealthMindset #StatusTax 📢 Please Note:The information shared is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and cannot address your specific requirements. Do your own research and seek independent advice.

    13 min

  5. JAN 5

    Choosing the Right Videos to Make Time vs Effort vs Return

    Season 16, ep6 Choosing the Right Videos to Make Time vs Effort vs Return Not every video or channel idea hits from the start. In this episode, I talk about what happens when your content doesn’t get traction, how I handle underperforming videos, and the steps I take to adjust my strategy without giving up. This is part of my real-time journey building a channel from zero through my business TrustedCreators.org. New Channel Update: Current stats: [e.g., 156 videos uploaded, 156 subscribers, 64,728 viewsSome videos have performed better than others; a few are underperforming.Goal for next week: test adjustments in titles, thumbnails, or format to improve engagement.Episode Summary: How to assess why a video or topic isn’t performing.Adjustments you can make: format, title, thumbnail, or niche focus.The importance of experimenting without losing momentum.Why consistency and patience matter when building a new channel.Outro CTA: Follow along on Zulftalks.com as I document each step of my YouTube journey, including mistakes and pivots. If I can start from scratch and adjust in real-time, so can you. Think of this podcast as if you are sitting and chatting with friends. A lot of business tips and advice on how I progressed from my 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. There will be banter about success and financial freedom the odd motivational speech to also give you a boost. I will share thoughts on various subjects and use this to document my career journey occasionally joined by guests. be sure to reach out if you have any questions. I will only send you emails relating to the topics I talk about in my podcast/show My Business Working for Yourself podcast is powered by TrustedCreators.org. Clarity 📣: The information talked about in this episode is not financial advice or recommendations. The information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. Do your own research and seek independent advice when required. 📣Views and opinions expressed in this episode by the guests and or speakers are those of their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Zulftalks.com or TrustedCreators.org. Having guests on this podcast does not endorse them, their services or their products. 🎯Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our videos on the TrustedCreators, ZulfPhotography and other encompassed channels created by TrustedCreators LTD here- https://trustedcreators.org/disclaimer/ Resources:This Season has its own dedicated show notes and resources on my website - www.ZulfTalks.com.

    14 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    How to See Which YouTube Videos Are Doing Well on Your Channel

    Season 16, Episode 5: How to See Which YouTube Videos Are Doing Well on Your Channel.mp4 Not every video or channel idea hits from the start. In this episode, I talk about what happens when your content doesn’t get traction, how I handle underperforming videos, and the steps I take to adjust my strategy without giving up. This is part of my real-time journey building a channel from zero through my business TrustedCreators.org. New Channel Update: Current stats: [e.g., 156 videos uploaded, 156 subscribers, 64,728 viewsSome videos have performed better than others; a few are underperforming.Goal for next week: test adjustments in titles, thumbnails, or format to improve engagement.Episode Summary: How to assess why a video or topic isn’t performing.Adjustments you can make: format, title, thumbnail, or niche focus.The importance of experimenting without losing momentum.Why consistency and patience matter when building a new channel.Outro CTA: Follow along on Zulftalks.com as I document each step of my YouTube journey, including mistakes and pivots. If I can start from scratch and adjust in real-time, so can you. Think of this podcast as if you are sitting and chatting with friends. A lot of business tips and advice on how I progressed from my 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. There will be banter about success and financial freedom the odd motivational speech to also give you a boost. I will share thoughts on various subjects and use this to document my career journey occasionally joined by guests. be sure to reach out if you have any questions. I will only send you emails relating to the topics I talk about in my podcast/show My Business Working for Yourself podcast is powered by TrustedCreators.org. Clarity 📣: The information talked about in this episode is not financial advice or recommendations. The information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. Do your own research and seek independent advice when required. 📣Views and opinions expressed in this episode by the guests and or speakers are those of their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Zulftalks.com or TrustedCreators.org. Having guests on this podcast does not endorse them, their services or their products. 🎯Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our videos on the TrustedCreators, ZulfPhotography and other encompassed channels created by TrustedCreators LTD here- https://trustedcreators.org/disclaimer/ Resources:This Season has its own dedicated show notes and resources on my website - www.ZulfTalks.com.

