Cliff, from Eastney, lost his corporate job in 2015 when the company he had worked for for 20 years closed.
The 48-year-old had experience of being a volunteer for charity Samaritans, as well as working at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Canada, and he enjoyed helping people, so he decided to retrain, embarking on a two year course with New Insights Life Coach Training.
After gaining his qualifications, he set up Qualitymind, offering life coaching service in December 2019 – just months before the pandemic forced businesses to close their doors and the country to shut down.
Now, after facing a rocky 18 months, Cliff says he’s bouncing back and is encouraging more people to invest in his services.
He said: ‘I get to the real nub of the problem or the issue straight away and we make actions and goals. I bill myself as the no nonsense coach.
‘The past 18 months, as for everybody, have been a challenge. I moved to online consultation and that has worked well.
Cliff Jerred Picture: Andy Hornby
‘A lot of people have had a lot of anxiety, with working from home, being cooped up in the house with their family, and interestingly now people are having the same anxiety but in reverse, about how they can go back into the office environment.
‘I have been able to help a lot of people who have been struggling, either side of the coin, and that’s been a fantastic opportunity.
‘So many times we spend time and money on other people in our lives.
‘The best people in the world all have coaches from opera singers to football players, so whether you are an office cleaner or the CEO, everyone deserves to spend that time on themselves.’
Cliff says he can help people with a wide range of issues, from finance and business to sex and relationships.
‘It’s a huge spectrum,’ he said. ‘In everything there are common themes.’
Cliff said there are many benefits to taking up his services, from boosting confidence, to improving wellbeing.
He has also started taking on corporate clients that want to invest in their staff welfare.
Cliff offers a free 30-minute consultation, with sessions starting at £125 with discounts for multiple bookings.
We have seen how tough the past year has been on businesses so we’ve decided to do our bit to help by offering a new way for businesses to market - and a lower cost.
The scheme, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, will help businesses promote themselves at a fraction of the usual advertising or marketing costs.
As the pandemic ends, there’s never been a better time to promote your business and make it stand out.
Come to us and take up this one-time only opportunity for the lowest-ever cost to appear in the area’s biggest news outlet with authentic, interesting copy.
- How much does it cost?
75 per cent off normal rates. A one off, one time fee, no contract
- What do you get?
A guaranteed published article in The News - and online at portsmouth.co.uk
- How does it work?
Our business editor Kimberley Barber has been helping businesses to stand out for 10 years. She will help you identify the thing your business needs to shout about, in order to get it noticed.
Whether that’s a new product, an expansion to your team, an award win, or even just simply a change of opening hours - there are many reasons that a business would need to shine a light on itself.
Kimberley will help you to find your ‘top line’ and her team will create an authentic article to appear in the pages of The News.
Your company doesn’t need to employ somebody to find the best news, or even write it, let the experienced team at The News do it for you.
Not only will your article run alongside the daily business page, putting it in the perfect spot to reach engaged readers, it will benefit from the News’ insider track on what makes attractive content that will engage your customers.
- What could happen after appearing in The News?
Our newspaper is read by thousands of people everyday. It’s been the traditional route to reach people in Portsmouth for hundreds of years.
It is read by all major news outlets, and is often the starting point of national stories.
Being in The News gets your story in front of the right people.
If your story has editorial value, it will appear on our website portsmouth.co.uk - reaching worldwide audiences of hundreds of thousands of people.
As well as this, with the right tweaks, it could appear on The News’ Facebook page - reaching a following of 120,000 people who all have an interest in this area instantly.
The News also has Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter followers - if appropriate for these audiences, your story will be shared on these accounts too.
Being published in The News is just the start, with our help, we can get you on the path to national recognition.
- What else do I get?
As well as the pride and prestige of appearing in the biggest and longest-serving news outlet in Portsmouth, you will become part of our network.
You’ll join a group of like-minded businesses and individuals who all have Portsmouth at their hearts.
You’ll also get access to special advertising packages and discounts, should you wish to further promote your message.
Join us, it’s the start of our business community coming together and working together for the benefit of our community.
- How do I sign up?
Email your local rep Liz Wiffin on liz.wiffin@jp imedia.co.uk to get signed up
For further business support contact Emma Weatherstone, membership advisor Portsmouth & Solent Federation of Small Businesses on [email protected] or 07764432489
