Jul 10
This is What The Fairy Job Mother is Missing
Last night I watched the new Channel 4 series, The Fairy Job Mother, in which employment expert, Hayley Taylor, set out to help Dean and Maxine find jobs after two years being unemployed. Hayley landed Dean a new job and found Maxine work experience. Dean loves his job so much that he says, ‘If my boss told me tomorrow he couldn’t afford to keep me on, I’d just keep working for free’. Wrong, wrong, wrong!
Herein lies the problem with this programme – and I’d like to gift Dean our Course Package, Your Own Business! Dean and all of us need to wake up to the new world we live in where waiting for a job and assuming getting one is for keeps just doesn’t work anymore.
The number of people unemployed in the UK is 2.5 million. The jobless total is at its highest since 1994 and rising. There’s only one way to take control of your fate and that’s to stop waiting to be handed a job and create your own.
One woman who has grasped the rules of the new world of work is Melissa Spencer.
Melissa posted on the Conversation Board (‘busybee’) a few weeks ago, complaining of being unemployed, along with her husband, for eighteen months and having no luck in finding a job. I challenged Melissa to stop looking for a job and begin to create her own, using her innate talents and skills. Wow! Within a week, Melissa had set up not one, but two websites! She is on her way from benefits to business. Read about it in her own words.
Melissa
‘It was through Fiona’s Coaching Hour that I realised that I didn’t want a normal job following my redundancy last October. My previous roles had lacked opportunities for progression and my need for constant stimulation and challenge just wasn’t being met by the usual 9-5. I’d been happy to keep myself busy doing voluntary work until Fiona gave me a wake-up call by saying, ‘You are giving away your talents for free. You are providing a valuable service and not being paid for it – while you are struggling financially and living on benefits. This is selling yourself very, very short. How would you feel if your son were to do this in twenty years time?’
Fiona helped me to remember that I have a strong skills set that I could be using to make money for myself, I didn’t need to wait to be recognised or for someone to offer me a dream job. Fiona helped me to realise that although I take my skills and experience for granted and that organisation, co-ordination and administration come naturally to me some people are in need of assistance in these areas.
I realised that I already had skills that people would pay for. I didn’t need to do a course, or wait for the right opportunity, I could just offer what I could already do.
So, I just started then and there working around toddler sleepy times and in the evenings. I had noticed a need for a one-stop website that contained details of all the local baby/toddler groups and children’s activities in the area, so I created a website, found all the information, and put it all in one place. And then I did the same for another local area – all in one week. I showed what can be achieved if you put your mind to something, turn off the TV, and get on with it.
It’s still early days in the life of my new business, but I am full of ideas, full of excitement, 100% motivated to make a go of this new venture, and I am determined not to lose my home. I’m putting plans in place to ensure I keep some work/life balance as I’m working from home, and am keeping in mind not to undervalue myself and my skills. Boosted by Fiona’s belief in me, I’m believing in myself, in my abilities, and I’m aiming high.
My new websites are, Didicott Tots and Wantage Tots Watch this space!’
Awesome Melissa! You are on your way. And anyone one of you can do what Melissa did and harness your own brilliant talents and skills to offer a valuable service that others will pay you for. You can do this to set up a whole new way of life or create a new, part-time income stream.
Take a look at our seriously good and hugely discounted Course Package, Your Own Business, to get you going.
Additionally, I’ve captured exactly what Melissa did to get going, so you can model her example. Here goes:
- Stop looking for a job. Identify your own skills and talents. Get help from a smart friend or coach.
- Identify what problems you can solve. Who needs your help? What can you do today to make money?
- Stop watching the TV! Spend all that time working on your new idea.
- Begin it now. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You can perfect as you go.
- Get support to keep going, think bigger and see blindspots.
What do you think? Are you looking for a new job? Stop! Think about creating your own. What would it look like? I’d love to hear from you.
I know exactly where you are coming from Fiona.
I left my full time career to become a carer for my father in January 2005. I cared for him 24/7 for 5 years until he passed away in January this year.
Finding myself at the age of 55, with the sole destroying position of trying to find work I decided to start my own business as a wellness coach and Independent Herbalife Distributor.
I am helping people to lose weight, gain energy, improve their sports performance and starting to earn a decent living. I am also building a team of coaches to do the same and they can chose their hours, full or part-time, work around an existing job, family etc. It’s fanatastic and Herbalife are growing and growing so the world is my oyster, AND I’m my own boss.
Give it a go folks!!!
Hi Fiona,
thanks for the reminder of how great we all ARE!! It’s so easy to let fear, of the unknown, of failure, and more, stop us in our tracks – I know as I’ve done that a lot over the past 3 years since my redundancy in mid 2007
I’ve had my own little business for 2 years now, and the fears still creep in now & then – I’m learning to hit them on the head – hee hee.
Melissa, CONGRATULATIONS on your 2 sites – they’re lovely! All the best with the business!
