Experimental business idea

[Abigail333]

I am struggling to find a part time job after giving up ft due to unable to change to PT to allow me to care for my 7mo as my husband works 7-7 so can’t start work before then, we live in the countryside far from local shops etc so the starting time is tricky and OH works shifts at weekend so can’t work every weekend and we have no family or friends who can help us and can’t afford childcare

So I decided my current hobby as an illustrator might be an idea for a potential venture to even help bring in a couple of £

I get no benefits or income at all except child benefit so we are living solely on OHs wage which isn’t a lot but enough for bills

Has anyone began an experimental business where they dont know how if it will work out or where to begin.
I dont know anything about tax etc so unsure what to do if the business only sold a few items (if any)

Any advice?

[Leafyhouse]

What's your broadband connection like? Do you have access to a PC or Mac, or any Illustration software? You should start looking at marketplaces like Fiverr.com or People Per Hour - a lot of illustrators work in that field, and if you can fulfil a niche, then you've got a ready market.

[floppyflappy]

I was going to suggest Fiverr too.

I'm self-employed and only have a very modest income and I would recommend Quickbooks for keeping track of income and expenses. It's really easy to use and it works out the figures for putting on your tax declaration form thingies.

Get googling about your tax responsibilities when setting up a small business so you don't get caught out.

Good luck!

[Abigail333]

I never even considered fiverr, I’ve heard of it but never explored!

Internet and PC are great and I work a lot with digital and traditional so would be a platform I could try.

Thanks for giving me the idea :) x