Jamiel Thompson is a busy guy. A London-based creative, Jamiel works at the intersection of brand, travel and culture. Last year, he also co-founded travel platform Twin City alongside his collaborator Isaac Young.

Jamiel's work centres on authentic storytelling and agile brand strategy, through research and connecting with people around the world (so you can see why we love him). This perspective is born of creating from a people and culture-first foundation, combined with critical rigor, insight, and industry know-how — because as Jamiel says, people trust people, not brands. He's got an impressive CV, and has worked with everyone from Offspring, Nike and Converse, to Spotify, Guiness and YouTube.

Jamiel's startup Twin City (which we're big fans of) is a members-only homeswap platform, with listings in 37 cities. Let's say you want to spend January in Cape Town. Just list your deets on Twin City, and find a like-minded creative who wants to spend the month in your place. There are tons of places to swap with, from Amsterdam to Tokyo, and everywhere in between.

We caught up with Jamiel to find out what he's learned in the past few years. 

Hey Jamiel! Can you briefly intro yourself for us?

Hey there, I'm Jamiel  – London-raised, Jamaican-born.

How did you get to where you are today?

I've been working in the culture industry for the past decade. I've worked with big names like Nike, Spotify, Wray & Nephew, and Jimmy Choo. 

What does living a good life mean to you?

For me, persistence, resilience, hunger, and love paved the way to where I am today.

What's something you wish you'd known 5 years ago?

Balancing  – finding contentment, focusing on the present, cherishing friends, family, and financial security. The industry? All bollocks.

Who's someone you look up to?

As for role models, I'm inspired by creatives like Miranda July and Childish Gambino for their multidisciplinary prowess. Akinola Davies for his bold perspective, and John Ogunmuwa, my longest collaborator and friend. Fame isn't the focus – it's about admiration for genuine creativity and vision.

What's the best life lesson you've learnt?

Letting go is essential –  Forgiveness and understanding are vital.

What do you dream about?

My dreams? Splitting time between Jamaica, Amsterdam, and Bali. Exploring new horizons with our business, creating time for myself, family, and achieving financial freedom to create without constraints.

What's one thing you recommend?

If there's one thing I recommend, it's exercise – for the body and mind. 

Finally, give us a hotspot in your city.

And if you're in London, check out Black Eats. It's a true community hub, authentically London, where people come together. Look up for a Social Capital x Twin City collab very soon...