Could do with some moral support

Charityworker

I've just had a right dressing down from my mum about my small business. Anyone would think I'm a kid the way she spoke to me but I'm 42!

I started a small business 6 months ago with literally next to nothing doing make up, manicures, nail art etc at events, in peoples homes and for community groups. I'm only working about 10 hours a week because I have a part time job elsewhere also.

I haven't made a profit yet (but I'm not far off - probably in about another month) as I had to buy a professional manicure kit and pay for printing and advertising etc when I started.

My mum has just been round telling me I ought to give it up as I'm wasting my time sitting at a craft fair every week for little money. I tried explaining to her that businesses take time to grow and some businesses dont make a profit for the first 2 years and that being self employed is sometimes putting in a lot of hours and a lot of work for less than the minumum wage.

They have talked me into giving up a business before. About 5 years ago I started a small business organising events such as 80's nights etc and getting people to buy tickets to attend. It was in the building up stage and my mum and dad intervened and said that it wasn't worth doing. I lost my confidence in it and gave up.

I think I've done quite well this time starting a business with next to nothing in money and getting regular customers and it's growing all the time. I think my parents should be proud of me for what ive done instead because I'm not raking in hundreds of pounds a week they see me as a failure.

This could be because my cousin (who they think the sun shines out of the back side of) has a similar business but she had a lot of capital to start it and can afford to pay for a lot of advertising has done better than me. But some of her customers have started using me instead as I charge less but offer a better service. I haven't actively poached her customers but I have had customers that say they have had treatments done by her but they have decided to start using me as I am cheaper, more down to earth and offer a better service. I dont tell these customers that its my cousin they are talking about.

I dont know where I would be without the wonderful support I get from my parents (sarcastic). Perhaps I would have a thriving, successful business by now.

Jessie11

Why do you keep going to them for their opinion if it's always so negative??
Just avoid them, and if that's not possible, avoid the topic/subject.

And no offense, the whole cousin thing does make you sound about 14.

shmeeko69

My parents are like that and I'm 43yo. When I told them I was giving up my job over three years ago to work from home they weren't to pleased about it. They are from the old school and still think that people should work for an employer.

Any business takes time to grow and people will always be there to shoot you down and say "I told you so", but to be the master of your own empire takes courage and it's well worth it, as it's a way that can create an income which would usually be out of reach working for a company.

Wywth

Charityworker wrote: »

I've just had a right dressing down from my mum about my small business. Anyone would think I'm a kid the way she spoke to me but I'm 42!

I started a small business 6 months ago with literally next to nothing doing make up, manicures, nail art etc at events, in peoples homes and for community groups. I'm only working about 10 hours a week because I have a part time job elsewhere also.

I haven't made a profit yet (but I'm not far off - probably in about another month) as I had to buy a professional manicure kit and pay for printing and advertising etc when I started.

My mum has just been round telling me I ought to give it up as I'm wasting my time sitting at a craft fair every week for little money. I tried explaining to her that businesses take time to grow and some businesses dont make a profit for the first 2 years and that being self employed is sometimes putting in a lot of hours and a lot of work for less than the minumum wage.

They have talked me into giving up a business before. About 5 years ago I started a small business organising events such as 80's nights etc and getting people to buy tickets to attend. It was in the building up stage and my mum and dad intervened and said that it wasn't worth doing. I lost my confidence in it and gave up.

I think I've done quite well this time starting a business with next to nothing in money and getting regular customers and it's growing all the time. I think my parents should be proud of me for what ive done instead because I'm not raking in hundreds of pounds a week they see me as a failure.

This could be because my cousin (who they think the sun shines out of the back side of) has a similar business but she had a lot of capital to start it and can afford to pay for a lot of advertising has done better than me. But some of her customers have started using me instead as I charge less but offer a better service. I haven't actively poached her customers but I have had customers that say they have had treatments done by her but they have decided to start using me as I am cheaper, more down to earth and offer a better service. I dont tell these customers that its my cousin they are talking about.

I dont know where I would be without the wonderful support I get from my parents (sarcastic). Perhaps I would have a thriving, successful business by now.

What happened to the business you were running 9+ months ago? The one that picked up a lot after you got a facebook page? :huh:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=50111185&postcount=31

Charityworker

Wywth wrote: »

What happened to the business you were running 9+ months ago? The one that picked up a lot after you got a facebook page? :huh:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=50111185&postcount=31

Thats my other small business which is doing extremely well.

Charityworker

Jessie11 wrote: »

Why do you keep going to them for their opinion if it's always so negative??
Just avoid them, and if that's not possible, avoid the topic/subject.

And no offense, the whole cousin thing does make you sound about 14.

I dont go to them, they keep coming round to give it to me.

I realise the whole cousin thing makes me sound childish.

McKneff

Just keep on keeping on.

If you think you can make a go of this business just get on with it.

Dont tell them things that they will moan to you about.
Just tell them things that you think they will want to hear.

Or avoid the subject

Or watch for them coming and hide behind the settee lol

Wywth

Charityworker wrote: »

...I dont know where I would be without the wonderful support I get from my parents (sarcastic). Perhaps I would have a thriving, successful business by now.

Apparently you do have one ...

Charityworker wrote: »

Thats my other small business which is doing extremely well.

:cool:

Charityworker

Wywth wrote: »

Apparently you do have one ...



:cool:

Yep I do thanks

Savvy_Sue

What's it got to do with them what you do with your time?

Cracked record time: "Thanks Mum, I appreciate your concern but I don't wish to discuss my business with you." "Thanks Mum, I'm glad cousin is doing so well but I don't wish to discuss my business with you." "Thanks Mum, I appreciate your concern but I'm 42 now not 14 so I'll carry on."

Or "Thanks Mum, haven't got time to chat now, just off out." Again and again until the message is received.

[Deleted User]

My Mum is a bit like that. I am doing a degree and at times I find it 'challenging' which to be fair I expect it to be as they don't just dish degrees out left right and centre. But I got a bit tearful last week stressing over an assignment and Mum was like "do you think you might have taken on a bit too much?" :-( very negative! Would rather what my friend said "Joanne don't be silly you are a bright intelligent girl, you can do this". I think my Mum just don't want to see me fail, think she was quite shocked when I got a B in my assignment :-) x