Ben turbocharges Car Showroom Poet’s new chapter

11 August 2025  

Automotive industry charity, Ben, has revealed that a former car valuer turned ‘performance poet’, John Cassidy from Nottingham, has released his debut book of automotive-inspired poetry, parody and satire, following a transformative coaching journey.

Ben said Cassidy, a talented writer and performer who is also neurodivergent, walked away from a dealership career in late 2024 after recognising his heart was no longer in it.

Feeling increasingly detached and overwhelmed, he reached out to Ben for coaching at a pivotal moment in his life.

Now known as ‘The Car Showroom Poet’, Cassidy’s new book marks a remarkable personal and professional rebirth, enabled by Ben’s tailored support.

Through six coaching sessions, he gained the structure, belief and clarity needed to bring his creative ambitions to life, Ben said.

He was then able to break down overwhelming goals into manageable steps, completing a book manuscript and also prepared his one‑man show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025.

Memoir

The book, now on sale through Amazon, blends reflective memoir, poetry, parody, satire and the lived experience of working in the automotive industry. 

Cassidy said: “Reaching out to Ben felt like someone finally saw me and understood that my journey, although unconventional, was valid. Coaching helped me break my ambitions of writing a book into bite‑sized steps, turning inner chaos into real progress. 

“By the time we finished my final coaching session, I held a completed manuscript in my hands, ready for publishing.

“My book is truly unique and will appeal to car and poetry enthusiasts, but it also straddles memoir, songwriting, media and comedy. I would recommend Ben’s coaching to anyone in the industry who feels stuck in their personal or professional lives – it truly changed my life.”

Visit www.ben.org.uk/johncstory to read and watch Cassidy’s full story.

Ben’s free and confidential coaching service is open to anyone who works or has worked in the UK automotive industry. Click here for details.