A Change For The Better!

Jun 22 2008

Sick of your daily 9-5? Looking for a new job and fresh challenges? Follow these examples and find yourself a completely new career.

BAKERY BOSS PERSONAL TRAINER

SARAH-JANE HUNTER shed more than her job when she left a bakery to start her own personal training business.

The 29-year-old, of Glasgow, lost three-and-a-half stone and dropped three dress sizes going for a career in fitness.

The hospitality management graduate spent six months working in France before coming home to manage a bakery.

Sarah-Jane had always been a fitness nut at school but the repetitive nature of her job meant she fell into depression and her weight ballooned.

She said: "Working in a bakery was the worst nine months of my life. I was 20 years old but felt about 40.

"At school, I was in the running team and I had never eaten a Scotch pie before but I started eating pies, doughnuts and scones out of boredom. I went from nine stone to 12-and-a-half."

Sarah-Jane attended night classes learning how to teach exercise classes and qualified to freelance at gyms around the city. She now runs her own studio, SJ Fitness, in Glasgow.

FUNDRAISER WEB ENTREPRENEUR

AFTER 10 years as head of fundraising for Scottish Ballet, Fiona Gibson wanted to set new career goals for herself.

She decided to change direction and work from the comfort of her own home. Inspired by a hamper she received as a gift from a friend, she left her job and launched her own online business, Pebble Baskets and Gifts.

The 47-year-old said: "Running my own business from home has allowed me to spend more time with friends and family.

"My role at Scottish Ballet was rewarding. I was part of a great team that experienced a lot of success. We won two Art and Business Awards for Bank of Scotland's sponsorship of Scottish Ballet's Christmas productions and raised funds for the education department's tour of schools, which was really fulfilling.

"But after 10 years, I recognised the need for a fresh start, which is when I decided to set up Pebble Baskets."

Fiona uses local products and sources all her gifts from Scottish producers. She showcases the best of what Scotland has to offer in terms of food and cosmetics.