Five years ago when I was 31 years old, my husband walked out on me for a 17 year old student, leaving me with a struggling business that we had started and two children aged 4 and 6. ‘This is not an unusual situation,’ I hear you say, but the way in which I survived is probably less than regular! However, I am proud of it and now want to share my story with you.

 

In 2001 I sat at the desk of my company. It was September and the company account was very heavily in the red. If I could last until January a Government aid loan would keep us afloat, but getting there was going to be big trouble. We manufactured farming machinery from sheet metal, employing 12 men in welding and metal shaping roles in my small factory. All the help I had now that my husband was gone was a production manager who did his best, but the figures weren't adding up.

 

My best friend at the time owned a hotel locally where we normally held our Christmas party. I called in one evening to drown my sorrows with a chat and a drink. She listened sympathetically and said she would love to help me, but she just didn't have any spare cash. I said I didn't expect that in a million years, but then she gave me an idea which I thought could help me.

 

Julie said what I needed was to get production up for the last couple of months of the year to keep me afloat, and the way to do it was to set targets for the workers rewarded by extra pay. This was a non starter, as extra pay I just didn't have available, but then she modified the plan slightly, yes this could work.....

 

I called a meeting with my staff the next afternoon. By this stage desperate action was required to save the business, and I wasn't going to let my kids down. The men gathered around the table and shaking slightly I stood up. “Thank you for joining me,” I said confidently, “I wish to set out a business plan to keep us all in jobs for the near future.”

 

I continued. “Over the next 3 months we need to produce 6000 products to keep in business.” The men groaned and then started shaking their heads. This was a standard response from them.

 

“I know that that is 40% more than usual,” I said, “but there are rewards to be had.”

 

“More money,” one said.

 

“No, unfortunately I can't afford that,” I said. Their interest waned.

 

“What I can offer is a stripper at your Christmas party if you are successful,” I said.

 

Their ears pricked slightly, “It would have to be a good bird for that kind of effort one laughed.”

 

“It would be a good bird,” I replied.  “It would be