Cost-of-living crisis: mum ditches teaching to become boss

Nicola Ferns used her “incredible eye for detail” to be a high school tech teacher for 13 years but has now decided to use the talent to launch her own business.

The 37-year-old is now a tiler which could see her make more money than ever while allowing her to finally become her own boss.

Nicola is now a tiler (Image: Sourced)

She told the Glasgow Times: “A big career change is scary but it seems to be working out for me so far, I might even make more money being a tiler than a teacher.

“That isn’t my main motivation though, I just want to be there for my kids and have the flexibility.

“Tiling came to me because it lets me be creative which is important, and I had been interested in learning how to do it myself.

“Being a tech teacher before this means I have an incredible eye for detail, I can tell if something is even a millimetre out.

“I have always wanted to be my own boss, so I am really enjoying the freedom it is allowing me.

“Being a teacher was great, I enjoyed it and I loved the summer holidays, but I am glad I made the move.”

Nicola Ferns has an “incredible eye for detail” (Image: Colin Mearns)Nicola noticed the industry was mostly men but believes being a woman herself has not held her back at all.

She has noticed huge support from customers who are keen to book her for jobs to “bring their visions to life.”

The mother-of-two hopes more women can be inspired into entering a trade like herself to create more diversity in the industry.

Nicola enjoys the job's flexibility (Image: Sourced)

Nicola added: “I noticed a course came up and took the chance, I thought it was interesting and soon after managed to start booking jobs in.

“I don’t know [why it is mostly male dominated], I think traditionally trades were mostly taken up by men, but things are changing.

“Gender doesn’t have any bearing on a person's ability to do a job.

“Being a woman hasn’t held me back, in fact I think it has helped as other women have been really supportive.

“My hope is that everyone, regardless of gender, can find a career that they love that allows them to live the life they want to live.”

Nicola serves Bearsden and the surrounding areas, to contact her to you can email shetilesbearsden@gmail.com