After leaving school I continued my education.
Sixth Form was next, to do ‘A’ Levels – Economics, Social Biology & Economic Geography (& no, I did not know what they were either!).
Next stop, a degree at Leicester Polytechnic – Land Management. This was the degree especially designed to become a ‘General Practice Chartered Surveyor’.
This was where my path was heading,…were it not for the Property Crash around 1992. Those graduating a few years before were snapped up with good wages, company cars etc. On my graduation, the offers were very thin on the ground & were more like “£35 a week , Co Skateboard & a Phonecard’ !
Things were dire.
I worked for a surveyor for about a year on £100 a month!
Time for a change.
I went back to education to open my options. This time a Post Graduate Masters Degree in Marketing.
This led to a job working as a telesales person selling computers at ‘MacWarehouse’. Then a position came up in their Direct Marketing Department & I got it.
We were responsible for mailing out millions of Mac & PC catalogues all over Europe. Sound glamorous? Travelling? I never left my desk in any of the 3 offices I worked in – Rickmansworth, Kingsbury or Bracknell !
I left there when I realised that by getting up at 5am every day to beat the traffic was a waste of life….& my life was likely to end with me crashing when I fell asleep.
Next job….Direct Marketing for a Co called Worldwide Media Group.
This was great. I really enjoyed my time here, I made decent money, I travelled, I worked with great people in a small knit family run Co.
Then the owner wanted to retire & sold out to a French Co. This changed everything & within a year I decided I wanted out & would try and branch out on my own.
I did it.
It was one of the bravest & best things I ever did!
I did this in 2003. I was my own boss & loved it! There is no better feeling than not to have to answer to people, to do what you want & be in control of your own destiny.
I continued to do this for 10 years & benefitted on so many fronts.
Then about 2012 the whole Direct Marketing scene changed. My main client – Viking Direct (Office Supplies) changed the way they worked & my 15 year relationship with them ended. My other clients were also mailing less & I knew….
…..it was time for my next Life Change!
I realised that I had not been challenged in years. I was just going through the motions.
I realised that I did not want to give up the freedom I had enjoyed for a decade.
So I chose a new path – Internet Marketing.
This was an even tougher decision than before.
I was an expert in my field last time I went on my own. This time I was pretty much a ‘Newbie’ with various ‘dabblings’ from various courses from about 2009.
So February 2013 I did it.
I said ‘Goodbye’ to my old life & set about carving out a new one.
I spent a year on a massive learning curve which I absolutely loved! I have learnt SO much.
Like most that have gone down this route I have bought so many products from people, tried so many things, listened to so many promises & emerged out the end as someone who has served their apprenticeship & is now wide eyed……
Unlike a lot of people who think IM is for them, I have stuck with it….I am still going & have emerged out of the ‘Newbie’ Funnel.
I get it.
I have made it passed the ‘Newbie Assassins’ who try & pick you off for their own gains whilst you just end up deluded & out of pocket.
I am now currently embarking on Product Creation & want others to join me on my journey….as I learn, fail & succeed I want to pass this on.
I love this Industry & want others to succeed with me & that means not falling by the wayside like many have & will.
There is only 1 person in your life that holds all the power – You!
I realised this a long time ago & it is so so true.
If you want a life that holds great challenges & great rewards (financial & personal), where you are the only person who you take orders from……..& you are your harshest critic but also you biggest supporter…
Join Me….
Just drop me a line & I’ll genuinely try & help.
Thanks for reading…
Nigel
Hi Nigel
I am 58 years old and I have been self employed for ever, well from about 20. Like you say you don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself, but ^&%(%@! and there’s always a but, you are responsible for your business which means you have to add value to your customers, and that can be challenging but also rewarding.
I love it. If you have a success you’re responsible if you make a mistake you’re responsible.
I have made lots of mistakes and have had lots of success it’s just life and your task is to enjoy it.
I look forward to getting to know you much better Nigel you sound like my kind of guy
“There is only 1 person in your life that holds all the power – You!” Like this statement, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself and that you can’t enlist lots of people to help you, that’s part of the fun.
Have a good one.
Gordon
Hiya Gordon,
Thanks for your comments! Yeah, that quote came out of my own ‘grey matter’, I have heard so much from so many different arena’s & it just sticks! Yep, realise that we can use other people, I have farmed out quite a bit in the past but have never actually employed anyone so that is something to look forward to (lot of challenges…but as you say, it’s all part of the fun! & life’s continual learning curve).
Lol, just looked at your blog & yep, you have taken the ‘add as many categories’ advice to the full! Looks good though.
Cheers for your comments!
Nigel