What work had been you doing beforehand?
I labored in ecommerce and venture administration roles for 10 years.
In my final ecommerce position, I used to be working for a wellbeing enterprise.
What are you doing now?
I’m a textile artist.
I create bespoke handmade velvet banners with significant phrases for different weddings, distinctive properties and as memorial keepsakes.
I even have my very own private textile-based artwork follow, scaling up small intimate handwritten notes into large celebrations of vulnerability and have been very fortunate to have items in a number of exhibitions.
Why did you modify?
Wanting again, I believe there had all the time been a quiet underlying sense that one thing wasn’t proper.
That was introduced into sharper focus following my accomplice Dave’s prognosis with Becker Muscular Dystrophy (a uncommon progressive muscle-wasting situation) in 2023.
Within the 12 months that adopted, we navigated lots. Dave leaving his profession attributable to incapacity discrimination, my position being made redundant and beginning a brand new job.
We additionally tried to hurry via renovating our flat so we may promote and relocate to a bungalow. All whereas we had been each studying what Becker Muscular Dystrophy was and coming to phrases with it.
While there have been a variety of troublesome moments that 12 months, Dave was extremely lucky to begin on a scientific drug trial which was such a constructive a part of coming to phrases along with his prognosis.
Taking cost and collaborating in one thing which could result in a larger scientific understanding for a attainable future therapy. The dedication and care from the crew on the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle was (and continues to be) awe-inspiring.
Dave’s prognosis additionally introduced out the perfect in among the folks round us – with a real outpouring of affection and assist from household and buddies. I really feel so lucky that we’ve probably the most fantastic folks in our lives.
I believe, as people, we’ve an unimaginable potential to adapt and I shortly “normalised” what was an unlimited life-change. My precedence was ensuring Dave was okay and dealing via the sensible challenges of future-proofing.
I would been struggling for some time in 2024 and tried highlighting this at work however didn’t advocate strongly sufficient for myself. I vividly keep in mind being informed everybody has a private life, that I simply have some “further pressures”.
That phrase weighed closely on me, reinforcing the sense that I ought to be coping higher.
All of it got here to a head that summer time, when some odd signs (unexplained ache, mind fog, exhaustion) led me to suppose I used to be bodily unwell. I am so grateful to the physician who noticed how unwell I used to be. She recognised my want for a while and I used to be finally signed off work for about 10 weeks.
I cried with reduction after I left the physician’s surgical procedure. The actual “further stress” had been lifted.
That point off gave me the house I wanted to really feel higher – to correctly course of Dave’s prognosis, grieve our previous life and clearly see I couldn’t stay in my present work, however that it wasn’t going to be a direct change.
I returned to work and shortly realised I may deal with the large life modifications however not alongside the work I used to be doing!
When was the second you determined to make the change?
There have been two key moments.
The primary was being signed off work and realising how significantly better I felt. This was the signal I wanted to make a change. I had a way I may perhaps cope higher if I used to be a baker or decorator or doing one thing that will give me the house to suppose.
Whereas, my work concerned a variety of advanced techniques and processes, all with their very own quirks and nuance and my mind finally couldn’t deal with the complexity.
Alongside that, I used to be so impressed by the scientific trial hospital visits – the compassion and care proven by the crew on the RVI in Newcastle. In an odd approach, I felt extra snug in that setting than I did at work.
The second level was my first step in direction of making a change. In January 2025, we’d not lengthy moved to a bungalow in Newcastle so it felt like among the sensible parts of our new life had been in place.
I had a backyard for the primary time and spent a variety of time there over that winter. I felt like I got here alive within the backyard, getting my arms soiled, doing bodily work and having fun with the birdsong. I liked the slower tempo – accepting that nature works by itself schedule and nothing was pressing.
My work did not match with this new life that valued endurance, compassion and care. I had no concept find out how to go about making a profession change or what I needed to do subsequent so I went to see a counsellor, considering it’d assist.
She listened to me describe my life after which mirrored again a picture of somebody who was depressing and misplaced. I didn’t need to be the individual she described, so I sought assist and located Careershifters.
