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Original poster

What have I done..

168 replies

AllThisBatshitteryAndMore · 11/07/2025 16:07

I gave up my office job, and tried to start my own business. Ive just done my books and the past 6 months have generated £44 after taking out all my supplies and mileage etc. I am so embarassed after all my talk of working for myself, I have absolutely stuffed it. I am living off savings and another PT job, but wow, I feel so stupid. So what do I do now? Admit to everyone its awful and throw in the towel or suck it up?

OP posts:
Pennyforyourthoughtsplease · 12/07/2025 02:47

Onthemaintrunkline · 12/07/2025 02:34

I agree with SheridansPortSalut, if there is no doubt in your mind pull the pin.
Honestly, besides you who is going to give a second thought as to whether you continued or not, who else does it matter too? You’ve tried it, good on you for that, you didn’t like it, move on. Sooner or later you’re going to have to have an income, probably sooner than later.

Cast around get another office job if that’s where your skills lie or apply/think of another income stream.

Show quote history

Agree. It's brave to take a risk. You tried it, didn't like it so now trying something else

Noshadelamp · 12/07/2025 02:48

Why would you keep doing something that you don't like and doesn't earn you enough money?

Who do you think you have to tell?

There's no shame in trying something new.

You had an idea, possibly a dream, you've given it a go, it's not what you expected, it hasn't worked out, it's not a big deal.

HardworkSendHelp · 12/07/2025 02:55

I am self employed!! I don’t love the work but I worship the money and the freedom of having no boss. You need to go back to the office job.

Dustyblue · 12/07/2025 02:55

Hey, at least you tried!

If it's not working, it's not working. I wouldn't keep flogging it if you feel this way.

There's no shame in trying something new- most 1st businesses fail anyway.

Don't beat yourself up over it. Find another office job to tide you over and have a rethink.

Weepixie · 12/07/2025 02:59

Op, I don’t know what you need from your thread so it’s difficult to know how to try and help you.

If you really don’t like what you’re doing and it’s not making you any money then give it up and go back to office work.

And you’ve mentioned difficult people - was that everyone? Or were there also people around you who you could work alongside?

Is doing an admin job where you can work from home an option?

PrincessFairyWren · 12/07/2025 03:06

Just get another job and finish up the business. Your heart isn’t in it and it isn’t working for you.

there will be people in your circle that say “I told you so” but they are just dicks. Then everyone will forget about it in a month.

PumpkinPieAlibi · 12/07/2025 03:07

Sounds like OP just doesn't want to work...either as a self-employed children's entertainer or in an office job.

I mean, I get it to a point - work can be stressful and anxiety-inducing but unless you're born to generational wealth or win the lotto, what else can you do?

fount · 12/07/2025 03:14

Not all offices are the same. Don't feel bad about trying something different and realising it wasn't what you thought it would be. That's the only way to know for certain if something will work for you. Now that you know it's not a good fit, you can look for a different office job. With luck, you may find an office that you like better. There will always be annoyances, but some places and groups are easier than others.

MrsPositivity1 · 12/07/2025 03:21

Did you do this job part-time before you gave up your office job?

TourdeFrance25 · 12/07/2025 03:34

AllThisBatshitteryAndMore · 12/07/2025 01:41

Everyone is missing the point. I just don't like the work. It's stressful, it's hot, I just don't like finding work and doing it. I wanted something I could do for myself and please myself. But I don't like it! I should have just stayed in a office job but that was full of people that were difficult to work with

Oh just stop it. You're being rude & dramatic now. You started being a kids entertainer, not building an empire employing thousands. No one's going to care if you stop doing it.

you're not enjoying it, just stop doing it ! Get a job, get some money coming in & then decide 'what next'

maybe something WFH or a different 'work for yourself' (dog walking?)

TourdeFrance25 · 12/07/2025 03:38

Orderofthephoenixparody · 12/07/2025 01:57

You like being told what to do and when to do it. Running a business no one but you controls what is going on and how you work. I would love to be an entertainer. Before COVID I was a DJ with my partner. The only thing holding me back is not having a licence and where I live I need a licence.

What's stopping you getting a licence?

