Budget Wars - A New Hope (with apologies to George Lucas)

Bobarella

JWPopps wrote: »

Hello Bob

I am only really here to repeat what everyone else has said - I'm so sorry you're in this situation, and I'm angry that small business owners can be treated this way! It's not like you're secretly squirreling away mega-bucks and not letting the economy have any :mad:

I genuinely hope something goes your way soon - you work your socks off as it is!! And you know that everyone here is supportive of your efforts, even if we're limited in terms of advice and help.

Thank you JW it's very nice to read your kind comments.

Bobarella

kirtsypoos wrote: »

Oh Bob, I wish there was something I could add to pep you up but I have no idea about marketing etc, especially for a business such as yours.

I just know it seems so unfair that you are working your backside off everyday and getting no help from the government.

Only you know what your next plan of action can be, but I hope that whatever you decide allows you to get some proper rest - mulling everything over must be exhausting.

Thanks Kirsty

1LuckyLady wrote: »

oh Bob, so sorry to hear that things are still so far up in the air.

Thanks 1LL

Bobarella

sashybo wrote: »

Hi Bob, sorry to hear about the problems you're having.

I hope you get your miracle - you've certainly worked hard enough for it. More positive vibes being sent your way. :A

Thanks Sashy

PurpleFairy26

Bob just caught up, sorry things are so up in the air. How positively annoying. I don't think anyone could do more than you are, however, like many, you tend to be your own worst critic. Which also means you can't get away from it.

I know someone mentioned Nct sale and you said it was too small - what about contacting local Nct and asking about other groups. Ours are always looking for places for messy play (well it's not really that messy), bumps and babies etc... won't make you millionaires but the people that go to them are the sort that will book other activities. Also contact any one who runs jo jingles, jabber jacks and the like. Round here venues like that are substantially hard to come by. Again people going to the groups would be potential customers. Just a thought.

Hoping stuff rights itself at your end soon and you get some down time in the holidays.

mummytogirls

Evening Bob,

So sorry to hear that you're not really much further forward with the rates problem, still keeping fingers crossed.

Just incase this will make you feel any better my 2 are 2 years apart and they also get annoyed with each other! Don't think there is the perfect age gap.

xx

mfmaybe

Hi Bob, I don't know that I've ever posted on your diary though have read it for quite some time. So, hello!

I think it sounds like you work incredibly hard, if I'm honest for not much return. Have you worked out your hourly rate or break even point? If you add up all your fixed expenses, how many bookings on average does it need to cover them, and how many hours does it take you to secure and attend to those events? Essentially you are working all of those hours for free; so if you are only just breaking even, you'd be just as well not doing it at all.

If however you are more than covering expenses, then you are bringing in net income to the family coffers, but again how many hours is that taking up? And how much is it overall? I know the flexibility is incredibly important, but if (for arguments sake) you worked a few hours somewhere at the weekends when DH was about, would that end up being financially more lucrative? My guess would be your current per-hour rate is going to be pretty tiny; but I would be delighted to be proved wrong . And it does depend also on whether this is an issue due to being a new business, or if you think this is how it will remain.

It's not all about the money, of course; but the unrelenting stress does seem to be getting you down. Only you can work out whether it's all worth it. Oh and by the way I don't mean for you to post answers on here, just some ideas to do some calculations in your own head

I hope that the rates bill becomes manageable and bookings sky-rocket; or failing all that, that the way through becomes clear. You work incredibly hard and deserve some things to be much easier. One quick practical thought, is it worth looking at alternative premises? You could either negotiate a decent rent free period on a new lease or alternatively use it as bargaining power to shoot for a current rent reduction.

f0xh0les

Bobarella wrote: »

Hope you have a good holiday with the mini Foxes

Roll on Friday, 3pm!

DS1 aka 'Tiny' is 14, 5'7" and this week a size 7 shoe.

Bobarella

mfmaybe wrote: »

Hi Bob, I don't know that I've ever posted on your diary though have read it for quite some time. So, hello!

I think it sounds like you work incredibly hard, if I'm honest for not much return. Have you worked out your hourly rate or break even point? If you add up all your fixed expenses, how many bookings on average does it need to cover them, and how many hours does it take you to secure and attend to those events? Essentially you are working all of those hours for free; so if you are only just breaking even, you'd be just as well not doing it at all.

If however you are more than covering expenses, then you are bringing in net income to the family coffers, but again how many hours is that taking up? And how much is it overall? I know the flexibility is incredibly important, but if (for arguments sake) you worked a few hours somewhere at the weekends when DH was about, would that end up being financially more lucrative? My guess would be your current per-hour rate is going to be pretty tiny; but I would be delighted to be proved wrong . And it does depend also on whether this is an issue due to being a new business, or if you think this is how it will remain.

It's not all about the money, of course; but the unrelenting stress does seem to be getting you down. Only you can work out whether it's all worth it. Oh and by the way I don't mean for you to post answers on here, just some ideas to do some calculations in your own head

I hope that the rates bill becomes manageable and bookings sky-rocket; or failing all that, that the way through becomes clear. You work incredibly hard and deserve some things to be much easier. One quick practical thought, is it worth looking at alternative premises? You could either negotiate a decent rent free period on a new lease or alternatively use it as bargaining power to shoot for a current rent reduction.