This was the purpose I used to be totally dedicated to make a profession change, no matter that was going to finish up being!
How did you select your new profession?
I had no concept what I needed to do subsequent apart from I needed to really feel “human”. In my thoughts, that meant working with my arms, in nature or serving to folks.
I joined a Careershifters workshop in early 2025 and it left me buzzing with pleasure – there’s a method to work out what you need to do subsequent! I signed as much as the Careershifters Launch Pad which began in April.
The Launch Pad was all the pieces I wanted – house to discover in a light-weight, enjoyable approach. After the earlier 12 months, I actually actually wanted that house to play! I explored attainable careers as a gardener, profession coach and celebrant.
Regardless that they weren’t “proper”, they had been very useful clues and markers alongside the best way, serving to steer me ahead.
There was a lot throughout the Launch Pad, however I believe the important thing half for me was the shift in mindset. It enabled me to realize probably the most from the issues I explored and conversations I had.
I granted myself permission to need issues, challenged assumptions I had about myself, turned snug with asking for assist and wasn’t afraid to “fail”.
By means of exploring careers in horticulture, I used to be drawn to the concept of therapeutic horticulture however realised that this was really reflecting what the backyard was to me – one thing to assist my wellbeing and I needed to maintain that as a pastime.
By going via the Launch Pad course of, I realised that there have been key issues I liked however had overpassed – material and significant phrases (music lyrics, poetry and many others). Phrases have large resonance for me and I began making banners with significant phrases.
Historically a approach of uniting a neighborhood, I liked the concept of making them to have fun feelings and emotions. As a result of I had studied Trend Design in school and college, stitching had an affiliation with work already so I wasn’t fearful I’d lose the enjoyment of it.
I then had a little bit of an inside battle on the place I ought to focus my time – on making commissioned bespoke banners or by myself artwork follow.
Talking to a enterprise advisor was actually helpful in seeing that the bespoke banner enterprise wanted to be the primary focus as a way to create the time and house for my private artwork follow.
Are you proud of the change?
I truthfully can’t consider how extremely fortunate I’m to have discovered one thing I really like this a lot.
I now reside in a world of phrases the place I’m trusted to make one thing stunning from folks’s cherished tales.
It’s such a privilege. I am fully myself day-after-day – caring and mawkish, however creating one thing tangible.
While I am working a enterprise, I don’t really feel I’m “going to” or “ending” work day-after-day. It feels a pure a part of my day and I can work on the tempo and rhythm that fits me – spending an hour gardening to take advantage of it being a beautiful morning then stitching into the night.
To create takes endurance and I really like spending that point and care to make sure a banner is completed fantastically and the letters are completely aligned.
I’ve discovered an exquisite neighborhood in Newcastle, of different artists and individuals who run their very own companies or work freelance. It’s superb to have the steadiness of having the ability to meet up with like-minded folks but additionally have time to myself, music on and fully immersed in my work.
Considered one of my favorite issues about my shift is that individuals will ship me messages with a quote, signal or significant phrases they’ve come throughout – realizing I’ll get pleasure from them. That thoughtfulness is all the time actually touching.
The opposite beautiful factor is the ripple impact that seeing me exploring new issues has impressed Dave to strive (and uncover a brand new love of) pottery and ceramics. I can’t wait to see the place it takes him.
2026 is wanting very completely different. I’m exhibiting at 4 marriage ceremony gala’s and the Nationwide Funeral Exhibition. The previous me would by no means consider that, it might have been unthinkable! I am so excited to fulfill folks and listen to about their significant phrases and tales.
What do you miss and what do not you miss?
The one factor I miss is the month-to-month wage, but it surely’s early days for my enterprise and I’m decided to achieve the purpose the place I’ve a dependable revenue.
I don’t miss the rest! I now really feel fully free to be myself and don’t suppose I’d realised how far I’d drifted from who I’m.
How did you go about making the shift?
Once I began the Launch Pad in April 2025, I diminished my hours to work 4 days every week.
This gave me extra time and house to concentrate on my profession explorations, after which in a while my shift.
