The soundtrack to the movie “About a Boy“ is titled “Something to talk about”. Our next guest could also use this soundtrack to describe her professional life but this time ‘torque’ spelt T O R Q U E and what’s more she bears no resemblance whatsoever to the spoilt and rich layabout portrayed by Hugh Grant in the movie.
Rather, comparisons for this episode’s guest on Women Torque Back might be better directed at Emma Thompson - the independent thinker, acclaimed actor, producer and activist. Emma’s movies include “In the name of the father’, ‘saving mr banks’ ‘an education’ , ‘ love actually’ and ‘stranger than fiction’ .
Each of these titles could be used to describe a number of occasions in the life of Candice Mason as she accepted her husband’s request to assist him, his brother and father in running the family coach business - conveniently named “Mason’s Coach Hire’.
The deal agreed was that she would assist within the business for 12 months and then return to her first love - the career for which she was trained to degree level.
The deal agreed was that she would assist within the business for 12 months and then return to her first love - the career for which she was trained to degree level.
Life’s what happens when you’re busy making other plans and this deal was agreed long before COVID-19 shook the world and the UK coach industry but Candice has not returned to her first vocation.And what was that career I hear you ask?
Well think of Emma Thompson’s 2005 period fantasy comedy - Nanny McPhee .
Candice started her career caring for children and navigated a path all the way up to managing a nursery and beyond. But Love Actually took hold and whilst Emma Thompson scripted the film “sense and sensibility’, Candice brought her common sense and more than a touch of sensibility [with fresh eyes] to look at the family business, to develop it and build upon the splendid successes achieved by her father and mother in law, her husband and brother-in-law -over a thirty year heritage. It’s a family affair!
In Victorian Britain, widowed Mr Brown was struggling to combine tragedy, work and family life and his finances needed review. Enter Nanny McPhee who restored order to the family brown and magically made it snow in august.
Changing the weather in any business requires resilience and questioning assumptions even in times of calm. But in the chaos and tragedy of the 18-month COVID winter imposed on the uk coach industry with no industry specific support from government, it was a rodeo and Candice had to concentrate on the unexpected micro as well as the macro and quickly learn how to engage with government ministers whilst furloughing loyal, hard-working , traumatised staff. The emotion of this difficult task is palpable within this podcast.
Nanny McPhee leaves her movie family with the phrase “ when you need me , but do not want me , then i must stay . When you want me but no longer need me then I must go “.
Somehow we think it unlikely that Candice will GO BACK (we have to get one use of the word BACK into an intro) to managing a nursery as her family and the wider coaching industry will WANT AND NEED her soundtrack of excellence for some time to come.
Talking of soundtracks and sound thanks as ever to our very own Aussie - Mandy Turner - who not only skilfully edits - down under - our podcasts to make us sound as we think we speak rather than how we actually mumble and pause ; she voices this introduction. Mandy can be contacted at www.mandyturner.com.au
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