Kieran at work (Image: Jam Press/Airtasker UK)
A man who abandoned his corporate profession to pursue his passion for assembling flat-pack furniture is now earning £50,000 per year. Kieran Nagle became weary of the “rat race” and lengthy days confined to an office before choosing to transform a lifelong hobby into a profession.
The 44 year old pursued his childhood passion and embraced a career that many might find daunting – constructing wardrobes, shelves and cabinets.
“[I was] seeking more fulfilling and rewarding work that better aligned with my interests,” Kieran, from West Drayton, London, told CreatorZine. “My mum encouraged me to turn his DIY talent into a business, so I left finance in 2007.
“I discovered my knack for building things as a teenager. My interest in DIY and furniture assembly continued into adulthood and eventually became the foundation of my business.”
Kieran first identified his talent for assembling furniture at the age of 15, when an IKEA delivery arrived early while his parents were away on holiday. The teenager grabbed some tools and began constructing his new bedroom furniture.
Kieran made a big change (Image: Jam Press/Airtasker UK)
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Kieran is now a handyman and flat-pack furniture specialist, operating his own business and working on online marketplace Airtasker, which recently recognised him as a national winner at its annual awards.
Through Airtasker alone, Kieran typically generates £2,500 to £3,000 monthly. When combined with his own business endeavours through his company We Build Your Flat Packs, his total yearly earnings amount to approximately £40,000 to £50,000.
He initially joined the platform after spotting a television advertisement during an especially quiet spell for his own handyman enterprise throughout the Covid pandemic. Assignments had decreased substantially and Kieran recognised it was something he could readily accommodate alongside his existing responsibilities and everyday schedule.
Through Airtasker, Kieran has managed to finance holidays, including a journey to Vietnam, something he maintains would not have been within his means previously.
Kieran added: “This is a stable, self-made income that supports my London lifestyle and gives me more financial independence, a significant and positive change from my previous salaried role.”
Kieran Nagle (Image: Jam Press/Airtasker UK)
Kieran maintains that the era of lengthy commutes and monotonous office duties is firmly behind him, and the flexible working arrangements he now enjoys have helped “empower” him.
He said: “Using Airtasker has had a significant impact on my outlook on work. It’s revolutionised work for me.
“It makes me feel more in control of what I can pick up and when. It’s changed my life.”
Beyond the financial stability, he relishes encountering new people and collaborating with pleasant clients. Several of his most noteworthy assignments have even included working for celebrities. Nevertheless, Kieran has also encountered obstacles throughout his journey, particularly when Covid struck and face-to-face work became unfeasible.
He continued: “It has worked out well for me, but the biggest challenges I have faced are the lack of stability that comes with being self-employed. A prime example is during Covid where I was unable to enter people’s homes.
“It was a scary time and that’s the downside. There are definite pros and cons and it’s about working out what’s best for you.
“I wasn’t happy getting on the same train to and from work to sit in front of a computer and having a different situation to manage every day keeps me stimulated.”
Despite the highs and lows, Kieran asserts that the benefits greatly surpass any problems he’s encountered.
He said: “The best part about running my own business is the freedom it gives you. You can pick your hours, which on a personal level is such a huge bonus.
“Travelling at rush hour is always an uncomfortable situation and being able to work around the mad rush makes the day a lot more stress-free. It’s also great being able to make time for situations that arise in life without having to ask for permission first.”