John Our esteemed People Finding Specialist
Recovering lost Friends from near and afar. A much sought-after and distinguished old-school generation people finder of truly extraordinary ability. Born in Luton, Beds, 1946. Educated in the state system which included Secondary Modern. Came Out with Qualifications. Raised in a so-called working-class environment. Dad worked in a local car factory and Mum had 2 domestic cleaning jobs. Never had much money to spare but really couldn’t have wished for better parents. They looked after him always- impeccably.
By the age of 12, John was earning his own money, doing milk, bread, and Newspaper rounds. Along the way, he learned the value of money and the ensuing independence it gave him.
1961.
After leaving school (Secondary Modern as they were known in those days, he embarked on an apprenticeship as a Hairdresser (Barber) (Rickys in Luton.
After some time due to Poor pay and long hours, he became disillusioned with it. But on the positive side, he learned how to interact with people/clients but little prospects.
1964-1967
After a host of various mundane boring jobs: including a spell working on the production lite at the local Vauxhall Motors plant. He was eventually fired from there for often sleeping in the stillages during his dinner breaks thus failing to return as a result. The foreman was constantly having to wake him. To be fair they were very tolerant and gave him numerous warnings. The truth was as John revealed his tiredness was due to being out most of the night gallivanting as Mum and Dad used to call it. there were several other short-term jobs including a return to hairdressing.
around 1967 ish
He came across one particular job opportunity which was very memorable. He responded to an advert in the Evening Standard for minicab drivers to come and work in London. (30 miles away) Mini cabs were at that time unknown. All taxis were taxis, with a light on the roof. This was a completely new concept that did not go down with the “black cab” boys. Anyway, John went along to the interview in Kentish Town at a small rather dubious-looking office on a dingy street corner. The job offer sounded like heaven. Do you have a large car, be your boss, do you want to control what hours you work? Keep all your takings and just pay a reasonable fee to the owners. Come and go entirely as you please. John liked the owner, (Wally Garelick) very much..extremely jovial and full of life. Rather on the rotund style, he weighed 20 stone plus. and also people seemed a bit in awe of him. Along the way, he mentioned that his last job was managing a nightclub in the East End for the Kray Twins which did not register at the time. Wally knew them well and mentioned he was currently out on bail after being charged with being the Krays’ get-away driver when they sprang someone known as Frank Mitchell out of Dartmoor. Did it put John off taking this job..NO! It should be understood the notoriety of the twins came much later on. What John would say is that in his role as minicab driver, Wally took care of him very well. Being the sole driver being from outside of London) the other local drivers would tend to pass on to him the rubbish job. TBC,
1970. Married in Prague to his Czech wife Libby:
Same time he changed directions. Began at ‘Provident Life Association’ 1970-1979 in the City of London. This involved door-to-door selling of their various life assurance policies.
The remunerations were good and included a taxed and insured company car. All servicing, repairs, and fuel were paid as well as a subsidised mortgage loan. Very good news having just got married. Nevertheless knocking on a stranger’s door was a daunting prospect. He turned out to be an exceptionally good salesperson. Eventually, out of more than 1000 sales persons, he became the company’s top agent for the entire country.
1974-1990 Founder and Owner: Andrews Rutter Estate Agency Practise in Luton. Note: From 1974-1979 John combined working for Provident Life and developing his Estate Agency in tandem. Below is an image of John who had just bought this beautiful car for his wife.
In 1990, due to the financial crash and catastrophic interest rates set by Nigel Lawson@15%, he was forced to close the Estate Agency.
Below is the only image John retained from almost 20 years of his life spent as an Estate Agent. Here seen outside outside his new shop with Brian Stein former Luton Town FC and England striker. He and Brian are still good friends to this day.
Onwards to the Czech Republic.
1991-1993 Founder Owner; Czechmate. Marriage Dating Agency between UK men and Czech Ladies. World’s First Venture of its kind. Luton UK, and Prague-Czech Republic. See the below article in the Independent. He and Libby appeared twice on national TV to show more about this venture.
In 1994 he had to change direction as everyone was copying his idea of the Marriage dating Agency in Eastern Europe.
1994-1995/6 Wholesaler of Ladies’ Fashion Items. Purchased in London, delivered by us to our Prague Czech Republic, outlets.
1994-2014. Founder and Owner of Europa International Cosmetic Surgery Coordinators, Prague, Czech Republic. Below is an image of Libby, before, and after her facelift.
John is often described as:- a ‘Creative Ground Breaking Concept Thinking Extraordinaire.’ For example: Devised and successfully marketed the world’s first win-a-facelift competition. Received worldwide coverage including ‘Fox News. See here the example on Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/01/11/look-ma-lottery-changed-my-breast-size.html
2005-2007 Set up and operated an English Tea House in a historic setting close to Prague named Karlstejn. Image see below:
Broke the mould again: This time the Worlds First Win a facelift Competition offered via Chat Magazine. Covered by all major UK media including documentaries made by BBC Look East and Anglia TV. Both followed us to Prague to see the outcome of the winners of readers; win a facelift. Watch us on BBC here https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=hP6fN64ZCcA
Here below is a pic of Libby at the Clinic with ‘Sam Fox’ whom she asked to help promote the clinic.
The Netherlands.
2012 ish. Above is John together with a group of WW2 veterans and their wives just outside Arnhem. This was another of John’s ventures. He also took a group of veterans and families to the River Kwai a great trip apart from the fact John went down with some kind of tummy bug. . http://www.worldwartwoheritage.com/ This site is worth a look for sure.
The good thing about this venture was that John identified the National Lottery funded these trips. All he had to do was to find those who wished to travel. National Lottery also funded a carer to travel with them or an immediate child/wife. He managed to put together 2 trips, one to Arnhem and Nijmegen, the other to River Kwai. We sourced the clients from advertising in Mature Tymes magazine.
But as time went on sadly, as fast as we were putting the trips together, the veterans were dying off. Or, simply not up to the arduous trip.
people finding experts. John took this on not to make lots of money out of it. But more It was something he wanted to do as a gesture to repay the veterans, for the sacrifice made for our generation. Although of course, the money came in handy.
Personal Overview of John He has great empathy with other people especially those in his employ. He always demonstrated that we were a team and more often than not it would be John cleaning the floor, and making THEM a cup of tea.
John was never an aggressive or pushy individual. When employing staff he always treated them with great respect and tried to encourage getting the best from them by being kind. He got much more out of them that way rather than shouting and screaming which is not in his nature. Sometimes though of course treating people with respect and kindness can backfire. But more often than not it worked out better.
people finding experts. He has had his ups and downs in business. Often more downs than ups.
Lastly, never one to sit around he now operates as a volunteer to support lost friends service: https://friendsreconnected.co.uk/
