16 Comments
Feb 6, 2023Liked by Jo Elvin

I love this Jo. I’m 45 and been working full time in ‘normal’ job for the last 20yrs. Now that my kids are almost grown up (and my mortgage is almost paid off) I’m starting to think about the next phase of my career and what I would actually like to do. This article is really inspiring. Xx

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Feb 6, 2023Liked by Jo Elvin

Yes Jo ! Having read articles for years telling me your 50’s are amazing, I’m there and they are. All the skills you’ve acquired over the years, work & non work fuse together and produce a super powered woman. You go girl 👏🏻

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mate, get an accountant. I've been self employed forever and it's the only way. I used Quickbooks to sort expenses, my pay from my agents get sent straight to my accountant for them to do my VAT returns from, and now they can do most of my income from those for the income tax too. I'm also considering looking at a virtual assistant. Like you, I can get a LOT done in a day when busy. Sounds like you're smashing it and they're obv lucky to have you xx

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Hello Jo. I loved this - as I love all your pieces. I changed career at 46, and can relate to a lot of it. I've just forwarded it on to a friend who became a CEO of a charity last year too, as I know it will be relevant to her too. Re the admin, have you heard of Time Etc? They are a PA service for people who need part time PAs and you pay for the hours you use. I'm not on commission, but I think they are great. Happy to share more (lisa@lisaquinncoaching.co.uk).

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Love this Jo - a portfolio career is what I seem to have (although that sounds too slick for my crazy split life.) A pr recently called me a ‘slashy’ eg journalist/ illustrator/ editor!! Not sure about that one . Defo right to focus on one thing at a time else it’s very stressful and not let it run into evenings else you never stop. A life coach friend of mine swears by a virtual assistant who does all the jobs she hates doing (tax return?) Make sure you get enough rest as I feel sometimes my brain gets tired from switching between jobs. I think it could be easy to burn out so prioritise self care too. Huge congrats on all you are doing. Sus Taylor xx

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Loved this, Jo. I wasn’t shocked when you told me about this new adventure, I knew you’d be amazing at this job. Also, it’s inspiring to know that a new working life doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your old working life. X

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Feb 5, 2023·edited Feb 5, 2023

First of all, wtf comes for Jo for being dedicated to a cancer cause for three more days a week than most of humanity??? People clearly are unhappy with their empty lives. Having said that, I love you and the gang (I’m the one who started the whole “I’d love to be Richard Eden’s neighbor” thread… You’re a wonderful interviewer and now podcaster—LOVE that podcast. Screw em. 💕

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This made me tingle - I can relate so wholly to the way you described your feelings and energy around work. Having just had my third child a fair few years after the first two it’s given me that “well why not?!” determination to fully embrace my multi-passionate status, though the invoicing continues to be a faff. Thank you for writing this x

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It all sounds very exciting!

I’d really recommend getting an accountant though. The amount of time it will save you will more than pay for itself. I use FreeAgent but there are loads of alternatives.

You can log all of your time and invoice straight from the software and set up auto reminders for any overdue payments. You can also submit your self assessments and VAT returns etc etc directly from it. It’ll make managing everything much easier for you!

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Wow, I wish I had your energy! Or in fact I'm choosing to believe that my days can be as productive, they often are, but I feel exhausted afterwards. Finding my way out of that now.

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So inspiring would love to flip to a multi-hyper career one day - Also, experienced PA here - why do I apply for the role?! 😂

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You are welcome x

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I am amazed at what you can get done in a day and how you can switch from one task to another. But I would guess it comes with experience and knowing intuitively that you’re making the right decisions, writing a good feature etc. I have been self employed for most of my working life and I know that even after 15 years or so I take far too long over stuff. Although saying that, when I have a lot on my plate I do surprise myself with how much I get done in a day. So maybe the secret is to keep saying yes to the opportunities!

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One thought, if you haven’t already, is to look into cloud based accounting software. As a business owner, 2nd time around, I wish I had used this when I ran my coaching business. I had to employ a bookkeeper and the VAT return was a kerfuffle. Cloud based systems make filing a VAT return the work of minutes. And your accountant should be able to remotely access your records to prepare your annual accounts. I use KashFlow. I interrogate it to tell me all kinds of useful info eg best selling product, best performing customer etc.

The switch from employment to an independent business life is thrilling, but being your own admin support person is a grind.

All the best,

Jane

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