NFR - How do we all earn a crust?

[MJG]

Work as a Sales Manager for a trade association. I get new companies to join and sell training/events. Been doing that for over three years.
Before that was an estate agent for 4 years in the Surbiton/Thames Ditton area.
And before that spent 20 years working for the Post Office.

[BalDrick]

Two jobs:
1. Set up a goose control business around New York with my wife that she now now runs using trained Border collies (sheepdogs) to chase geese off schools, corporate campuses, cemeteries and gated communities.  I still train the dogs a bit and do some light duties here and there.  If you don't believe it (and I sometimes pinch myself at the thought that we started this business ten years ago and it's still thriving), check out the videos on the website: http://www.geeseoff.com/new-york/westchester/geese-videos.php

That's amazing - never occurred to me that sheepdogs could be used like that but really so obvious, it's in their genes isn't it? Except sheep don't usually fly.

[richie17]

I am a market research manager for a global accountancy body.  It's mind numbing stuff but the hours are good so I can spend as much time as possible with the young'un.

I don't know that there's much future in the industry (market research, not accountancy) so having a bit of a ponder.  I've made some headway in writing but don't know that I could earn enough to support the family.  Thinking of taking carpentry courses or something like that in the hope that 'useful' skills come back into fashion.

Permanent existential crisis really.

[Willard]

I run my own business consultancy focused on HR and change projects mainly for SMEs in the technology sector.

[Sheepskin Junior]

High school during the week, referee on Sunday's

[Tonywa]

I work in the music business as a freelance consultant on repertoire and marketing, writer and record re-issue producer.  I am also a director of a highly-successful download company specialising in recordings from the 'fifties and 'sixties.

[ClarksOriginal]

I am a CSE for the Branding department for a medium sized company that specialises in flags, banners and major high street branding (Harrods, Harvey Nicks etc), I have been here for 8 months, but in a previous thread I explain how I was being shafted. So I've been on the job hunt.

I have an interview on the 6th of January at an expanding media company in Chelmsford, where I live, where I would be a junior in the traditional media team (magazines etc) something I've always wanted to be involved in. The opportunities at the company look good, and at 20 its something that is appealing to me.  065.gif

[epsomraver]

Formally 26 years with London buses on engineering side, 1992 took redundancy and have run and owned a tropical fish shop near Epsom since then, lease up March 2012 , cannot wait to get out.

[elgreenio]

IT contractor, at the moment doing Desktop Support for RBS, simple as that. They do pay my train travel though which means I only have to pay for my matchday tickets for Fulham   :yay:

[richie17]

Formally 26 years with London buses on engineering side, 1992 took redundancy and have run and owned a tropical fish shop near Epsom since then, lease up March 2012 , cannot wait to get out.

is that because people aren't buying fish or because you don't enjoy it?  Serious question - I'd always assumed that running your own shop would be brilliant.

[Tom]

Insurance agent

[finnster01]

Formally 26 years with London buses on engineering side, 1992 took redundancy and have run and owned a tropical fish shop near Epsom since then, lease up March 2012 , cannot wait to get out.

is that because people aren't buying fish or because you don't enjoy it?  Serious question - I'd always assumed that running your own shop would be brilliant.

And I actually thought dave stole that quote from Bobby Zamora... :58:

[epsomraver]

Formally 26 years with London buses on engineering side, 1992 took redundancy and have run and owned a tropical fish shop near Epsom since then, lease up March 2012 , cannot wait to get out.

is that because people aren't buying fish or because you don't enjoy it?  Serious question - I'd always assumed that running your own shop would be brilliant.

Both really, Ebay and internet are killing the small shops off in all retail, also having livestock is a 24/7 commitment, I have not had more than 5 days away from this shop since 2000 ,when I had a manager who I could trust.You have to be here 6 days a week no matter how you feel , I can assure you being self employed is not what it is cracked up to be as others on here will probably tell you or " is it me" ?

[epsomraver]

Formally 26 years with London buses on engineering side, 1992 took redundancy and have run and owned a tropical fish shop near Epsom since then, lease up March 2012 , cannot wait to get out.

is that because people aren't buying fish or because you don't enjoy it?  Serious question - I'd always assumed that running your own shop would be brilliant.

And I actually thought dave stole that quote from Bobby Zamora... :58:

:011: bad losers eh Finnhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16280613

[Tom]

Formally 26 years with London buses on engineering side, 1992 took redundancy and have run and owned a tropical fish shop near Epsom since then, lease up March 2012 , cannot wait to get out.

is that because people aren't buying fish or because you don't enjoy it?  Serious question - I'd always assumed that running your own shop would be brilliant.

Both really, Ebay and internet are killing the small shops off in all retail, also having livestock is a 24/7 commitment, I have not had more than 5 days away from this shop since 2000 ,when I had a manager who I could trust.You have to be here 6 days a week no matter how you feel , I can assure you being self employed is not what it is cracked up to be as others on here will probably tell you or " is it me" ?

You are dead on when you say it isn't all it's cracked up to be, to be self employed in this economy when you have to pay all your overhead and bills.

[epsomraver]

Formally 26 years with London buses on engineering side, 1992 took redundancy and have run and owned a tropical fish shop near Epsom since then, lease up March 2012 , cannot wait to get out.

is that because people aren't buying fish or because you don't enjoy it?  Serious question - I'd always assumed that running your own shop would be brilliant.

Both really, Ebay and internet are killing the small shops off in all retail, also having livestock is a 24/7 commitment, I have not had more than 5 days away from this shop since 2000 ,when I had a manager who I could trust.You have to be here 6 days a week no matter how you feel , I can assure you being self employed is not what it is cracked up to be as others on here will probably tell you or " is it me" ?

You are dead on when you say it isn't all it's cracked up to be, to be self employed in this economy when you have to pay all your overhead and bills.
[/quote
We agree Tom, must be Xmas :005:

[TonyGilroy]

Thre are only two things worse than being self employed -

Working for someone else and being unemployed.

[epsomraver]

Thre are only two things worse than being self employed -

Working for someone else and being unemployed.

Seriously don't agree with that, unemployed get benefits so money coming in, employed means a wage each week and sick pay if ill.

[ffctom_b]

Dialler Manager in a Telecan unit for a home improvement company in Hertfordshire, mundane job but it pays the bills. Doing this for 6 years now though and need to move on, but the job market is not exactly great at the moment. Want to do more with my SQL knowledge.

Before that I was a bank manager for LloydsTSB in North London.

[ffctom_b]

I work for a company based in Waltham Cross that supplies restaurants, hotels and B&I with fruit and vegetables (and other short shelf life products)

that be just round the corner from me!!