Introduce myself and advice please :)

Hi all! I stumbled across this website last night and got lost reading various topics in your forum. Really enjoyed reading things from your point of view.About me - im currently studying a National Certificate in Horticulture at Newton Rigg, 2 days a week Tuesdays been the National Award year and fridays been National Certificate modules. The other five days are spent grafting with occasional saturdays off. I started working at Bank Mill Nurseries, a local garden centre and nursery in October 2007 on weekends and holidays as i finished my irst year of 6th form. After the first year of 6th form I left school Sept 08 and began working at Distington Victorian Walled Garden, a training garden for those with disabilities, mainly producing fruit and veg for weekly box schemes and typical bedding plant sales. We also began erecting polytunnels for various clients around the area.At the same time I enrolled onto the National Diploma beginning 1 day a week studying the National Award in the first year.I was at DVWG for about 7 months, but got frustrated with the comittee running the operation (was running as a registered charity) and left because they could not cope with finding funding or progressing the project. I then went onto work a six week stretch at BMN where I had continued to work weekends.From there I went onto work with Westwood Nurseries, initially in the Nursery producing bedding for Carlisle City Council and retail sales, as well as looking after retail shrubs and poerrenials. I was then moved into the landscape and maintenance departmnent for a short while.Work began to drop as it was casual labour so i took an offer from Alan Clark, a Rhododendron specialist in June 09. I was employed as a nurseryman through his propagation period heavily involved with the takings off cuttings and grafting. Also done a large planting out scheme for a client. Alan was awarded the RHS Loder Rhododendron Cup for the value of his work with the species for the 09/10.I was also sporting work with the Landscape team at Westwood during this time and due to the work commitments my dedication to the Diploma declined. I carried on to do the 2nd year at college and redo the 1st year. I also cut down from the ND to a NC as i was then desperate to get out of the county (i was getting little over £5 an hour).Work continued at Westwood until early March when I was offered work at BMN to fit in around college. Still only £5ph but didnt require 2-3 hours travelling a day via public transport.Since March I have managed to pass my driving test, secure a position at Saville Gardens on the work experience placement scheme as well as been asked for interview at Wisley on the Diploma (I had already accpeted the offer from Saville). I hope to reapply for the 2 year Diploma at Wisley after my year at Saville and complete this.I am looking for advice on what to do next. I have always desired to be self-employed, even before I ever had a job. Dealing with previous employers has only deepened this desire. I now have a small astra van and building up my own equipment. I draw the line at buying power tools at the minute as with still been employed they are provided and do not benefit from thee been tax deductable momentarily. These will be bought if I do go self employede if needed.I do own a chainsaw though as I use them regulaurly and posess CS30/31. I wish to do CS38/39 in the near future and I am still waiting on been givem dates for PA1/6. At my time at Westwood I worked alongside Eden Woodland Consulatants and OpenSpace conservation and landscaping on a semi-regualur basis.I aim to find a small buisness who posses a good reliable client base, to take me on as self-employed doing extra jobs while I build up my own client base. From then I would like to join up together with the business and operate on larger scale projects, so smaller less reliable clients do not pose a threat, and stable buisness is secure.I would really appreceate your time for reading this if you have got this far :) any constructive criticism, comment and advice are what I am looking for. You guys all seem to be in the position I would like to be and think its best I learn from peoplelike you.Anyhow thats my rather prolonged introduction, I hope to talk to you more in other topics throughout the forum.Thankyou,Jamie Sessford

Replies

PRO

Phil Voice June 15, 2010 at 4:56pm

Hi Jamie

Goodness me, you are a man on a mission and I'm impressed with your CV so far - you really sound like a driven person and I think you'll go far.

One thing I'd do if I were you is copy and paste everything you've just written in this post to the 'about' section of your LJN page or write a short paragraph on your about page and link through to this post.

You might just find the partner you need doing this and it will also help you if potential clients come perusing.

There's a site full of talented and driven people on here who I'm sure will offer you some good advice too.

Good luck for the future.

phil
Marc Cole June 15, 2010 at 8:34pm

Hi Jamie,

Indeed you sound like you'ver got all the basis covered. 90% of this lifestyle is made up of perspiration & determination.

Go for it and thro your hat in the ring.

Good luck.
Jamie Sessford June 15, 2010 at 9:02pm

Hi Phil, Marc

Thankyou for the encouragement much appreciated!

About me section is now updated :)

Cheers
Fenlandphil June 19, 2010 at 5:42am

Good luck Jamie.