From the Launch Pad, I gained readability and momentum which I constructed on. It began with small experiments – stitching a small textile piece, then a bigger one. Eradicating my concern of failure, I began making use of to artwork open calls and had a chunk accepted right into a gallery (The Home of Smalls in Edinburgh).
I went to native occasions: artwork networking, workshops on establishing a enterprise, pushing previous imposter syndrome. This was actually key in each assembly like-minded folks and recognising that these had been environments the place I slot in.
I created a web site. It was tough at first, however including to it and updating as and after I had extra or higher pictures and replica. Small iterations moderately than ready till it was good earlier than beginning.
Alongside that, I began posting on social media – one thing I’d averted for years and the concept of which had made me cringe! Now it felt completely different, I had nothing to cringe about as a result of I used to be simply being myself, sharing and speaking about what I really like.
How did you develop (or switch) the abilities you wanted to your new position?
It was an actual combination.
I tapped again into my inventive considering by recognising what I used to be drawn to and desirous about, all of the little clues that pointed to the individual I’d forgotten I used to be.
It’s superb the concepts that seem (often mid-shower) once you’ve been absorbed in a lot of belongings you genuinely love and really feel enthusiastic about – the best way your mind finds these hidden connections.
In school and college, I studied Trend Design and had been stitching for over 20 years so I had the technical expertise. From working, I had the good thing about transferable ecommerce and advertising and marketing expertise to construct my web site.
Expertise as a venture supervisor undoubtedly helped too – breaking down work into smaller steps and being somebody who likes getting issues achieved!
I didn’t know find out how to run a enterprise and located some superb assist via native organisations (PNE and the Millin Charity). This actually helped plug the gaps I had round enterprise funds and even excited about what I needed to do as a enterprise helped it really feel extra “actual” and achievable.
What didn’t go effectively? What fallacious turns did you are taking?
I don’t suppose there have been fallacious turns as they supplied helpful classes alongside the best way however there have been different profession paths I explored.
The primary was horticulture – given how a lot pleasure I discovered from being within the backyard. I had some unimaginable conversations with completely different folks in horticulture and located everybody to be so beneficiant and compassionate.
I additionally liked that there was no gatekeeping. Everybody needed to speak about vegetation and was very pleased to signpost to different organisations.
The opposite key half for me with the backyard was about play. The backyard was an area to strive issues with out concern of failure and to simply accept you possibly can’t management all the pieces. This was a key mindset shift for my profession change – nearly a “let’s see what occurs if I plant this seed”, exploring curiosity and giving it a go.
One other profession I used to be interested by was being a celebrant. I had an exquisite chat with Sarah Clarke (Sarah Clarke Celebrates) after studying about her profession change in Constructive Information journal. That was key in recognising why I used to be drawn to the concept – being near emotional celebrations the place phrases maintain a variety of that means, however public talking is not for me.
The ultimate profession I thought of was teaching. A key a part of the Launch Pad expertise for me had been supporting others on their profession change journeys. I discovered it so rewarding and recognised I liked having the ability to ask questions that prompted reflection or present another perspective. Once more, the impression and energy of phrases being a key thread for me.
Teaching wasn’t for me both, however I recognised that the abilities of asking good questions, offering perspective and nearly enjoying with risk was inventive considering presenting itself in a distinct setting.
Regardless that these careers weren’t proper for me, exploring them supplied key clues and it’s so inspiring to talk to individuals who love their work. You are feeling their enthusiasm radiate!
How did you deal with your funds to make your shift attainable?
With lowering my hours at work, I would been used to a barely diminished wage for the months earlier than.
I used to be within the lucky place to have financial savings that allowed me to go away my position after I was able to in October 2025.
Being self-employed, there’s no assured wage, however I am dedicated to creating my enterprise profitable and if I would like to hunt out part-time work alongside it at any level, I’ll do this.
What was probably the most troublesome factor about altering?
Difficult a variety of the assumptions I had about myself was actually troublesome.
I’d all the time assumed I used to be awkward and horrible at talking with folks however realised it’s as a result of I used to be principally doing that at work. In fact I felt awkward speaking about work I wasn’t desirous about!
