Meet The Team: Jack Aling

Who are The PopUp Team?
Amongst other things, they have been called Earth's Mightiest Heroes and A Ragtag Bunch of Misfits. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them... maybe you can hire The PopUp Team.

We wanted to help you get to know the individual members that make up the PopUp Team so you can understand what makes us tick.
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​This week we PopUp's chaos coordinator and lead of all things creative: Jack Aling!

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Who are your biggest inspirations in life and business?

I have never met a more diverse and inspiring community than the PopUp Team and all of the people we meet at our events across the world. Simon and Alan picked me up in 2016 and completely changed my direction in life at a time when I desperately needed it and for that I will forever be grateful. Since then, I have listened to so many individual stories and hearing how people have got through their adversities gives me the motivation to get out of bed in the morning.
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Some of you know, I do like to watch the occasional film. There are so many filmmakers, directors, creatives and storytellers that inspire me and have shaped my humour, personality and the person I am today. I am an avid believer on the transformative power of film.

What songs gets you motivated?

I believe that motivational music needs to be played at ear-damaging levels to be properly experienced. I compiled a few songs that will make you feel unstoppable, clear your skin and improve your grades.

What is your key piece of advice for small businesses at this time?

We are in new territory. The words "once in a lifetime opportunity" have been thrown around a lot and what I have learnt is to find your own pace. Don't feel pressured to compete with others.
Use this time to redefine productivity, figure out what works for you. The world may not be on pause but it has certainly slowed - use this time to learn, do whatever you want and see what sticks. Do a little bit of something, figure out what you define as a successful day and work towards it.
If you and your business can come out of this stronger and re-energised then that's the biggest win.

Who are three people dead or alive you would invite to dinner?

Edgar Wright & Bo Burnham (I am combining because the more the merrier.)
These two gentlemen have had a huge impact in shaping my humour and outlook on the world. Their work whether it be directing, writing or performing inspire me to push myself to create greatness in anything I do.

James Watt
Speaking on behalf of Generation Z, Craft Beer is great and if you like your drinks with some flavour and personality, I'd recommend giving it a go. (Or be boring and stick to your Fosters.)
James Watt and the work he has done with the team at Brewdog proves that a new fresh alternative way of thinking works and I bet he has some great stories that he could bring to the table (James FYI You are providing the drinks.)
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​Andrew Rea
Food and cooking is one of my favourites creative pastimes. Where many chefs like Gordon Ramsay have inspired me, Andrew Rea (otherwise known online as Binging with Babish) was one of the first people to make great cooking feel achievable plus his show that recreates food from TV & Film is well up my street. (Andrew FYI You are providing the food.)

What has been your biggest learning in the past year?

Don't think. Do.
So many people live in this "what if" universe. They sit around thinking of what they could do rather than giving it a go.
What if I could start that business? What if I could achieve that goal?
​By setting small achievable targets and taking action in any way you can, you will be massively surprised in how much you can get done in such a short amount of time.

What are some resources that have had the biggest impact on you?

Atomic Habits - James Clear
A quick and instantly actionable read that proves that small tiny changes to your habits can have massive and life changing results.

Business for Punks - James Watt (Read online for free!)
The story of Brewdog and the punk way to take no prisoners and live and breathe what you believe in massively inspires my values and outlook into life & business.

About Time - Directed and Written by Richard Curtis
A film is a resource right? A beautifully made (very) British film which has helped shape how I look at life, relationships and making the most of every moment.

Come back every week as we introduce you to a new member of The PopUp Team!