“Take a risk and do something you’ve always wanted to do. Use redundancy to start to live the life you’ve dreamt of - try it on for size and see how it fits, otherwise it will always remain a dream”

Background

This year marks 21 years in Internal Communications for me. I have been an IC consultant/freelancer since 2004, along side this I trained as a Coach in 2011. Today I have a portfolio career, I coach professional communicators, I freelance and work on communication projects a couple of days a week and I collaborate with other coaches and creatives - my latest collaboration being a podcast - my only rule in my portfolio career is I have to enjoy what I do.

When were you made redundant?

Six years into my IC career in 2004 I was made redundant (along with the whole of the IC team except one person)

What did you do after you were made redundant?

After being made redundant I took the opportunity to split my time and realise a dream - I became a consultant/freelancer working for clients 3 days a week and for the remaining days I created a home accessories business called Heart & Home (that was my dream).

How did you decide what to do next?

It was a little scary AND also an easy decision as I was lucky enough to have had a coach and working with her I realised I had a dream to open a shop selling home accessories from all around the world - I didn’t want to sell anything that was already on the British High Street. I wanted unusual items sourced from all around the world. I wanted to spend time growing this business and also needed to make sure I could still pay my mortgage etc. so I continued to work in IC. One gave me the security I wanted and the other gave me a creative outlet.

What would be your advice to anyone who has just been made redundant?

If you have the financial security that you need - take a risk and do something you’ve always wanted to do. Use the redundancy money as a buffer and live the life you’ve dreamt of - try it on for size and see how it fits, otherwise it will always remain a dream.

You can find Anita here…

www.instagram/thecommunicatorscoach

www.facebook/thecommunicatorscoach