Feature

The 5 to 9-ers

Fed up of the daily grind? Meet three women who have chosen a different way of working. By Ali Kirker. 

ANALISA ARISS is 37 and gave up a successful career as a fashion buyer for the Merchant retail group after having children. She then became a buyer for an ethical Internet company, but still wanted more flexibility.

The answer was to work from home and launch her own business, while being able to spend more time with her daughters, now aged three and five.

“I loved my job as a fashion buyer, but once I had children everything became harder to manage. I really wanted to work more flexible hours and I had a real desire to have my own business, despite having two young children. Lots of people probably thought I was mad — it was a challenging time to set up a company!” Analisa laughs. 

Analisa’s dream was a natural, ‘luxury buy’ company, with ethically sourced products. “I’ve always had a real weakness for fragranced candles, especially when they’re natural and environmentally friendly. So I chose to launch my business around them.”

Setting up a business can be a challenging enough experience at the best of times, but getting it off the ground with young children in the background can make it even tougher. 

“Oh yes, while at home with the children after school I have made lots of important business phone calls, holed up in the utility room sitting on the freezer,” Analisa says. 

“It has been difficult to explain the echo and buzzing in the background, but the explanations are now well practised!”

Despite such drawbacks, Analisa believes the benefits of being a 5 to 9-er far outweigh the disadvantages. 

“Oh definitely,” she says. “I love the fact that my working day now varies enormously, all depending on the children. I can pick them up from school and spend time doing activities with them. 

“I now work around my life, rather than plan my life around work. Believe me it’s not always plain sailing and working into the early hours or over a weekend is not unusual, but it’s also incredibly rewarding whether it’s seeing your website go live or a fantastic new product arrive.” 

After spending much of her working life being part of a team, Analisa admits that being on her own can be tricky. “Working alone can be challenging, but my husband, family and friends are my support network and keep me motivated. Their support is invaluable.”

Analisa admits that she had unrealistic expectations of being a 5 to 9-er and getting a business off the ground quickly. 

“To begin with I had so many goals and targets and I did set my expectations too high,” she admits. “I soon discovered I couldn’t run before I could walk and had to set more realistic targets. It’s been a challenge, especially because of the recession, but I totally believe in what I’m doing and am still loving it.”

Despite such setbacks, she says it’s hard to imagine going back to work for someone else. “No way. I have always wanted to run my business and it suits me down to the ground,” Analisa says. “I am able to be with my children for all the major milestones in their lives. What mum wouldn’t value that? I can make my own choices without feeling bad and that is so valuable. I can’t imagine going back to working full-time for an employer.”

Although Analisa’s lifestyle sounds tiring, she believes that being passionate about what she does means it’s easy to put in long days and start working all over again when her children go to bed. 

“I love being there for my children during the days and then working on ideas when they’re asleep. When you’re having loads of different ideas about how to make your business a success and you want to put them in to action, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Analisa believes the 5 to 9 lifestyle suits many different people. “It’s particularly good for those with young children, or people who have other responsibilities during the day. It’s been a perfect way to launch a business — the best of both worlds!”

See www.maddialexander.com 

PAULA CORMACK works for DeviliShh puddings, based in Aberdeen. These posh puds are sold by a squad of ‘Cheeky Devils’, who demonstrate how to make amazing puds in people’s houses. 

Paula, who has two children, Callum and Kieran, has lived the life of a 5 to 9-er and has tips for anyone wanting to ditch the rat race, or just earn a bit more extra money when it suits them . . .

Being a 5 to 9-er is perfect for new mums.

“That’s what made me start. I was on maternity leave and wanted to do something for myself. I became a Cheeky Devil — it was a great chance to make some extra cash, but also to get out and socialise. As any new mum will tell you, it’s great to get a bit of time back to yourself. It felt like justified socialising, because I was making money.”

It suits plenty of other people, too.

“We’ve found that all sorts of people love working as 5 to 9-ers. We’ve got pensioners who look after their grandchildren during the day and are very involved with charity work — but they still find time to make a bit of spare cash during their evenings. We also have a male Cheeky Devil, which always surprises people. He actually works shifts but loves to get out at night and meet people and make some cash into the bargain.”

Working 5 to 9 means you use your day more productively.

“Being a 5 to 9-er certainly isn’t an easy option. Most of the people I know who work this way have lots on during the day. They might feel shattered after a hard day with the kids or other commitments and the thought of going out to work in the evening can be hard. Believe me, though, once you start gearing up for it and are actually out meeting new people and having a laugh, you soon find lots of energy. It means you can cram so much into a day.”

Like any job, being a 5 to 9-er doesn’t always run smoothly.

“The first time I did a party I was actually doing it from home. I was really nervous so I sent my husband out — the thought of him watching me was just too much! So I put the kids to bed and everything was going fine until Kieran, who was about six months old at the time, decided he had to join the party. He ended up being there the whole time but it was actually a good ice breaker.”

