I have over 20 years’ experience in business development, initially in the private sector, before moving on more recently to working primarily with social enterprises and ethical businesses. I am a co-owner of two businesses; The Fruit Tree for Business LLP and Court House Care Services (Devon) Ltd. The Fruit Tree for Business is a partnership with Debbie Stewart. We provide business advice, training and consultancy services. We have both set up and run various businesses in the past 15 years. This hands-on real experience is of tremendous value to our clients. We offer one to one business advice sessions, a range of training courses including some of the more complex topics of legal structures and governance for social enterprises and co-operatives, as well as the introductory guide to starting a business and consultancy services such as developing business plans for community buildings, options, appraisals and associated funding applications. My other business is a Residential Care Home. I am a co-director of Court House Care Services (Devon) Ltd with my partner, Marcus Lyward. His background is in the Care Sector and along with my business skills, plus a great manager and some fabulous staff, we have a growing social business. Consequently, I now have in depth knowledge of the Care sector and am learning more every day.
How did your portfolio career begin?
I came out of the corporate employee world about 20 years ago and I moved back to my home county of Devon. I left London and an international jet-setting life having well and truly burnt myself out. It was a major crossroads for me. I think a lot of people have those crossroads, just points in time that occur for different reasons where we are forced to stop and think. It was certainly a time when my mental health needed to be a priority. Over the next few years, I struggled to find what I really wanted to do. I’m not sure that the phrase ‘portfolio career’ had even been coined, but it was where I was heading. It was through a voluntary position that I found the world of social enterprises and not-for-profits and when I had a ‘light bulb’ moment. My business skills could be used to support the development of businesses to benefit people and planet. Great! However, earning a full-time living was not going to be quite so easy. So as this developed, I looked for other opportunities. Always with a view that it needed to be something that I would find interesting and challenging.
5 tips for people considering a portfolio career
1 Understand your strengths and weaknesses (what can you offer that’s unique?) and identify areas of interest
2 Research those areas of interest and assess whether they are right for you as part of your career or whether they need to stay as interests and hobbies
3 Be clear about your financial position – and have a plan to develop your portfolio career without stressing the finances e.g. what could you do part-time, evenings or weekends?
4 Have or build confidence to talk to others, network, use social media in your career options
5 Write down your plan and be accountable to someone who can give impartial advice (most family and friends tend to be naturally positive). In my experience, the process of writing helps the brain assess our thoughts and ideas. Don’t worry, plans can always develop over time – they aren’t set in stone.
More
If you are interested in setting up a social enterprise but not sure where to start, contact lorna@the-fruit-tree.co.uk
View Lorna Turner’s LinkedIn profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lornaturner/
View The Fruit Tree web site:
Current Heritage Lottery Funded community project in Newton Abbot:
http://the-fruit-tree.co.uk/news-and-views/
View The Court House Care web site:
Twitter: @Courthousecare