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Starting/running a small business (becoming self employed)

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Hi Everyone,
  
  I thought TVH might be a better place for this thread as I suppose it is a 'specialist interest'.
  
  As some may know, I've been moaning about my job alot recently. I like the area of work, but not the company I work for. It is very badly run and I am frustrated with the lack of interest in helping me develop or do more interesting work. I feel like I'm always fighting to be given anything to do. The whole thing has left me very unhappy, dreading coming to work and just not well at all. Got to work this morning and had a panic attack. So not ideal! I've tried to get things to change, but it never does, and I'm sick and tired of fighting to improve a company where they clearly don't give a damn about me.
  
  Anyway ... I've been looking for another job in my field, but it is qite specialised and there isn't much work/movement out there. I'd like to leave my job to volunteer, but I can't afford to.
  
  I have vaguely had an idea for a totally different business (I think I've mentioned it here before). But just the mountain of different rules and regs to go through before I get it off the ground is stressing me out even more. Everytime I think I could overcome some obstacles more appear.
  
  So, this is just a cry for help as to how other people went about getting their business idea up and running. What are the key things you'd recommend I look at, and what looks very scary and important but doesn't really matter?
  
  My main problem at the moment is I rent my flat and so dont think I could run a business from it. But given that I'm not anywhere near setting up yet I'll try not to worry about that too much right now!
  
  So, just any hints or tips are very very welcome!
  
  CFx

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  This thread might link you with people with experience of starting a new business, CF.
  

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by DragonFluff (U6879248) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  In reply to Curiously Frittering in message 1
  
  My main problem at the moment is I rent my flat and so dont think I could run a business from it. 
  
  CF, this caught my eye. I have a clause in my tenancy that says I can't run a business without the express written permission of my landlord. When I left my last job and set up as self-employed for the second time, I wrote to the landlords telling them exactly what I would be doing (admin/IT & marketing). They were just fine about it, gave written permission immediately.
  
  I think that clause about running a business is so you don't start doing up old cars on the front drive, or brewing beer in the spare room - anything that might damage their property or cause nuisance to others.
  
  HTH
  
  Fluff

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Thanks silverjenny.
  
  And thanks for that bit of info DragonFluff.
  At the moment the plan is to move out of current flat into a place with b/f in September - so I'm hoping to have myself sorted enough by then. That way I'll not have to discuss this with my current letting agents (most useless in the world).
  
  That is good to know, though. It wouldn't be a messing or dirty business - it is fabric based.
  
  CFx

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Dunlurkin NL (U2675855) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Just pipped me to the post on that one, Dragonfluff.
  
  
  Check your tenancy, and even if it says that you cannot run a business, I think you should approach your landlord with your ideas. It may be a standard clause to stop the type of thing mentioned above, and which he has never really thought about in detail.
  
  I have to say, I don't like the thought of you having a panic attack at all. I think that should be ringing loud warning bells.
  
  
  
  Dunlurkin

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Thanks for the concern Dunlurkin.
  I'm ok now. Alarm bells have been sounding for some time - but as I have no other job to go to I have to stick it out. I am applying for other stuff, and trying to think positively. I just don't want an unexplainable gap on my CV. Or someone to say 'so, you left a full time permanent job at a well known company in your chosen field, then went to be a waitress again' - just don't think that will look at all good!!
  
  CFx

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Dunlurkin NL (U2675855) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  CF, as you know I'm not in the UK, and definitely not in your part of the world*. Nor am I au fait with the world of employment, having been self-employed since you were a twinkle in your mother's eye.
  
  However, I do know that universities offer careers advice to their former students. Perhaps yours and/or some other careers advisory service would be able to to advise on gaps in employment records. I would have thought that waitressing while trying to get a business up and running (for example) would not necessarily be seen as negative. Shows enterprise, IMHO.
  
  A few years ago pharmacist friends decided to try running their own pharmacy. It was a sort of now or never thing age-wise (about 40) for them. Unfortunately this venture coincided with a crucial change in government policy that meant that they had to abandon it after a couple of years and return to being employees. They saw it as 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained'.
  
