self employment the only option?

jamiemusson

Has anyone had a success story of going self employed? I don't want to rip off your business, just some inspiration and help getting motivated / registered...an idea would be brilliant, I have several ideas to be honest.

Most involve establishing a website, using adsense to generate small revenue and then taking a % from customers on the website or a annual fee for example. A few game ideas that I beleive I can get people to pay for..

I think if I dip my fingers in all the pies, I'll see what makes money and doesn't..I'm unemployed and not getting anywhere with trying for jobs (although I will continue to try), so I have all the spare time to write these websites.

I've also thought about offering services, cleaning up, housework, manual work for private local people through a classifieds ad, I've placed a few ads but not heard anything back yet..placed ads for:

-pc repair
-gardening
-odd job man

When thinking about it yesterday, the 2 main ways to make revenue I could think of are:

-reselling:
eg: buy something cheap, sell higher.

or

-services
eg: taking a % off somebody for something, charging a fee for a service people want, doing manual work for someone they want doing...cleaning a car

Any extra ideas etc...would be greatly appreciated and of coarse, inspirational stories...would be awesome.
I don't wanna to make enough cash to have a full-time job from this, but even if I could make £300 / month, I'd be happy and we'd be out of debt sooner.

Thanks very much
All the best
Jamie

paulwf

I don't think you are going to get anywhere with such a hit and miss approach. Concentrate on one idea for now that you are passionate about and think will make a profit and build up that business. If you try and have more than 2 businesses running you'll probably lose focus and get nowhere.

jamiemusson

paulwf wrote: »

I don't think you are going to get anywhere with such a hit and miss approach. Concentrate on one idea for now that you are passionate about and think will make a profit and build up that business. If you try and have more than 2 businesses running you'll probably lose focus and get nowhere.

I disagree, I've always been severely hard working and passionate about work, even at crappy jobs I've given it my best effort in order to get noticed and get a promotion.

I definitely have the spare time to manage several businesses in this manner, the concepts I have, don't require a great deal of work involved from my side, once advertised and getting hits, the money will mostly generate itself and will only require updating from time to time and general maintenance from time to time.

Horace

I actually agree with Paul - you need to concentrate on one thing that you are passionate about, saying you are passionate about work is not a good enough answer. Self employment means working for less money than dole money for your first year to 18 months of self employment, you won't be turning over a huge amount and certainly not the £300 a month that you want.

If you are not passionate about what you do then when you speak to people they tend to notice this and then won't buy from you. Not wanting to be rude about your ideas but they do seem to be wishy washy and have no substance to them - who is going to pay someone to go and wash their car - these days people take their cars to the car wash and wash the car at the same time as they refuel it. How are you going to get people to visit your website? Websites cost money to not only set up but to host as well - do you have enough money for that?

I work as a wedding & corporate event planner which is hard work and I put in 60-70 hr weeks with no holiday pay or sick pay. I have to pay my own tax and national insurance as well as the insurances I need to run my business. I have recently been asked if I will consider tutoring on a course that is related to my field of expertise so now I have to find money for training to allow me to teach. Thankfully for me I am passionate about people and events and just love what I do, so will find the money for the course - the adage of 'you have to spend money to make money' is certainly true when you are self employed.

If you have been unemployed for more than 6 months, why not approach your advisor at the jobcentre and ask about a flexible New Deal programme for self employment that way you will have some support and will actually discover if self employment is really for you.

jamiemusson

Horace wrote: »

I actually agree with Paul - you need to concentrate on one thing that you are passionate about, saying you are passionate about work is not a good enough answer. Self employment means working for less money than dole money for your first year to 18 months of self employment, you won't be turning over a huge amount and certainly not the £300 a month that you want.

If you are not passionate about what you do then when you speak to people they tend to notice this and then won't buy from you. Not wanting to be rude about your ideas but they do seem to be wishy washy and have no substance to them - who is going to pay someone to go and wash their car - these days people take their cars to the car wash and wash the car at the same time as they refuel it. How are you going to get people to visit your website? Websites cost money to not only set up but to host as well - do you have enough money for that?

I work as a wedding & corporate event planner which is hard work and I put in 60-70 hr weeks with no holiday pay or sick pay. I have to pay my own tax and national insurance as well as the insurances I need to run my business. I have recently been asked if I will consider tutoring on a course that is related to my field of expertise so now I have to find money for training to allow me to teach. Thankfully for me I am passionate about people and events and just love what I do, so will find the money for the course - the adage of 'you have to spend money to make money' is certainly true when you are self employed.

If you have been unemployed for more than 6 months, why not approach your advisor at the jobcentre and ask about a flexible New Deal programme for self employment that way you will have some support and will actually discover if self employment is really for you.

You clearly don't know my background, I'm not going to be dabbling in things I know nothing about...

