[email protected] Interview
Interview with Paula Gardner
Credits Lucy Williams & Katie Gibbs
“Get going – don’t wait for the perfect moment. You can start, even if it’s in a small way, today. Start that Twitter account, make that first call. Likewise, don’t put all your energy into designing a website/logo etc so that you’re burned out by the time it comes to the real work! Things like that can be adjusted as you go. Get the customers and clients in!.” – Paula Gardner
Today we feature Paula Gardner, the founder at Redundancy Recovery Hub. We hear their story in their own words, their successes, their challenges and their insights.
Let’s start by getting to know you. Can you please tell us a little bit about you and what you do?
I am a career psychologist and coach and the founder of The Redundancy Recovery Hub.
I help people recover from the shock of redundancy and work out what it is they want next, whether that’s a similar job, a change of career, to retrain or go back into education, or even to retire.
We look at their options and create a plan to get them to where they want to be. We also deal with all the fallout of redundancy – the impact it has on relationships, money, and even health.
A great introduction and start to this interview. Can you please tell us, how did you start, from what age, and what made you decide to change direction and start?
I was the owner of my own PR and marketing company but decided to retain into something more meaningful, for me. I discovered a Masters in business psychology, and this contained a lot of career psychology.
I worked as a career psychologist for a new year but when the pandemic hit, the idea for The redundancy Recovery Hub came along – I knew this was my chance to make a difference when people really needed it.
Thank you for that insight. So can you tell us…What does your business do and where is your company based?
We’re based in London, but our reach is as global as we are online. The Redundancy recovery Hub is a members’ club for people who have been made redundant. A place where they can get help, support, and feel part of a community that has their back.
What’s the story behind your success? What led to your aha moment? how did you get to where you are now?
My success has been due to the network of business people, coaches etc that I have built up over years. So many of them have wanted to give back and have done so in the form of advice, articles, and expert interviews to help members who have been made redundant.
Thank you for sharing that. What’s been your life’s biggest lesson so far?
The biggest challenge is always in getting it out there and reaching as many people as possible. This is ongoing, and why interviews like this are is helpful. I don’t think I would do anything different or new, but I would pace myself a bit better. I did go through a period of burnout, a month or so in, and that’s no good to anybody.
Not to waste too much time on activities that don’t produce return on investment. This isn’t always financial it could be something you enjoy for instance, but if you don’t enjoy it, and it doesn’t produce money, don’t do it. Life is too short.
If you were to go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
I became an entrepreneur at the age of 23 and have no regrets there, though the advice I would have given my younger self is to save a bit more money and invest it wisely.
I don’t feel happy working for other people; I like my own way of doing things and being an entrepreneur allows for that. It’s a lifestyle choice that makes me happy.
We’re nearly halfway through our interview so it’s a great time to ask how does your business run. What three tools make your business run better?
Clockify – so that I know how much time I am spending on what projects. This keeps me ultra-efficient.
My Filofax and my planner – these may seem very retro but I live my life by them. I consult them every morning, and do a weekly in-depth look at my goals and whether I reached them or not.
I need quiet time every day, first thing in the morning, to assess my goals for the day, plus I need a break for a walk or some time outside to keep me feeling fresh. I’ve learned this over the years and often find my best work happens straight after a walk.
What do you know now that you wished you had known before?
Not to waste too much time on activities that don’t produce a return on investment. This isn’t always financial it could be something you enjoy for instance, but if you don’t enjoy it, and it doesn’t produce money, don’t do it. Life is too short.
Credits Lucy Williams & Katie Gibbs
What has been your greatest or proudest achievement or moment?
Writing my three books – Get Noticed, Do Your Own PR, and The Career Pause and Pivot. I enjoyed writing them and was so proud to actually hold them in my hand. It was worth every moment of hard work, plus, many people have told me how useful the books have been to them.
What future life goals do you want to achieve and why?
Travel is my main one. I have set up my business to be able to run from anywhere and now, pandemic permitting, I want to do that!
To finish our inspire questions…”We believe that sharing inspiring words can inspire others.” If there was one positive thing you would say to someone to inspire and empower them what would it be and why?
Get going – don’t wait for the perfect moment. You can start, even if it’s in a small way, today. Start that Twitter account, make that first call. Likewise, don’t put all your energy into designing a website/logo etc so that you’re burned out by the time it comes to the real work! Things like that can be adjusted as you go. Get the customers and clients in!
“Thank you it has been great learning more about your founder story and Redundancy Recovery Hub”
To learn more about Redundancy Recovery Hub Visit https://redundancyrecoveryhub.co
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