Going Self Employed

watermelon88

My fianc!e and his friend are tired of being unemployed and as there is no decent paid work around that doesn't require qualifications they have decided to try and go into business together.

My fianc!e is from a builder family and can do most things (brick laying, plastering e.t.c.), and his friend is a qualified joiner who is also good at painting & generally loves anything to do with D.I.Y.

So between them they can cover pretty much most things aside from electric and gas, and they intend on getting qualified for those when they can.

So far they've named the business, come up with a slogan, email address, advertising materials and put up online ads.

Now it's just a waiting game to see if they get any work, they've given one quote but are waiting to hear back to see if they got the job.

Are there any self-employed builders on here who have some tips?? Or even any locally that could do with an extra couple of lads on a job??? (we're in Lincoln).

The three of us are trying so hard to get this business going, every day that goes by with no phone calls about work is a bit depressing for us all.

Savvy_Sue

Can I just check, they do have insurance, don't they?

Key thing is that they can't just 'wait' for the phone to ring. They need to be delivering fliers door to door, getting business cards about, networking networking networking.

Could possibly be worth contacting local estate agents to offer their services - but that may already be sewn up.

As soon as they see a 'for sale' or 'sold' board go up, they could drop off a leaflet / business card.

But they've not chosen a great time to start this venture.

Could be worth looking for tips on the Small Biz board. How to get business at the start is a regular issue!

watermelon88

They have business cards and postcard sized adverts to hand out and put up in windows and on notice boards.

They're still working out all the formalities like insurance etc, obviously with no income they're limited as to what they can do. They're still researching everything they need to do to be legit and legal etc. Which they are planning on getting all sorted out before they accept any jobs.

Just getting some people wanting quotes would be a start, they don't want to shell out too much money if there is no interest in what they are offering.

Murphymycat

Hi

Have a look at the "Business link" website, it has masses of information about setting up a business from scratch, everything you will need to know. Also have a look at the Direct Gov website as there are some benefits you may be eligible for when you first start up.

Running a new business can be tough these days but if you do your homework and work hard hopefully you will succeed.

Best o luck

Murphymycat

Sorry, forgot to mention, if you haven't already done so, have a look at Vistaprint. There is loads of free or very cheap stuff and you can choose your own design. I did this last year and got a tee shirt with my logo and details, mug, masses of business cards and postcards and I think i spent less than £20 in total

A word of warning - once you have ordered you will be inundated with emails and offers but this can be useful.


:T :T :T

isplumm

Hi,

How about looking at some form of Network club - I used to use 4N a lot - they do breakfast meetings for about £10 (including breakfast), where you network with other businesses, give a 2 minute talk on your area ... from memory, you go along for a taster for a couple of sessions .... you then have to pay a membership fee.

http://www.4networking.biz/

Mark

watermelon88

Thanks for the advice.

We used vistaprint to get our business cards & postcards, they're pretty good.

I'll check out the other stuff too :-)

Horace

Remember they need to get some proper legal advice as they have set up a partnership and they also need to register their self employment with the HMRC.

As for business networking events there are better out there than 4N (it costs a lot for annual membership and then you pay extra for breakfasts), look at free lo-cost ones - ones that don't have membership fees. Paying high membership fees for networking clubs is madness as it is a sure fire way to lose money (says me who has wasted over a £1000 in membership fees for networking clubs before finding a lo cost one).

isplumm

Horace wrote: »

As for business networking events there are better out there than 4N (it costs a lot for annual membership and then you pay extra for breakfasts), look at free lo-cost ones - ones that don't have membership fees. Paying high membership fees for networking clubs is madness as it is a sure fire way to lose money (says me who has wasted over a £1000 in membership fees for networking clubs before finding a lo cost one).

I don't disagree - but I thought 4N was not bad - also you can go along for a trial period, to see whether it is for you - also you can buy a membership where the company can send different people to each meeting - they also do evening ones now .... membership is about £200 + vat per 6 months I think ....

What are the free ones you have found?

Mark

Pupnik

Hi, it sounds like a good little business I know someone who does something a little similar, he used to do it part time when he had a day job but gave up his day job as he did so well with it. He mostly fits people's kitchens but since he can do a bit of everything does a lot of odd jobs too.

I think doing it the old fashioned way is probably a good start for them, drop leaflets through people's doors with a list of the kinds of things they do - it is the sort of thing people might pin to their notice board for when they need it. Maybe even introduce themselves to people and strike up a friendly conversation so they are more likely to remember them. A business like this relies so heavily on customer satisfaction and word of mouth.

watermelon88

They have a possible job in the pipeline, we're waiting to hear back about it. If they get it and she's happy with the job then hopefully she will recommend us to her friends etc, and we know she has a budget to do more than just this one job so may get extra work too.

There's so much to sort out to make it all legit it's crazy!