| Q |
What do you do? |
| A |
Myself and my partner, Jayne, have just launched Yorkshire's first concierge
company in June 2001. Our company exists to help busy executives strike a
workable balance between their personal and business commitments. We assign
a Lifestyle Assistant to a Client who will endeavour to take care of any
time consuming tasks associated with everyday life, things such as
organising a corporate event, buying a birthday present for a relative's
birthday, organising an electrician to rewire a property, booking a doctor's
appointment or managing a house move. Absolutely any task would be
considered provided it is legal and not immoral in anyway!!
At the time of launch, the media interest was fantastic and as a result we
have featured in two local newspapers, our third feature is due this week [end June 2001],
and have also conducted a live interview on the radio with Peter Levy.
|
| Q |
Where do you work at home? |
| A |
I work in the back bedroom, which I call the happy room. It is decorated in
bright yellow, orange, terracotta and complemented with chrome accessories
and as soon as I walk into the room it makes me smile. |
| Q |
What is the best thing about working from home? |
| A |
There are so many plus points about working from home, I don't know where to
start. Working within your own home represents familiarity and stability in
your life and because of this I find that I am very relaxed, content and not
bothered about working a 13 hour day. The flexibility that comes with the
business is absolutely fantastic, if I want to spend an hour at lunchtime
basking in the midday sun then who's to say that I can't? |
| Q |
What are the negative points about working at home? |
| A |
Absolutely none whatsoever. |
| Q |
What was the deciding factor to help you to decide to work from home? |
| A |
After being made redundant for the fifth time running I decided I wanted to
be in control of my own career path. |
| Q |
What sort of work did you do before you worked at home? |
| A |
I have spent many years working within high level Executive PA roles,
although I have also spent a year in export sales, a year in car sales, a
year in Work Study and 6 months living and working abroad. |
|
| Q |
Does your homeworking pay the bills? |
| A |
Not yet, but it won't be long before it does. |
| Q |
How did you manage financially when you first started working at home? |
| A |
My fiance, Neal, holds a very senior position within a local business and is
able to carry me financially until such a time that the business becomes
profitable. |
| Q |
Do you manage to keep your work and home life separate? |
| A |
At the moment, because myself and my business partner only launched the
company last month, I have found that I am desperate to spend as much time
as practically possible building the business. I have a very understanding
fiance who believes in everything I do and realises that in order for us to
become established and recognised in this new market I need to devote as
much time as possible to a successful start-up. So in answer to your
question, no not at the moment, but maybe 6 months down the line I will have
a different answer. |
| Q |
How do you cope with distractions at home? |
| A |
Very easily, I feed them (my two cats). |
| Q |
How do you manage your time? |
| A |
Having worked as a PA, for probably more years than I care to remember, I am
able to prioritise my workload very effectively and efficiently. As we are
still at the early start-up phase, the majority of my time is spent
marketing the business, getting our name out there and recognised. |
| Q |
How do you cope with the isolation of working at home? |
| A |
I never feel alone as I am in constant contact with my partner, Jayne.
Colleagues and friends still contact me on a regular basis and I have also
joined quite a few discussion forums. |
| Q |
What advice would you suggest to someone considering working from home? |
| A |
You need to be extremely determined to succeed and you need to enjoy the
career you have chosen.
I believe everything happens for a reason. Redundancy can sometimes be a
blessing in disguise. Go with your instincts and believe in yourself. |
|
