Just a couple of years ago...
...my life took a major change of direction; I had gone to uni in London, much fun was had - the course wasn't for me, so after achieving a first in the first year (cheating) I ambled about working here and there - some good jobs, lots of experience and great for my CV, but I wasn't happy. The only thing really holding me there was my girlfriend of 3 years, but after she found out I had cheated on her a few times a move was immanent.

So I packed my bags and moved back towards home, through contacts I had a few weeks to get back on my feet then a shiny new job was waiting for me - in IT... Now, I can appreciate computers, hell I did scientific degree - but the thought of working in an office like that punching numbers didn't get my juices flowing. My dearest family could see that I was at pains with what to do, which direction to go in, where to head, so my mother sat me down and we had a heart to heart.

She basically told me, that anything I wanted to do I could do - she hadn't had the opportunity I'd now got, and regretted it all her life, and so now she wanted me to really take stock and just go for whatever I wanted to.

So I did, I enrolled in an art college, did a foundation course and loved it - I'd always been artistic - I found a direction, and more importantly I found a sector that was always in demand and paid well. So a degree followed - I specifically chose a degree based on it's employability after graduation - and promptly spent 3 years drunker than a skunk - to roll off the course straight into a job that could have been written for the course.

I was literally in heaven - young bright vibrant company, me in a position of responsibility, my thoughts and actions having a direct effect on the running of the company.

And that my dear reader is where it started to go wrong, about 3 years ago after having not been paid for 8 months in a row on time, or fully - the company was failing with it's cash-flow and margins. They had expanded too fast and had too many expenses. I knew the bank were about to recall their credit facilities, and a little birdy told me having the bailiffs around on a semi frequent basis was probably not indicative of a thriving company.

The company was off down poo street, and I didn't want to get dropped off on its way down the hill. So I did what all hungover people do, I jumped. I arrived on the Monday morning about 2 hours late... not hungover, still technically drunk - and in a subtle way only I can, announced clearly and to everyone that I was leaving... That Friday they announced the company had been placed into administration.

SO this long and highly unfunny story is how, in my mid 20's I was now unemployed.

I didn't really know exactly what to do, I had about 800 quid in my bank, a sore head and a slight twitch. To the pub it is!

That's where I hatched a plan.

I would never be unemployed again...

I set up my own business, and for the last 3 years, I have never looked back... I have also never had more than a fiver in my pocket at any one time, but the freedom to be your own boss, to really feel the result of your hard work and determination. To see the effect of your mistakes and cock ups. It's amazing, I don't think I could ever be employed again, but that's just fine.

In a few years time when the markets settle business will pick up, in the meanwhile so long as I can keep a roof over my head, food and beer in my belly, then I am a happy man.

And to the Jobsworths at the dole office - you really need a kick up your own bums, well your employers do - three times in my life I have contacted them about finding me a part time employee - I now understand why people don't bother, simple questions couldn't be answered - so in the end rather than battle through their bureaucracy where I was made to feel thicker than I am - I decided not to bother - that's the way forward!
(feedingtimeatthezoo day 1 of his bikini diet started, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 13:39, 1 reply)

Great post, mate
Glad its all working out well for ya!
( SpankyHanky, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 13:56, closed)