Your comment about car cleaning, I think I could establish a good valet business in the local area. Most car owners who are passionate about their costly vehichle would much prefer to have their car valeted, hand-polished, than put through a car wash that will cause all sorts of scratches and potential damage. I don't expect to be earning a huge amount, but with business cards, posters, flyers, local classified advertising, word of mouth, I expect I could make a good sum of money from this. Most car owners are careful about who they let clean their car and would much rather have an established valeter do it than a foreign person in tesco car park.

I will generate hits on the website by using specific advertising. For example, a poster in a scrapyard reception room or garage waiting room for valeting cars would appeal to car enthusiasts. Advertising in a bakery, you're much less likely to achieve your target audience...although it is extra advertising.

My plan about the Internet business(es), are to establish a couple of sites. One is going to be a niche market that I know there is money in, I need to do some research to get some business contacts for supplies and then once I have the contacts, I will begin advertising in specific places relevant. That's my only Internet one that will require posting of any real items etc.

Next, text-based game, some of these are quite popular, I'm good with computers and know I'm capable of setting one up and running it, after sufficient advertising, I beleive I can begin to charge members for "additional game extras", so they get the lead in the game. I've seen this work before, as long as the site becomes popular, this will work. I'd have to do some major advertising on this one because there's vast amounts of competition.

I'd also generate small revenue on here to help with hosting fees etc by using Google Adsense and ads.

I could also look into purchasing existing established businesses online as they tend to be cheaper than offline businesses.

That's the plan of action, don't put my down unneccessarily (but feel free if you think it's stupid and won't work), I just want to give something a go...Working for other people clearly isn't going to happen for me in the near future as they don't seem to want to touch me with a bargepole, soo...

Eventually, I'm going to buy my dad's business which is a fishmonger, he makes good money and the method you pay back is simple...per week basically. 2 days work, X cash, pay Z back.
So I've always thought about a self-employed business, many people are successful with them and I appreciate many people aren't...but IMO the people who aren't are either not motivated enough or have a rubbish business proposal...

I've worked for a few people who are self employed and think in the long run it's definitely for me as you get out what you put in (and I would like to be successful) and you don't have a boss putting you down.

Let me know what you think

Also I told you before I'm not on the jobseekers. I'm unemployed and not claiming a thing...I don't believe jobseekers can help the unemployed, the jobs advertised there are applied to by probably hundreds of chavs/scum and when I have no qualifications relevant or experience, I'll get tarred with the same brush kinda thing.

I've never found a job because I applied for it through the job center+ website or the jobsearch machines etc. I don't beleive the schemes at JSA work, at all. But if you think I should give it a go then I will. I'm happy to look for work anywhere

paulwf

Jamie,

I think both Horace and I agree that self employment is 90% blood, sweat and tears with very long hours, and you are prepared for this. I also understand when you say you're more suited to self employment than being an employee...I'm the same!

My original point was about focus. To build up a PC repair business I'd expect a person to play around with Windows & mac and perhaps Linux and you'd probably need to know how to sync a couple of smart phones...generally be a geek You'd then need a website, flyers, adverts, business cards etc. You'd also have to network both in persona and online.

To build up a gardening business you'd need your own set of professional tools and have a garden or allotment yourself, know what to plant month by month, have a website, business cards, phone line, website etc...networking and and offline...

To build up a handyman business you'd need a professional set of tools and...oh you get the picture by now

Being good in a certain field and more importantly promoting your business will take a huge commitment. Very few people would have the skills and tools to be able to run several completely separate businesses in parallel. Even if you could I bet you'd make a lot more money focusing on just 1, certainly no more than 2.

paulwf

jamiemusson wrote: »

Also I told you before I'm not on the jobseekers. I'm unemployed and not claiming a thing...I don't believe jobseekers can help the unemployed, the jobs advertised there are applied to by probably hundreds of chavs/scum and when I have no qualifications relevant or experience, I'll get tarred with the same brush kinda thing.

I've never found a job because I applied for it through the job center+ website or the jobsearch machines etc. I don't beleive the schemes at JSA work, at all. But if you think I should give it a go then I will. I'm happy to look for work anywhere

On another thread you claim you aren't entitled to any benefits because of your household income. Hardly the same thing as not taking JSA because of the chavs there! You also say you are considering bankruptcy, so if you are actually entitled to JSA swallow your pride and take it for heavens sake!

jamiemusson

paulwf wrote: »

On another thread you claim you aren't entitled to any benefits because of your household income. Hardly the same thing as not taking JSA because of the chavs there! You also say you are considering bankruptcy, so if you are actually entitled to JSA swallow your pride and take it for heavens sake!

..

I'm not entitled to any benefits, I've checked. My missus earns too much. I would take it if I could

jamiemusson

paulwf wrote: »

Jamie,

I think both Horace and I agree that self employment is 90% blood, sweat and tears with very long hours, and you are prepared for this. I also understand when you say you're more suited to self employment than being an employee...I'm the same!

My original point was about focus. To build up a PC repair business I'd expect a person to play around with Windows & mac and perhaps Linux and you'd probably need to know how to sync a couple of smart phones...generally be a geek You'd then need a website, flyers, adverts, business cards etc. You'd also have to network both in persona and online.

