From Unemployed to Self-Employed: Success Stories

These were some of the many regional stories featuring successful businesses started by people who had been previously unemployed. They all started their new businesses thanks to the Enterprise Allowance Scheme.

The videos were shown in Job Centres across the UK. The bouncing ball certainly caused some fun and consternation. Looking back on the film now, it's amazing that all these people - none of whom were actors - were able to catch a ball and then talk to camera so naturally and lucidly. Obviously we often needed a lot of takes, and I spent some time coaching each participant to relax and perform well.

This video shows regional sections of the films, which were used to make customised versions of the main film, called Kickstart. Regional versions were needed both to show local success stories and also because the scheme had a diferent name in some regions. For example, in Tyne and Wearside the Enterprise Allowance Scheme was called Business Boost, and on the Isle of Wight it was called Island Enterprise.

The UK government announced in October 2010 that it is going to relaunch the Enteprise Allowance Scheme. I think that's a great idea, as the scheme was an innovative way to encourage and assist self-employment as a viable alternative to unemployment. My advice to the government is to keep it the same name across all parts of the country this time, to avoid confusion.

Written and Directed by Jon Danzig. © Jon Danzig Look-Hear.com MCMXCII

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