In this episode of the Meet Your Inspiration Podcast, hosts Rich and Meri sit down with Matthew J Bridger, a 25-year-old dynamo who defied traditional education to become a serial entrepreneur, political leader, and community champion. Matthew shares his extraordinary journey from leaving school at 16 to founding successful businesses, becoming one of the UK's youngest parish councillors, and working alongside MPs and senior politicians in Westminster.
The conversation explores Matthew's relentless drive to create positive change, from launching the nine-year-running Homeless Shoebox Appeal to establishing The Eagle Stone Agency with a commitment to donate 10% of profits to charity. His rapid-response COVID relief efforts outpaced local government, while his political career saw him rise from campaign manager to senior parliamentary adviser, even contributing to national child safety reforms.Matthew passionately advocates for apprenticeships over university education, emphasising practical experience and self-belief as keys to success. His story exemplifies how persistence, networking, and a willingness to say "yes" to opportunities can transform a struggling student into a Freeman of the City of London and founder of multiple ventures spanning marketing, events, and charitable work.• Self-belief is fundamental - if you don't believe in yourself, you won't achieve your goals• Traditional education isn't the only path to success; practical experience often trumps theoretical learning• Everyone is one pay slip away from homelessness - compassion and community support are vital• Young entrepreneurs face systemic barriers like banking restrictions that need addressing• Combining business with social purpose creates sustainable positive impact• Working in politics reveals the human side of MPs and the importance of constituent service00:00 - The Power of Believing in Yourself00:33 - Inspiring the Next Generation Through Apprenticeships01:35 - Introduction to a Young Entrepreneur02:33 - A Glimpse into a Busy Entrepreneur's Lifestyle03:54 - Early Entrepreneurial Journey: Skipping School for Business06:20 - First Business Venture and Banking Challenges07:44 - Moving Out at 16 and Launching a CIC09:49 - The Homeless Shoebox Appeal Initiative11:49 - Understanding the Reality of Homelessness15:19 - Commitment to Charity and Future Fundraising16:40 - The Impact of Small Donations and Community Support19:57 - Expanding Charity Work and Responding to COVID-1922:28 - Youth Opportunities Through the Erasmus Program24:49 - Entering the World of Politics at 1827:04 - Advancing a Career in Political Campaigning29:01 - From Campaign Manager to Parliamentary Role30:45 - The Impactful Button Battery Campaign34:07 - Behind the Scenes of an MP's Office37:48 - The Impact of a Snap General Election39:51 - Climbing the Political Ladder44:22 - A New Vision for the Local Party46:24 - The Entrepreneurial Journey49:42 - Giving Back Through Community Roles52:46 - Building a Multi-Faceted Business Agency58:50 - How to Recharge a Busy Life59:51 - Advice for Young People: Believe in Yourself01:01:18 - The Power of Networking in Business01:01:57 - Future Plans and the Value of Apprenticeships01:03:34 - Receiving the Freedom of the City of London01:05:45 - University vs. Apprenticeships: A Business Perspective01:07:28 - The Reality of a Social Media Career01:08:46 - Charity Work and Launching a Foundation01:10:29 - The Impact of Small Donations01:11:47 - Integrating Social Purpose into Business01:13:55 - Conclusion: An Extraordinary GuestTo Help Matthew with his fundraising efforts:To support Great https://www.justgiving.com/page/matthewjbridgerTo Help Make Christmas Brighter for the Homelesshttps://eaglestonefoundation.comTo contact Matthew:https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjbridger/Our sponsors:https://www.hempsteadhouse.co.uk/https://theitrustapp.com/https://whatsoninkent.com/