| The first step in becoming self employed is in | | | | their problems, whilst getting your foot in some |
| deciding what to do. Where do your interests lie | | | | doors and introducing yourself to relevant people. |
| and what particular skills and training have you | | | | When you are starting to work from home it is |
| had. Many people use this as an opportunity to | | | | important to create a positive environment for |
| re-train and do something completely different | | | | yourself. Take yourself seriously and invest in a |
| with their lives. Maybe even take up a niche or | | | | proper work station. Several things have to be |
| service based business. | | | | considered and taken into account. A comfortable |
| Another factor is how much money is there | | | | office chair is an important investment - you will |
| available for investment in the start up, is there | | | | no doubt be spending a lot of time in it, at least |
| finance or support available and how long can you | | | | at first. Portable office equipment is useful, as it |
| support yourself before you need to make a | | | | can be stored away when not being used. A filing |
| profit? A franchise can sometimes be a good | | | | system is essential, especially if you are working |
| opportunity at a time like this, as there is already | | | | in different companies or on different projects. |
| a business plan and corporate strategy in place. | | | | Convenient telephone access is vital and a |
| The truth is that 80% of new start ups fail in the | | | | telephone extension socket for your computer. |
| first two years. 80% of the 20% that make it | | | | Keeping motivated can be a challenge as working |
| are franchises, but it is important to take care to | | | | on your own or from home can be lonely at |
| choose the right business for you. Some of the | | | | times. Structure each day. Have a routine where |
| answers to these questions may well mean that | | | | you get up, have a shower, get ready for work |
| you have to consider reigning in some of your | | | | and then aim to start by a certain time. Proper |
| initial enthusiasm, or perhaps they will mean that | | | | breaks for coffee or lunch are important, and be |
| you have to really work on putting together a | | | | sure to use these breaks to get some fresh air if |
| solid business plan to justify getting a business | | | | possible, so that you get out of the office for a |
| loan. | | | | little while. |
| Choosing what to do and how to start, initially | | | | Use contacts from your business life to keep |
| involves identifying a particular interest or skill that | | | | up-dated in what is going on in the wider business |
| you have and then deciding how to market that | | | | world. Think of making use of networking |
| skill. Sometimes listing those skills and then | | | | opportunities by joining some of the business |
| creating a brand for yourself can be an effective | | | | clubs and associations, looking out for conferences |
| way of marketing yourself and your new | | | | and using the internet social media connections to |
| business. Putting together good quality stationery, | | | | let potential clients know about you and what you |
| by way of flyers, leaflets, business cards, etc can | | | | have to offer. |
| help in promoting yourself as a professional | | | | Self esteem can sometimes be hard to maintain, |
| business rather than as a small scale beginner. It | | | | especially if you were in a high powered job and |
| can be a worthwhile investment and the process | | | | are now starting out again from scratch. |
| of putting it all together can also help you to | | | | Appreciate that it can take time to define your |
| clarify your goals and target market. | | | | new role and the boundaries at first may feel a |
| Be aware of potential scams. Never send off | | | | little unsure or uneasy. Working from home as |
| money to pay for a job and check out what you | | | | well as running a home can sometimes become |
| are looking to get involved in. Get advice. Trust | | | | hard to separate and it may be important to get |
| your instinct. | | | | help at first to allow you to concentrate on |
| Sometimes looking at small companies that may | | | | getting the new venture off the ground. |
| need part time expertise in your field can be a | | | | Sometimes a supportive partner is available to |
| good way of getting into the market, gaining | | | | help. Other times it may be worth paying |
| experience and making connections. They may | | | | someone to help with the domestic chores so |
| not want or be able to afford full time staff, but | | | | that you can really focus on what you need to be |
| a part time option may be an excellent answer to | | | | doing with your time. |