LOCKDOWN STORIES

LOCKDOWN STORIES

Over Lockdown, I launched an editorial series sharing stories of how Covid-19 impacted people’s careers and wellbeing.

Jimmy, 30, Brighton
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Jimmy, 30, Brighton

We speak with Jimmy, a 30-year-old freelance video producer that lives in Brighton. Jimmy quit his day job in healthcare to pursue an entrepreneurial pursuit in video production just before the Coronavirus pandemic hit.

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Christen, 27, London
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Christen, 27, London

We speak with Christen, a 27-year-old cold brew coffee founder. The company was just about to launch at the time of the interview. Christen felt that the time of launching a new beverage business was not the best timing as both buyers and distributors are understandably distracted.

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Lori, 33, Restaurant Manager
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Lori, 33, Restaurant Manager

We speak with Lori, a 33-year-old Restaurant Manager. This time has made Lori realise how insecure her job is. Lori has worked at the same company for 6 years and had the government not offered furlough, she would not be getting paid at all.

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Jane, 44, founder of La Cuisine Paris
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Jane, 44, founder of La Cuisine Paris

We speak with Jane, the founder of La Cuisine Paris, a cooking school that provides French cooking classes in English to visitors. The tourism sector has been significantly impacted, so at the moment Jane's physical business is closed. They continue, as they always have with community building, rather than direct selling.

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Ben, 40, co-founder of Rebel Book Club
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Ben, 40, co-founder of Rebel Book Club

We speak with Ben Keene, a father of three and founder of Rebel Book Club. Growth has slowed for the business, but Ben shares how he has quickly pivoted the business by switching events from offline to online, which have been a big success.

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Louise, 45, Social Media Consultant
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Louise, 45, Social Media Consultant

We speak with Louise, a mother of three and founder of Socialbeeni.com. Louise shares how Covid-19 has impacted her business and how she is using this time to safeguard future work and curate brand new content. Louise shares how she is balancing family live whilst in Lockdown and reflects on her feelings that solo business owners are being forgotten.

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Teresa, 35, People and Organisational Development
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Teresa, 35, People and Organisational Development

We speak with Teresa who after six successful years in a role that she loved at Sony Music, decided to hand in her notice just before Covid-19 struck. Find out about whether Teresa will change anything about her way of living when things go back to the "new normal".

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Tom, 32, co-founder of content production agency
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Tom, 32, co-founder of content production agency

Tom is the co-founder of content production agency, Dojo Films Ltd. The business is in its first year was growing month on month and Tom shares how Covid-19 has literally been the equivalent to hitting a brick wall at speed. We also explore how Tom's year has changed dramatically since he put in various New Year goals in place.

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Bhavik, 32, Financial Services
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Bhavik, 32, Financial Services

Bhavik is 32, lives in London Bridge and works in Financial Services. We dive into Bhavik's story of being an extrovert living in isolation, plus read his advice to help other's maintain their wellbeing. Advice includes gratitude journalling and learning how to not undermine your feelings.

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Pansy, 36, Creative Lead
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Pansy, 36, Creative Lead

Pansy shares her insights into the invisible pressure to make sure she proves herself to be more useful than ever in her creative career and how she can't wait to escape London and be active again.

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Sarah, 35, Television Series Director
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Sarah, 35, Television Series Director

We speak to Sarah, who is 35 and spending lockdown in SW London. Sarah works in the television industry, which has come to a shut-down. Within the industry, only 17% of freelancers are currently working. The rest have no income, having had their job cancelled (54%), or expected work has dried up (25%).

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Louis, 26, Co-founder in the Food Industry
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Louis, 26, Co-founder in the Food Industry

We speak to Louis, who is 26 and spending lockdown in Putney. Louis is the co-founder of Mission Ventures and lives with his wife, an intensive care Nurse. Louis shares the impact that Coronavirus is having on his start-up business and lifestyle as he lives in a small 1 bed apartment.

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Helen, 34, Wellness Entrepreneur
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Helen, 34, Wellness Entrepreneur

We speak to Helen, who is 34 and spending lockdown in Surrey. Helen is the founder of Samsara Communications and shares insights on how Coronavirus has impacted the wellness industry, plus top tip to maintaining our wellbeing during this uncertain time.

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