Specialist advice
How did I get here
Andy Hirst discusses winding career paths with Alison Ledger
I was always the kid stuck in goal when we played football at school (apparently, my height made me ideal for tipping the ball over the crossbar or round the posts) but when it came to choosing a career, I decided not to pursue the glitz and glamour of goalkeeping. I'd always wanted to be a ski instructor, which I remember proudly telling the school careers adviser before promptly going on to complete a degree in economics and get my first job as a bar manager in a hotel. Then, 30 years and a variety of jobs later, who'd have thought I'd end up in the pizza business!
But I'm not the only one to have taken a slightly
windy road during my career. Take 80s pop sensation Kim Wilde. All that time she was singing about ‘Kids in America' and ‘Chequered Love', I'd never have put her down as having green fingers and couldn't imagine her swapping the recording studio for a potting shed, but there you have it. She's now a legend for her award-winning green spaces and a gardening Guinness world record holder no less.
Who'd also have thought that crooner Rod Stewart was a former grave digger and Sylvester Stallone tried his hand at lion cage cleaning before releasing his own animal on the silver screen as Rocky Balboa. Having found their true vocations in life, these guys have gone on to achieve great things.
Seems like a winding career path is now becoming a common theme, especially in these interesting economic times. I've seen new franchisees from all walks of life including barristers, car mechanics and gymnasts swapping their jobs to pursue careers in franchising. We all spend too much time working to not enjoy what we do or get rewarded for our efforts. As much as I thought I wanted to be a ski instructor when I was a teenager, I'm glad my career path took a diversion!
With more than 25 years in the food franchising industry, Andy Hirst is head of franchise development at Domino’s Pizza. Andy is married and has a teenage daughter. He is also a keen golfer and an avid fan of TV show Britain’s Got Talent.
