Some things about me, you probably won’t find of interest:
My main business interests have most recently been as follows:
Jason of many trades
Coming from a family of tradespeople and hands-on people for generations, I was very fortunate to grow up surrounded by tools and things being built / renovated / repaired.
I’d done various apprenticeships with many family members, to learn their crafts, and so often come back to work as a general handy-person in a multitude of roles. In addition to rigging professionally, this also developed into making background and hero props for the film industry, and for sets in various installations, around Wellington, NZ. I subsequently gained a permanent teaching and workshop management role for a Set & Props diploma course from 2020. However I gave this up in 2022 to focus on gaining my qualifications as a builder / carpenter and joiner. Although the builder qualification part was delayed due to the ongoing pandemics, I did take on a large commercial workshop space in Masterton instead, to focus on coachbuilding, joinery, and set making.
TreeCyclers
Due to the ongoing pandemics, and a desire to save more items from going to landfill, treecyclers was developed in 2022, to help repair and upcycle various items that would otherwise be disposed of.
The workshop space was slowly populated by all the larger commercial tools I’ve become very familiar with in many of my other roles, along with an increasing store of recycled native timber.
From there, we were able to do restoration work, joinery, fabrication, and various repairs & restorations, recycling & repurposing. This has helped saved many items from landfill, create some great furniture items, and help pay the commercial lease for just over two years, whilst seeking the ‘forever home’ plot of land.
Jason Parlour – Presenter
It has been something I’ve been working towards for years, hence the strangely wide diversity of skill sets and interests.
I’ve been in/on a few media (video interviews, national live TV, radio, newspapers, etc.). I’ve presented at local, regional, national and international conferences and events around the world. I’ve been a full time sales presenter for people including Microsoft, HP, VW.
But still have not yet done as much as I originally intended. Perhaps that’ll change one day.
Minutes a Day
For many years, I’d been compiling large amounts of information, and simplifying it for others, such as in my roles as a teacher, promotional worker, manager, etc.
Minutes a Day developed into a series of corporate training programs for various self-help style topics, with knowledge gained from thousands of treatments as a complementary therapist in multiple roles. These workshops were delivered over 10 years around the world. All the methods presented would take just minutes to apply.
In 2014 it began being recompiled into a book form, which was more than half writted and edited. However as a teacher I prefer the face-to-face delivery, so I’m looking to redevelop again in a more personally presented form again. With the ongoing abuse of creators by YouTube & PayPal, etc., I’m still trying to work out what platform to utilise to help share these resources. So watch this space?
The Therapy Agency
This was a national agency of professional complementary therapists. They worked across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Predominantly providing on-site massage therapies.
Although I’d been working as a professional therapist from 1996 onwards, and would employ other therapists soon after. I launched the Therapy Agency in around 2002 as a truly national business in the UK. I’d had up to 85 professional therapists working at symultaniously any one time (ie on national promotions in multiple locations). As an agency we’d provided well over 100,000 hands-on treatments to individuals around the UK and beyond. Due to the ongoing Covid pandemics however, The Therapy Agency finally closed perminantly in 2023.
Photography by Jason Parlour
Having been very selective in finding the right photographers to work with over the years for various commissions and shoots, in late 2008 I purchased a professional level digital SLR, to capture the commercial images of things I couldn’t justify arranging a shoot for.
I also realised that as time developed (while I was using these other photographers), and I understood more of what I wanted for every image, I was effectively the one arranging all the image composition, content, studio, etc. The photographers were therefore mainly just there to adjust the camera settings and press the button. So it made more sense to buy the equipment myself and learn how to use it.
Just a few months later I won the UK finals of Microsoft’s ‘Imagine Cup’, with a prize of £450 of camera equipment, some press coverage, etc. As an individual (team of one), I was then fortunate to reach the world finals of the top 6 teams, in Paris.
My photography expanded from this, in the ‘journalist style’ of minimal airbrushing, but to get it right in the camera as the shot was taken, My style focused particularly on ‘capturing the moment’ from live events (although I was often called on to do studio shoots too). Then with my detailed understanding of Pole Dancing for fitness (as a result of previously being a pole dance student myself from 2006-2008), I was invitated to various major pole events, I was one of the leading pole dance photography specialists in the UK. I then started doing more and more videography for live circus showcase events from 2014-2020 in NZ.
Parlour IT
Having started designing and coding websites in notepad, from late 1996, I was fortunate to watch a significant part of the growth of the internet during some incredible changes.
Early on, after designing various websites for myself and the businesses I was involved with; friends, colleagues and acquaintances started asking me to develop websites for them too.
My personal specialism is in the coding of the html and CSS (the bits that talk with the browser to make it display), and I focus a great deal on making the page validate, keep it accessible, keep it usable, and keep it high on the natural search listings of Google before that became so corrupt, etc. These days I tend to use WordPress a lot more as the backbone of the site, mainly for the great ease people can now manage their own websites (WYSIWYG editors).