Hello mfmaybe

Thanks for posting. And reading before.

The situation I am in is I have the premises on a long lease (15 years) I have 9 remaining I believe.
I ran another business out of the premises for around 4 years although that had complications too.
The reason I started my current business was to make the best of a bad situation. I have invested heavily in my premises and for that reason alone have felt an immense amount of guilt at the thought of walking away. My family will never have the chance to recoup the money we spent on the premises. Starting again in another place is not an option. I either make it work where we are, or walk away.

When I did the initial thinking on how to run the premises as a venue I worked out that if I got it to capacity each month I could be making around £4.5k per month. And if the more lucrative work turned up a lot more.

I don't believe I am flogging a dead horse. Or I would quit. I get a lot of enquiries. And interest from many areas. I do believe half of the success of the place comes down to word of mouth from the right people and being listed on the right platforms online.

At the moment I am struggling to do anything. I started in September and after two wobbly months December was amazing. I started the year with work lined up, and clients booked in. In Jan a big cancellation saw me struggling, by February my biggest chunk of work went elsewhere with no notice. That has been one of my biggest issues with this situation. I keep getting into areas of inexperience such as contracts, notice periods, how to make people pay when they don't want to. And I have to work through them because I have no other choice.

Although reading my diary of late I can see how frustrated and depressed I sound, because I have been over the rates issue. I have also been pushing myself out of my comfort zone at a rate of knots. Each day pushing myself to communicate in different ways, flyer different areas, list on new websites.
I have churned up more leads since I lost my big chunk of work, since I started this new business.

Sadly people can be really tricky. I am in discussion with new customers all the time and when people say one thing and do another it's very hard. Because they don't realise how desperate for funds I am.

Today is quite a big deal, I have 3 potential client meetings and a photographer coming from a very useful platform which I can see a direct practical use of my place for. It's not airy fairy like film work.

I had a viewing last night that went well and the customer was looking at a weekends hire.

I appreciate my answer is long and somewhat rambling. I do feel a lot of the time like one of those people who always thought they were about to strike gold! But there are clear signs the business could be viable if only I can pull out of this Pitt where I'm trading hand to mouth. Which has been exacabated by losing over half my rent each month in solid business.

Regarding other work. That is a thorny issue. I could put my daughter in full time daycare, limit my availability for viewings to evenings only, and earn plenty that way. But I'd also have to pay for wrap around care for my son, and I don't really want to do that. Plus, you realise how short life is when you have little ones. I value the time I can spend with them that I wouldn't have in a 9 to 5.

My issue is not could I earn more in full time normal work. I walked away from a high paying job. But it never made me feel as alive as I do when I know that my own actions have brought me a new client, however low paying the transaction.

I do realise that ultimately if the business doesn't pick up very soon I will be forced to quit. The feeling of responsibility for setting us back so far in terms of lifestyle is a hard thing to bear. But if I have to quit I will.

So in summary, yes I am working very hard for nothing at the moment. But I'd imagine many small businesses started that way. We are fortunate that my husband's salary does almost cover our bills so my income is not needed to pay the mortgage for example. But we do run out of cash for shopping/travel if I don't chip in. My own responsibilities are for roughly £1200 of fixed costs per month for my own premises which have to be paid each month. Now added to that my rates are ramping up another £175 and knowing that the rates are purely a tax and don't add anything to my life is very hard to swallow. Plus I don't actually have it!

Thanks again, I appreciate the logical, rational post.

Bob

Bobarella

f0xh0les wrote: »

Roll on Friday, 3pm!

DS1 aka 'Tiny' is 14, 5'7" and this week a size 7 shoe.

Oh your not off yet? Ha ha wow big, small then:rotfl: it must be all those lovely cakes:)

Bobarella

mummytogirls wrote: »

Evening Bob,

So sorry to hear that you're not really much further forward with the rates problem, still keeping fingers crossed.

Just incase this will make you feel any better my 2 are 2 years apart and they also get annoyed with each other! Don't think there is the perfect age gap.

xx

Hello:)

No you are very right there is no perfect age gap. And I have to say I don't know how people with the 2 year gap do it. My DD is 18 months and emotionally there is no way I'd be ready to be pregnant again. I always wanted a 3 year age gap but life had other ideas. I just find it's the little things. Yesterday my DH worked from home so DS stayed with him. I took DD out for a 2 hour walk around the park, along the river and into Pets at Home to see the rabbits. If I had DS with me I have to focus on doing things at his pace because he's up a tree, running ahead so I can't see him. Making DD want to try and climb up the larger play equipment that's too big for her.
They are just far easier to manage one on one. And whereas with just her I can pop her in the buggy and do all my many and varied business errands, he moans and complains about being dragged away from screen time:mad:
So..Short version, love them both to bits but we need at least another year before I can feel really happy trying to take them both to the park!