Entrepreneurship & Growth
Meet Darren Evans
16 September 2026 · 2 min read
Darren Evans did not set out to become an author. He wrote his first book because, at one of the lowest points of his life, he could not find the help he needed, and he wanted other men in the same position to have something to turn to.
Writing his way through
Darren was working as a joiner when lockdown hit. Building sites closed, work dried up, and he was unable to see his children. His mental health was in a very bad place and he was having panic attacks. When he went to his doctor and asked for counselling, he found a long waiting list.
So he found his own solution. He started writing, both as a coping mechanism and as something for men who are on the brink and feel there is nobody to talk to. The result was his book, Useful Advice from a Hypocrite, which he produced and funded himself and got out into the world through the internet.
A father first
Darren went through a long process to stay in his children's lives, and he now has full custody of them. Being a single father changed how he works: he can no longer take on the joinery jobs he used to, so he is building something that can pay the bills while doing what he set out to do years ago. His daughter came with him to the studio on the day.
Building Useful
Readers responded to the book and wanted more, and that grew into Useful, a brand that aims to help people, mostly men, based on Darren's own experiences. The name is a play on words: the information is useful, and it carries the idea of "you becoming full". He has run free workshops for young people at risk of being drawn into gang violence and for men going through situations like his own, and he mentors people one-to-one.
On Pitch'd or Ditch'd he asked for support with trademarking, registering the company, marketing and promotion. Whatever the outcome, he said, being on the bench was a step in the right direction, and he left having sold copies of his book on the day.
Darren Evans joined us on The Legacy Bench for Pitch'd or Ditch'd, "6 Entrepreneurs Pitch for £5,000 — Would You Invest?" — read the episode story or watch the full conversation.
If anything in Darren's story resonates with you, please talk to someone. In the UK you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time.
