Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

I’ve started my own business

35 replies

Wombatsandstuff · 26/02/2022 18:56

So, I posted on here a few months ago asking about advice for dog walking businesses. I got some great advice and now I’m proud to say I’ve completed a course to give me business advice, dog walking and pet sitting advice, and first aid training. I also have set up my dog walking business.

I’ve got two meet and greets set up for this week. And I’m excited but super nervous. I’m autistic too and it doesn’t really help matters but I’m confident in what I know and can do.

I know I’m boasting and you guys don’t like that. But I’m super happy with myself and needed to share. I’ve come along way in the last 4 years and I’m finally in a place where I can do this.

OP posts:
SlackieBeaver · 26/02/2022 19:13

Well done! Sounds like you have done everything by the book - it's good to hear a positive tail! Sorry for the pun!
Good luck with your new enterprise!

RomeoMcFlourish · 26/02/2022 19:16

A worthy boast, I would say! Well done and good luck!

orio · 26/02/2022 19:20

Well done you!
I used a dog walker for while until I no longer needed her and she was brilliant, I loved that she was super responsive and communicative.
And my dog adored her. I bumped into her once when I was walking him and he made an absolute beeline for her and she made a huge fuss of him, which was lovely Smile

firsttimekat · 26/02/2022 19:21

Brilliant! Wishing you lots of luck with it. And a thank you as someone who uses a pet sitter we couldn't go away without people like you!

girlmom21 · 26/02/2022 19:21

We love a justified boast OP. Well done you!

Hoppinggreen · 26/02/2022 19:24

Well done
Have you got a proper Business Plan?

Wombatsandstuff · 26/02/2022 20:16

@Hoppinggreen

Well done Have you got a proper Business Plan?
Not currently. I should do one but I have no idea where to start.
OP posts:
Wombatsandstuff · 26/02/2022 20:16

Thanks guys, I’m super happy with myself.

OP posts:
whysoserious123 · 26/02/2022 20:23

Awesome !

dontgobaconmyheart · 26/02/2022 21:30

Acknowledging pride and growth in some brilliant personal achievements isn't boasting OP! You are right to feel proud anyway, it sounds like a lot of work and focus has gone into this, and a lot has hen overcome.

Wishing your business every success Wine. Drawing up a basic business model is a good next step, as well as seeking advice on managing and recording the businesses finances, and ensuring you have the correct insurance in place, to cover your own back. One step at a time.

Mogloveseggs · 26/02/2022 21:31

That's amazing! Bloody well done! Wishing you every success for the future!

Octopus37 · 26/02/2022 21:55

Well done ,that's fantastic

FinallyHere · 27/02/2022 08:18

Congratulations, starting up your own business is a really big achievement.

Your next step is to make sure your new business will survive snd thrive. One way to do that is to consider

  • what your minimum costs are, say monthly or weekly over a year. These are things that you need to pay regardless of how many clients you get, so to feed and house yourself, maybe get leaflets printed and to pay any tax due on your earnings and anything like insurance, too
  • the most you could possibly earn, if you had all the clients you could manage. How many dogs could you possibly walk each week / month / year.

It's a good idea to make some allowance for yourself to have a break for holidays and incase you are not very well, so that you target less than that maximum possible.

Thinking ahead, do you know anyone who could do the walking for you if you get ill?

Then work out what your 'break even point' is to make your business viable over the long term by covering at least you minimum costs.

If you don't make at least those minimum costs, your business is not really viable longer term.

Think about whether people commit to using you to walk their dogs long term, regardless of weather and their own holidays. Does it make sense to charge more for one off walks compared to regular daily or weekly business?

Take a piece of paper, fold it down the middle. On one side, set out the minimum you need to earn, then your maximum possible and then set yourself a stretching but achievable target between those two point.

One the other side of the paper, set out your costs, basic plus any costs that depend on how many clients you get.

That piece of paper is now your business plan.

Each month, or maybe each quarter (three months) work out your actual income and actual costs and check how you are doing to your target.

You will see how your business is running, whether you need to expand / get more clients etc. very best of luck.

Hoppinggreen · 27/02/2022 10:16

If it would help I would be more than happy to provide you with some pro bono advice on writing a Business Plan.
Genuine offer with no strings attached.
PM me if you want

Hoppinggreen · 27/02/2022 10:17

Although the above is a pretty good basis for one anyway

youhadmeatjello · 27/02/2022 10:19

Well done op that’s fantastic! Boast away. How lovely to read such a happy positive thread. I hope it’s a great success for you.

caranations · 27/02/2022 10:25

Congratulations, well done.

A proper business plan is only really necessary for a very small business if you need to approach a bank for a loan. Otherwise all you need to do is sit down with a bit of paper and scribble down what you think you will earn and take away your costs. That will show whether you are likely to be successful or not.

The tax year end 21/22 is the 5th April and you aren't going to make the £1,000 income threshold for registering as self-employed by then, but you may do in the tax year 22/23. The HMRC website has all the information on it.

SpaghettiSquash · 27/02/2022 10:36

It sounds like you have every reason to be proud of yourself. Well done! I hope your business goes from strength to strength.

Hoppinggreen · 27/02/2022 12:16

@caranations

Congratulations, well done.

A proper business plan is only really necessary for a very small business if you need to approach a bank for a loan. Otherwise all you need to do is sit down with a bit of paper and scribble down what you think you will earn and take away your costs. That will show whether you are likely to be successful or not.

The tax year end 21/22 is the 5th April and you aren't going to make the £1,000 income threshold for registering as self-employed by then, but you may do in the tax year 22/23. The HMRC website has all the information on it.

I would argue it’s necessary for every business of every size. It doesn’t have to be complicated but there is more to it than incomings and outgoings. If it helps you can look at it as more of a roadmap to get your thoughts in order than a formal document
Gretw · 27/02/2022 12:40

Congrats! I'm in the same boat, autistic and set up a business last year! It's given me so much more confidence in myself and less worries about my future.

With the business plan talk, I didn't do a business plan beyond a postit note with how much I aim to earn.
Do one if you think it will help you but don't stress about it, if it will cause you too much stress.

ButtockUp · 27/02/2022 12:53

Boast away!
Congratulations and all good wishes for you and your business.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/02/2022 13:56

Congratulations! I think I posted on your previous thread :) I'm also an autistic dog walker.

I've never bothered with a business plan and I haven't needed one yet. I make approximately 1.5k per month now after expenses which is more than enough.

I use EasyBooks to track expenses, spends and invoices - never been an issue and it makes doing taxes really easy.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/02/2022 13:57

I would argue it’s necessary for every business of every size.

Depends on what you want to achieve.

I'm a self-employed dog walker and never did a business plan. I started my business on a whim and now make 1.5k per month after expenses.

No business plan necessary here :)

JanetandJohn500 · 27/02/2022 14:05

Whereabouts are you? Do you have a website/Facebook page?

Hoppinggreen · 27/02/2022 14:25

@Wombatsandstuff
You’ve done a great thing starting your Business and I apologise if talk of a Business plan causes you any stress, I hope I didn’t come across as being negative
I am a small Business Mentor so I help people start Businesses all the time which is why I feel some sort of plan (Even a very informal one) is a good idea but as with all things when you own a Business it is ultimately your decision
Best of luck to you, I wish you every success