To build up a gardening business you'd need your own set of professional tools and have a garden or allotment yourself, know what to plant month by month, have a website, business cards, phone line, website etc...networking and and offline...

To build up a handyman business you'd need a professional set of tools and...oh you get the picture by now

Being good in a certain field and more importantly promoting your business will take a huge commitment. Very few people would have the skills and tools to be able to run several completely separate businesses in parallel. Even if you could I bet you'd make a lot more money focusing on just 1, certainly no more than 2.

I'm prepared to work very hard to achieve my goals. I've always worked hard.

-I'm more than competent for a career in repairing computer systems for private clients, the vast majority of computer users have Windows systems, which are easy to use, repair, reinstall etc. I've had brief encounters with Linux and it's command line style, so unless I could research the problem they're having myself I couldn't do too much in-depth about macs/linux. But I've built towers (PC), dabbled in computer languages, so I beleive I'm able to do most jobs I get called out to.

-Gardening:
I'm trying to get work doing garden maintenance rather than planting & growing. Mowing lawns, deweeding etc, this is more of a on-the-side small money thing. I do have access to a large pair of shears and a mower and some garden tools...depending on the success, I'd consider investing in more tools.

-Handyman:
For a young man, I own quite a lot of tools. I have several hammers, I don't know how many socket sets, ratchets, spanners etc. Loads of things like screws, drills etc. I have enough tools to do most things.

I wouldn't post an ad saying "I'll come rewire your cable so you get it for free", if I knew nothing about electronics for example (I haven't posted that ad, haha).

But yeah, basically, I also know some basic auto mechanics but decided not to post an ad about that because I don't beleive I know enough. I've changed brakes on 4x4s, changed my cylinder head, stripped car out to see how it's all joined together etc, wheels, suspension..but anyway I decided not to post an ad for that in case I get something out of my depth that I'm not able to do...

Thanks for the advice though, but I'm fairly knowledged up on computers and handyman work & garden maintenance...how hard can they be?

Tbh I just wanna see if these things work and make some money out of it because I'm making nothing sat on my !!!! day after day (hearing no feedback from potential employers) on world of warcraft.:rotfl:

paulwf

Apologies if I'm not making myself clear. I hope you understand what I say is because I want to see you make money, I'm not trying to pick an arguement with anyone

I'll try again...

From your postings you seem to have the impression that there is a quick fix to getting work. Place adverts for several different types of businesses and you'll instantly get replies. Or buy an existing web business and you'll make a living. Even with the fishmongers it seems hopelessly naive to think you have such low overheads and can turn your money over so quickly.

Even if you are a brilliant gardener, computer repairer, handyman and mechanic and have all the equipment you aren't going to get anywhere. As Horace says it takes 12-18 months working 60-70 hours a week on just one business before it really takes off.

So, even if you just focused on for example gardening it will take you ages before you get regular business. You can't just place one advert, sit back and wait for the phone to ring. To set up 3 new businesses at once is going to be nigh on impossible.

You have to be the best at what you do, the best gardener in the area will get all the bookings...you may be 80% as good but you'll only get 20% of the work.

My strategy would be to pick what you are passionate about and develop that idea. You also need to focus on getting a full time job - easier said than done I know! - as you have debts you need to clear fast, and self employment is more of a long term solution.

jamiemusson

paulwf wrote: »

Apologies if I'm not making myself clear. I hope you understand what I say is because I want to see you make money, I'm not trying to pick an arguement with anyone

I'll try again...

From your postings you seem to have the impression that there is a quick fix to getting work. Place adverts for several different types of businesses and you'll instantly get replies. Or buy an existing web business and you'll make a living. Even with the fishmongers it seems hopelessly naive to think you have such low overheads and can turn your money over so quickly.

Even if you are a brilliant gardener, computer repairer, handyman and mechanic and have all the equipment you aren't going to get anywhere. As Horace says it takes 12-18 months working 60-70 hours a week on just one business before it really takes off.

So, even if you just focused on for example gardening it will take you ages before you get regular business. You can't just place one advert, sit back and wait for the phone to ring. To set up 3 new businesses at once is going to be nigh on impossible.

You have to be the best at what you do, the best gardener in the area will get all the bookings...you may be 80% as good but you'll only get 20% of the work.

My strategy would be to pick what you are passionate about and develop that idea. You also need to focus on getting a full time job - easier said than done I know! - as you have debts you need to clear fast, and self employment is more of a long term solution.

ok, that was easier to..relate to
the fishmonger business is already established, makes good money etc, I'm not taking that on until my dad retires but that's the very long-term ideal career..(just wanted to make a point that I want to be self-employed in the future)

My specific area of expertise would be computers but there is so much competition out there these days, if I had started a business 5-8 years ago when I knew more than loads of people about computers I may have stood a chance. I'll try to work hard at offering competitive prices, business cards for people etc to try get the business "on it's feet", so to speak.

Advice is always greatly appreciated