Winter Roundtable

OUR REGULAR ROUNDTABLE THIS MONTH INVOLVED QUESTIONS ABOUT CAREER CHANGES, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND THE VALUE OF A-LEVELS . FINITO MENTORS SOPHIA PETRIDES, PERVIN SHAIKH, AND ROBIN ROSE GAVE THEIR ADVICE the most tedious role can be made interesting if you adopt the principles of Kaizen. Put simply, there is no task or no system that cannot be improved. The Japanese word, Kaizen means change for the better. Examining every part of your practice for ways of improvement can suddenly make life more interesting and rewarding. I am not sure how much of a change it would be from pills to booze but wish you a successful outcome whichever way you choose.

Iam 41 with two children, and a successful pharmacist. But lately I’ve been feeling a bit flat about my choice of career. I love cooking, and did a stint in a Michelin restaurant but I found it exhausting. I am now wondering if I might find a career in the wine industry, but it would be a gamble because of my family situation, though my wife is currently on the up. I would be grateful for your advice.

Pervin Sophia’s right. It might be better to get a short term or locum project to break up the daily work cycle and simultaneously develop a side hustle in the evenings and weekends. This way, you’ll figure out what you like and dislike and you’ll have clearer direction. My advice would be to scale it up over time, so you’re in a better position to decide whether you want to make an eventual move. This way, it’s a win-win. Grow as you learn and earn.

Sophia Gary, prior to any decisionmaking, I recommend you sit down somewhere quietly and review the plans and goals that led you to being a pharmacist. What was the underlying goal? Did you achieve it – or is it time to re-connect with those goals and take a new path in the wine industry? Discuss it with your wife to ensure you are both aligned with your goals and happy with each other’s plans.

Robin I’d add that your situation is by no means unique. I have come across a number of professionals, dentists, lawyers – and indeed one pharmacist –like yourself who have questioned their situation mid-career. Your appetite for risk will be determined by your family support, your financial reserves, your energy, and desire. The pharmacist I knew sold his practice and became a professional actor. He didn't earn as much but he never regretted his choice. If you decide to stay however, even marketing strategy and reduce running costs until you can see an uptick in volumes for UK suppliers. I’d advise you to hold on: it might just take a little longer than you expected. Set yourself a time to move on, and until then, stick with it and keep analysing the market.

Robin Ian, high achievers have been the subject of study in academic circles for many years in an attempt to identify what makes them special. Amongst common traits identified are the ability to spot trends, the willingness to take risks and the ability to fail and learn from that experience. The success or failure of your Manchester shop is dependent on factors some of which are not in your control. Clearly legislation and the public’s attitude towards CBT and marijuana in general will have had, and will be having, a critical influence on the performance of your shop. Seeking additional capital will involve finding funders willing to take a significant risk and you will, no doubt, have to surrender a considerable amount of equity at this point. This is therefore a test of your nerve and or your judgment as to whether it is time to walk away and learn from the experience.

Iam very young, but absolutely convinced I want to be a lawyer. I recently did very well in my A-Levels. However, I am concerned about the recent spate of high grades and wondering whether my CV will fail to stand out in the future. What sort of things should I be thinking about?

Harry, 18 Hampshire with those already in the field. Through networking, you might also be able to secure internships and get real hands-on experience.

Iam a high-achieving CEO, who is keen to make it in the medical marijuana industry. I have raised a lot of money and recently opened a Manchester shop, but its sales are coming in under expectation. I need to raise capital but fear that the performance of the shop will hinder that. I fear I made a mistake by accumulating considerable overheads, and am not sure how to proceed.

Ian, 36 Manchester

Pervin Gary, I’m going to be direct. Do you need a physical presence in the form of a shop? I fear you’re going to feel overwhelmed by the pressure of having a shop, and you might be missing a golden opportunity online if you haven’t already built an online presence. My advice is to build your online brand and community. Learn about social media tools platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook Marketplace. You could use these to build a community and use Zoom webinars and Meetups to sell your products. This way, you’ll keep your skills updated, build a following and penetrate markets that a physical shop might not be able to service.

Sophia I agree with Pervin. Timing is also a factor. My advice is to refresh your

Sophia Harry, of course, you’re concerned about competition but if you did well in you’re A-Levels, I would not let that concern you. Your CV is just the story of what you have done and what you have achieved to date. It can be enhanced in many ways, and a professional mentor can show you how this can be done. A CV is only a dooropener. The best thing you can do now is to identify a mentor who can help you acquire the skills necessary to stand out as having more potential than those who might have slightly better grades.

Pervin The fact is employers like candidates who show initiative, and it’s great to see you addressing your plans now. Employers are also becoming less interested in grades and more interested in skills and experience. An excellent place to start would be to look at the different areas within the law and see which one appeals most. Then, use the power of networking through school, college, family and friends and connect

Robin I also would point out that in life we tend to do well at the things that we enjoy. With that in mind, have a think about what sort of things you take pleasure from, maybe it’s helping people, possibly it’s learning new skills or pushing yourself physically. Whatever it is, I would suggest that you look for activities or roles that you can get involved in that would add depth to you as an individual. Finally, ensure you include these skills and activities in your CV in a concise but relevant way. The creation of a good CV is part-content and part-presentation and is crucial to get right.