Sports Recruitment International

Jamie Mascaro started out as a lawyer, soon realised it wasn't what he wanted to do, and made the brave decision to escape to set up 5aside.org which provides after-work sports leagues and events for teams across different venues in London.

1) What are you currently doing with your life?

I run a social sports company, 5aside.org

2) What did you do before this?

I was training to be a solicitor in the City. After University, I did two years of law school then worked as a trainee for 6 months before deciding to set up 5aside.org.

I'd tested the idea briefly before starting work as a lawyer and was then running the business alongside my main job, at lunchtimes and in the evenings.

I knew before I started that I wanted to work for myself in the long term; a few months of photocopying and working in what I found to be a dry, stifling environment accelerated my decision to change things.

3) What was your moment of truth?

I was standing at the photocopier at 9pm on a Friday evening, watching people file out of the office for the weekend.

I knew that I didn't want a career as a lawyer and I was terrified of wasting the opportunity to set up a business.  I had signed a contract for two years to work at the firm but I just didn't want to waste any more time. With 18 months of my contract left I decided that weekend that there was no point in hanging around - I quit on Monday morning.

It's a big step to quit your job and the regular pay packet that comes with it, but walking out of the door is a great, great feeling!

4) How did you plan for it?

I was already running the business in my spare time after work so it didn't take such a huge leap of faith. I was confident it could grow with some hard work.

Luckily, the start up costs were very low, especially as I had a considerable amount of debt at the time...

5) What have been the best and worst things about making this happen?

The best bits:

1. By far the best aspect is being able to do something I enjoy and care about every day.

2. Keeping customers happy is also very rewarding and it's great to get to know the regular customers who play year after year in our leagues.

3. Having the freedom to make your own decisions and be in control of your time.

In terms of the worst, I really can't complain too much and there are certainly no regrets yet... It can be hard to switch off mentally and there have been some growing pains but the bad bits are far outweighed by the good.

6) What was the best advice you have received?

Strangely, it was actually from one of the partners at the law firm who told me I'd be crazy to stay in a job I didn't enjoy.

Most people told me I should try to stick at my job, including my parents and many of my friends and I'm sure they had my best interests at heart.

My advice would be: if you believe in the idea, just go for it. There's always a million reasons you could think of not to start a business but you'll never know what you're capable of if you don't give it a go. You'll be surprised what you can achieve when you have the right motivation.

You can always go back to your old life if it doesn't work out, just make sure you don't get saddled with a load of debt by spending a lot of money that you don't have or don't need to spend.

It's very easy to blow loads of cash as a start-up and you'll be inundated with offers from other companies trying to sell you their products and services. Only spend money if you're convinced it will add value to your business.

7) What resources or information have you found really helpful?

For the practical side, Business Link was quite helpful. I also read lots of start-up books and went to some business fairs and events.
 

Article Source: Escape the City
http://escapethecity.org/heroes/567-jamie-mascaro