Woman calls losing her job 'a gift' after launching her own business following redundancy

Suzanne Wishart, 37, from Cleadon, launched her mortgage advisory business, Just Mortgages, in August just days after working her final shift for a wealth management company.

Like many workers, Suzanne had been made redundant during the national lockdown and was forced to look for other ways of making a living.

The 37-year-old said after being giving the difficult news she was being made redundant, she saw the change in circumstances as an opportunity to pursue something of which she has always dreamed.

Suzanne said she immediately sprung into action, putting plans in place to launch her own business and bounce back.

After working in mortgages and finance all her life, Suzanne knew she could use her expertise to help others in the community, at a time where local businesses were being more valued than ever.

She said: “Redundancy took control out of my hands and starting this business was a way for me to regain control.

“When I was on furlough it really gave me a chance to think about where I was going and what I wanted to do. It was a blessing in disguise and redundancy became a gift.

“There's a real appetite for supporting local businesses at the minute and the North East community is full of entrepreneurs and people who have spirit, knowledge and experience.”

After starting Just Mortgages in August, Suzanne said she has had a busy first two months as the business has hit the ground running.

Suzanne is supporting clients from all over the North East including South Tyneside, Sunderland, Washington and Newcastle.

The pandemic has seen a wave of new start-up businesses being formed as workers either bounce back from redundancy or use time they have been placed on furlough to plan to strike out on their own.

Experts say some workers have also taken the opportunity to take their “side hustle” part-time business and make it their full-time source of income.

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