Taking the leap into self-employment - advice needed

EagerLearner · 13 November 2006 at 9:52AM

Hi all,

My current company can no longer hire me in PAYE form, as our head office is dissolving the regional office we have. But the 3 people I work with say they want me to continue working with them - so much so that in addition to my redundancy payment from head office next month, my regional colleagues are prepared to 'carry me' between the 3 of them for 4-6 months - ie: they will all find a way of paying me my monthly wage even though I will be self-employed.

My questions are:

- I am prepared to take this leap and have 4 weeks to investigate. Can I start trading now and dip my toe in the water with small projects?

- What to call myself - I want to offer personal assistant and admin services, travel management, cost reduction and event management services. Any tips for names that are a safe bet and won't look too 'mom & pop'? I want to appeal to small companies that need a PA on occasion, as well as maybe even local people who work 9 to 5 but need extra help with daily duties they just don't have time for.

- Recommendations for a website hosting package? When I decide on the name I will need an e-mail address and a website and I want it to all tie in before I start trading so it looks professional.

- I could work for any UK company as the PA service would be 'virtual' - how do I advertise myself for virtual PA services - are there directories etc?

Any extra advice you can give in terms of marketing and raising my profile would be fantastic.

clutton_2 · 13 November 2006 at 10:07AM

Office Life Saver ?

prudryden · 13 November 2006 at 10:32AM

If you come up with a good trading name - be sure to register it. A friend of mine traded under a fantastic name for her catering company. Unfortunately, an acquaintance of ours, liked her catering idea, registered the same name, and became a highly successful catering company in London.

martindow · 13 November 2006 at 10:37AM

As you would be a sole trader you can just operate under your own name if you wish - there is no need to trade under any other name unless you want to do so. You should inform the Inland Revenue that you will be partly or completely self employed and can then start trading. Regarding a web site, lots of sites like this
http://www.uk2.net/
let you search for domain names to see if they are available (probably not the cheapest place to buy it or host it at - others can advise on this). It would clearly be best to tie that in with your name or trading name.

Congratulations - you are obviously greatly valued by your colleagues and I hope that self employment goes well for you.

EagerLearner · 13 November 2006 at 10:32PM

Thanks everyone - was thinking to start with adverts in newsagent windows but I also know that word of mouth is the strongest - how can I get my name around (once I decide on the name!)? Anything that doesn't cost the earth will be considered...

clutton_2 · 14 November 2006 at 12:01AM

Office Saviour ? - bit too religious perhaps ?

The Best PA in Sussex

Admin Angels

Total Office Perfectionist Systems T.O.P.S.

Simply Super - Office Organisers Extraordinaire

Sharpie · 14 November 2006 at 1:19AM

EagerLearner wrote:

Thanks everyone - was thinking to start with adverts in newsagent windows but I also know that word of mouth is the strongest - how can I get my name around (once I decide on the name!)? Anything that doesn't cost the earth will be considered...

I don't mean to be negative but do newspaper agents adverts give out the correct message about your very professional business? (and may not necessarily attract the clientele that you are looking for-)...what about an advertorial in your local paper?(in Cambridge we have some "glossy local mags" that I wrote short articles in when I first got going), or the odd quarter page advert in Sussex Life (or the equivalent)- people who sell advertising space get very desperate as the deadlines approach, and the price comes tumbling down...one or two of those on the odd occasion could get your name known..

See if you can get the local business section of the Brighton and Hove newspaper to come and "interview" you as a start up business (free)...

I'll let you know if I think of anything else!...and I agree prudryden-if you get a good name, then register it at companies house (even if you are not yet a limited company) and trademark it as well if possible..

Sure it will all work out for you!

clutton_2 · 14 November 2006 at 1:25AM

now you come to mention it - postcards in newsagents windows may well give ALLtogether the wrong idea EL !!!!

Sharpie · 14 November 2006 at 2:00AM

clutton wrote:

now you come to mention it - postcards in newsagents windows may well give ALLtogether the wrong idea EL !!!!

OOOoohhhh dear!!!! I've reread my post and it's not very well worded is it!!!!!

Terribly sorry!!!

That's what comes of replying to these when I really should be fast asleep!!

clutton_2 · 14 November 2006 at 2:14AM

i was hinting at those rather "hands-on" cards - which i dont think EL would attract the right sort of clients with !!!!!!

EagerLearner · 16 November 2006 at 11:50AM

You are all correct, but, don't 'normal' people run out of time - could they not use an angelic PA who would sort them out and eliminate all the stress of calls/paying bills/writing letters etc... I thought it might be a relief for some people to have someone who for 1 hour per week, or 1 hour per month, would tie up their lose ends... I mean, if people pay for cleaners, why not an efficient PA like me to clean 'mind' stuff?

Anyway - that was the reason behind the newsagent window idea - your regular people that work 40 hour weeks, or even less, but just can't keep on top of all. I am a filing queen and have dogged determination to get to the bottom of things so thought it may be useful to provide this to others...

SO - have looked at vistaprint.co.uk and come up with a mock business card, looks quite nice (pink - I thought it looked more classy than white - any ideas?).

C - I like: Total Office Perfectionist Systems - TOPS and have also got 2 or 3other ideas. Being an Excel bunny I will create some mock invoices and also letterhead in Word to see what looks best.

In terms of editorial, that would be great if I can get it. Worried about the season though - when should I focus on editorial?

Starting to think I may be safer trying to get part-time work in January and then focusing on building this up, rather than relying on the 3 folks that say they will have work for me - but even so January is a hard time for work - unless of course loads of folk decide to quit at Xmas

Taking the leap into self-employment - advice needed

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