    18 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    What to Do If Your YouTube Topic Doesn’t Do Well

    Season 16, Episode 4: What to Do If Your YouTube Topic Doesn’t Do Well Not every video or channel idea hits from the start. In this episode, I talk about what happens when your content doesn’t get traction, how I handle underperforming videos, and the steps I take to adjust my strategy without giving up. This is part of my real-time journey building a channel from zero through my business TrustedCreators.org. New Channel Update: Current stats: [e.g., 6 videos uploaded, 20 subscribers, 800 views.Some videos have performed better than others; a few are underperforming.Goal for next week: test adjustments in titles, thumbnails, or format to improve engagement.Episode Summary: How to assess why a video or topic isn’t performing.Adjustments you can make: format, title, thumbnail, or niche focus.The importance of experimenting without losing momentum.Why consistency and patience matter when building a new channel.Outro CTA:Follow along on Zulftalks.com as I document each step of my YouTube journey, including mistakes and pivots. If I can start from scratch and adjust in real-time, so can you. Think of this podcast as if you are sitting and chatting with friends. A lot of business tips and advice on how I progressed from my 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. There will be banter about success and financial freedom the odd motivational speech to also give you a boost. I will share thoughts on various subjects and use this to document my career journey occasionally joined by guests. be sure to reach out if you have any questions. I will only send you emails relating to the topics I talk about in my podcast/show My Business Working for Yourself podcast is powered by TrustedCreators.org. Clarity 📣: The information talked about in this episode is not financial advice or recommendations. The information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. Do your own research and seek independent advice when required. 📣Views and opinions expressed in this episode by the guests and or speakers are those of their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Zulftalks.com or TrustedCreators.org. Having guests on this podcast does not endorse them, their services or their products. 🎯Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our videos on the TrustedCreators, ZulfPhotography and other encompassed channels created by TrustedCreators LTD here- https://trustedcreators.org/disclaimer/ Resources:This Season has its own dedicated show notes and resources on my website - www.ZulfTalks.com.

    18 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Setting Up My YouTube Channel and Getting People to My Videos

    Season 16, Episode 3: Setting Up My YouTube Channel and Getting People to My Videos Launching a channel is one thing, but getting people to actually watch your videos is another challenge entirely. In this episode, I walk through setting up my new YouTube channel, optimizing it for discovery, and my strategies to start driving the first views. New Channel Update: Current stats: Progress since Episode 2: initial traction from friends, social media, and early shares.Goal for next week: 50+ views per video organically and first comments.Episode Summary: How I set up my channel: branding, banners, about section, and playlists.Techniques to get initial viewers without paid ads.Sharing your first videos with the right audience.Why consistency and clear messaging matter from day one.Outro CTA:Follow along on Zulftalks.com to track the journey and see my channel grow. Remember, this is powered entirely through TrustedCreators.org — no outside funding. If I can start from scratch, so can you. Think of this podcast as if you are sitting and chatting with friends. A lot of business tips and advice on how I progressed from my 9-5 office role to a Director of my own company. There will be banter about success and financial freedom the odd motivational speech to also give you a boost. I will share thoughts on various subjects and use this to document my career journey occasionally joined by guests. be sure to reach out if you have any questions. I will only send you emails relating to the topics I talk about in my podcast/show My Business Working for Yourself podcast is powered by TrustedCreators.org. Clarity 📣: The information talked about in this episode is not financial advice or recommendations. The information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. I am not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. Do your own research and seek independent advice when required. 📣Views and opinions expressed in this episode by the guests and or speakers are those of their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Zulftalks.com or TrustedCreators.org. Having guests on this podcast does not endorse them, their services or their products. 🎯Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our videos on the TrustedCreators, ZulfPhotography and other encompassed channels created by TrustedCreators LTD here- https://trustedcreators.org/disclaimer/ Resources:This Season has its own dedicated show notes and resources on my website - www.ZulfTalks.com.

    18 min
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About

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.

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