For most Londoners, a black cab ride is just a convenient way to get from point A to B. But for one cab driver, the driver’s seat was more than just a source of income—it was the front line of a secret double life. By day (and often night), he navigated London’s chaotic streets, charming tourists and local commuters alike. But behind the wheel, he carried a secret no one—not even his family—knew: he was studying business in the hopes of rewriting his future.
Meet James: Cab Driver by Day, Student by Night
James had been driving a black cab for over a decade. Like many in the trade, he was proud of his work, his knowledge of London’s labyrinthine roads, and the community of drivers he called friends. But deep down, he harbored a quiet ambition that refused to go away.
“I always felt like there was more I wanted to do,” James shared. “Driving gave me a living, but I wanted something that challenged me in a different way—something that let me grow.”
So he made a bold decision: he enrolled in a part-time business management course. But he kept it quiet—very quiet.
“I didn’t tell my wife. Not even my kids. It wasn’t because I didn’t think they’d support me. I just wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull it off. I didn’t want to raise any hopes until I knew I could really make it work.”
The Secret Investment
Tuition wasn’t cheap, and James didn’t want to dip into his family’s savings. Instead, he used the cash tips he received on his cab rounds. Every spare pound, every extra note pressed into his hand by grateful passengers—he tucked it away, slowly building up a fund to cover course fees, books, and even a used laptop.
“It’s funny,” he says. “When you know exactly what every tip is paying for, it gives your work a whole new meaning. I’d be driving someone to Heathrow, and I’d be thinking, ‘This ride is paying for my next module on strategic marketing.’”
James would drive a full shift, sometimes 10 to 12 hours, and then spend his evenings at a quiet table in the kitchen, headphones in, laptop open, studying late into the night. Sometimes he’d take calls from classmates while sitting parked outside a coffee shop between rides.
Living a Lie—for the Right Reasons
Keeping the secret wasn’t easy. There were close calls. Once, his son almost found a printed business plan James had been working on. Another time, his wife asked why he was always so tired and distracted. But James kept his head down and stayed the course.
“I felt guilty lying to them,” he admits. “But I wanted to show them results, not dreams.”
That day finally came earlier this year, when James received a job offer from Brody & Co. Business Services, a respected London-based consultancy. After completing his program, he’d quietly applied to several firms—but it was Brody & Co. that saw the potential in his unusual background.
“When we saw his application, we were intrigued,” said a senior manager at Brody & Co. “He didn’t just have academic knowledge—he had lived experience. He knew what it meant to work hard, solve real-world problems, and talk to people from every walk of life. That’s the kind of insight you can’t teach in a classroom.”
Coming Clean
James waited until he signed his contract to break the news to his family.
“I sat them down and told them everything. At first they were shocked—my wife thought I was joking. But when I showed her the offer letter, she started to cry. She told me she wished I had told her sooner, but she understood why I hadn’t.”
His children were equally surprised—and proud. “They kept asking if I was going to wear a suit every day now,” James laughs.
A New Journey Begins
Today, James works full-time as a junior consultant at Brody & Co., helping small and medium-sized businesses streamline operations and grow sustainably. He still keeps his cab license—“just in case,” he jokes—but his days behind the wheel are mostly behind him.
He says his past gives him an edge in the boardroom.
“When you’ve had to earn every penny and juggle life in the real world, you bring a grounded perspective to business strategy. I understand pressure. I understand clients who are struggling to stay afloat. And now, I can help them.”
Thinking About a Career Change?
James’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your future. Whether you’re driving a cab, serving tables, or sitting behind a desk, your next opportunity might be closer than you think.
At Brody & Co. Business Services, we value real-life experience as much as academic qualifications. If you’re motivated, adaptable, and ready for a new challenge, we want to hear from you.
Join us. Let’s build the future together.
👉 https://brodyandcobusinessservices.com/