SB: Small Business Start Up Discussion

Savvy_Sue

SecretDuck wrote: »

Me: A game development business. Unfortunately I can't do crowdfunding at the moment, as even making a demo game costs a few thousand pounds. I'm awaiting an answer from Start Up Loans but I need other options just in case they say no.

Can't help with the jewellery, but DS1 had a good job programming, cut down to four then three days pw in order to do more game development in the extra time. Lived frugally (always has). Built up enough savings to give up paid employment altogether, figuring he could survive at least six months and if it didn't work out just get another job.

That's two years ago. Last summer he gave up his accommodation too and has since been traveling. He picks out game jams and conferences and stuff he wants to attend and networks with the local game developers around that.

Some of his games are co-developed with others - he doesn't really 'do' music, for example - so he has a ltd co for that, and he also writes quite a few freebies on his own in between so his name is 'out there'.

Mind you that's all on the indie scene. I'm not sure he'd know how / want to write a game to be taken up by one of the big boys ... so I may have to wait a while to be kept in the manner to which I'd like to become accustomed.

gill5blue

Hi helpers,
Me and my daughter are dog Instructor/trainer/behaviourist. We are both qualified and experienced. We have a website up and running( thanks to my brother who hosts it too)
We do this in people's own homes on a one to one basis.
We do not need a loan or grant.
Would we have to register somewhere?
I don't know what other questions to ask as I im not sure what we are supposed to be doing, business wise. I did look at my gov.uk and got quite confused.
We have only had a handful of customers but with great results. I want expand this further into a proper business for next year.
Cheers
Gill

SecretDuck

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Can't help with the jewellery, but DS1 had a good job programming, cut down to four then three days pw in order to do more game development in the extra time. Lived frugally (always has). Built up enough savings to give up paid employment altogether, figuring he could survive at least six months and if it didn't work out just get another job.

That's two years ago. Last summer he gave up his accommodation too and has since been traveling. He picks out game jams and conferences and stuff he wants to attend and networks with the local game developers around that.

Some of his games are co-developed with others - he doesn't really 'do' music, for example - so he has a ltd co for that, and he also writes quite a few freebies on his own in between so his name is 'out there'.

Mind you that's all on the indie scene. I'm not sure he'd know how / want to write a game to be taken up by one of the big boys ... so I may have to wait a while to be kept in the manner to which I'd like to become accustomed.

The thing is, I don't live in the USA where all the good game development opportunities are. Even if I did, all the good artists, marketers...etc expect you to pay them for their work and none of them do profit sharing. And also, artists can make their own games using no programming at all so they don't have incentives on teaming up with other people unless they get paid upfront on their work.

Even for a simple-pimple mobile game, I'm looking at a few thousand pounds minimum. My bigger project is much more expensive. I have a good credit score so I can get a loan. But from where? I don't have collateral so Funding Circle is a no-go.

Savvy_Sue

SecretDuck wrote: »

The thing is, I don't live in the USA

Nor does DS1. He visits for game jams, developer conferences etc.

SecretDuck wrote: »

Even for a simple-pimple mobile game, I'm looking at a few thousand pounds minimum. My bigger project is much more expensive. I have a good credit score so I can get a loan. But from where? I don't have collateral so Funding Circle is a no-go.

Maybe he and you have different ambitions. He's very happily indie. But my suspicion is that wherever you're heading, you need a portfolio, so writing what you can with what you've got is a better option than wondering where you can borrow money from in order to do something bigger / better, which may or may not be successful in any event.

Savvy_Sue

[

gill5blue wrote: »

Hi helpers,
Me and my daughter are dog Instructor/trainer/behaviourist. We are both qualified and experienced. We have a website up and running( thanks to my brother who hosts it too)
We do this in people's own homes on a one to one basis.
We do not need a loan or grant.
Would we have to register somewhere?

In its simplest form, you each need to register as self-employed with HMRC, and you need to do that sooner rather than later.

However, you also need to decide if you just want to be sole traders, or if you want to set up a partnership, or even set up a limited company. For anything more than sole traders who just happen to be parent / child, I'd strongly recommend 'proper' advice from an accountant, and a solicitor for the legal agreement.

Each has advantages and disadvantages: if you share some equipment, or vary who does what depending on availability, then a partnership could make life easier, otherwise you need to decide who is claiming for the big bag of doggy treats, and who used most of them, and who is being paid for each particular session.

QUOTE=gill5blue;67304144]I don't know what other questions to ask as I im not sure what we are supposed to be doing, business wise. I did look at my gov.uk and got quite confused.
We have only had a handful of customers but with great results. I want expand this further into a proper business for next year.[/QUOTE]That's another scenario where talking to an accountant could prove useful: you are already a proper business if your income from this is more than any expenses you can offset against it.

gill5blue

Thankyou very much for your clear advice.
We will discuss these items and decide what is to be done.
I will let you know what we decide
Cheers
Gill

TheSpaniard

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

[In its simplest form, you each need to register as self-employed with HMRC, and you need to do that sooner rather than later.

Sorry to hijack, but would this also apply to something my wife and I have been doing in our spare time (along similar lines as the above) but are looking to advertise/setup a website to promote?

It's not our principal employment, and generates lowly returns but mindful that we if we wanted to ramp it up a notch we should be doing something more formal?

Thanks in Advance

SecretDuck

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Nor does DS1. He visits for game jams, developer conferences etc.

Maybe he and you have different ambitions. He's very happily indie. But my suspicion is that wherever you're heading, you need a portfolio, so writing what you can with what you've got is a better option than wondering where you can borrow money from in order to do something bigger / better, which may or may not be successful in any event.

Thanks

I have written stories for non-commercial games that needed it, much to the praise of everyone. But writing for commercial games is another matter entirely.

Surprisingly for teams, the writing for games is harder to do than the world building. I find it the other way round.

lincroft1710

TheSpaniard wrote: »

It's not our principal employment, and generates lowly returns

If you're generating income outside your principal employment you need to register as self employed with HMRC.

Savvy_Sue

TheSpaniard wrote: »

Sorry to hijack, but would this also apply to something my wife and I have been doing in our spare time (along similar lines as the above) but are looking to advertise/setup a website to promote?

It's not our principal employment, and generates lowly returns but mindful that we if we wanted to ramp it up a notch we should be doing something more formal?

lincroft1710 wrote: »

If you're generating income outside your principal employment you need to register as self employed with HMRC.

Agreed, and I'd say to TheSpaniard that as a minimum he and his wife EACH need to do this. However, if what they are doing is done together and it's hard to separate what one does from what the other does, then making it into a formal business partnership may make sense.