It’s never too late to acquire a new skill. Knowing where to start, though, can be tricky. Or at least, it was.

BBC Maestro brings together dozens of top-of-their-class experts in fields spanning public speaking, dog training and photography to business, wellness and cookery, offering hundreds of hours of video courses that you can study at your own pace.

Here are five of our favourite BBC Maestro courses taught by famous faces – and some mini-lessons to start you on your journey to self-improvement.

In his BBC Maestro course, the UK entrepreneur, Dragons’ Den judge and host of aspirational podcast The Diary of a CEO shares his step-by-step tips for building a successful and sustainable business. In just a few hours, this course will help you start shaping your initial ideas into something that could grow into a highly profitable venture – regardless of how much money or business knowledge you start with.

Our favourite tip: Don’t make a business plan – it only risks making your business inflexible, when any good business should be able to adapt and evolve.

Brian Cox is a star of stage and screen, with multiple awards to his name for roles from King Lear to his career-defining turn as Logan Roy in Succession. Over more than two dozen lessons in BBC Maestro, Cox will guide you through both the craft and business of being an actor, from building your confidence to learning lines, developing characters and ultimately finding your own way to steal every scene, as well as navigating agent deals and auditions.

Our favourite tip: Communication is key! Entice the audience to come into the world of your character by speaking to them beyond the stage or screen. Knowing when you’ve formed that rapport is vital to great acting.

It takes understanding flavours, perfecting preparation techniques and developing your culinary knowledge as a whole to become a great cook. Having mentored the likes of Gordon Ramsay, triple-Michelin-star-chef Marco Pierre White’s course takes you on as his latest student. You’ll find dozens of delicious recipes to try out, but most importantly, you’ll master universal cooking skills in a way that you can apply to any meal you prepare.

Our favourite tip: There’s a reason that classic recipes have stood the test of time. Rather than trying to invent something completely new, put your own twist on a proven favourite, such as macaroni cheese, beef bourguignon or ratatouille.

You’ve undoubtably heard Mark Ronson’s inimitable ear for audio production, whether in his award-winning track Valerie with Amy Winehouse, Uptown Funk, which features Bruno Mars, or another of his chart-topping hits. His BBC Maestro course on music production spans using samples to capturing live instruments and “comping” vocals – by using the best parts from multiple takes – making it ideal for anyone interested in recording their own music.

Our favourite tip: It might be tempting to try and write the next number-one hit, but resist chasing what seems popular or lucrative. Forget the idea of an audience for your song and create something that you’re excited to listen to.

The Gruffalo is one of the most iconic children’s books of all time, selling millions of copies, inspiring a beloved short film and making its purple-prickled monster as familiar to kids today as Winnie the Pooh, the BFG or the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Here, author Julia Donaldson reveals how you can share the story you’ve always wanted to tell, as well as practical advice on working with illustrators, editors, agents and getting your book published. What better way to write your own happily ever after?

Our favourite tip: You don’t need more than a story and a way to write it down to be an author, but refining your understanding of themes, plot and character development can take your story from a bedtime distraction to truly inspiring children.