'I live in survival mode': The rise of the multi-job workforce

'I live in survival mode': The rise of the multi-job workforce More than a million people in the UK, like Billy-Jo Pierce, now have second jobs More than a million people in the UK now have second jobs as rising costs, insecure work and industry changes push workers into a growing gig economy. Billy-Jo Pierce says she is "living in survival mode", juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat in Bristol, the UK's second most expensive city. She is one of a growing number of people who have taken on an e

Pierce, 29 and originally from Birmingham, says she loves her work but admits that the "burn out is real." She works 50-60 hours a week running a business decorating customers' teeth with cosmetic gems, while taking on reception shifts, bar work, festival jobs and selling clothes online. Pierce's entrepreneurial journey began while studying interior design at university. Despite graduating with a first-class degree, she struggled to find work in the industry and took a 9-5 gaming job while building her business on the side. "I'd finish work at like five, six pm and then go straight to my own business and stay there till like 11 pm. "I was working way too much, I had no social life. "I felt like I was part of a massive rat race that I wasn't going to win in. "I was working so hard but I wasn't saving and I wasn't really living." After being made redundant last year, she decided to focus on her business full-time. But rising costs and Bristol's high living expenses made it difficult to survive on one income. Pierce runs a business decorating customers' teeth with jewellery Pierce now lives in a van to cut expenses and works several jobs to support her business. A typical weekday sees her in the studio from 10:00 to 19:00, followed by reception shifts until as late as 23:00. Weekends are often spent working in bars or festivals. Despite this, she says she still worries constantly about money.

Key points

• Pierce, 29 and originally from Birmingham, says she loves her work but admits that the "burn out is real." She works 50-60 hours a week running a business decorating customers' teeth with cosmetic…
• Pierce's entrepreneurial journey began while studying interior design at university.
• Despite graduating with a first-class degree, she struggled to find work in the industry and took a 9-5 gaming job while building her business on the side.
• "I'd finish work at like five, six pm and then go straight to my own business and stay there till like 11 pm.
• "I was working way too much, I had no social life.