Cathy Wassell, Facebook Advertising & Social Media Strategist
“Everyone has different circumstances, but if your redundancy payout allows you some time before you absolutely MUST find a job, don't waste that time”
Background
I'm a Facebook Advertising and Social Media Strategist based in Stratford upon Avon, with two teens and two crazy cocker spaniels.
When were you made redundant?
I was made redundant in 2014 after working in the same company for 19 years. It was a global bookstore chain with an office in London and as Sales and Marketing Manager. It was my role to liaise with UK and European publishers to find the best books for us to sell in our stores. I never planned to be in the same job for 19 years to be honest, but in that time I moved out of London but did the same role from home, and I would not have found the same kind of flexibility in another employed role.
What did you do after you were made redundant?
I started freelancing straight away. I had been running the company social media accounts and I decided I wanted to pursue this line of work. I was lucky enough to get clients straight away, but decided that I wanted to learn more about the metrics so I did the Digital Mums course on social media, a very intensive 6 month course where you work with a programme partner business. That programme partner is still my client now more than 2 years later and I love them dearly! I rebranded my business as Socially Contented and it has built steadily ever since. I also became part of an awesome group of women and with 4 of them co-founded another business, Go With The Pro, a membership for new businesses and freelancers which provides support and resources for launching and growing your business.
How did you decide what to do next?
It was a no-brainer for me really, as I had been working from home for about 14 years by that point, and wanted to continue that flexibility for the sake of my family (including my dogs who are part of my family!). As I had been in marketing for so long it was a natural step to set up some kind of marketing consultancy.
What would be your advice to anyone who has just been made redundant?
Use your time well. Everyone has different circumstances, but if your redundancy payout allows you some time before you absolutely MUST find a job, don't waste that time.Learn something new, research possible markets, educate yourself on how to run a business - even if you go back to an employed role it will have been useful. Be open to the idea of working for yourself, it might just make you happier. There is very definitely life after redundancy.
Where to find Cathy
https://twitter.com/socialcontented