As we celebrate Careers Week, it’s important to remember that finding the right career path is not always a straightforward journey. Like many people, I spent years moving from job to job, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. It wasn’t until I was 46 years old that I finally found my lifelong career path. In this blog, I will share my story of how I went from a delivery driver to owning a UK-wide franchise business.

The Early Years: After leaving school, I started working in the motor trade and was content there for eight years. However, in 2001, I switched gears and became a delivery driver at TNT (now FedEx), where I gained my HGV license. I worked my way up to middle management, but the corporate life and it’s politics were not for me. So, I decided to quit and work as a security guard at my local Tesco.
Finding My Footing: After a brief stint at Tesco, I put my HGV license to use and became a delivery driver for Warburtons. Although the job was not my lifelong ambition, it paid well, and it gave me time to plot my future. At 35, I was starting to mature and think seriously about my career path.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: In 2013, I discovered a franchise opportunity with More Than Loft Ladders. The concept of turning unused space into cost-effective storage appealed to me, and I worked hard to build up the business in Nottingham over three years. Eventually, I expanded the franchise to Derby and Sheffield, and we had six vans on the road.

Owning the Company: In 2021, I seized an opportunity to buy the More Than Loft Ladders business from the franchisor. By October 2022, the deal was done, and I was now the owner of a UK-wide company at the age of 46. More Than Loft Ladders is now a franchise with a conscience, and my job is to support other entrepreneurs as they begin their journey.

What I’ve Learned: My journey to finding my lifelong career path was not easy, but it was worth it. I learned that it’s never too late to change your career path, and it’s okay to take detours along the way. Being an entrepreneur has allowed me to fulfil my passion and help others do the same. So, as you navigate your career path, remember that it’s not about finding the perfect job, but about finding a career that aligns with your passions and values.