It's not an ending, it's a beginning

A new year brings hope, optimism and the potential for change. As we move into 2022, how many people – how many readers of this blog, even – are considering a new career? How many want to get out of an unfulfilling job or to try their hand at starting their own company??

The answer is, probably, a significant percentage. According to a recent survey, 65% of UK adults are looking for a career change. Two years of uncertainty, upheaval and anxiety are a heady cocktail – and the ultimate kick up the proverbial that many people need to get them out of a rut. ?

I know a bit about hitting a career wall and needing to take a leap of faith. I used to work in the bread business. After seven years of waking at 2am, six days a week, for ￡20,000 a year, I suddenly found myself married with a baby on the way. I needed to support my family. I wanted more from life and work. This was my springboard moment, which led to the biggest career change in my life – my move into technology. It was the best decision I ever made but it took courage.?

Many of BigChange’s customers tell a similar story. Some worked for big companies but knew there was a better way of doing things, or they grew tired of doing all the work for a fraction of the compensation, or they were made redundant and were forced to make a bold decision. All of them have gone from strength to strength in their businesses and we are proud that our technology is helping them on their journey to a brighter?future.??

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time had to make tough decisions to get into business. Walt Disney was fired from his animation job at the Kansas City Star newspaper because his editor believed he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas”. We all know how that ended. Hopin founder Johnny Boufharat had an allergic reaction in 2015, which so badly compromised Boufarhat’s immune system that he was unable to leave home for years. This prompted him to found online events platform Hopin from his kitchen; the company is now worth almost $8bn. Almost 30pc of the businesses created between 2011 and 2016 we launched in response to redundancy or unemployment. I wonder how the figures will look once the data from the last five years is analysed??

So this post goes out to anyone who is sitting on the fence right now, or reeling from a professional setback. What may feel like a door closing is actually a door opening. An ending is just a beginning. You just need to see the opportunity, and find the discipline and courage to turn that opportunity into a business. I know you can do it because I did it. And remember, if you need a helping hand, I'm always willing to help the next generation of start-up founders - just reach out.?