Kind regards,
Tracey
I already run my own business and I always get new ideas for more new businesses but at the moment I am finding motivation difficult,I am suffering from cant-be-bothered-itis,what is the secret of motivation?
iv just finished college doing travel and tourism but i want to open my own business but im working 2 part time jobs which only just pay for things such as my phone and my car, mind u my insurance is due this year and i have no money for it
i am having so much trouble finding a job and dont know what to do its driving me mad!! 
can anyone help?? would really appreciate your thoughts thank you phoebes
Hayley Taylor was much tougher on her previous Benefit Busters series. I think she is a bit naive about getting 2 million plus back in work. There are not jobs available. And employers dont want long term unemployed. It makes good TV of a kind . Do they pay them for taking part?
I was horrified to see you’d written that Dean was ‘Wrong, wrong, wrong!’ to say
Hi Fiona, I agree that people can create their own work, espcially if they decide to do something that they are passionate about. I work with so many people who have great ideas for products or services that have the ability to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.
We must also remember that not everyone will be suited to running their own business, and may prefer to work for someone else. Yet there are so many opportunities and support available to make this happen. Keep up the good work Fiona
I find it, does make sense to use your own skills to create your own work, however we all live in reality and financing our own business’s is what really counts.
You are being inconsiderate if you believe one person in a relationship can take it on themselves to start their own business, placing the home or other assets you have on the line on a whim that it may work or woin’t work, because to get financing you do need a good business plan and loan and the banks just ain’t lending, especially to long term unemployed.Plus your partner may have worked for many years for the home you live in so won’t look to kindly on your venture when your selling your home because of bank ruptcy.
It’s all good and well saying anyone can start a website but it costs money to start and monthly payments to keep going also you need a good name which you have to pay for yearly as the free sites are no good as you have to use their name and it is unprofessional in my view.
You also have to do a lot of market research to find out if there is indeed a good market foundation as there maybe a thousand business’s running exactly what you are doing right now and you may even be using other peoples names to name but a few obstacles.
Also a lot of people start up selling on eBay thinking it is great and you make loads of money, “wrong” all you do is pay the Royal mail and Paypal and eBay of course.
and a few years down the line when you think you have it sussed the tax man takes thousands back from the money “you forgot you had to pay”
It’s no good dropshipping or selling goods on the market already cheaper by buying in bulk as your over heads of the three companys above and the taxman will eat it all away leaving no profit for yourself let alone a wage.
Shops now ask for extortionate prices on rent and rates hence why the shops are closing down.
Good idea in principle but in reality it is not as easy as “lets start a new dream”.
I wish it was as simple as you make out above but if it was, everyone would be self employed.
Well done Melissa! I love it when people recognise that what they take for granted in themselves is seen as a valuable skill or talent by others. What a confidence boost! In current economic times it helps to be extra resourceful and think outside the box in terms of putting our various talents to good, money-making use. Thanks for sharing.
I am so thankful for the support I have received since Fiona published her blog about my new business venture, and the support I have had from my local newspapers, children
Melissa for PM!
I love the fact that all I really said to Melissa was – ‘You have enough talents and skills to make money from them and make your life work.’
I would have said exactly the same to Dean – and I would have meant it. Dean is wonderfully enthusiastic about fitness and has practical DIY skills – yet he spent two years feeling useless and watching too much TV. What a waste of his time and talents.
And, when he imagines losing his job – his response is, “I’ll turn up for work and do it for free.”
Wrong, wrong, wrong. Dean (and my heart goes out to him) has skills and talents that can be put to good use in a service that others will pay him for. There is so much that he is capable of doing, right now – without a bank loan or complex business plan (I’ve never done one).
And, if Dean could only see this and see how he could put himself to work, he’d never fear losing his job – he might even be planning his exit. And as for his partner, Maxine, – don’t get me started – she has soo much talent and potential not noticed or being used – working on the cosmetics counter at Boots is fine, but she could be earning soo much more as a beauty therapist in her own little mobile business – even if she charged
Note to Jeremy:
Have a break!
Sounds as if you may be wearing yourself out trying to come up with more, more, more insights.
Give yourself a week off, read a good book, go to a concert or gallery. Feed your spirit and let the inspiration bubble up again.
With regard to Dean
This has obviously sparked a cord wth so many people and I can see all sides of this discussion.
Susie I totally agree we spend to much time working not to be doing something we love and would do for free because of the love of it. I think somewhere in this thread though we are mixing that up with the idea of volunteering and mixing up the principles.
Personally I agree volunteering is a fabulous route to build confidence and skills and move into the world of work. It has certainly featured heavily in my CV. But first principle of voluteering is it should never be used as a substitute for paid work. What I mean is volunteering is an added value to any concern not cheap labour.
It is also true what you say Steve self-employment is not for everyone. I always remember a great ad for city apartments saying “City living is not for everyone…..but neither is caravanning”.
