Meet the women who quit the rat race to follow their dreams

Want to make a big change for 2019? We speak to four local women who have done just that: here are their career-changing stories alongside some tips on how to take that leap

NEW Year can be the perfect time to take stock of your life and head off on a new path. Today, four local women share their stories on why they changed careers, telling the best and worst parts of switching jobs and passing on their top tips...

Dancer to air hostess to make-up artist: Sonia Schofield

ALL CHANGE: Sonia as a dancer, air hostess and make-up artist

There were three things Sonia wanted to be when she grew up: a dancer, an air stewardess or a make-up artist – and she got to do all of them in her career.

After studying dance and working as a professional dancer, she followed her dreams to become an air hostess, ending up as a supervisor and trainer for KLM in Amsterdam. She loved it, but there was one big hitch. She lived in York and when she was working it meant her daughter, Elliotte, had to be looked after by grandparents (Sonia's husband is a pilot and is away often too).

She knew it was time for a change when she found herself driving to Leeds Bradford Airport in tears at the thought of being away from her child.

"I was missing out on her school plays and would be away for birthdays and Mother's Day. I wanted to give us a more stable life," says Sonia, 38.

But she loved her career and cried for two weeks when she resigned. But she has no regrets.

She now works for herself as a make-up artist, specialising in weddings, but also runs make-up lessons from a studio at her home.

She said: "It's great to put my daughter to bed every night and take her to school and be there for her when she is ill. Working for myself means I work when I want and I can follow my own rules."

Her best tip is to follow your instinct. "Most of the time when you ask yourself a question, you already know the answer; it's in your gut."

Probation office to business confidence coach: Gemma Stow

COACHING: Gemma Stow, who once worked with sex offenders

SEX offenders, violent criminals and 'lifers' were among the people Gemma Stow worked with during her eight years as a probation officer.

"I dealt with many high-risk cases including lifers – prisoners who had been given life sentences – to make sure they were following their rehabilitation programmes inside. I loved it and it was very challenging."

She left ten years ago following the birth of her first child, mainly to find a better work-life balance. "I now have the freedom and flexibility to control my own destiny."

She now has two primary-school-aged children and works as business confidence coach, working mostly online but also holding regular networking events for clients.

"I say that I empower people to do what they can't – I help people believe that they can do things," says Gemma, aged 39.

She has no regrets over her career switch but admits it was tough at first to give up a regular wage – and she missed work colleagues and office banter.

To anyone thinking of taking the plunge, she has this advice: "Find 'your people': surround yourself with people who have done this and create a support network. And say 'yes' to opportunities instead of being scared of them."

Lawyer to cake maker: Fiona Brook

LIFE IS SWEET: Fiona gave up a law career to make bespoke cakes

As a teenager growing up in Wilberfoss, Fiona dreamed of becoming a lawyer. At university, she studied English Law and French Law and was a corporate lawyer for 11 years, specialising in mergers and acquisitions. It was a high-stress job, with long hours.

As a therapeutic hobby she took up cake making and decoration, learning sugarcraft, which became a passion. So much so that in 2012 she decided to take the plunge to start a business as a self-employed cake designer – Cakes by No More Tiers.

"The hardest part was taking the decision; I'd been on the path to becoming a lawyer from the age of 14," says Fiona, aged 40, who has a 16-month-old son, Wilf.

"The main challenge has been moving from a large working environment with a department for everything (and a secretary) to having to deal with all of the admin, finances, IT issues, and marketing myself. It's been a massive learning curve."

"But the best part is having the freedom to be my own boss and do something that I love."

And she has a word of caution: "If you are thinking of going self-employed think carefully about whether this type of work suits your personality. It's not for everyone and can be quite claustrophobic if you like the company of others in an office."

Nurse to upholsterer: Louise Parkinson

CRAFTY: Louise is a former nurse but now works as an upholsterer

WORKING as a research nurse managing large-scale cancer research studies in areas such as melanoma, bowel cancer, and testicular cancer had given Louise a successful career.

But after 19 years in nursing, she realised she was unhappy at at work. "I had stayed in the same job too long and was jaded," admits Louise, 45.

She'd always liked doing creative things – and enjoyed those subjects at school. To reconnect with this, she took a woodworking course, and didn't look back.

"I was miserable and started this woodworking course, which was a bit of a catalyst. I used to be very stressed at work, but when you are carving wood, you can't focus on anything else. It made me realise I needed to be doing something creative."

The mum of two took voluntary redundancy and re-trained at the Ministry of Upholstery in Manchester.

She now runs Scruffy Upholstery – an upholstery business based in Tadcaster. "I had no business skills whatsoever and have learned a lot along the way. I recover items for customers and refurbish chairs to sell as statement chairs. I absolutely love it. I literally skip to work everyday. I have a lovely workshop in the centre of Tadcaster and I also run regular footstool-making classes."

And her advice? "If you are giving up your job, have some money behind you. Also, make use of social media – it is free advertising."

Gemma Stow suggests 5 ways to make that change

1. Figure out what really lights you up – carve out some time and think about where your passion, skills and experience come together. Tip – ask yourself what could you talk about all day long and not get bored?

2. Check in with your values. They are like magnets that will either motivate you closer to your dreams or push you away. Tip – what has kept you doing what you do now for so long? What is missing from your current work?

3. Believe in yourself. Tip – keep a journal/notebook on your achievements so far; things that you have done that you once thought you couldn’t do. And then start to build on that. Challenge yourself both in and out of work. Your confidence will thank you for it.

4. Widen your support network. Our friends and family are supportive, but it is also very powerful to make connections outside of your normal circles. Tip – find other business owners you can share your journey with as they will really understand what you are going through. Get a mentor.

5. Start to say yes to opportunities. This is one of the hardest things and yet most influential on your success. We often spend way too long overthinking things and this can stop us before we start. Tip – notice your thoughts when opportunities come along. Get a phrase or mantra that will help you say yes more quickly to do those things that scare you.

For more, visit: gemmastow.com