From No Qualifications to Business Owner: Bradley’s Journey and the Power of Genuine Futures
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“When you believe in someone before they believe in themselves, that’s where real change begins.” — Sam Smith, Founder of Genuine Futures
Not every journey starts with a university degree or getting your AAA stars. For Bradley Phelan, it started with very little — no qualifications, limited options, and uncertainty about the future. But thanks to his determination and the right support at the right time, Bradley is now the proud owner of his own business: PHELAN JOINERY LIMITED.
We would like to thank Bradley for being our guest speaker on the Boss Your Future programme, generously giving his time to share his journey with the young people taking part. He spoke openly about the challenges he faced after leaving school, and how his early experience working in car cleaning gave him more than just a job. It gave him structure, responsibility, and valuable life skills — from teamwork to timekeeping to communication. In fact, Bradley still champions car cleaning today as one of the best ways to develop core employment skills. His message was clear: you can learn something important from every experience, and that learning can shape your future. What made his visit so powerful was the connection. He’s walked the same path many of these young people are on now. He knows what it feels like to be unsure of what’s next. And he’s proof that with support, mentorship, and opportunity, anything is possible.
“Sam saw something in me when I didn’t see it in myself,” said Bradley. “He gave me that first push and believed in me when no one else did. What he’s doing now with Genuine Futures is exactly what young people need — someone in their corner, showing them what’s possible. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that support.”
A Full-Circle Moment
For Sam Smith, founder of Genuine Futures, the moment was just as meaningful.
“Meeting Bradley again after all these years was incredibly moving,” said Sam.
“He’s one of the many hundreds of young people I’ve had the privilege of supporting. Watching him build his own business and now giving back to others shows exactly why we do what we do.” Bradley’s story is more than just inspiring — it’s a reminder of the transformative power of belief, opportunity, and support. And it’s a story we want to see repeated again and again.
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What Is Genuine Futures?
Genuine Futures designs and delivers mentoring, personal development, and wellbeing programmes for young people and adults who may be facing disadvantage or uncertainty. Its mission is simple: to empower, inspire and motivate. The organisation works in schools, communities, and with employers, helping participants build resilience, develop key life skills, and prepare for work and independence. Their work is grounded in trust, respect and integrity — principles that guide every programme they run, including:
- Boss Your Future – A practical and motivational programme helping young people explore career pathways, build confidence, and learn real-world skills.
- Taste of Enterprise – Helping participants learn how to start and run a business through hands-on experiences.
- Wellbeing & Mentoring Support – Tailored one-to-one and group sessions to help individuals overcome barriers and build self-belief.
These programmes are about more than just education — they’re about unlocking potential, especially in those who may have been overlooked or underestimated.
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Why Stories Like Bradley’s Matter
According to Youth Employment UK, around 700,000 young people in the UK aged 16–24 are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Many of these young people face complex barriers, from a lack of qualifications to unstable home lives, mental health challenges, or learning difficulties.
Without the right support, it’s easy for these individuals to fall through the cracks. Bradley’s journey shows that with the right guidance and opportunity, young people can beat the odds. But it also shows something else: how powerful it is when people give back. By returning to speak with current programme participants, Bradley didn’t just share his success. He showed others what’s possible — and that their stories are still being written.
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How Businesses Can Get Involved
Genuine Futures is not just a social enterprise — it’s a growing community of changemakers, including employers, entrepreneurs, schools, and volunteers.
Businesses play a vital role in this work. And there are many ways they can get involved:
- Offer Mentorship or Workshops
Share your time and expertise with young people. Whether you run a trades business, creative agency, or tech startup, your insights can be transformative. - Create Work Placement Opportunities
Provide a young person with their first taste of the workplace. Even a few days of experience can build confidence and change perspectives. - Sponsor a Programme or Event
Financial support helps keep programmes accessible and impactful. You can sponsor individual sessions, workshops, or youth-led initiatives like community car wash events. - Become a Champion Business Partner
Partnering more closely with Genuine Futures gives businesses the chance to lead on social value, demonstrate commitment to the community, and help shape future initiatives.
“We want to work with businesses who care about their communities,” says Sam Smith. “Whether you can give time, opportunities, or funding — you’ll be helping to unlock potential where it’s often overlooked.”
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Let’s Build More Bradley Stories
Bradley’s story is inspiring — but it’s not rare. There are so many young people with untapped potential, just waiting for a chance.
At Genuine Futures, that chance might come in the form of a mentoring session, a car cleaning event, or a classroom workshop that lights a fire. But no matter the method, the result is the same: young people believing in themselves, often for the first time.
And when they do, the results are powerful.
So, if you run a business, manage a team, or simply want to support something that really makes a difference — now is the time.
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Final Thoughts from Sam Smith
“It’s not about fixing people. It’s about showing them they’re already valuable — and helping them see the strength they’ve had all along. When I met Bradley years ago, I saw potential. Now, he’s showing others that same light. That’s what Genuine Futures is all about.”
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Ready to Get Involved?
If you’re a business, organisation, or individual who wants to support the next generation:
Visit www.genuinefutures.co.uk
Or contact us to explore partnership opportunities
Together, we can drive real change — one future at a time.