I’m No Rookie

Hosted by Ayo Bamgbose

Education

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116

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Are you a beauty, spa, or wellness professional ready to take your career to the next level? Whether you're a therapist or manager looking to transition into education and training, I'm No Rookie is the podcast for you. I’m Ayo Bamgbose, your host, mentor, and fellow professional with over 20 years of experience in the beauty, wellness, and education sectors. I’ve walked the path from the treatment room to the classroom, and I’m here to guide you on your own journey. This podcast is designed specifically for professionals like you—passionate, skilled, and eager to make a bigger impact. Each fortnight, we’ll dive into topics that matter most, including how to leverage your expertise, develop new skills, and position yourself as an educator or trainer in this vibrant industry. From practical strategies and industry trends to inspirational stories, every episode is packed with insights to help you thrive in your next chapter. Join me on I’m No Rookie , and let’s turn your experience into a lasting legacy of teaching, mentorship, and growth. Your next step starts here—are you ready? Let’s dive in.

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August 18, 202614 min

#113: The Cost of Waiting Another Year

How many times have you told yourself, "I'll do it next year"? For many experienced professionals, wanting something different doesn't simply go away. We tell ourselves we'll make the move after Christmas, when work settles down or when life feels less hectic. Then another year passes and we're still thinking about the same change. In this episode of I'm No Rookie, Ayo Bamgbose looks at the hidden cost of waiting and shares her own experience of putting off her Level 5 Education and Training qualification for several years. What finally made her take action, and what happened afterwards, became a reminder that sometimes the opportunity we're waiting for starts with one small decision. If "maybe next year" has become a familiar phrase, this episode might give you something to think about. What You'll Learn Why we convince ourselves it's never the right time to make a career change. The difference between preparing for change and simply postponing it. Why confidence usually follows action, rather than coming before it. How one small decision today could completely change where you are this time next year. Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation helpful, I'd really appreciate it if you subscribed to I'm No Rookie and left a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews help more experienced beauty, spa and wellness professionals discover the podcast and realise they're not alone in thinking about what comes next. Connect with Me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayo-bamgbose-assoc-cipd-ma-msc-bsc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/developingeducatorsacademy Website: https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/

July 21, 20267 min

#111 The Workshop That Made Me Look at My Career Differently

Have you ever attended something with no expectations, and it ended up shifting how you see your career? In this episode, I share a moment from a workshop I attended during my PhD that made me pause and reflect. It was not about learning something completely new. It was about recognising what I was already doing and seeing it differently. This episode is for you if you have been thinking about your next step, whether that is moving into teaching, progressing in your career, or simply trying to figure out if you are on the right path. Sometimes, it is not about doing more. It is about seeing more clearly. What You’ll Learn Why do you need to wait until the end of a qualification to start thinking about your next move How small, everyday actions can quietly position you for new opportunities Practical ways to recognise and build on what you are already doing Key Mentions & Resources If you’re thinking about stepping into education or creating your own courses, these resources will help you understand what is required: Explore Education and Training Qualifications (Level 3 & Level 4) https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/CIBTAC Learn more about the Assessor Qualification https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/assessor Download the course brochure https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

July 7, 20266 min

#110: You Can’t Just Add Courses to Your Salon… Here’s Why

At some point in your career, the idea comes up. You’ve built your skills. You’ve gained experience. Clients trust you. And then the thought appears… maybe it’s time to start teaching. For many salon and spa owners, adding courses feels like a natural next step. It sounds like growth. It sounds like impact. It sounds like another stream of income. But there’s a side to this decision that doesn’t get talked about enough. In this episode, I open up a conversation around what it really means to step into education. Not just from a business point of view, but from a responsibility point of view. Teaching is not just about showing someone what you do. It is about ensuring they can do it confidently on their own. If you have ever thought about adding training to your business, this is one of those episodes that will make you pause and reflect before you take that next step. What You Will Learn Why adding courses to your salon is not as simple as it sounds The difference between being experienced and being able to teach effectively What many training providers get wrong and how it impacts learners The responsibility that comes with stepping into education Key things to consider before introducing training into your business Key Mentions & Resources If you’re thinking about stepping into education or creating your own courses, these resources will help you understand what is required: Explore Education and Training Qualifications (Level 3 & Level 4) https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/CIBTAC Learn more about the Assessor Qualification https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/assessor Download the course brochure https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

June 23, 20266 min

#109: Why Your Students Aren’t Learning as Much as You Think

You can plan a solid lesson, explain everything clearly, and still feel like your students are not fully connecting with what you’re teaching. It is a frustrating place to be, especially when you know you are doing everything right on paper. In this episode, Ayo shares a moment from her teaching journey that made her pause and rethink what was really happening in the classroom. It is a shift many educators go through, but not everyone talks about. If you have ever felt like your learners are focused on passing rather than understanding, this episode will get you reflecting on your own approach and what might need to change. What You’ll Learn Why strong lesson delivery does not always lead to real learning How student questions can reveal their true focus and intentions A simple shift that can change how your learners engage and take responsibility Mentioned in This Episode Level 3 Award in Education and Training Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training Level 3 Assessor Qualification Explore more here: https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

