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Friends who have spent their twenties ‘proudly unemployed’ while making a living doing comedy sketches online faced some harsh truths on their first day in a full-time business environment.
Jack Steele and Matt Ford, the larrikin duo behind ‘The Inspired Unemployed’, were recruited by Swiss wellness to work on fresh ideas for the brand’s vitamin gummy range.
What they did not expect, however, was how many unwritten rules had to be followed in an ‘adult’ and super lush Aussie office environment – especially when you’re in your late 20s with no corporate experience.
Even before their rise to Insta-fame, the duo, from rural New South Wales, had nothing to do with the ‘corporate world’. Matt worked various apprenticeships as a landscaper, bricklayer and carpenter, while Jack worked as a plasterer for his father’s business.
Jack Steele (right) and Matt Ford (left), the larrikin duo behind ‘The Inspired Unemployed’, were recruited by Swiss wellness to work on fresh ideas for the brand’s vitamin gummy range
Their transition to comedy came in 2016 when they started doing satirical sketches with friends while living in New Zealand. They haven’t looked back and now boast millions of fans and their own TV show.
“It’s really been turned on its head from being traditions to campaigns, but it’s happened and it’s a lot of fun,” Jack told FEMAIL after the pair scored roles as the brand’sChief Gummy Officers‘.
“We were actually out on the golf course when our manager called us,” added Matt.
So it goes without saying that storming into one smooth Melbourne HQ in 2024 was pretty new territory for the pair, now aptly dubbed ‘The Inspired’ Employed‘.
“We would suggest going in with a bit of a game plan,” the pair admitted after their first week on the job.
‘Let’s give you a leg up so you can tackle your first week with confidence.’
1. CHECK THE MILK
“I don’t mind telling people I’m lactose intolerant, but the last thing I want to do in my first week is show them,” Matt said.
“If you’re on a diet, don’t be, double check the milk before you go gung ho on a cup of tea.”
2. TAKE NOTES
“People are going to throw all sorts of things at you in your first week, their name, internal acronyms, the Wi-Fi password…,” Jack warned.
‘Do your future self a favor and write it down even if it doesn’t actually make sense, especially if it doesn’t make sense. ‘
The couple highly recommends taking notes or you’ll find yourself in all sorts of awkward scenarios
3. BUY (DO NOT MAKE) YOUR COFFEE
“A better strategy for your hot drinks is to find the local coffee shop and outsource the work,” Jack said after learning coffee woes the hard way.
‘Nothing says ‘I ain’t got a clue’ like burning yourself with the milk frother and spilling ground coffee beans on the floor. Don’t be a hero.’
4. CHOOSE YOUR CLOTHES wisely
“In retrospect, taking our wardrobe from Mad Men probably wasn’t the way to go, and it turns out that a full set of suit and tie is no longer the norm,” Jack said.
“Don’t be nervous about asking about the dress code before your first day.”
Not only did the duo write in permanent marker on the board, but they misspelled the product
5. CHECK YOUR WHITEBOARD MARKING
“If you feel the need to flex your professionalism on a whiteboard, double check that it’s a whiteboard marker and not a permanent marker,” Matt warned.
‘Or if you don’t, at least make sure you know how to spell the very product you’re brought in to work on… it’s ‘gummies’ btw.’
6. TAKE A MINUTE
“The first few days are full, take the edge off by finding a quiet room and taking a moment,” suggested Matt.
‘If you’re as lucky as we are Swissthere will be a dedicated meditation room.’
You can read about the ridiculously enviable benefits that the company offers here – including ‘floating leave’, dogs and flexible working. *sigh*
‘Nothing says ‘I ain’t got a clue’ like burning yourself with the milk frother and spilling ground coffee beans on the floor. Don’t be a hero,’ said Jack (pictured).
Now established, Matt and Jack will play a central role in driving both innovation and expansion Swiss Gummies range.
Their goal? Bringing a fresh, comedic twist to the product development process.
They’ve already started work on a top-secret concept they say will ‘revolutionize’ Gummies landscape. While details remain under wraps, there’s no doubt the pair will return soon with an (equally entertaining) update.
