Very small business from home

lost_for_words

Hello all. Some will already know that at age 51 and with a police caution I am finding it very hard getting work and have all but had 3 jobs offered but once the DBS was viewed, no go.

So what do I do now, I used to be a hand painted signwriter and about 6 years ago hated my job so I invested in getting some equipment and would you believe it ended up taking a contract at work and loving it, this lasted until a new company took over and I still managed 3 years with them but kept thinking I should go ahead with doing Sign Decals, google wall art decals, personalizing mirrors and just small simple jobs to keep an old man like me going. Nearly everyone who see's pieces of my work say's Im wasted working here. The only two people that are against this are my sister and brother who say that this would not provide enough work but I cannot get work now due to my stupidity and the worst thing is I can never say I really gave this a try because I have not.

I will still look for a litter picking job and applied for a parcel sorter job that did not ask for a DBS but I wont hold my breath over that.

So, I am going to do some samples for a few people and build a portfolio up and just see how it goes.

Please feel free to ask me anything and thank you.

somethingcorporate

Go for it!

Good luck

MuffinTops

Absolutely go for it! Can you get a part time seasonal job to give you a little steady income while also giving you time to get your sign writing up and running?

How are you planning on getting your portfolio seen?

SailorSam

Last time i needed a signweiter when i was starting a small one-man-band business and i wanted my van lettering, although maybe these days people can get stick-on signs cheaper. But another possible outlet to keep in mind. Or shopsigns

lost_for_words

One shop wants me to do a Bob Marley mirror and that is on a ready cut cd that has a loads of images. I am going to show him the catalogue of signs I can do and someone of the work group wants some Elvis stuff, again of of the cd I have. I would really like to get a 15 hr job though and do both. I am not too keen on doing vehicles and like you said they use digittal printing for that mostly. I just need to make a start and see how it goes. But the main thing I dont want is to advertise as I would rather just try and do some stuff for some trusted people and see how it goes from there.

Thanks for your imput all

Percy1983

lost_for_words wrote: »

One shop wants me to do a Bob Marley mirror and that is on a ready cut cd that has a loads of images. I am going to show him the catalogue of signs I can do and someone of the work group wants some Elvis stuff, again of of the cd I have. I would really like to get a 15 hr job though and do both. I am not too keen on doing vehicles and like you said they use digittal printing for that mostly. I just need to make a start and see how it goes. But the main thing I dont want is to advertise as I would rather just try and do some stuff for some trusted people and see how it goes from there.

Thanks for your imput all

If you don't want to advertise as such it may be worth putting in a referal scheme to incourage word of mouth advertising.

fishybusiness

Just wanted to say..

Best of luck

cavework

If you can make a living doing something you love .. you have cracked it OP .
Don't listen to anyone else, just believe in yourself and sell yourself and the product you love
I think you could really make a go of this
xx

Savvy_Sue

Backtracking to the caution, have you been in touch with any organisation like NACRO to get advice on how to disclose the caution?

If the first an employer finds out about it is when your DBS check comes back, that's more of a problem than if they know there will be something on it beforehand.

paddyrg

Regarding sign creation - how are you with circus and fairground designs using flamboyants? Good quality attractive and not too big panels have a pretty buoyant market for quality interior designers - if you're able to add a couple of sample panels (maybe old cream carousel style, and some kind of smaller distressed harlequin/flourishes (lots of French curves!) style panels, get them on your CD and send it to interior design magazines and local high-end interior designers. They're always looking for something the competition don't have - and will pay an absolute premium, way over van graphics or industrial signs.

The DBS wouldn't be relevant if you're working from your own home/garage and delivering panels, and if you've a real skill and passion go for it. Worst that happens is that you spend a few quid on paint and odd bits of ply (or find them as scrap, true fairground style) and it's a hobby, best case you can make some real money if you find a couple of designers who want your work!

lost_for_words

Thanks everyone for the nice replies.

Sue Nacro told me just to not apply for jobs around vunerable people ect.

Percy First time Ive ever heard of a refferal scheme so will research this.

Paddy Always wanted to do, try those sea side, fair ground, romantiques I think is their font. I could even practise this on my wall as I intend to get some matt emulsion and do some hand painted wall are. Only conviction I should have is not using my talents and getting out the comfort zone.

Thanks all