Louis, 26, Co-founder in the Food Industry

Stories

Apr 18

Louis, work life lockdown — **1. How do you make a living**
I'm a co-founder and Head of Ops at Mission Ventures (missionventures.co.uk). We invest in and scale Food and Drink brands.

2. Has your career been impacted by Covid-19 and if so, how?

Apart from 5 weeks at my kitchen table... We've had major projects put on hold and have lost a big chunk of our revenue for the year.

3. How has that impact made you feel?

50% stressed / 50% motivated.

It feels like there's an opportunity (somewhere!) in this madness

4. How are you safeguarding your career during this time?

I've been taking the attitude that now is the time to be helpful. People will remember those who made an effort during the Coronavirus crisis. I believe this will pay dividends in the future.

5. Will you change anything about your way of living when things go back to normal? If yes, how?

I think I'll work remotely more often. My wife is an intensive care Nurse, we often work at opposite times of the day. Whilst she's been working overdrive, we've been able to see more of each other as I've always been home. You can't put a price on that.

6. How are you maintaining your wellbeing during this time?

Walking for an hour everyday plus some other kind of exercise (at home) 4 days per week.

I've been reading more and trying to switch off work come 6pm.

I'm finding it hard to maintain a good work/ life balance.

7. If you were to recommend one thing to do in lockdown - what would it be & why?

Painting! I've embraced this time to learn new things. Painting and leather making are top of the list. It's a cliche but I've always had an excuse as to why I shouldn't/ couldn't/ wouldn't do it before.

8. If a helping hand could be given to you now, what would it look like?

A bigger place to call home. I'm a big family man. My parents, sister, nieces and nephews are all 90 minutes away.

leathermaking — Lockdown Leathermaking.

A new hobby to pass the time, more of these to come…

9. If you were to spend lockdown with a famous person, who would it be and why?

Derek Sivers - a master of just 'being'!

10. What excites you most about post-lockdown life?

Getting out and about. I'll almost certainly jump off the tube a stop early, visit all those London museums I couldn't be bothered to see and spending time with friends. That first pint will taste wonderful!