West Lothian woman who left 'boring' 9 to 5 says 'my brain is now clear'
A West Lothian woman who was sick of the 9 to 5 world has said her 'brain is now clear' after making the change.
Mya Sweeney was working in a corporate estate agents, and was 'pretty bored'. The 22-year-old has since launched her own small business, caring for pets of 'all shapes and sizes', reports the West Lothian Courier.
Pawefct Days with Mya offers dog walking, home boarding, small animal and reptile care, as well as check-ins and taxi services. Mya, from Eliburn, explained: "I was working full time basically, with a corporate estate agent - just two months ago, you can imagine what that entailed.
"It was pretty boring, computer stuff. I'd done some volunteering in the past working with animals and thought it was so much fun.
"I've always had animals and I've always been good working with them. I've a dog of my own called Peanuts, and my mum has two dogs. We've always had dogs.
"I'd just got to the stage where I thought my physical and mental health just couldn't take sitting in an office on a computer any longer, so I just quit my job on the Monday by the Friday I was working full time by myself."
Mya's business took off and she soon decided to increase the selection of available services on offer. I've just built it up over the past two months to where it is now.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
"It was through word of mouth at first, then I got some flyers printed and I had some nice people that helped me put them around and do some social media marketing and stuff. I started off with dog walking and pet sitting, then I added cats and different types of walks," said Mya. "I'm learning as I go and offering more as I go along.
"I'm covering most of Livingston, so wherever the dogs live I do a bit of research and see if there's a secure field where they can freely run, or a nature walk nearby."
Mya is steering clear of neighbourhood walks, as she's more likely to come across other people's dogs and can't always tell how they will react. So far she's only had any issue with one little dog she was asked to take care of, who had never been on his own before, but Mya insists he's "all good now" once they got to know each other.
Mya is already looking to enhance her business by finding herself more suitable transport, she's currently using her car.
"Even though it's only been going two months I'm getting busier and I need a van," she said.
Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages.
However, if Mya thought getting away from the restrictions of an office would give her more free time, she was mistaken - but she is enjoying being her own boss.
"I'm working seven days a week now. I've quit a 9-to-5 job to work 24/7," Mya joked.
"It's honestly so much better. I'm always outside now and my brain is clear, it doesn't feel much like work.
"I'm looking to connect with more pet owners who are looking for a trusted, caring hand. I'm excited to welcome new clients with open arms and wagging tails."
Pawfect Days with Mya is on Facebook and Instagram. You can get in touch with Mya by email: pawfectdayswithmya@gmail.com or on WhatsApp: 07539 752075
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
'My £1,300 Universal Credit payment didn't arrive - the reason why left me gobsmacked
A man claims his Universal Credit payments were halted after a complete stranger accidentally used his National Insurance number when starting a new position. Ryan-Jay Walsh says he's been unable to work since November 2024 due to health problems. The 30 year old, from Hyde, Tameside, has been claiming Universal Credit since then, having had multiple operations. He's waiting for one final procedure. He told the Manchester Evening News he typically gets his payment - roughly £1,300 - on the ninth of each month. When no pending transaction showed up by August 7, Ryan said he began to worry. "I went on the Universal Credit portal and it said 'your employer has quoted that you earned £3,650'," he said. "I didn't sleep all night. I was stressing about the bills, calling relatives. I was really upset. "I was getting all these notifications saying 'payment declined', 'payment declined'. It's been incredibly stressful, not knowing where this money is coming from and if it's coming back at all." Ryan said he phoned for assistance on Friday, August 8, and was informed he'd been logged as a worker at a business he'd never heard of. He said that when he rang the company, managers were equally 'quite baffled'. "They confirmed that no-one matching my name has ever worked there," he added. Ryan explained that the firm discovered a new worker's National Insurance number had been entered incorrectly. He continued: "They had a National Insurance number that was different by only one digit and it was inputted incorrectly." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. The business, he revealed, supplied him with evidence and offered to liaise with HMRC on his behalf. Ryan stated he was informed 'it was a waiting game and that investigating the issue could take months'. "I said 'no, that's not good enough, that's despicable'," he remarked. "I don't know how they can expect someone who relies on Universal Credit to accept that. What am I supposed to do for money?". "I've got bad anxiety, so I just kept thinking the worst. It could lead to me getting evicted. I provided them with all the evidence and they just told me to wait. "It's had a massive impact on my mental health as well as my physical health. I've had sleepless nights, just stressing and chasing everybody up." Ryan revealed he received a message on the Universal Credit portal on Tuesday (August 12), acknowledging there had been a mistake. "It acknowledged that I was owed money and said my employment status would be altered, and that I'll be paid on the 14th. I'm definitely relieved, but will feel more secure once I have received the payment and paid my bills. "I'll have to pay late fees on those now too. But it's a massive weight off my shoulders. Even if it is just a mistake of one digit, it should have flagged up on the system that the employee's name didn't match mine. It should have been noticed earlier." A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson confirmed Ryan would receive a payment on August 14 and that the matter had been 'swiftly resolved' following an 'administrative error'. HMRC has been contacted for comment.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Airport set to get new Premier Inn with restaurant and car parking
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh Council planners have advised the proposal for a new 218-bedroom Premier Inn to be granted at Edinburgh Airport. Zander Planning sent in the application on behalf of Riverstone Hotels Limited and Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland who wish to build the hotel at Ingliston. Plans for the Premier Inn include a licensed restaurant and bar with access, car parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure and engineering works south of Fairview Road. It is understood the proposal meets the relevant criteria and should move forward providing an agreement can be made on a tram contribution and West Edinburgh Transport Contribution. A development management sub-committee report says a tram contribution of £333,716 and a transport contribution towards the West Edinburgh Contribution Zone of £251,147 is also required. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. It states: "The proposal complies with National Planning Framework 4, the Edinburgh Local Development Plan and the relevant non-statutory guidance. The principle of hotel use in this location is acceptable. "The design, scale and layout are appropriate for this site and the development would not adversely impact upon amenity. The landscape and biodiversity proposal will contribute positively to a sense of place and deliver biodiversity enhancement to the site. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "Transport and parking, and flooding and drainage proposals are acceptable. Subject to the recommended conditions and the conclusion of a legal agreement in relation to a tram contribution and West Edinburgh Transport Contribution the proposal hotel is acceptable and complies with the development plan. "There are no material considerations which outweigh this conclusion. Therefore, the proposal is acceptable." You can view the proposal here.
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
Popular fashion brand opening Edinburgh store as locals 'prepare to be skint'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Get the latest Edinburgh Live breaking news on WhatsApp A popular fashion brand has announced they will open a store in Edinburgh, with locals buzzing. Lucy & Yak will be making their Scottish debut, as they promised 'see you soon'. The new shop will be opening up on Rose Street. The brand sells a range of 'colourful and comfy clothing', designed in the UK. They offer up dungarees, trousers, tees, dresses, bags and more. Posting to Facebook, the brand said: "We thought it was about time for our Scottish debut. "See you soon Edinburgh." Locals were quick to comment with excitement. One said: "Amazing news! Cant wait to visit." A second posted: "That's the news we were waiting for." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox A third commented: "Oh my gosh I am excited and skint already." The brand was launched by Lucy and Chris, who started by making and selling tobacco pouches from old clothes in New Zealand. Eventually, they moved back to the UK and began producing dungarees - before trying their hand at various fashion items. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages They opened their first physical store in Brighton in 2019, and have began popping up across the UK. On their website, they add: "Joyful prints, sustainable choices, circularity, and bringing together a community of the kindest and most creative people is what we're all about."
