New Enterprise Allowance scheme - My story

andyscott

Andy2013 wrote: »

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.

I agree with what you said about this thread been so good. There is a lot more to it now than just the NEA side of things.

Im sure anyone on here could search the net to find a good designer but for start up businesses like the ones on here with such little start up funds, you dont want to be paying out for designers before you get the work done.

Its understandable designers want paid before doing any work, they dont't want to spend time designing then for you to say you dont want it now. Other side is I have heard of many people paying the designers at start of project, then having to wait ages to get the work done.

This_Year

andyscott wrote: »

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.

could you pm his details please? Thanks

andyscott

This_Year wrote: »

could you pm his details please? Thanks

have just sent you a pm with his website and phone number.

Meant to say all his work is his original work. If anyone is going to use a designer please make sure its original work as many cheap designers use free templates, which means they all change the info like phone number etc, but there may be lots of other companies with the same design of flyer/website.

WantToBeSE

Please hit the spam button for the last 8 posts, thanks people

pinkypoopydoo

I'm ahead of you - been hitting the button each time one appeared. Maybe she works for the company that administers the NEA start up loans?!

WantToBeSE

Hehehe, Pinky you may be right

andyscott

pinkypoopydoo wrote: »

I'm ahead of you - been hitting the button each time one appeared. Maybe she works for the company that administers the NEA start up loans?!

she cant have anything to do with NEA, far to much contact from her with 8 posts already for her to be involved in NEA.

WantToBeSE

andyscott wrote: »

she cant have anything to do with NEA, far to much contact from her with 8 posts already for her to be involved in NEA.

:rotfl: :T Oh Andy, that made me giggle

andyscott

Was just wondering how much each of us are planning on using to start our businesses or how much you did start with for those lucky ones who are already self employed.

Reason I am asking is because i received a letter today from JC telling me that I had lost my 2 sanction appeals.

1 for not attending WP appointment because I never knew about it and 2nd again for not attending even though I had JC advisor give me permission not to attend and they said I would not be sanction, but now they cant find notes of that on their system.

So basically I am now on hardship payments of £30 per week and even more determined than ever to start my business.

It should be interesting seen as though I have income of £30 per week, with no savings and no chance of loan or credit card

pinkypoopydoo

I have started off with a working capital of £350 that covered membership fees (which was my biggest start up cost), logo design, business cards, professional insurance and a website.

I had nothing to invest on Day 1, so borrowed a small amount off my ex in-laws to cover membership fees, and have used my NEA payments to cover the rest of the capital. I was also offered an overdraft facility with my new business account, but I turned that down - you say you have no chance of getting a loan or credit card, but you may be offered even a small overdraft facility.

I guess the amount needed to start up depends entirely on your actual start up costs - can you save on any? For example, instead of paying up front for a year or two years of website hosting, some hosts will let you pay on a rolling monthly basis initially. Insurance costs can be spread by DD over 10-12 months. Can you barter for other things? You do work for someone in return for them doing work for you?