help , ungent need of cash

sackcloth

Crikey people, I was feeling very sorry for myself today and pretty much close to tears when I thought I'd read a few posts. This has cheered me up so much. :beer:

Girl in Need, you are really quite fiesty and your idea of not getting in debt is very admirable, however you do need to work on your people skills. :eek:

You have got some good qualifications and obviously are passionate about your dream. The problem is that you have to put some effort in to making it happen. I have been in office work for most of my career and it's left me unfulfilled and now redundant. I'd give anything to be starting my career again at your tender years...! And although I'm making some plans, lack of finances is pushing me back to work in an office until this blooming credit crunch is over!

So, can I suggest - gently - and these are only suggestions - the following?

Look at animaljobs.co.uk which has a list of vacancies for kennel and cattery workers and other animal jobs in vets and stables. If you can't get a job, go and see the local Job Centre staff and ask them to put you on a training course. If you're still at college, you could try volunteering for local charities either animal or human, to gain some experience to put on your CVs.

You can advertise locally to do dog walking but there are a few things you should check out first, like third party insurance and the laws about dog regulation before you start. It's not quite as easy as people think and you might find yourself in a difficult position if you take on too many dogs or dogs that could be a liability in public.

The idea of selling your jewellery on Ebay or at car boot sales is excellent. Do some research in to prices and competition and work out what you can sell items for. Set up a website (if you have internet access you should have some webspace and you don't always need a domain name) to offer bespoke items/designs. Use your skills and make jewellery for friends and family for free, just ask them to show it off and recommend you. Finally, go to your local craft fairs and have a look at the craft fair websites. Talk to other traders and see if you can get any help or work through them. You could also apply to the Princes Trust for help as a young business person.

I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me. No one wants to trample on your dreams but dreams are about being flexible and working to make them come true. If someone said you will be a famous jeweller in a few years time but you have to spend the first 18 months working in a high street jewellers as an assistant, then wouldn't you do it?

Good luck,
Sackcloth.

duchy

It may be worth talking to your lectuerers at college too about good places locally (like craft fairs etc) to sell your own work-they'll know which ones are good locally.

I think the basic message of this thread is -if you want something -you have to go get it-it's very few who get the right breaks without going out and making stuff happen.
People tell me I'm "lucky" I disagree-I make things happen. I wanted to work from home- I went out and actively looked for a job at home, I've won competitions (couple of really big prizes worth £5K plus) but if I hadn't entered loads I'd have won nothing, I have been offered some great jobs -but I got them by doing less great jobs but through those jobs met people and in time those contacts led to the great jobs. It takes time but set small goals that lead you closer to the bigger goals and you're on the right path. We make our own luck and trite as it sounds-the more you put in the more you get out.