  
  Dunlurkin
  
  
  *at least not right now ....

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Dame_Celia_ Molestrangler (U14257909) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Over.. I don't know how many years ago.. I got a book called The Freelance Alternative. I read it many times to give me courage.
  
  Go out and look at the stuff on freelancing that is available. There's an awful lot out there - WHSmith, other bookshops and libraries.
  
  The clause about not starting a business in your home is to prevent noise and, for example, dangerous chemicals (peroxide for hairdressers) being in a residential area. If you're not going to be making noise, no problem.
  
  I've always rented and I've always worked from home - as do nearly all my friends. No problem.
  
  As for what you need - nerves of steel, low outgoings and the ability to live very very simply and not expect to socialise in pubs, clubs and restaurants for years. I'd say it took about four years for me to have built a large enough customer base for me to feel comfortable.
  
  I have also had a large turnover in clients. Some stay with you for ages, others don't. One, for example, hired a full-time German-English translator and didn't contact me for two years. Now that employee is on maternity leave and she's come back to me. Others.. well.. if they find someone a tad cheaper, they'll go with that person.
  
  But keep your outgoings low, live simply, but enjoy the fact that you don't have to deal with idiots and the knowledge that the more you work, the more you will earn. That's what I enjoy most.

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Thanks DameC, but I don't think doing my current work freelance is an option. It tends be done by large companies - and I don't really think I have enough experience for anyone to really want me on my own.
  
  Dunlurkin, I suppose if I was working as a waitress to keep me going while trying to start my own business that wouldn't look bad.
  
  The stupid thing is I really enjoyed waitressing when I did it. I didn't think I would, but I really did. It is just one of those jobs which 'society' has little respect for, even though it is really physically tough.
  
  Hmmmmmm ... what to do, what to do.
  
  CFx

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by Dame_Celia_ Molestrangler (U14257909) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Same difference. I could still call myself self-employed. I could employ others and build myself up from a one-woman business.
  
  Same principles apply: nerves of steel to cope with cash-flow problems. I'm owed something like 8,000 euros right now and am overdrawn.
  
  Ability to work late into the night when need be and sacrifice social life in the interests of the business.
  
  Ability to discipline yourself to getting the job done even if you don't feel like it and the sun is shining for the first time in ages etc. The friends I have who are employed (mostly Germans) say they couldn't work as I do as they need a boss breathing over their shoulder to force them to work. I've never been like that. I've always been able to knuckle down to things by myself.

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by Dunlurkin NL (U2675855) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  
  
  That's society in Britain - and that doesn't necessarily apply to anywhere else. Lousy, uncaring, ill-informed waiting staff can completely spoil a meal out. Even though you are starting at the bottom, it could also be the first step up. The waiters in top restaurants also started somewhere.
  
  I have also thought of something else that might be of help. A friend has the sort of business that might interest you. Different countries, so I can't imagine you'd be in competition. You might care to scroll down here
  
  
  Dunlurkin

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by Celtic Tiger (U2229153) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  
  
  This all depends on what your business is. 20 years ago I became self-employed and within 6 months I was earning considerably more (with a fraction of the stress!) than I had been working as a head of department in an FE colleges. 20 years on, three of my major clients are still with me, although some come and go.

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by Dame_Celia_ Molestrangler (U14257909) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  True.. but you cannot count on people staying with you forever.
  
  If you're employed, you sort of count on being able to go to work every day and having something to do. That's why losing your job is such a shock.
  
  Not being employed or being freelance means you probably have more sources of income (wider customer base) but they can go elsewhere at the drop of a hat and without warning. And no compensation.

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 13.

  Posted by Celtic Tiger (U2229153) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  
  
  Agreed which is why it is very unwise to commit to dealing with only one or two major clients - you need to always have your fall back position ready. (I am fortunate in that I work in a field where there is loads of work and a shortage of able consultants to do it.)

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