As my own personal graphic design skills aren’t as fast (or as good) as other specialists I know, I would sub-contract out this element to some really great specialists I’ve been working with for years. Similarly, when time is short, I would bring in other coders, programmers and other specialists to make the site as great as it can, for accessible fair prices.
In other spare time:
From 2002 – 2010, I co-ran a local Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme every Tuesday evening. Although unfortunately I had to give this up in late 2010 to take on owning/running a boutique hotel for 3 years.
I’d been a Presiding Officer in most of the local, parish and general elections for about 10 years, from my previous home in the UK.
I’d financially support my business developments early on, as a technology specialist and event manager with various promotional jobs for people like HP, Microsoft, Sony, BT, Intel, etc. at high profile locations and events around the UK.
I learnt to sail by racing 20,000 miles from London to Australia, in a 70 foot racing yacht. This took about 5 months (including about 3 weeks intensive race training prior). Before that, the nearest to being on a sail boat was the cross-channel ferry to France.
In general I really try not to commute far, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink alcohol, I’d generally not watched much TV for many years. So this all gave me more time to do all the things above I do like doing!
Other randomness details of my life so far..
- I have an Batchelor honours degree in Mechanical Engineering (BEng hons) from Cardiff University, and used to be a member of the IMechE.
- In my highest paid (short term) job, I was earning £1,000 per day, working part-time as a salesperson for a government funded training program delivered through a private training company. I was making on average just 10 phone calls a day, and in around six weeks I earned £35,000 in commission (at 10% commission for £350,000 of new business). Unfortunately it was just a limited short term contract at the end of a trial Government program, but it was great for replenishing my bank balance at the time.
- Whilst working for Microsoft for 9 months (from late 2008, originally a 4 week contract that kept expanding), at one of the European head offices in Reading, UK, I had a larger ‘office’ than the UK Managing Director. My job there was predominantly to teach Microsoft employees, press, and clients, how to use the latest Microsoft Windows, in a sample home environment. My job role between the 30 minute presentations, was to relax in my fabricated ‘home’, watch TV, play computer games, and surf the internet, to help encourage more passing tours.
- I’m largely self taught to write extensive legal contracts and Ts&Cs, and have also successfully brought more than 10 court cases against people and companies who owed me or my close friends money.
- I’ve successfully taught professional stress management techniques to mental health doctors working with the NHS (and of course lots of other clients) with Minutes A Day.
- I have diplomas in Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy (gained in 1998), and have hypnotised over 1,000 clients, later focussing primarily on teaching people self-hypnosis.
- I was one of the first members of CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council), for my work as a professional senior massage therapist (from 1996 onwards). I’ve personally given over 10,000 massage treatments around the world.
- I trained in advanced Kinesiology with the late John Logue, and you may still see me in the training videos.
- I’ve been a Reiki teacher since the early 2000’s (after more than 5 years as a Reiki practitioner)
- I’ve been a member of the British Mountaineering Council, and a trained Mountain Leader, up to the snow line.
- I once ran up the Ben Lomond mountain near Queenstown (and back down again), as a spontanious idea for fun. Loosing around a stone (6kg) in weight, with the return trip taking just 3 hours (1h 45m up, 15 minutes at the top to admire the view, 1 hour to run back down again).
- I can juggle balls, clubs, rings and other random objects. I used to run a juggling club at University in the ’90s. From 2017 – 2019, I managed NZ’s largest circus school, and then from 2019 – 2022 I was a co-chair on the board of Trustees.
- I was once a well known pole dance photographer.
- I trained in four different forms of martial arts.
- I was a founding trustee of the National Nightline charity, after becoming the National Coordinator in 1999 whilst at University in Cardiff.
- I’ve worked as door security at bars in both North London and Cardiff.
- At 19 years old (in 1996), I backpacked solo, through Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia, on my way back to the UK during my gap year / big OE.
- In November 1995, very naievly I tried to walk solo across the UK, following the original Ridgeway path from Lyme Regis to East Anglia. Unfortunately after 50 miles in fewer hours, at the beginning of November (8 hours of sunshine a day), with my feet, shoulders and back bleeding, I postponed the completion.
- My step brother is an internationally famous professional golfer who beat Tiger Woods in the Ryder Cup.
- My late maternal great grandmother used to babysit Tom Jones.
- I don’t drink alcohol, smoke, nor do drugs.
- I’ve been an egg free vegetarian (for a variety of reasons), from around 1997 onwards. In 2020 I finally realised my body was allergic to milk too, so I’m now fully vegan.
- From 2017 onwards, I typically now only eat two regular sized meals a day (breakfast & lunch). And sleep a lot better too as a result.
- I could see Auras.