June 9, 20266 min

#108: Will AI Replace Educators? Why Accredited Qualifications Still Matter

AI is changing how we learn. You can generate lesson plans in seconds. You can ask questions and get instant answers. You can even structure an entire course without ever opening a textbook. So it raises a real question. If information is now so accessible, do qualifications still matter? In this episode, I share a moment from a recent business pitch where I was asked whether AI would impact my academy. It was a question that could have easily created doubt, but instead, it gave me clarity. Because there is a difference between learning something and being recognised for it. And that difference is what shapes credibility, career progression, and long-term opportunity. What You’ll Learn Why access to information is not the same as professional recognition The difference between being a skills trainer and an accredited training provider How your positioning affects your credibility, pricing, and opportunities Why qualifications still hold weight, even in an AI-driven world Key Mentions & Resources If you’re thinking about stepping into education or creating your own courses, these resources will help you understand what is required: Explore Education and Training Qualifications (Level 3 & Level 4) https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/CIBTAC Learn more about the Assessor Qualification https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/assessor Download the course brochure https://developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

May 26, 20267 min

#107: What My 15+ Years of Teaching Has Actually Taught Me

There is a moment many of us experience in our careers. You are given an opportunity that feels slightly bigger than you. You do not feel fully ready. You are not sure if you tick every box. But something in you says yes anyway. In this episode of I’m No Rookie , I reflect on what has truly shaped me over 15 plus years in education and training. From stepping into my first trainer role without a teaching qualification, to teaching internationally, to building an online platform and eventually creating Developing Educators Academy. This is not a step-by-step guide. It is an honest look at what teaching really gives you. The confidence, the challenges, the unexpected lessons, and the way it changes how you see both yourself and our industry. What You Will Learn Why saying yes before you feel ready can open doors you did not expect The difference between knowing your subject and actually teaching it How teaching builds confidence over time through experience, not perfection Why structure and delivery matter more than simply sharing information How your existing experience can translate into a teaching career Mentioned in This Episode Level 3 Award in Education and Training Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training Level 3 Assessor Qualification Explore more here: https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

May 12, 20266 min

#106: Why Your Qualification Isn’t the Problem

You have completed your teaching qualification. You passed your micro-teach, submitted your assignments, and received your certificate. On paper, everything suggests you are ready to step into an educator role. So why have you not applied yet? In this episode of I’m No Rookie , I explore a pattern I see far too often. Experienced professionals who are qualified, capable, and knowledgeable, yet still holding themselves back. Through a real conversation with one of my students, alongside my own experience of delivering my first external training in a five-star spa hotel near Hyde Park, I unpack what is really happening beneath the surface. This episode is not about gaining more qualifications. It is about recognising the difference between being qualified and believing you belong in the role. What You’ll Learn Why feeling “not ready” is often linked to confidence rather than lack of qualification How fear can show up as over-preparing or signing up for additional courses The importance of stepping into your identity as an educator before you feel fully ready Mentioned in This Episode Level 3 Award in Education and Training Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training Level 3 Assessor Qualification Explore more here: https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me: LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

April 28, 20267 min

#105 Before You Apply for That Lecturer Job… Do This First

You might see a lecturer job advertised and feel ready to apply straight away, especially if you have completed your Level 3 Award in Education and Training. It feels like the logical next step. However, this is where many experienced professionals hold themselves back without realising it. In this episode, Ayo shares what she has noticed from regularly reviewing educator job adverts and why having the qualification is only one part of what employers are looking for. She explains how much of your existing experience already aligns with teaching, even if you have never had a formal educator job title. This episode is designed to help you pause, reflect, and approach job applications more strategically and confidently. What You’ll Learn: You will understand why having a qualification alone is not enough when applying for lecturer roles. You will learn how to recognise teaching, mentoring, and assessing experience within your current role. You will also learn how to align your CV with job descriptions so that employers can clearly see your value. Key Mentions: Download the brochure: https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Learn more about the courses: https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/cibtac Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me: LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

April 14, 20267 min

#104 The 3 Career Routes No One Explains to Aspiring Beauty Educators

In this episode, Ayo Bamgbose breaks down something that often gets overlooked when professionals say they want to move into teaching. The reality is, teaching in our industry is not one single path. It can lead to very different careers depending on the direction you choose. Drawing from her own journey from therapist to trainer, lecturer, and now academy owner, Ayo shares honest insights into what each route actually looks like behind the scenes. This episode is designed to help you stop feeling stuck and start making clearer decisions about your next step. What You’ll Learn The difference between in-store training and brand training What a lecturing role really involves beyond delivering lessons What it takes to run your own academy Why clarity matters before moving into education How to start thinking about which route suits your lifestyle and goals Key Mentions & Resources Download the brochure https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Learn more about our courses https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/cibtac Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me: LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

March 31, 20266 min

#103: I Thought I Needed My Notes… Until This Happened

In this episode, Ayo shares a real moment from her PhD journey that completely changed how she thinks about confidence. What started as a well-prepared presentation quickly turned into something unexpected, and the outcome was not what she anticipated. If you have ever felt like you need to be fully prepared before you speak, teach, or present, this episode will give you something to reflect on. What You’ll Learn Why confidence does not always come from preparation What happens when you are forced to trust yourself A different way to think about presenting and teaching Mentioned in This Episode Level 3 Award in Education and Training Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training Level 3 Assessor Qualification Explore more here: https://www.developingeducatorsacademy.com/brochure Subscribe & Share If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to I’m No Rookie on your favourite podcast platform. Your reviews and shares help more beauty, spa, and wellness professionals find the podcast and feel supported in their journey. 💬 Follow and connect with me: LinkedIn: Ayo Bamgbose Facebook: Developing Educators Academy Website

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