Compare Your Life

Ann Marie and Martin are at a crossroads in their lives. Ann Marie wants to spend more time with their two kids after being made redundant, and stay-at-home dad Martin needs to fulfil his entrepreneurial ambitions. As a family they want to embark on a new business venture together, but have very different ideas about how and where this should happen. Carlton's advice leads them to a busy Italian restaurant in Devon, a quirky cafe near the Peak District, and a disused craft centre only 10 miles from their current home in Nottinghamshire. The family face up to the challenges of their new life when they try out a potential new business, home and location. But the ultimate decision is whether they are brave enough to take the plunge and change their lives forever.

Pete and Iney want to start a family business to allow them to spend more quality time with their two children, Archie and Rhianna. With the couple being torn between a new life in France and a venture closer to home in the UK, former Confused.com CEO Carlton Hood offers the couple a trial of three potential new lives. Carlton's search leads them to an exciting business opportunity overseas in Western France, a village post office in the rolling countryside of Worcestershire, and an exciting hotel franchise for animal-lovers.

Hampshire couple Fiona and Jonathan ask Carlton to find them a rural business in Wales. After 20 years as a stay-at-home mum, Fiona is looking for a new sense of purpose while Jonathan wants to leave behind long hours and commuting. The search throws up a smallholding with dog kennels in Pembrokeshire and four low-maintenance holiday cottages in Carmarthenshire. However, an unexpected event changes the family's circumstances and Carlton is forced to have a rethink.