self employed hairdresser help

pinknfluffy0

So in the past i have done bits self employed but it never got off the ground really due to my very bad mental health problems. I am now so much better and want to do it properly now.

Do I need to get an accountant?
I have plenty of clients from the salon I work at.

I am just a bit scared I will do the business side wrong x

AbbieCadabra

there's some basic info on being a sole trader here (not too sure how up to date any amounts might be quoted as i don't think the site has been updated for a while), more info on gov.uk too.

if you keep your records tidy & up to date i don't think you'd need an accountant, all depends what you feel happy dealing with i suppose.

i'm sure a fellow sole trader will be along soon with a little more help.

good luck!

Savvy_Sue

How will the salon react if you take a bundle of customers off with you?

pinknfluffy0

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

How will the salon react if you take a bundle of customers off with you?

I will not be asking them to come with me as it would violate my contract. But in hairdressing your clients tend to follow you. I will be heavily advertising so the clients that wish to follow me will be able to find me x

Trixsie1989

I did this myself a few years back. IMO you won't need an accountant for the first few years as your not gonna make a huge profit straight away.make sure you keep all your receipts and records of what you've event and maybe set up a new account just for earnings from this. You can get computer programmes like sage to help with accounts. And don't forget you can claim back some of the money you've spent on equipment and uniform since 2009 through hmrc. Sxx

Ilona

pinknfluffy0 wrote: »

I will not be asking them to come with me as it would violate my contract. But in hairdressing your clients tend to follow you. I will be heavily advertising so the clients that wish to follow me will be able to find me x

If you give your notice in and leave the salon, you can take your customers with you. It might create some bad feeling though, best not to make enemies of your previous employer.

If you become self employed while still employed, thus poaching customers whether directly of indirectly, be prepared to lose your job when they find out.

Being a sole trader is easy enough, keep two books, money in and money out, keeping all receipts. A separate bank account. Inform Inland Revenue that you are self employed. Check on their web site what business expenses you can claim for.

Have money set aside to buy stock and equipment, and a budget for advertising.
Ilona

Suarez

Trixsie1989 wrote: »

I did this myself a few years back. IMO you won't need an accountant for the first few years as your not gonna make a huge profit straight away.make sure you keep all your receipts and records of what you've event and maybe set up a new account just for earnings from this. You can get computer programmes like sage to help with accounts. And don't forget you can claim back some of the money you've spent on equipment and uniform since 2009 through hmrc. Sxx

I would definitely not recommend sage for a self employed hairdresser! You would be wasting money. Plenty of spreadsheets you can download that will help you fill a tax return. Or free/cheap software. VT Cashbook is good.

pinknfluffy0

Ilona wrote: »

If you give your notice in and leave the salon, you can take your customers with you. It might create some bad feeling though, best not to make enemies of your previous employer.

If you become self employed while still employed, thus poaching customers whether directly of indirectly, be prepared to lose your job when they find out.

Being a sole trader is easy enough, keep two books, money in and money out, keeping all receipts. A separate bank account. Inform Inland Revenue that you are self employed. Check on their web site what business expenses you can claim for.

Have money set aside to buy stock and equipment, and a budget for advertising.
Ilona

I have left the salon. I have been advertising a lot and a fair amount of my clients have found me.