New Enterprise Allowance scheme - My story

BigAl127

Your tax credits will be based on your 2012/13 income. I rang the TC enquiry line, and was told that as long as i'm doing 30hrs in the business (but that doesn't count doing your business plan) so this can be delivering leaflets, telephoning, getting stock, standing in the street asking prospective customers directly, accounts etc etc .

It took a week to receive the claim form. I completed it and returned it the same day, and money was in my account just over a week later. I only get Working tax credits, as all my children are grown up. I get just under £90 p.w.

As for my business itself, it's extremely hard finding new clients, despite having a website, being on facebook, linkedin & twitter, delivering leaflets, and having a large magnetic sign on my car when out and about driving. I'm due to start my reduced NEA payments, but with no help from my mentor or the Jobcentre, i'm getting worried that I might become one of the statistical failures, despite putting all my efforts into getting the business off the ground. I'll keep on fighting for the next 10 weeks or so, before I make any hasty decisions though.

Andy2013

WantToBeSE I understand your concerns as starting up is very tough and making ends meet is a daily struggle .

As far as WTC is concerned as said above ,as long as your "working" 30 hours + ( 6 hours a day)then you can get the 30+ element which boosts the WTC money a little bit and by work it can be anything related to your business so not just the actual hard graft but marketing , financial etc. and I think if you add it all together then its not hard to get to that figure, and as said by a few people before only you truly know how much work you will do so tick the box because starting a business will take AT LEAST 30 hours a week if your really trying and seeking every avenue possible to make it work.

BigAl127 ,I also went onto the lower payment last week (technically 4 weeks but they "forgot "to pay me) and I fear for you my friend as after the first 13 weeks you should now by know whether you have a feasible long term business that can turn a profit.
Last week I spoke to the remaining member of the 6 on my induction and he also had to call it a day as the £65 was keeping him afloat and the drop down made it impossible to carry on, very sad .

No one said this was going to be easy but its hard to hear people having such a struggle, keep pushing guys and gals we can do it !!!:T

pinkypoopydoo

Andy2013 wrote: »

I don't want to put a downer on your website but my business is built around one and is my sole tool for selling and last month I hit 12,000+ hits and my sales work out at less than 1% of those people viewing.

Dammit!! I was so proud of myself as well! Now I'm wondering if it's just my mum looking at the site!! I'm just amazed that people are looking at the site - the listings in all the directories must be working somewhere, so I'll keep updating it, and keep my fingers crossed.

WantToBeSE - the tax credit office were quite happy with my estimated hours - there was no grief from them at all, and they suggested that I keep a diary logging everything I do for work, in case compliance want to check I'm doing the hours worked. I'd already been told to keep a diary by my JC adviser, as you have to prove you are actually doing things to increase business when you get called in for checks during the NEA period. I got my change of circumstances with the TC office processed withing 10 days, had an extra little payment into my account and my letter giving the new amounts within a fortnight.

My eldest son said yesterday "Mum, you're like Dory* - you gotta just keep swimming", so that's my new mantra!

*This video explains Dory to those who haven't seen Finding Nemo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA

Andy2013

Yeah my experience of WTC has been very good, a phone call, a form ,a little wait and then regular payments.

It is important that you tell them any changes of circumstances so you don't get incorrect payments and then have to pay it back but overall I am very happy with WTC and I think a lot of people can probably claim it and this would help start up your business a little quicker and give you at least a bit of financial help.

NEA does give you financial help but that's pretty much it.

This_Year

As expected the adviser at the Jobcentre didn't fax my form across last fortnight. Ixion naturally hadn't heard of me, so I chased my adviser when I signed on today and he faxed it across while I was there, he then phoned me this afternoon to tell me that he had checked and they now have the form so it's going to be 2-4 weeks from now.

I did ask if I could be fast tracked as it wasn't my fault it wasn't faxed the last time and he was apologetic but basically no go.

WantToBeSE

Thanks for the help re tax credits.
I am going to focus on getting the flyers ready, as i am not sure what to include on them-any suggestions?
I will put the price, as i think that's what most people are interested in, and also the areas that i serve, phone number and email etc.

andyscott

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks for the help re tax credits.
I am going to focus on getting the flyers ready, as i am not sure what to include on them-any suggestions?
I will put the price, as i think that's what most people are interested in, and also the areas that i serve, phone number and email etc.

Have you got experience designing flyers, if not best thing is to get someone to design them for you.

First impressions count a lot when its a business someone has never heard of.

pinkypoopydoo

andyscott wrote: »

Have you got experience designing flyers, if not best thing is to get someone to design them for you.

First impressions count a lot when its a business someone has never heard of.

I'll echo that - I gave logo, letterhead, invoice and flyer design a go, and failed miserably. It looked like something I would have produced in high school. I had to suck it up, and pay someone to design it. It costs but will hopefully be worth it.

andyscott

pinkypoopydoo wrote: »

I'll echo that - I gave logo, letterhead, invoice and flyer design a go, and failed miserably. It looked like something I would have produced in high school. I had to suck it up, and pay someone to design it. It costs but will hopefully be worth it.

Anyone who is looking to have any flyers, business cards etc designed really should let me know and I will pm you the details of a great designer. He also does website development

Like us he spent years working for someone else but has now went self employed and is looking to make contacts.

He is ideal because he is very good at designing and he gaurantees to beat any other quote that you have and he will not ask for any money until he has finished all the design work and you are happy with it.

Andy2013

The 4 posts before this one are the exact reason this thread is so damn good and with everyone helping each other out and giving advice who needs NEA anyway!!

I fully agree a flyer is a very important part of your business because not only does it say what your selling/offering but also the quality will give either a good or bad first impression and if its not looking pro then that could have a negative effect and actually turn customers away so (andyscott) is your man on this one.