My long list of roles and job titles:
For a bit of a random list on the various other titles I’ve held over the years (both professionally and honourably), I put the following list together for my own reference. Other people seemed to find interesting to read too, hence publishing them here. These are generally in reverse chronological order, but if you have any queries about any single one of these roles, do let me know and I can explain more (what, when, why, for who, etc.).
Obviously I don’t profess to be an expert in these. I know so many people who do far more in every single area. But I really enjoy learning, and these are typically titles/roles I’ve been repeatedly paid for (either part-time or full-time), been trained to a professional level, performned as, or something I’d participated in for a long time that I generally enjoyed, or that was memorable and/or significant looking back.
I list them here for primarily my own reference.
- Off-grid
- Joiner (cabinet maker, doors, windows, stairs, and CNC)
- Coachbuilder
- Welder
- Set & Props Tutor
- Shibari performer
- Workshop manager
- Health & Safety specialist
- Hero props maker / fabricator
- General manager of a circus school
- Rigger / Entertainment Rigger / Rope Access Technician / Rigging Inspector
- Prop maker
- General handyperson
- Dockmaster
- Electrician’s assistant
- EST (Electrical Service Technician)
- EAS (Electrical Appliance Serviceperson)
- Lighting assistant
- Art Department assistant
- Data wrangler
- Unit Stills photographer
- Art nude / life drawing model
- Barista (coffee, not law)
- Double Glazing Fitter
- Yacht Racer / Sailor
- Media Manager
- Victualler
- Sail Maker / Repairer
- Presenter
- Acting / Singing / Dance student
- Refrigeration Engineer
- Restaurant Manager
- Bar Owner / Licence Holder
- Hotelier
- Housekeeper
- Artistic Rigger
- Board Game Developer
- Minibus Driver
- Youth Leader
- DofE Award Leader
- National Representative on International Conferences
- Mountain Leader
- Civil Servant
- Database Developer
- Storeroom Manager
- Envelope Stuffer
- Administrator
- Co-director of a pole dance school
- Fell Runner
- Diver (scuba, high board, and a little free diving)
- Paraglider (Club Pilot)
- Contractor
- Sub-Contractor
- Consultant
- Employer
- Business Manager
- Business Director
- Job Interviewer
- Recruitment Advisor
- Kitchen Surveyor
- Call Handler
- Telesales
- Sales Director
- Audience Member
- TV Guest
- Radio Guest
- Plasterer
- Presiding Officer (local and national elections)
- Poll Clerk
- Postman
- Waiter
- Receptionist
- Chef
- Cook
- Painter & Decorator
- Carpenter / Joiner
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Listener
- Self-Hypnosis Trainer
- Pole Dance Photographer
- Photographer
- Speaker
- Social Secretary
- Educational Coordinator
- Ts & Cs Writer
- Copywriter
- Bookkeeper
- Corporate Trainer
- HR Manager
- Stress Management Trainer / Instructor
- Programmer
- Web Developer
- Graphic Designer
- Web Designer
- Microsoft Presenter
- IT Specialist / Technical Support
- Business Telecoms & WiFi Specialist
- Power Tools Specialist
- Gardening Equipment Specialist
- Printer Specialist
- Sales Assistant
- Regional Supervisor
- Event Manager
- Team Leader
- Promotional Worker
- Adult Literacy and Numeracy Teacher
- College Lecturer
- National Charity Trustee
- Graphologist
- Kinesiologist
- Massage Therapist
- Stage Hypnotist
- Recruitment Consultant
- Door-to-door salesperson
- Hypnotherapist
- Complementary Therapist
- Reiki Teacher
- Filing / Archive Manager
- Reiki Practitioner
- Engineer
- Juggler
- Labourer
- Plasterer’s Mate
- Assistant Kitchen Fitter
- Palmist
- Caterer
- National Helpline Coordinator
- Local Helpline Coordinator
- Telephone Helpline Volunteer
- Fire Marshall
- Student Warden
- Barman (The Happy Barman)
- Security Guard
- Doorman
- Backpacker
- Set Designer
- Assistant Outdoor Pursuits Instructor
- First Aider
- Assistant Hostel Director
- Handyperson
- Fruit and Veg guy
- Laundryman
- Outdoor Pursuits Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Caretaker’s Assistant
- Maths Assistant Tutor
- Librarians Assistant
- Craft Technician
- Science Technician
- Martial Artist
- Cleaner (hazardous waste, blood, vomit, etc.)
- Glass Collector
- Pilot (gliders and powered aircraft)
- N.C.O. (non commissioned officer)
- Trolly Boy
- Cashier
- Pet Food Specialist
- Shelf Stacker
- Drummer
- Fantasia Hopper Hygiene Specialist (a.k.a. a ‘pick and mix’ dispenser cleaner)
- News Delivery Agent
- Choir Boy
- Maypole dancer