Getting out and assembly individuals who care about the identical issues – having fantastic human conversations and actual connection is what I wanted. I completely discovered this via talking to gardeners and assembly different artists! Beautiful individuals who care about probably the most essentially human issues – creating artwork, concepts and being in nature.
It was additionally exhausting to recognise myself as an artist. I believed that was one thing that different people who find themselves a lot cooler and extra attention-grabbing than me had been in a position to do!
Mockingly, as soon as I may ultimately see myself as an artist, the bit I discovered most troublesome was staying in my job. It felt like dwelling a double life the place I used to be having to maintain my true id hidden.
I labored remotely which, fortunately, meant I may considerably disguise how a lot I used to be bodily squirming and fidgeting out of discomfort in conferences!
What assist did you get?
Through the Careershifters Launch Pad, assist from our superb group in encouraging and supporting one another and from profession coaches Natasha and Anna.
I had a variety of attention-grabbing curiosity-driven profession conversations and actually recognize all of the individuals who had been very beneficiant with their time.
I additionally had assist from my accomplice, household and buddies who had been very affected person and type as I chewed their ears off working via my profession explorations, little “aha” moments and realised issues that had been in all probability apparent to them.
A chat with my closest pal Faye, the place I had the revelation that phrases are vital to me and he or she laughed and identified my three teenage tattoos had been all poetry and music lyrics: “Louise, you actually have phrases tattooed on you”. The clues had been there all alongside!
What have you ever learnt within the course of?
A lot.
I’ve rediscovered who I’m. Somebody who’s deeply compassionate and caring, inventive and mawkish and now in a position to embrace and have fun that in all elements of their life.
I don’t suppose I realised how a lot I’d compromised myself at work during the last 10 years and it feels amazingly liberating to have the ability to be myself.
On the profession change course of – the steadiness of being open to all potentialities however dedicated to the method, served me effectively. Getting into wholeheartedly and keen to take a really completely different method!
Asking for assist is essential. It will probably allow you to discover solutions extra shortly and individuals are often flattered and delighted that will help you.
What do you want you’d achieved in a different way?
I don’t suppose I’d change something.
All the pieces occurred on the proper time for me. I used to be completely dedicated to creating a profession change and throwing myself wholeheartedly into the method – which has fully modified my life!
What would you advise others to do in the identical scenario?
Hunt down like-minded people who find themselves additionally motivated to make a change!
I felt so remoted considering I used to be the one one within the fallacious profession. To listen to different folks describe the identical emotions was pivotal. You’re not alone and it’s a lot simpler and extra pleasurable to undergo profession change collectively.
Plus, you will have the privilege of cheering others on as they make progress. Considered one of my favorite elements of the Launch Pad course was listening to about all of the superb thrilling issues our group had been as much as and seeing folks have breakthrough moments alongside the best way.
Belief your self. You don’t have to have the reply now, however belief that by taking motion, you’ll discover what you need to do and you’ll make your shift occur.
Have a play! Do one thing enjoyable and revel in your self. I discovered my previous profession drained my power, however as soon as I began in search of out some new enjoyable issues that I loved, it gave me a lot power. This helped inspire my profession change and finally attain readability in what I needed to do.
What sources would you advocate to others?
Careershifters have been unimaginable.
I’d extremely advocate the Workshop and Launch Pad. I can’t overstate how transformative it’s been for me!
Constructive Information is a tremendous supply of concepts, inspiration and customarily a pleasure to learn, particularly when feeling caught. It was actually useful in opening my eyes to a lot of careers and organisations I wouldn’t have recognized existed.
Ask family and friends in the event that they know anybody that works in one thing you’re interested by. Having even a fast chat will be so helpful.
Should you’re desirous about beginning a enterprise, see what assist is accessible domestically. There’s usually free workshops or enterprise recommendation. The BIPC is a superb place to begin.
To seek out out extra about Louise’s enterprise, go to https://www.louisebrooke.com/
What classes may you are taking from Louise’s story to make use of in your personal profession change? Tell us within the feedback under.
Louise took half in our Profession Change Launch Pad. Should you’re prepared to affix a bunch of shiny, motivated profession changers on a structured programme that will help you discover extra fulfilling work, you will discover out extra right here.