Since the financial crisis, plenty of former bankers have sought to restart their careers in a completely new environment. But few have taken the change as far as Heidi Golding.
Golding quit Goldman Sachs in 2012 to go from e-FX sales to hiring out luxury mobile toilets. She started off small with about six units and now has more than 20. She also hires out shower trailers.
“I had no background in mobile toilets, but I saw a viable opportunity and went for it,” she says. “I would say: Be open to the opportunities that present themselves to you.”
Golding saved up while working at Goldman Sachs and secured private funding from an asset-finance company for her business, Mobile Thrones.
“There are definitely transferable skills – working at Goldman Sachs helps you to be committed, focused and organized. There are a whole load of skills that are transferable, down to people management and client liaison and how to generate new business.”
Next month: the Lehman Brothers banker who became an undertaker!