5 to 9-ers often enjoy work much more than those with day jobs.

“People who work this way are often doing so because it’s the best way for them to fit in something they’re passionate about. I believe if you can find something to do that you enjoy, it’s like you never have to work again, because it never becomes a grind. What could be better?”

See www.devilishh.com  

EMMA JONES was so passionate about working 5 to 9 that she wrote a book about the subject, Working 5 to 9 — How To Start A Successful Business In Your Spare Time . . . 

What has been your experience of the 5 to 9 lifestyle?

I have been a 5 to 9-er twice over. It was while working at an accounting firm that I came up with the idea for my first business. To develop that idea, write a plan and secure a first sale, I worked at my job by day and the business by night. I did the same when we sold that business and I was planning my second venture, Enterprise Nation. 

Based on my experience and the hundreds of other 5 to 9-ers I’ve met, it’s the best way to start a business as you keep risk low and give yourself the time to build confidence and cashflow. 

Why do you think more and more people are choosing to work this way?

There are a couple of reasons. Some people are working evenings to earn some extra cash or protect themselves financially in the face of redundancy (having a spare time business is a great safety net if you are made redundant). But other people are working this way because a hobby turned into a business. They come home to do something that is a creative distraction from the day job. 

Evening work obviously has advantages, like flexibility and being able to spend time with your kids or other family members. But what are the downsides?

The only issue I’ve come across was about setting realistic expectations. When you are working a day job and have evenings and weekends to build a business or work, you have to be realistic about what you can achieve in these hours, whilst still taking time to relax. Planning is important. And remember to use your Sky+ to record your favourite TV programmes you’ll miss while working!

People who work traditional hours often have an image of 5 to 9-ers as being a bit lazy — they imagine they sit around watching TV all day and then do a little bit of work at night. What’s the real story?

I don’t think anyone can call a 5 to 9-er lazy! Working this way works well for anyone wanting to ease out of employment and into self-employment, for mums who have a few hours spare or retirees who only want to work part-time on a business as they have other activities they want to enjoy. Although working like this can sound tiring, I’ve realised people find it gives them more energy and motivation and improves their performance, even if they have another day job. 

Do you think increasing numbers of people will look at working this way?

I can see more people are working like this and it’s being influenced by the fact that more people want to become their own boss. With self-employment comes freedom and flexibility — you decide how, where and when to work and what’s even better is most people start a business based on a passion/hobby/skill so you get paid to do what you most enjoy. I think people want to take their future into their own hands and what better way to do this than start a business? 

In your experience, are there more men or women working this way?

It’s a pretty equal split. But women excel at starting businesses based on craft and handmade items and use the Internet to sell items across the world. Women like anything that brings flexibility — especially if they have children and family commitments — and that’s what being a 5 to 9-er brings. A mum can start a business when her children are young and work on it part-time, so she will have time left over for them. She can grow the business as the children grow. You can’t do that so easily with a job. 

Does this way of working lend itself to a diverse range of businesses?

Yes! In my book I offer 50 ideas for businesses you can start in your spare time. Whether you’re into fashion, food, fitness or finance, there’s an idea there for you and it shows almost any business can be started and run in this way. 

What tips would you give to someone who’s thinking of becoming a 5 to 9-er? 

Find an idea — come up with an idea that is connected to your passion or fills a gap in the market or is something you see someone else doing and think you can do better yourself. 

Make a plan — with your idea in mind, make a plan. It only need cover four pages or so to include your idea, how you’re going to promote the business and ways of making it all work. 

Create space — have space in your house that is reserved as your office/work area and adorn it with furnishings and items that increase productivity — a ‘vision board’, decent sound system, and a sturdy desk and chair. 

Tell the boss — so long as you’re not doing anything that is in competition to your day job then it is wise to tell your boss you’re earning outside office hours. 

Find out more at www.working5to9.co.uk 

Work wise

Thinking of becoming a 5 to 9-er? Taking a peek at these statistics from Lifetime training, who specialise in training in the active leisure and hospitality industries, might persuade you to quit the 9 to 5 rat race . . .

The poll of 3000 adults revealed nearly half of all British workers are unhappy in their jobs.

Employees in desk bound jobs were more likely to be unhappy than workers on the road, on their feet or those performing labour intensive tasks.

17% of people said they are depressed at work every single day — with 12 breaking down in tears at least once a week. 

Only 6% of the 3000 adults surveyed said they were completely content with their jobs.

One in five office workers are unhappy every day, whereas less than one in 10 people who spend the day on their feet such as personal trainers were cheesed off with their job.

October to December has been named as the time of the year when we feel most depressed at work.

The poll revealed that 64% of people believe the only way they will truly be happy is if one day they work for themselves.