ENTREPRENEURS — born or made? An age-old argument that simply doesn’t accommodate the myriad reasons for starting a business.
Take Mandy Bailey, whose multi-award winning horticulture business was created after a shock redundancy just weeks before the birth of her first child.
Ambitious, career focused and in a role she loved, Bailey was asked if she would be returning then advised that the company was undergoing a business transformation and couldn’t guarantee her role.
When she should have been looking forward to spending time with her new baby, Bailey was worrying about financial security and future employability. Ultimately she decided this was an opportunity to shape her own future and start something that would work for her and her changing circumstances.
So Bailey re-qualified in Horticulture and Garden Design part-time whilst also working two to three days a week as a gardener to gain the practical experience. Fifteen years on and she has created a family business and an award winning urban growing brand; Plant n Grow is an e-commerce and wholesale business providing a range of fun urban growing gifts all designed, created and shipped from their “shedquarters” in Edinburgh.
Bailey’s products are designed to encourage people to grow or plant their own in small spaces inside and out. Each product is designed to offer a sense of discovery, to educate and inspire, but with a serious food sustainability message.
Her journey has been full of “learning opportunities” as she calls them, but says starting her own business has been one of the most positive life-affirming things she has done.
“In the last five years my team and I have learned so much. Let’s be real though starting a business isn’t easy — I’m not trying to put anyone off but go into it with your eyes wide open and at a time that’s right for your and your circumstances. It takes hard work and determination and can be lonely so having supportive family, friends or networks onboard will help encourage you enormously.”
Bailey’s situation worked out for her, not least of all because she had been in HR and knew the rules. But for anyone finding themselves in her situation her advice is to firstly know and then fight for your rights.
“If you want to stay in your role, have an honest discussion with your employer. It’s going to be far more expensive for them to make you redundant, recruit and retrain someone to replace you,” says Bailey. “Flexible working and retaining talent in the business will improve productivity, save costs and make for a happier and more engaged workforce whilst also attracting new talent.
“So make a case for flexible working and benefits of this as an alternative to redundancy or returning to work on a more flexible basis. If your employer isn’t prepared to even consider this then maybe it’s time to find a new employer who will recognise and value your talent.”
Michelle Rodger is a communications consultant.
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