Uturninspiration.com - Uturninspiration.com

motocare:

Name: Mariano Calderon

Age at the time of u-turn: 36

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Personal links:

www.motocare.com.ar
www.motocare.com.ar/rental

Year of change: 1994

Changed from:
- Information Technology: Software developer

Years in old career: 6

Changed to:
- Other: General Manager

Years in new career: 14

Educational background:
- High School

What did you do before you made your u-turn ?

Trying to succeed in my knowledge area which was software development.

What do you do now ?

I run a motorcycle rental and selling business in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Why did you change career ?

Because I needed more income and always loved motorcycles and wanted to have my own business.

How did you make the change and what was your first step ?

Sold everything I had and installed a motorcycle wash and lube place.

How long did it take from the decision to change career to completing your u-turn ?

About a year.

What were the most difficult things about your u-turn ?

You never get to know what are you realy moving into, in my case being alone was the hardest.

What were the easiest things about your u-turn ?

Once you are in it there are no chances to go back so it is easy to know that you must keep going forward. When I started the motorcycle business it was during a period of strong growth on the market.

What came as a surprise when you were making your u-turn ?

Many other related and non imaginated issues came out.

How did you cope financially when you changed career ?

I sold everything I had to be able to finance my career change.

What skills and knowledge did you have that were useful in the field you were entering ?

Well, I knew about motorcycles, loved them and speaking English was of big help.

What help did you get ? Could you use your existing network ? If yes – in what way ?

When you're young friends are always helpful.

What is your best advice for anyone who wants to make a big career change ?

Do not leave it for tomorrow/never, if you want to make a change, and have the option/choice or possibility, certainly go ahead and do it. As a friend of mine always says: "Only the ill and the prisioners cannot do it."