Lacuna Voices

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Finding a new career path

Kim Gregory

Whether you’re changing careers through choice or necessity, a fresh start is possible. Meet three people who took the plunge

Exclusive | 3 min read

The COVID-19 pandemic has put our careers into sharp focus with 9.2 million workers furloughed since March, and tens of thousands of people facing redundancy. This week, new stats show unemployment has risen to 4.1%.

So if the last six months have got you thinking about what you’d really like to do with your career, you’re not alone. In June, over a quarter of people in the UK reported they were planning to make big changes to their lives once the pandemic was over. Half said they intended to change the way they work.

Of course, there are risks. People who change careers tend to earn less than those who stay in the same job - at least at first. But over time, they often see a faster rate of pay growth, not to mention the sense of fulfilment that comes with doing what you love.

Could now be the time to take the career leap you've always dreamed of? These three Lacuna Voices think so.

‘I signed up to an evening course for fun and it carved a new path For me’

Former Commercial Interior Designer Poppy Emuss, 31, from Surrey, now runs a floristry business

As I gave the flowers a final tweak and stepped back to admire my work, it suddenly hit me that I hadn’t felt this inspired for a long time.

For six years, I’d been climbing the ladder in corporate interior design in London. At 27 I was exhausted, stressed, and felt like I was selling my soul each day. I decided to save up, go travelling and give myself time to think.

In Melbourne, Australia, I signed up to a floristry course for fun, but after just one class I knew I’d found what I was looking for. For the next six months in Australia, I dedicated myself to my new goal.

While other travellers partied, I foraged in the outback for materials to practise with and worked on a farm to pay for a course on wedding flowers. I spent hours online researching floristry and hand-delivered my CV to around 20 florists until finally one of them gave me a part-time job.

When I returned to the UK I immediately enrolled to the Bath Flower School. Then, armed with my accumulated knowledge, I set up my own floristry business.

I had to learn everything as I went along, from marketing a brand, to tax and profit margins. It was hard but it felt so satisfying to be doing it for myself.

I’ve since hosted flower crown classes at hen dos and wreath-making workshops at Christmas; I’ve worked on everything from window displays to weddings.

The pandemic has led to a lot of weddings getting postponed which has made things tough but I’ve used the time to get organised and learned how to grow my own flowers.

Things are still uncertain but I’m so glad I followed my gut to find a job I truly love. Making the decision to go it alone has liberated me. I feel prouder, braver and more confident than ever.

‘We sold the house so I could start a business, now I make £100,000 a year’

Former teacher Stuart Walton, 55, from Norwich, is now a full time copywriter and web designer

For 27 years, I’d taken great pride in being an English teacher. I loved watching the kids I taught grow and succeed. But it started to feel like a battle. The school felt overrun with staff politics and every morning, dread washed over me as I drove to work.

But what else could I do? I was in my late 40s with children and a mortgage. I couldn’t just quit. I started drinking heavily, feeling hopeless and depressed. I sought counselling and with support I managed to stop drinking.

I could see that I desperately needed a change, so I started working in estate agency. I discovered I loved the writing part of the job and it sparked an idea to start a copywriting business.

I knew it was a risk. My wife’s job as a teacher provided some security but if I blew it, our whole family would suffer. I went from earning £45,000 a year to less than £7,000. We sold our car and house. We downsized, cut our spending and I threw myself into my business.

I started small, but as my client base increased, so did my fees. I expanded my offerings, taught myself web design and even social media growth using online tutorials. It was hard work, but with each new skill I gained confidence and clients.

After two years I was earning £100,000 a year.

Because my business is online, it’s actually flourished during lockdown. I can work from home, mostly to my own time-frame, and I love being my own boss.

To anyone starting from scratch, no matter your age, believe in yourself and keep at it.

Online workouts pulled me out of a career rut, now I teach them myself’

Former Marketing Manager Emma Karney, 40, from Bristol is an Online Fitness Coach

I sat down at my desk and sighed as I turned on my computer, thinking about the long, dismal day ahead. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt any other way.

I’d spent 16 years climbing the ladder in marketing, at a bank then a music start-up. I’d gone freelance after I had children but it was still hard work and uninspiring. But as a 39-year-old mum-of-two, the idea of quitting felt so risky. Plus, I had no idea what I’d do instead.

While I tried to figure it out, I decided to get in shape. I found workout videos online and I was hooked. As my physical and mental health improved, I realised this was what I wanted to do.

I quit marketing and signed up to a Personal Trainer course, financed through a Government Advanced Learner Loan. I sailed through the exams and started sharing workout videos on my Instagram page.

During lockdown, I focussed on building my online community. With our shared passion for health and fitness we’ve supported each other through the hard times.

When COVID restrictions ease, I plan to take my last practical exam for my level three Personal Trainer qualification - which was cancelled due to the lockdown - to add in-person training.

I’m proof there’s never a wrong time to make a change. I’ve built a community doing what I love and I’ve never been happier.

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