Complete career change, have you, would you, what would you ?

[weeksy]

Looks like in the next 3-24 months my time at current job (25+ years) is coming to an end.

I'll only be 54-55 so a little early for retiring and i'm not actually sure i want to yet.

Sadly the IT job market has turned to shit and i'm 'worth' a lot lot less than my current role... and even then, i'd have to rethink a lot of house moving plans and potentially commute to an office, which isn't my preference at all.

So i'm thinking of a Plan B.
As you may easily guess, it's likely to involve Bicycles. My current thoughts/plans involve a mobile/workshop bike repair business, servicing, repairs, etc etc. Looking around there seems to be plenty of places in Berks for example that do it, less so in Forest of Dean where we'll be moving to (which is a good thing).

https://www.purplebikeshed.com/service-price-list/

Here's an example and price list.

As of next year i can turn 55 and pull my pension, so i don't/won't NEED to work in reality, but it'd be nice to earn more for nice things..

Plan C is something as simple as working in Waitrose stacking shelves..

There's not really a plan D as it seems just about every job out there is minimum or not much more wage... I could work in one of the bike shops, but that would likely mean more hours and less free time.

In terms of workshop space, tools, etc i have all that sorted, it'd cost me about £1500-2500 to get some other specialist tools i could find useful, but the rest i'm pretty good for.

[KungFooBob]

Rentboy?

[weeksy]

Rentboy?

times are hard out in the big world and i really really doubt i'm worth much.

[Cousin Jack]

I did it, years ago now. BT for 30 years, redundancy, couple of years as a contractor with other telecoms companies and then the bubble burst. Scratched about and then got a job in aerospace. BIG drop in salary and status, but carved out a new niche.

Biggest problem was getting a foot in the door, once in I was OK. Seriously considered setting up my own business based on my sport interest (pistol shooting). I am so glad I didn't! Bikes are maybe not such a risky area, but pistol shooting wasn't that risky, it was a fast growing sport. It was regulated, but so is everything.

Expect to be knocked back, frequently and hard. Analyse you skills, and how they will translate to other areas. If you start a business expect it to be a drain on money for the first couple of years, it takes time and few shortcuts actually work.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

[Count Steer]

I haven't really made that sort of change. Always worked for organisations, got a monthly salary etc etc, just mutated from scientist/engineer into a man in a suit that arrives when you need to know about the nitty gritty of operating a particular sort of business/industry.

However, my missus made the quantum leap - went off to Uni for a year and got another MA in a different discipline and became a freelance writer/author - helping others get their ideas into (well written) print and writing stuff on her own areas of expertise. All made easier by having a decent pension pot stashed away for when the time came and me still toiling at the metaphorical coal face.

Based on that, all I'd say if you're going self employed is - get a decent accountant*. She did and he saved her money and a lot of potential grief.

PS I should add that her first one was pretty slack and nearly let her run into the VATable nightmare. The second one was Hence, the 'decent' comment - they're not all on the ball.

[KungFooBob]

I had my own IT support ltd company for a while, the work was easy, but most of my customer base was domestic, some customers were utter dicks. I generally hate people, so I was glad to get out of it.

If you start a customer facing business make sure you've got the right people skills

[weeksy]

If you start a customer facing business make sure you've got the right people skills

I do when i have to

[Horse]

Redundant aged 50, after 32 years working in electronics design, manufacture and test.

Filly was not impressed by the suggestion of me retiring

I found another job via emailing everyone I knew. One came back with a possibility.

So I was able to move into road safety and transport research.

But I had some 'hobby' experience and knowledge which helped. And, initially, I was a contractor until I proved my worth.

Probably none of that is actually helpful.

So advice from someone else

"People don't understand that I need to make money from their hobby".

Might have implications for option 1.


And this won't help either:

[Jody]

About 15 years ago I 'gave up' my Snap on Franchise and moved to France with no real plan.

A chance conversation led me to do "A" ski season..... I'm still doing ski seasons.
I would not go back to my old life even if I would get 5 x what I earn now (and I would NOT get that !)

[weeksy]

About 15 years ago I 'gave up' my Snap on Franchise and moved to France with no real plan.

A chance conversation led me to do "A" ski season..... I'm still doing ski seasons.
I would not go back to my old life even if I would get 5 x what I earn now (and I would NOT get that !)

Funny you mention that, part of James's (my lad) plan is to potentially head to Alps in summer (not next summer as he'll be racing) and either Alps or NZ for winters, we were discussing you in the car last night and your Sessionaire (i think that's what you use as a term) and how you seem to love what you do. He'll be a MTB coach in the UK, but also thinking of options for winter (and maybe summer) stuff

Once things come together with his plans and leaving school, we may hook up with you for a chat or 2.

Obviously due to family stuff, your thing wouldn't work for me.... but sure could for him.

[Jody]

About 15 years ago I 'gave up' my Snap on Franchise and moved to France with no real plan.

A chance conversation led me to do "A" ski season..... I'm still doing ski seasons.
I would not go back to my old life even if I would get 5 x what I earn now (and I would NOT get that !)

