Am I mad even thinking about this (career related)

GinG

GinG

GinG

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At the moment I am feeling pretty low and not enjoying work at the moment, decent money but not happy with who I work with.

My uncle owns a fireplace / interiors shop and was planning on retiring very shortly after training up a guy who was made a Director. Fast forward today and this guy wants out, throwing all my uncles plans for retirement out the window.

I think you can see where I am going...my mum has always said (even sometimes in a joking manner) I should buy a share of this shop for my uncle, the shop has been around years, established in 1970 odd or something and has a great reputation.

The problem...it would be a 220 mile round commute (approx 2 hours there, 2 hours back). Am I mad to even consider approaching my uncle?

I have just turned 27 and do not want to think that for the medium future I dredd going to work, I am well paid but just not happy.

Shop is a 9 - 4 jobby, in my current job I leave the house at 7am - get back at 6pm, so with the commute I really shouldn't see much difference in my routine.

The shop has so much potential...not to mention the possibility of going on the web, and also diversify into selling quality flooring and doors as an option. I have so many ideas but just don't know if it is a sensible option!

What do people think? Does anyone do similar commuting? I guess it is all down to finances at the end of the day...but money isn't everything and I could be so much happier, however grass greener etc etc?
 
Well now that it is out there as a viable option you will always be left with the 'what ifs' if you don't go for it. That being said, a sensible sit down with your uncle is in order to discuss it's potential. Plenty of people commute much greater distances.

Is relocation not a option?
 
-BA- said:
Well now that it is out there as a viable option you will always be left with the 'what ifs' if you don't go for it. That being said, a sensible sit down with your uncle is in order to discuss it's potential. Plenty of people commute much greater distances.

Is relocation not a option?
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We have just recently purchased a house (2 years ago), and if I sold now I would be in negative with all the costs and everything. Not to say we couldn't locate in a few years down the line, but I really love the house & place where we live!
 
MrMoonX said:
retail in this day and age?

yomadmeme.jpg
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Hence the ideas of opening an online shop etc.

With fireplaces you get quite a lot of protection from some suppliers, in that they will not let you sell certain models/brands online anyway.

The shop/company has been very well established and even just to take the name is possibly worth it!
 
The rental market is pretty good right now, I moved to Newcastle from Nottingham after we had a baby in a long distance relationship.

I easily rented my house out for double the mortgage payment and got somewhere cheaper to live in up here until i get out of negative equity or get enough to switch my mortgage to a buy to let and get a deposit on a new house. (Yes i realise i should already have told my mortgage company...)

Could be an option?
 
How about lodging with your uncle during the week? Or try and work out a graduated retirement on his behalf? So he does 1-2 days a week for the next year 'ish? If he wants to hand over his business to someone he can trust, maybe it would be an option he would consider?
 
You have options. You could look at the option of renting out your house you bought and then renting up near the shop? What would the difference be in rents etc. you'd have to think about and work it all out.
That said you could suck it and see. Do the commute and see how draining it is on you. (I fear it would be a big one. You concentrate a lot while driving and it's more tiring than working, normally).

Before all that though you need to look at the finances and work out if you think it's viable and a good thing to go for. If it all is looking good and it's just the commute and everything to contend with in your mind, I'd do it. You can always go back to a job like you have now if it doesn't pan out. Roll the dice. As long as you've gone through it all.
 
I got made redundant a few years ago, then my stepdad offered me a job as his place with the idea I would learn the ropes and could one day, when he retires, take on the business for the family. I'd been in IT 5 years by then, lots of places were going out of business, the company I was at used to employ over 200 people.

So I made the decision to take his offer and give it my best for 12 months knowing it may or may not work out giving our history and not knowing the business at all.

12 months later, I left and got back into IT as it didn't work out, we didn't see eye to eye and he realised I had no interest so couldn't afford to keep me on.

My idea was, give it 12 months, it's no different that others going away traveling for a long period and coming back into the industry, not much changes in a year and I fell back into a job almost straightaway.
 
I think I may just speak to him, see what offerings can be made. Check out finances etc, I could even take a week or 2 off work as holiday and just do the commute and see how I feel!

I have no problems in driving long distances, will be all motorway anyway.

As mentioned above I think if I missed out without even going into the fine details I will always think...'what if??'
 
Rodneypooleg said:
I got made redundant a few years ago, then my stepdad offered me a job as his place with the idea I would learn the ropes and could one day, when he retires, take on the business for the family. I'd been in IT 5 years by then, lots of places were going out of business, the company I was at used to employ over 200 people.

So I made the decision to take his offer and give it my best for 12 months knowing it may or may not work out giving our history and not knowing the business at all.

12 months later, I left and got back into IT as it didn't work out, we didn't see eye to eye and he realised I had no interest so couldn't afford to keep me on.

My idea was, give it 12 months, it's no different that others going away traveling for a long period and coming back into the industry, not much changes in a year and I fell back into a job almost straightaway.
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Agree. I am leaving Welfare to Work for a corporate IT role next week and know I can always go back if I need to. Company I have been with have been pretty good to me and am sorry to go but need to try it. Don't be left with regrets, explore your options fully which includes having a realistic conversation with your uncle and weigh up the options as a family.
 
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Rodneypooleg said:
I got made redundant a few years ago, then my stepdad offered me a job as his place with the idea I would learn the ropes and could one day, when he retires, take on the business for the family. I'd been in IT 5 years by then, lots of places were going out of business, the company I was at used to employ over 200 people.

So I made the decision to take his offer and give it my best for 12 months knowing it may or may not work out giving our history and not knowing the business at all.

12 months later, I left and got back into IT as it didn't work out, we didn't see eye to eye and he realised I had no interest so couldn't afford to keep me on.

My idea was, give it 12 months, it's no different that others going away traveling for a long period and coming back into the industry, not much changes in a year and I fell back into a job almost straightaway.
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Interesting, however the circumstances you were in almost swayed your decision. Did you ever have any interest in the business prior to this?
 
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