Hello everyone and thank you to Letty for inviting me to tell you about myself. My name is Angela Smart but everyone knows me as Angie. I live in Portlethen with my beautiful 3 year old son, Brodie. At the beginning of the year I took a leap that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I started my own Childminding business.
After leaving school my first full time job was as a Receptionist at the Caledonian Thistle Hotel. This was where I met Letty. Not only had I the pleasure of working alongside Letty, we were also neighbours within the hotels staff accommodation. We continued to work together for a number of years. I have some brilliant memories of my time at ‘Caley’. I met some wonderful people who are still very close friends today.
During my time there I worked hard and eventually I was delighted to accept the position as Reception Manager. Over the next few years continued to develop my Front of House skills and was very lucky to have the opportunity to move to our larger sister hotels within the Thistle chain at Altens, from there I accepted a position at the Hilton Treetops and then onto my final position within a hotel the Douglas Hotel on Market Street in Aberdeen. I wore many hats at the Douglas and really enjoyed my time there. And watched the hotel improve and go from strength to strength under new ownership.
In 2011 I decided it was time to hang up my hospitality hat and I accepted a position as a Customer Service Co-Ordinator in the Oil & Gas sector. After two years at AQUASIGN I went on maternity leave. And became the very proud mummy to baby Brodie, my beautiful blue eyed boy.
In total I had 11 months off, which felt like 11 weeks. I couldn’t believe it when it was time to return. Being a mum was the best thing to ever happen to me, the thought of leaving Brodie with someone else made me feel sick. Originally I had an agreement to go back 3 days a week which I felt was a perfect balance and to my surprise I actually really enjoyed being back at work.
However, things changed very quickly when my partner and I split only a few weeks after returning to work. I had to increase the number of days I worked to four and increase my daily hours to make ends meet. The first year wasn’t so bad but as time went on I started to recent being there, I was no longer enjoying my job and paying someone to look after my child when I would much rather have been at home with him.
Childminding seemed to be the perfect solution for me. I have always loved kids and so getting paid to look after children while also being at home to look after my own was just ideal. I was very scared to take the plunge. A single parent with a mortgage to pay, it was a massive step to walk away from a steady income, especially in such uncertain times.
However, looking back when I was 20 years old. I had turned down a job at Disney Land, Florida, because I was afraid. I have regretted that decision ever since and promised myself I would not have such regrets again, someone once said to me, ‘You don’t regret things you do, but you do regret the things you don’t’ I think this is a very true statement.
In January 2017 I officially started ‘Angela Smart Portlethen Childminding Service’ with one child on my books. I now have three children and am absolutely delighted with my decision to do this.
My son started anti pre-school and his confidence has soared. I feel we have a perfect work/life balance. Brodie loves having the young babies around, we have both formed such special bonds with the children they really feel like our extended family.
There is so much support out there for starting a business. The only true obstacle in my way for so long was me. No matter what the outcome, you don’t know what could be if you don’t try.
Angela
If anyone wishes to get in touch with Angie or wishes to pass on her details to anyone else she can be reached on the below methods.
Email: Angsmart1982@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 07542382050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortlethenChildminder/