I think my biggest concern with the programme is that people with the real-life concerns are being used for entertainment in such a patronising manner.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
I was out of work for six months last year. I fell into the hole that many do of just wasting away the days and possibly doing a bit of temping now and again.
Looking back now I’m so angry with myself that I wasted the time.
Everyone has interests, hobbies or experience that they can make money out of. I’ve been working since December but in that time I’ve also set up a networking business offering to find 10 good solid new business contacts for others on LinkedIn (a business social networking site). Its going well and I now have quite a few clients who don’t do very well with technology or don’t have time to do the groundwork themselves.
I do all my work in the evenings and offer a free trial of the service to most clients.
I actively contact people who’s networks are weak and they’re mostly glad of my help.
It costs me nothing to run, at all, other than my time.
There are a million ways to make money via the internet. I implore people, don’t sit around waiting for someone to find you. Get out there and start doing it for yourself.
There’s money out there with your name on it!
Dear Jim,
I love your spirit! And you’re so very right – and I hope people reading this will contact you re your services.
You deserve to do really well – there’s LOTS of money out there with your name on it!
All I can say is if you really want to work, opportunities are out there. You do have to put the work and sometimes it is about thinking outside the box.
The only thing guaranteed: if you do nothing, nothing ever will happen.
Genial dispatch and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you on your information.
If you do nothing, nothing will happen, maybe, but what is your supose to do if you’ve got nothing, my luck is so bad there is no hope, i try to improve myself and all i get is a kick in teeth.
Please help. I have numerous health problems and have tried for so long to find work I can do at home. I am intelligent and do not want to stuff things in envelopes for one penny per thousand. Such work is totally demoralising and does absolutely nothing for the brain cells. I cling on to the hope that there must be something I can do on the computer, there is so much available these days, including online counselling, as due to health problems, I can’t see that I will ever get a job and get so down and frustrated because I want to work and pay my own way and feel I am part of and contributing to the world. The comments here on Fionna’s site have inspired me to write this, hoping someone may be able to help me as so many of you, although nobody has mentioned they have health problems, are saying they have set up on their own and that ‘there is money out there with your name on it’ but where do I start? I hate existing on benefits and can’t see how I can improve things myself because of my physical health. However, I know I desperately need to work, for the sake of my mental health. Any help, advice and guidance would be much appreciated.
Hi guys,
I run a business training people to pass their taxi knowledge over the greater manchester region. We have had more and more people from all sorts of back grounds comming into the industry from blue and white collar sectors. They have found the flexibility of being able to earn whilst looking for the right job or just pay the bills a great stop gap and others have taken it on as a career.
Hi Donna,
jump over to the new blog posting – Spot Your Talent/Part One – it’s perfect for you,
xx Fiona
hi Fiona
I do believe business plans are essential, since you will see whether your business is viable. Businesses cost money to run rents, wages etc. With so many businesses already going under proper planning is eseential. The Dragon’s Den shows some people with good ideas but with over optimistic forecasts of how much there business is worth without any real research . You must do your research otherwise if you go under you will be paying for more unnecessary debts. Webs are an excellent way to make people know about your product / service but you must go out there and advertise . I refer you to the web.com collapses of the 1990s when companies spent millions on their websites but there ideas for goods and services where not realistic
Business plans are essential for any business to suceed however small if you are going into business research is essential. People often have unrealistic ideas of how much their business is worth see Dragon’s Den and often people need finance to get these ideas off the ground. In FairyGod Mother Dean was NOT TRAINED he had some basic training in the army the employer oftered him training in electrics and other practical skills. Also to get the clientele you have to seem to the training and experience and sometimes the company name behind you This takes time and money ( in this case tools and education.) Good luck to Darren you are right about his wife she could set up herself.
Dean had DIY/Handyman skills that could have been put to great use – while he was taking training to add to his skills and gain qualifications.
There’s a real danger of overcomplicating putting ourselves and our skills to work – when we need to get out there and Make Money – right now.
I’m all for figuring out what we can charge and how much money we can generate, but there’s nothing to beat getting out there and on with the job of earning money to pay bills and put food on the table.
How rediculous… working with 18-24 years old the biggest thing they fail to have if work experience and work ethics. These key things are required to be able to land a paid role. And where are the youngsters foing to get this experience from, unpaid voluntary work. Is it really logical that everyone sets up a random business, when many lack basic skills, let alone business acumen, a good idea or even the ability to budget.
Most of the 2.5 million unemployed are so because they are bottom of the chain in terms of their skills and experience, and 1/3 of these are 18-24 years olds.
I mean you example talks about a customer who set up a website, great but what about the competition that will elvolve, I mean there are hardly many barriers to entry meaning this is far from sustainable employment and bearing in mind 1/5 new businesses don’t see their first year out – not great advice really, is it?!
Thank you for this great post.
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