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Essex-girl_2

Good Morning

Wordsmith sorry to hear your story - this is the start of a new week & new opportunities (((hugs))) for you.

Did a little office work over the weekend but not much - the weather was wonderful.

Today I will get dressed (in a min) & do 2 hours of solid officework using the half hour method. Will be less than normal for the next 2 weeks due to kids being home.

Debt factoring sent me a letter stating that they need a lot more information regularly - will phone them this morning to clarify & see if this applies to everyone. Will mean more work for me but is doable. OH is to ring our client later to find out if there is anymore news on the big changes going on in August, there are 3 options for us - someone else will do all the work & we will lose everything, we will do some of the work and be ok but still very tight & lastly we will do the majority of the work and do quite well.

If it is to be options 2 & 3 & really need to get some more money into the business by the time the next vat payment is due in July, am paying monthly at the moment which is great but the person I spoke to at the vat office said they dont know how much longer that will be allowed for.

Anyway I have waffled somewhat this morning so am off now to do my free scratchcard & get dressed.

Have a productive day.

starxtrouble

Hey everyone.

Nice to have you back Wordsmith, I know the feeling about throwing stuff out when someone else could use it. My parents arent that into reusing stuff or giving it to other people, so I always said, oh we could freecycle that, when I was living at home, and it always either go thrown away or put back into the garage.

Last week must have been quite difficult for you all round, at least your parents are somewhere now that someone will be able to keep an eye on them for you and you wont have that worry any more.

I have some good news .. I just got a phone call from an agency in India, they want to use me as a regular translator for one of their main customers and they have a 5 page doc to send me now... and I was hoping for a lie in.. they woke me up at 8 30 am... (i was up til at least 2am reading!)

Well id better get to it!!

Heres to a good week for everyone!!

Star

Ballymackeonan

Thanks Wordsmith - I really feel for you, as I've been in a similar situation clearing out for my aunt and my mother, and the whole care home thing for both of them.. (different care homes, but that was because they were sisters who really didn't got on...another story for another time!)

Maybe it does take a certain kind of person - or a certain level of resilience and self-discipline - to survive self-employment, never mind thriving on it. It's always a challenge, so congratulations to eveyone on this thread who is rising to it!

I don't know what today is working out with- one client is late for filing accounts with the Companies Office, and hasn't goven me information yet to get them done. It's now 9 months after his year end.. and he's been making appointments and then texting me to say he's in a meeting, or hasn't got stuff ready yet. So I'm waiting for this morning's text.. He is the one who will be fined for late accounts, so why am I worried? Plan B will kick in if he still isn't ready...

I've got to pay a membership sub and professional indemnity insurance today... boo hoo!

Horace

I don't want to sound self indulgent, I am not but I am have serious wibbly wobblies, my test trading is due to end on 26 April and I don't want to go back on the dole but I am wondering how I am going to survive with no customers yet, having to 'invest' in the business just to get customers in (i.e. paying for stands at wedding fairs in Sept/Oct) and worrying how I will live on WTC of £48 a week:eek: I think that's why I have been feeling out of sorts this weekend. Sure I have visits to make to potential suppliers which is fun but seriously I am scared rigid. I am usually full of self-belief but today that is lacking, I also have bulldog spirit and grit and determination but today its a case of what if...

One of my fellow wedding planners (we chat on facebook) told me that she met Debra Meaden the other day (she off Dragon's Den) at some event or other and Debra told her that wedding planners don't need any money to set up - needless to say my friend was a bit stunned at that comment especially when we have to pay for our insurances, advertising etc etc. Mind you I don't particularly like Debra Meaden as I find her rather irrelevant on Dragon's Den but what a stupid ill-informed comment to make though:rolleyes:

chandler89

itsnowtime wrote: »

Hi,

Just wanted to say that I'm in a similar situation to you... I have lots of debt and likewise invested in a 'sure-win' business...for me it's definitely about 'focus' I've treat my business as a hobby for too many years now and that's cost me money... and like you I'm really proud to be dealing with my debts - it was the best thing I ever did and I understand that it looks like it will be a long hard slog...

But it doesn't have to be - if you don't want...

I've recently sat down, got a blank sheet of paper and in effect started again - looked at what I wanted to achieve and set myself quarterly goals..

These haven't just been for the business, but also for my financial situation aswell...and I've decided that it will no longer be a hobby but my long term future career!

Good luck with everything and keep chipping away at your debts they'll soon go down..

Many thanks for your thoughts itsnowtime - I agree "Long hard slog" makes it sound very difficult. Maybe I should view it as more of a "targeted assault".
Business was going well for me and I thought there was something out there much more exciting so I decided to try something different. I don't regret having tried the "sure win"(!!) business - it has actually made me thankful for my original business and made me realise that the grass is often dry thatch on the other side of the fence!
I am trying to see the positive in any setback and trying to see the learning experience - thinking of all the wasted money just makes me feel negative (which would be of no use whatsoever). I too treated my business as a hobby and I appreciate your comments on quarterly targets and chipping away at things.
I would like to give a big thanks to all those who contribute on this board - all your stories have helped get a sense of perspective on things.

Wordsmith - sorry to hear your story. I had to clear my father's possessions away after he passed away and help my mum go through a similar process. Very difficult. My thoughts are with you.

chandler89

Horace

You took a brave decision to be self-employed this already sets you apart from so many people. Have faith in yourself - don't doubt your abilities. It can be scary but just remind yourself of all the things you thought would be difficult but managed to overcome.
Good luck! I am sure it will all come good.

Chandler

Horace

Thank you Chandler. Anyway thanks to MSE I might have found some business:D I contacted a local wedding shop that is mentioned over on the wedding chat and I am going to see them before lunch today - they have only been open 2 weeks so I have the opportunity to sell the bridal stuff I have hanging about and she has said that she wants a wedding planner to work with her - so it could be me:j

Had a big row with Business Link today as my contact there was apparently only working there for 6 weeks and his contract has come to an end and he is non-contactable so I said that he shouldnt jerk people's chains either the work is genuine or its fake, so watch this space:mad:

I feel as though I am teetering on the edge of a cliff but I have to jump, I will just have to do more mystery shops or even stand at the back of Selfridges with my skirt hitched up:rotfl:

chandler89

It's already happening.....!! Wedding planning must be quite a challenging job - thought recruiting was tough;)

Seaxwyn

Hi Wordsmith - it sounds as if you have had a hard time emotionally sorting your parents' stuff. Are they happy in their new home?

Don't forget that in the long term you do need to prioritise your potentially better paid work over the shop work. A mistake I often make myself.

Right now I need to finish some work that has been hanging over me for far too long. It's Easter Holidays, so I want to spend as much time as I can with the children. So if I finish writing 5 short articles today, then I can take a couple of days off, before another big job arrives later in the week. So I MUST get those 5 done today.

sammy115

Maybe that should be a topic to be discussed 'how to get work done in the holidays with kids about?'

I have just held a client meeting with a client at home with my daughter hanging about.....she was very quiet, although after the meeting I realised she had drawn on her face with a highlighter........good job the client is my childminders son!