Whitley Bay entrepreneur turns childhood camera passion into podcast business

Heywood Simon is the founder of Stuff Podcasts, a podcast production business based on Station Road in Whitley Bay, where he helps businesses, individuals and organisations create professional podcasts, video podcasts and social media content.

But his route into the industry is far from conventional.

“I started recording myself with my dad’s camera when I was a kid,” said Heywood. “I was doing impressions of family members and making my own little magic shows, but all on camera.”

That early fascination eventually developed into a career in photography, with Heywood opening his own small studio in his mid-20s.

Then came a move to Barcelona at the age of 28, where a search for work led him into radio at Radio Barcelona City FM.

It was there that he discovered something that would ultimately shape his future.

“I really, really enjoyed the conversations,” he said. “You could have these intentional, long conversations with someone, and then other parts of radio could be really fast-paced. I loved that.”

His next move into social media video production came almost by accident when he approached a tattoo shop, selling himself on his photography and radio experience.

Years of video production experience followed before Heywood discovered the format that would eventually become his business.

Around four years ago, he launched his own YouTube channel to talk openly about his experiences with mental health, anxiety and ADHD.

Initially, the focus was on his own story. But after a year, Heywood decided he had said enough about himself and began interviewing other people about their experiences.

“That’s when my love for conversation really grew,” he explained. “People are nervous at first, but then you get into it and magic happens.”

It was this realisation that eventually led to Stuff Podcast.

About two years ago, Heywood decided to turn his experience into a business, offering podcast production to other people.

Today, Stuff Podcast provides a professional four-person podcast set-up featuring four microphones, three cameras and 4K 10-bit recording, alongside lighting and production facilities.