Funny you mention that, part of James's (my lad) plan is to potentially head to Alps in summer (not next summer as he'll be racing) and either Alps or NZ for winters, we were discussing you in the car last night and your Sessionaire (i think that's what you use as a term) and how you seem to love what you do. He'll be a MTB coach in the UK, but also thinking of options for winter (and maybe summer) stuff

Once things come together with his plans and leaving school, we may hook up with you for a chat or 2.

Obviously due to family stuff, your thing wouldn't work for me.... but sure could for him.

Awesome. In the meantime, have him learn to cook, and get some accreditation for it. It's the easiest "way in" to the lifestyle, even if it's not what he wants to end up doing.

I think you have my number, so feel free to call whenever you're ready.

[Rockburner]

I've "sort of " done it.

In about 2000 I was a "Mechanical Design Engineer" : (although not accredited by IME) working on vehicle lights for a 3rd-party company in Harlow (did some work for Ford mainly). Started doing some simple website stuff in my free-time and decided to take 6 months "leave" to learn up and do that instead. So, although both were office-based fiddlig with computers, the thinking processes didn't really change that much - they were both still vaguely "creative" roles.

It's a lot easier to start at the bottom of a job when you're younger and have less responsibilities on your shoulders. When I left the engineering job I was lucky enough to know that I'd be able to live for a nominal rent at my parents house until I could find full employment, that's an option that's not open to most.

At my current age, I'd be hard pressed to do something completely different, I've got mortgage and bills that need paying, and I'm not enough of a people person that I can go around touting a business to complete strangers (I have tried that - when I started out doing web-dev - it's a thankless task and was 99% of my day with nigh-on zero interest, very soul-destroying).

It would be great to have a small business being the grumpy old git in the shed who can fix your bike, but I'm not sure that'll pay my bills.....

[Nordboy]

As part of your bike plan, would you consider repairing E-bikes? There seems to be very few independant places that cater for repairs to motors etc, might be a bit niche though?

I've just retired at 55 from my 25 yr career. Got a job with a council, doing similar stuff, albeit to a MUCH lower level. When I say similar stuff, it's using my knowledge and skills from my last role, but I guess nothing could replace what I was previously doing.

[weeksy]

As part of your bike plan, would you consider repairing E-bikes? There seems to be very few independant places that cater for repairs to motors etc, might be a bit niche though?

In terms of motors and tech it's incredibly niche and very very specialised work for sure with lots and lots of hoops to jump through with suppliers. I think there's a reason very very few places do it. Shimano for example won't supply 50% of the parts within their motors, Bosch will but as we saw with @Beancounter and his rebuild it's quite an involved and intricate job.
You'd also i expect need some fancy diagnostic equipment and software... So whilst i'm not against the idea... It seems a pretty big ask.

[Couchy]

Stick with what you know repairing bikes, do it local and in the alps out of a mobile workshop in the back of your camper/motorhome. With James being a coach with you both being in a race paddock work will come in to keep you as busy as you want to be and give you the freedom for riding too.

[weeksy]

Stick with what you know repairing bikes, do it local and in the alps out of a mobile workshop in the back of your camper/motorhome. With James being a coach with you both being in a race paddock work will come in to keep you as busy as you want to be and give you the freedom for riding too.

I've had a chat with 1-2 of the race organisers who are happy for me to set up in their paddock on race/practice days with a signed up van offering services/repairs/support. That would need a slightly increased outlay in terms of having some parts with me at the time, but nothing too crazy.

You can get van signwritten for £200 or a full magnetic version (security reasons and removing) for £350, which again, isn't crazy money.

[Noggin]

About 15 years ago I 'gave up' my Snap on Franchise and moved to France with no real plan.

A chance conversation led me to do "A" ski season..... I'm still doing ski seasons.
I would not go back to my old life even if I would get 5 x what I earn now (and I would NOT get that !)

Funny you mention that, part of James's (my lad) plan is to potentially head to Alps in summer (not next summer as he'll be racing) and either Alps or NZ for winters, we were discussing you in the car last night and your Sessionaire (i think that's what you use as a term) and how you seem to love what you do. He'll be a MTB coach in the UK, but also thinking of options for winter (and maybe summer) stuff

Once things come together with his plans and leaving school, we may hook up with you for a chat or 2.

Obviously due to family stuff, your thing wouldn't work for me.... but sure could for him.

If he's coaching, he could get summer seasonaire work with a VVTT (Mountain Bike) school in the Alps I would think. I've got a few contacts in small companies in La Plagne (so relatively small) but also know a lot of VVT folks in the valley who would know more about contacts in bigger resorts; so when you start looking, let me know and I'll talk to some folks around here and see what numbers I can get for you ??

[weeksy]

Not sure it’s that simple in France as the Frinchie like to keep things in house

But thanks

[Yorick]

After Brexit, his Euro work plans could be very limited

[weeksy]

After Brexit, his Euro work plans could be very limited

The Euro aspect isn't that important in truth, more ideal would be NZ and Aus for the UK winter. Whether that would be a proper job in coaching or just casual stuff in a bar etc is open to debate and plans.... Most of the UK time for summer, spring and autumn would be coaching MTB in Forest of Dean.