Asheville News

In Asheville, from recession to reinvention

Jason Sandford August 19, 2010

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Everyone knows that necessity is the mother of invention. A 2010 update of that cliche might be: recession forces reinvention.

The more people I talk to around Asheville, the more I hear stories about people taking a step back from their lives to re-evaluate their circumstances. More than likely, the trigger has been the loss of a job, or just the generally tight economic times of the last couple of years. It’s not always economic – people seem to be feeling a need to get back to what’s most important to them

Whatever the push, people are taking a fresh look, and choosing to follow a new path. Some people are pulling up stakes and deciding to travel. Others are changing career paths.

I’ve already touched upon this topic in my newspaper columns. But I’m thinking about writing a story for the Citizen-Times about this trend and would be interested in hearing your stories. If you’re going through this process, or have recently gone through it, or know someone who is, I’d like to talk to you. Please leave a comment on this post, or email me at [email protected]. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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6 Comments

Diane Massey August 20, 2010

This "trend" has been written about, blogged, tweeter, face booked, jiurnaled and covered by practically every type of publication for a long whi
E now.

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Jason Bugg August 20, 2010

Before the economy died, I was making an okay living as a freelance writer. I wasn't buying a house or anything, but for a single guy I was doing alright. Soon after the meltdown and the journalism world seemed to die off, I was losing jobs left and right and making less money.

I eventually decided to start working within my community in Sylva, NC and now I work with the disabled at a non-profit that serves Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.

I still write on the side, but it's for me now rather than a quick dollar. Life has been rewarding ever since.

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Will Eill August 19, 2010

I am a life coach here in Asheville. So many of the people that I talk to either as clients or in casual conversation are going through this. I do see these times as a great opportunity to, like you said, evaluate what one truly values and then re-boot and follow a new path. It is a great experience to watch and contribute to the process for those finding their true way. I will be interested to see what your final piece contains.

Best,
Will

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Ash August 19, 2010

Wow, Bullet.

Thanks, Linda. I'll email you to follow up.

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Linda Schlensker August 19, 2010

We massively downsized our business. Rather than pay for expensive retail space at a strip mall, we are now a permitted home business. We had to do some renovation and put an asphalt parking lot in the back yard, etc. For activities that require large spaces we rent space at a local community center one night a week. Overhead dropped $3600 a month.Classes are smaller so our students get more individual attention. There are downsides to working in one's home, but it works for us. We take special care to make sure we fit as a residential business and do not cause inconveniences for our neighbors.

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Bullet August 19, 2010

I can definitely relate to this. I went from being kind of a shy, socially-anxious kid at parties, to a full-on street mime in order to make some cash!

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