An IT expert and entrepreneur who gave up a top salary working for companies such as Vodafone has produced an inspirational podcast series from his base in Norwich.

Rob Lawrence, whose audio series for entrepreneurs has been downloaded more than 3,500 times, said podcasts are fast becoming the 'new radio'.

'Podcasting is booming,' he said. 'It's an area with huge potential for growth, lots of people are still discovering it, and smart phones are also playing a big part.'

After a 15-year-long career in IT, Mr Lawrence began Inspirational Creatives alongside his two other businesses –including audio production business Sound Theory – from the King's Centre in Norwich to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

'I was meeting all these successful people, and I thought, hang on a minute, why don't I just hit record and share their words for free,' he said.

'It's all very well saying, you can create the lifestyle and business you want. But these people have actually done that.'

The podcasts interview creative business people who are not necessarily famous but are behind the scenes of innovative projects, said Mr Lawrence.

Those interviewed range from the producer who signed Sheryl Crow to Ali Clabburn, of award-winning company Liftshare in Norwich.

Nikki Loy, a singer-songwriter who uses the Inspirational Creatives series, said podcasts stand out from other forms of communication.

'There is information overload with bloggers and vloggers now, and the radio is not always aligned with what I believe in,' she said. 'I want to know something I listen to will give me good stuff.'

Ms Loy added that podcasts have the advantage of allowing listeners to be inspired while travelling or busy.

With four out of 10 people aware what a podcast is, and the creative industry reported as the fast growing in the UK, Mr Lawrence said audio media was an exciting place to be working.

What's your innovative project? Contact jessica.staufenberg@archant.co.uk, call 01603772531 or tweet @StaufenbergJ.