An unemployed mum-of-one was given 1% ownership of a company for showing up at a Jobcentre for a routine meeting at the right time and sitting in the right seat.
Jodie Graygoose had no idea that while looking for work her life would change forever in an instant.
She met Peter Kelly who is the CEO of Imployable and he wanted to gift something incredible to her – a one percent share of his company, reports Plymouth Live.
Narrating her account to Plymouth, she said, “It was half term, and I had to get the kids ready. Well, my child, and I was babysitting too. We got to the Jobcentre in the pouring rain, and this guy came over and asked if we could have a chat.
“I didn’t mind, I was there early anyway. I thought it would waste some time while waiting. We went in and I was like, ‘Wait, what?’ I’m thinking, this isn’t happening. Surely he’s going to say he’s just joking. Apparently it wasn’t a joke.
“He said he wanted to gift me something. He asked how I feel about being at the Jobcentre, I said they help with what they can. He told me he used to come to this Jobcentre and explained what he’s been doing, it was brilliant.
“He said ‘I want to gift you 1 per cent’ and I was in shock. Why would you do that? I’ve now met Pete a couple of times and he’s absolutely lovely, such a genuine guy.
“It’s nice to be part of it, he keeps me updated. I wouldn’t claim to know anything about shares and don’t know what one per cent means. I’m terrible with numbers, so when he was writing it down I was like, ‘Come on, dumb it down for me.’
Peter Kelly said: “It is very rare that you get the opportunity to change someone’s life directly, this campaign was about giving a gift to someone who is deserving of a break whilst inspiring entrepreneurs to increase their social value and close the gap between businesses and society. I hope that people in the same position as Jodie can be inspired, be open to opportunity and achieve more than their circumstances dictate.”
Imployable have taken the first step for entrepreneurs to start sharing their wealth and empowering everyday people. The film can be seen here.
Six other companies have already signed up to follow Peter Kelly’s example and are set to gift equity totalling over £300,000.
