Richard’s story comes as research, commissioned by VodafoneThree, reveals how mobile connectivity helps turn inspiration into opportunity in places like Mansfield.
To celebrate the places inspiring creativity and driving regional economic growth, VodafoneThree is bringing ‘Opportunity Hubs’ to communities across the country to help people turn ideas and inspiration into opportunities.
According to the data from OnePoll.com, over 17 million moments of inspiration become real side hustles or small businesses across the UK every year.1
When an idea strikes, 35% use their smartphone to immediately search for more information. More than one in five (22%) have used their connection to work remotely, collaborate with other people (20%) and share creative work (18%).
The hubs will pop up in locations, including Mansfield, where notable network improvements are giving more people the connectivity to put their ideas into action.
Richard’s connectivity story
People like Richard C. Bower, a careers advisor who ditched his own profession to become a full-time poet after landing a multi-book deal based on his social media posts.
Richard C. Bower, 50, says he always had a passion for writing from a young age but never showed anyone his work until 10 years ago, when his mum passed away suddenly.
After his therapist encouraged him to use writing as an outlet for his grief and share it on social media, publishers quickly took notice and offered him a four-book deal.
As his success snowballed, he gave up his job as a careers advisor to pursue poetry full time, before being asked by his local football club Mansfield Town Football Club to write the club’s official poem, ‘This Is Mansfield’.
The poet is currently writing a book inspired by nature and being outdoors, using local nature spots such as Sherwood Forest to spark inspiration.
How a connection can turn inspiration into action
Richard’s story comes as research, commissioned by VodafoneThree, reveals how mobile connectivity helps turn inspiration into opportunity.
The study of 2,000 Brits found the best ideas come while outside the home, while walking (33 per cent), spending time alone (33 per cent) and when in nature (29 per cent).
The findings show adults are most likely to be inspired while at the coast or beach (36 per cent), in the countryside (34 per cent) or in woodlands or forests (24 per cent).
While 74 per cent feel inspired by their everyday surroundings, over half (55 per cent) say their local area fuels their inspiration.
“The phone helps to accelerate my creative process”
Until a few months ago, Richard Bower did not have a phone, but as demand for this work grew and new creative opportunities emerged, he got one to help him stay connected and support his expanding business.
“I get inspired by walking around Mansfield, and the convenience of the phone helps to accelerate my creative process,” says Richard.
He now uses his mobile constantly as a thesaurus, notetaker and even live streams to his YouTube channel.
“I write about real life, whether it’s nature-inspired, being outdoors, about mental health, about love or loss – I just write about reality.
“I’m just a Mansfield lad, and I’m so privileged to be recognised as a poet of the people.”
Opportunity Hubs: Everything you need to know
Each Opportunity Hub will be located in an area which has seen significant network upgrades as part of VodafoneThree’s £11 billion investment to build the UK’s best network.
Initially visiting Mansfield, Bourne, Hoddesdon, Rottingdean, Tynemouth and Abergavenny, the pop-up Hubs will transform local venues in the heart of each community.
As a result, they will become spaces where people can: explore new ideas; access practical tools and advice; and take the next step towards turning inspiration into a hobby, side hustle or small business.
1 Research was conducted online by OnePoll among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, representative by age, gender and region, between 12 and 17 August 2026.
