I'll try and be succinct...
Currently work 3x8 hours/week in a well paid but full on role. They let me go part time as worked FT prior to maternity leave - next to impossible to get a similar job with same pay AND less than full time elsewhere. Cons are it's tiring mentally, I've gotten fat (no kitchen just unhealthy expensive canteen), I deal with numerous difficult people, and my commute is 3.5 hours a day the 3 days I work. I have already dropped a fourth day as it wasn't compatible with my home life. Due to commute I can't do any of the nursery pick ups/drop offs. My son is asleep when I leave and it's practically bed time when I get home. I do work with a good bunch of people and it's a very fair company but I was already scouring for something nearer home as I'm tired of early starts, constant traffic and roadworks (80 mile round trip) and I'm a bit stressed. I'm also aware my husband's job is starting to require him to travel a lot more (not overnight) so we are potentially both far away if our child is ill. When school rolls around it'll be very difficult to coordinate.
I've had an unexpected opportunity present itself. My MIL is retiring from her successful business soon which she runs from a home office. All above board, a limited company, doing something I'm more than capable of (her words). She has offered it to me for a reduced fee and has faith in my ability. the offer was made when I asked for her help to find other similar reputable companies to ask about any work going as it appealed to me, she wasn't pushy etc and it came as a pleasant surprise to me.
She is a sensible, intelligent woman and I feel assured of her assumptions. I would inherit all the existing, long standing clients, templates, insider knowledge and freelancer contacts. Also the website and probably other tools. I have professional qualifications and relatable experience to this work. It would all be above board, through the appropriate channels and if I'm interested we can speak to accountant as the first step. I've seen the books, been invoices etc. She has said we could try it out first, she'd do a proper handover, and also liaise with her clients beforehand if we go ahead.
I'm sorely tempted. Am I mad?! I live in a town reliant on tourism. I currently work in IT (non technical role requiring me to be office based most of the time for customer meetings). I've been looking at jobs daily for at least six months. My only other options seem to be doing what I do now for £40-50k but full time with a slightly reduced commute in the nearer city to me, which i don't want, or part time minimum wage within 30 minutes of my home which wouldn't cover my half of the household bills etc.
Potential cons are I'll have no maternity leave or sick pay (I'd get health insurance and a pension sorted), and let's face it, it's daunting being the sole director of a company with no director experience. Pros are I can tighten my belt, work on something I care about, for me (the business hasn't ever advertised, it runs successfully just on word of mouth at present so potential there to grow it), I could choose what work to take on, who to do it, and my own hours. Also no more 5am starts and 1.5 hours between me and picking up my poorly child. My son would stay in nursery while I work.
Thanks for getting this far in my ramble. Am I being naive?