The Great 'working for yourself... revisited' Hunt

morganedge

Nobody mentioned what they're actually doing in terms of self employment? What businesses etc?

Muffin_Princess

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all your comments. I'm planning on becoming self-employed and seeing how happy everyone is makes me think I'm doing the right thing. I keep wondering if I'm foolish to give up a permanent full-time considering the unemployment rates (I'm lucky to have a job!) but it's just boring admin and isn't at all fulfilling. I would LOVE to be a dog walker and pet sitter and have been doing bits and pieces on the side for a year and I love it.

It's good to see I'm doing the right thing in saving up first; my aim was to save up enough to pay my half of the household bills for six months (to keep me going while I get established) plus something for expenses to set up the business. I've saved about 35% of what I need so far, I'm so excited to get to my target so I can hand in my notice. Yeah I probably won't earn as much as I am now, but I don't want to spend my whole life doing a boring, unfulfilling job just because it pays more, when I could be doing something I love. Life isn't all about just earning as much as you can

Ken68

Hi muffin..pet sitting often goes with house sitting , so scope...
Dog walking takes TIME , so essential to keep in contact with established and potential customers.

Muffin_Princess

Thanks Ken, I've done LOADS of research and planning on all aspects
I already have two permanent customers; a very exciteable Rottweiler who I walk every day after work and a cat that I visit when his owner works away

LavenderRose

Hi Everyone,

As a newbie, I've been reading these posts with great interest, after caring for my mother for many years, til she passed away in 2012; I am now struggling to find work because of my previous health problems, and subsequent employment history gaps. I would like to become self employed in my local area, as someone offering Home Help, Companion, light cleaning, dog sitting, walking, gardening, shopping etc. There is a need for this type of person, as living on the Cornwall/Devon border their is a large elderly population, predominately living on their own; and the council has almost entirely cut down on the Warden controlled areas, and other help.

Can anyone give me some advice as to how I would go about setting up this sort of business, and what sort of regulations I might need to comply with. I would not be offering Personal Care.

Would I lose my JSA, whilst trying to acquire Clients.

Sorry that this is such a large missive, b ut I really feel, that it is time for me to take my future in my own hands, before I get put on Work Programme, at present I am with Remploy.

Many thanks for reading this

Connie

Ronni_B

Having read some of these comments I feel extremely lucky.

After losing a job (which I hated) in 2007 I decided to retrain to make my hobby a career and graduated in 2011 with a Degree in Technical Production Arts specialising in prop and costume making. I struggled to find work after I graduated mainly because, as a single parent, I was unwilling to uproot my daughter and move South. I was claiming JSA for 6 months and was so depressed with my visits to the job centre that I asked what I could do to become self-employed. I had a van and tools and wanted to set up as an interior decorator - I had trained in these skills in order to make theatrical sets - so wanted to make use of them.

In my local area (Lanarkshire) there was a scheme for those in my position to assist in the transition. I was sent to Business Gateway for sessions on business planning and start-up where I learned a lot, and enrolled in the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme where the government give me £65 a week for the first 13 weeks, then £35 a week for the next 13. I've now been self employed since November and I haven't stopped working. I realise how lucky I have been - for example I recently gained a permanent freelance contract with a theatre company so I should always have something for the foreseeable future - but I would still advise people to go for it.

As someone claiming JSA,I had no savings so it was a HUGE risk :eek:, but there is so much help and assistance out there, you only have to ask.

The_Colonel_2

Hi guys

I set up a business in May 2013. Although I have had some income from it, I am yet to break even.

I am still employed full-time and work on my business on the side.

Do I need to file accounts for the business and if so, when?

Similarly, do I need to declare anything on a self-assessment tax form, even though I have not profited from the business thus far? And if so, when?

Many thanks!

seems8

nickbearman

first of all thanks for your reply!


re: JSA and starting your freelance business

I am in the same position and a very nice and competent guy at the JobCentre has put me in contact with a business consultancy agency (I think it's only for London-based claimants, but you might want to check). I still have to talk to them so I might not be the most informed person ever, but the idea is then to switch the JSA into a sort of 'new business allowance' or something like that - they give you about £60 per week for six months upon proof that you are making a little income (as little as you can, from my understanding is just to show that you are trying hard and following their advice)

I'll let you know more once I know more and progress with this

WantToBeSE

My tip is that you don't always have to 'think big' when it comes to self-employment.
I set up as a SE Cleaner 6 months ago and business is doing really well I felt intimidated to start with, especially when talking to people on online forums. Their businesses were very big and business like..whereas I am my own business. I earn enough to keep myself and my family afloat.

Don't be afraid to use agencies when business is slow. I get a lot of extra hours via an agency who contacted me when I first started advertising.

Do your research! What people are you aiming your business at? Where do there kinds of people go? If you know that your potential customers will spend time at the local vets, advertise there.

RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH is the key!

WantToBeSE

LavenderRose wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

As a newbie, I've been reading these posts with great interest, after caring for my mother for many years, til she passed away in 2012; I am now struggling to find work because of my previous health problems, and subsequent employment history gaps. I would like to become self employed in my local area, as someone offering Home Help, Companion, light cleaning, dog sitting, walking, gardening, shopping etc. There is a need for this type of person, as living on the Cornwall/Devon border their is a large elderly population, predominately living on their own; and the council has almost entirely cut down on the Warden controlled areas, and other help.

Can anyone give me some advice as to how I would go about setting up this sort of business, and what sort of regulations I might need to comply with. I would not be offering Personal Care.

Would I lose my JSA, whilst trying to acquire Clients.

Sorry that this is such a large missive, b ut I really feel, that it is time for me to take my future in my own hands, before I get put on Work Programme, at present I am with Remploy.

Many thanks for reading this

Connie

I too live on the Cornwall/Devon Boarder The best advice I could give you would be to contact Outset Cornwall http://www.outsetcornwall.co.uk/events/ They run brilliant weekly workshops and I got loads of info from them.