TheKhakiQuail · 12/07/2025 04:09

Sometimes it just takes time to get a business up and running, or the costs and prices need tweaking. But as you've said you don't like the work, and its not profitable, there is absolutely no shame in doing something else, like getting a job doing something that pays better and/or you think you would enjoy more. At least you won't spend your life wondering if you should have started your own business, which quite a few people do.

steff13 · 12/07/2025 04:55

Did you have experience as a children's entertainer prior to starting this endeavor?

I'm not exactly sure what you're looking for with this thread. If you don't like it and you don't want to do it anymore then there's nothing wrong with going back to a regular job.

Or are you looking for ideas to make the job more enjoyable? I don't understand why it would be hot unless you're wearing costumes? If that's the case then maybe you could adjust the type of entertainment that you provide so that you don't have to wear a costume. And finding work shouldn't be all that difficult either you just need to advertise. You can do that on Facebook and Instagram and places like that for free.

Broken12 · 12/07/2025 04:59

£20 per hour is extremely cheap for a kids entertainer - would be more like £100 in my area.

however, if you hate it then it doesn’t matter what you make. Life is too short for that. You were brave, have it go, it didn’t work out so quit now and try something else x

babyproblems · 12/07/2025 05:01

You need an actual plan. You should be able to know in advance really what you will be earning if you work xx amount of hours. If you have a base of customers and there is demand; I’d make a proper financial plan and look properly at your pricing structure.
You clearly haven’t done these things or you’d be less shocked! You need to be able to say ‘if I do X and X and X, I will get XX result’

equally if you hate it, you don’t have to continue. Entirely your choice and no one else’s!

AnyoneWhoHasAHeart · 12/07/2025 05:23

On average it takes three years for a business to generate profit because of initial outlay etc. if you’re not enjoying it then jack it in. If you’re just frustrated that you’re not making enough money then you haven’t given it nearly enough time and you need to be patient.

whackamole666 · 12/07/2025 05:26

AllThisBatshitteryAndMore · 11/07/2025 21:25

I think I just hate the work. I'm reluctant to take jobs on. I find it too hot

Edited

Give it up and go back to being an employee.

Optimustime · 12/07/2025 05:31

Surely a kids entertainer is a weekend job? Why quit the office job at all?

MadeofCheeese · 12/07/2025 05:37

Please don't be too hard on yourself. I would love to set up my own business but I don't have the courage. You did it! If it doesn't improve and you need to go back to an office job you need to hold you head up high. You took a risk, learned new things. Life is for learning and trying. I wish you all the best but know you should be proud of your courage 😊

MadeofCheeese · 12/07/2025 05:39

Oh and a note agreeing with PPs. I'm spending 250 for two hours entertainer this weekend!

chatgptsbestmate · 12/07/2025 05:43

You need a business plan. Work the business model through (with an accountant if necessary) to see where its projected to go.

Then either stick with it or dump it and choose a different business (and do plan) or go back to paye work

Houndsahollering · 12/07/2025 05:45

Well if you don’t like doing it OP then wrap it up. You’ve already said you don’t want to accept work because you don’t enjoy it, so if you continue in that vein you’ll end up flat broke.

Theres nothing wrong with, as you have, trying something and then discovering it isn’t what you want. But to continue throwing money at it when your heart is no longer in it is quite frankly foolish.

Tumblingthrough · 12/07/2025 05:46

What have you done?

Well you have left a job you don’t like to do another you don’t like, which is less hours and no money.

Your options are to find another job you do like or adapt what you’re currently doing so it’s enjoyable and profitable.

JustMyView13 · 12/07/2025 05:50

‘What have I done…’

You have:

  • tried something new
  • fulfilled a (likely) dream
  • learnt about the joys and pitfalls of running your own business
  • realised it isn’t for you long term

Better to give something a go and decide it’s not for you, than live a lifetime wondering what if.
Running a business is tough. Very few make profit in year 1. If you hate it, fold the business and get an office job. You don’t have to tell people your finances - you can just say ‘a great opportunity came up and I couldn’t say no’.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 12/07/2025 05:50

If you dont like it then stop doing it and find a job.

There's no need to keep doing something you hate.

You thought you would enjoy it, you tried it, realised it wasn't for you and stopped.