Connect the Buds: Career Talk - Failing Forward

In this honest and practical career talk, CK shares his journey of navigating undiagnosed ADHD through school, university and the early stages of his corporate career, while simultaneously studying for the ACCA qualification and building creative ventures including Axum Clothing and community-led tennis initiatives.

The session will explore what it really looks like to pursue ambitious goals when your path is not linear — from academic struggles and self-doubt to burnout, resilience and learning how to work with (not against) your brain. CK will discuss balancing corporate life with entrepreneurship, managing expectations, redefining failure, and building confidence through action.

This will be an open, relatable conversation designed to encourage young people to take ownership of their path — even if it looks different from everyone else’s.

Aim to achieve:

• Normalise non-linear career journeys and setbacks

• Encourage young people not to fear failure or comparison

• Share practical lessons on balancing work, study and creative projects

• Offer insight into corporate careers (finance/risk) alongside entrepreneurship

• Create space for open discussion around ADHD, neurodiversity and ambition

Ages 18–25 can feel overwhelming — with pressure to “have it figured out.” Many young people struggle silently with focus, confidence, comparison and uncertainty about their direction. This talk highlights that setbacks, career pivots and even late diagnoses (such as ADHD) do not define your ceiling. Instead, they can become strengths when understood properly. The session aims to help young adults feel less alone, more empowered, and more confident in shaping a path that works for them — whether corporate, creative, entrepreneurial or a mix of all three.

Location

The Hub is located upstairs in The Glades next to HMV and Waterstones.

Nearest stations Bromley South & Bromley North

Bus Stops U & V on Elmfield Rd 314, 358, 261, 320, 208, 126, 162, 336, 638, 352, 138, 61, 367, 119, 146, 246

Parking in the Glades can be accessed from Kentish Way or Glades Place off Widmore Rd. (Parking shuts 30 mins after shops close)

What3Words for The Glades Entrance https://w3w.co/storm.ranges.originWhat3Words for parking https://w3w.co/slate.preoccupied.critic

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Host or Publisher Greener and Cleaner UK