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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's impossible to come off benefits to start own business?

128 replies

HipHipHippoo · 27/04/2019 15:56

I have been claiming income support for a couple of months after being made redundant from my job. I found another recently but now they've changed the original requirements to include one weekend day which I can't do as I'm a lone parent.

I really want to start my own business as a childrens party organiser. People always remark on my children's parties, and I've organised and hosted them for friends children too. I know it involves weekends too, but I could do it with my DC around. I just know I could make it a success.

I spoke to the advisor at the job centre about how I can survive while establishing my business, whether I can receive partial housing benefit while I'm not earning much at the beginning and so on. She pretty much told me it's not worth the effort Sad

I have no support or savings and am really struggling to survive on benefits. I just don't understand how I can transfer to my own business and survive (without being fraudulent!) Has anyone else managed it and could possibly offer any advice? Or is the advisor right and it's just not possible?

OP posts:
Usuallyinthemiddle · 27/04/2019 16:01

I think you need to look at where your earning opportunities are and if they will offer enough to live on. How many per weekend can you fit in? Would you only get weekend bookings? Is there appetite locally? What are your outgoings? Think about accountants, insurance (you'll need it working with kids I imagine?), corporation tax, VAT etc...
I'd be concerned about where the money will come from if you have a few weeks with no bookings. Can you sign back on?
All this said - follow your dream! (but be prepared for a bumpy ride! )

SihtricsHorseWitnere · 27/04/2019 16:02

It sounds like a business that isn't going to pay a liveable wage. How do you plan to purchase or hire supplies? What's your plan to support yourself during slow times?

I think getting a more formal, regular job first and then saving up and doing your business on the side until it takes off is a far more reasonable idea.

Happyspud · 27/04/2019 16:03

Have you really thought this through? Who on earth is going to pay for a children’s party planner? Unless you live with the rich set in London, and know them, I really can’t see your target market at all?

LittleElle · 27/04/2019 16:07

Remember you can earn £1,000 per year tax free. Could that give you the cushion to figure out if it’s for you?

Original poster
HipHipHippoo · 27/04/2019 16:08

I have been trying to get a regular job but finding a school hours term time only job and paying childcare for 3DC is not easy.

I have most of the supplies I need already. I can charge around £150 per party and £200+ for events and fit in several over a weekend, plus I'd run toddler sessions a couple of times a week. There's a definite gap in the market here for it as there's no toddler groups at all anymore, and very limited party choices.

OP posts:
ConfCall · 27/04/2019 16:11

I think that benefits advisers discourage claimants from setting up businesses that are unlikely to pay a liveable wage OP.

In the days of Tax Credits, there were loads of people with kitchen-table businesses allegedly working 16 hours a week, raking in tax credits, and declaring a pittance - they were making and selling tat on eBay, dabbling in pyramid schemes and the like.

I’m not saying that you’re like that, but you’d probably need to show that it’s going to be a viable business paying the equivalent of minimum wage multiplied by the hours you’re expected to work given the ages of your children.

flowery · 27/04/2019 16:12

Most people who start their own business have a regular job at first, then either save a financial ‘cushion’ to give them breathing space during the early low-or-no income start-up period, or they start the business ‘on the side’ and keep working their regular job at the same time until their own business provides a sustainable income.

SihtricsHorseWitnere · 27/04/2019 16:13

Well, your plan isn't feasible. You'll have to do what everyone else does and find a way to work round your childcare arrangements. Term time only no weekends or hols is pie in the sky for a lot of people. Why is the childrens' father not taking his kids.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 27/04/2019 16:17

Is that including party food? Bags? Invitations? Advertising? INSURANCE?

Original poster
HipHipHippoo · 27/04/2019 16:18

The advisor didn't even ask what the business is. She just said don't bother Hmm

Sihtrics he has walked away from them. One of my DC has SN and couldn't go to holiday clubs so it needs to be term time only.

OP posts:
SihtricsHorseWitnere · 27/04/2019 16:19

What about if someone wants a themed party that you don't have the supplies for? What about income for slow times?

Thingsdogetbetter · 27/04/2019 16:20

You need to do a proper business plan and market research. How many bookings would you realistically get every month (no point in thinking how many you can do if you don't actually get bookings), how big a catchment area can you cover, transport, how long would your supplies last (imagine kids trash most things quite quickly), can you cater themes, advertising etc etc etc. It's possible there are limited party options because there isn't enough call for it.

If plan and market research is positive then you take that back to benefit office. At the moment it's just pie in the sky and they won't take you seriously.

RevealTheLegend · 27/04/2019 16:21

But is there a market in your area for 5 or 6 parties a day at £200 a Pop?

SihtricsHorseWitnere · 27/04/2019 16:21

One of my DC has SN and couldn't go to holiday clubs so it needs to be term time only.

Then how are you going to bring him to work?

You don't have a plan to have a feasible business that will pay a living wage.

mummyhaschangedhername · 27/04/2019 16:21

I the why you can't take the job being a lone parent but I don't get how that is going to work being a party planner. Are you not intending to set up the events etc? Surely the times are going to all be out-with school hours

TwoBlueFish · 27/04/2019 16:24

Does your child who has SN receive DLA? If they do and you are classed as a carer you will have fewer (or none) work commitments.

It is possible to be self employed and get UC www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/how-the-minimum-income-floor-works-if-youre-self-employed/

Hollowvictory · 27/04/2019 16:24

What would you do with your children whilst you are at the party?
By party planner, do you mean party host?
I hired a party planner for my childrens 1st birthdays and for an annual party I hire a children's entertainer. I've also hired a regular party planner to do a party for me.
Do you just plan the party or do you attend to entertain at the party is what I mean?

TheInvestigator · 27/04/2019 16:25

You can't take your kids with you though, especially if one has SN.

If I'm paying for a party organiser then it's because I don't want the hassle of dealing with it all, so I'd expect your undivided attention on my kids and the party activities. I wouldnt be impressed if you turned up with 3 kids of your own (and fed them out of the party food I paid for) and then only paid half your attention to the activities (which you'd want your kids to join in with??). It won't work.

If you're doing it then you do it as a business, not a family day out.

What about the hall hire? £150 a party and you could maybe fit in 2 on a Saturday and 2 on a Sunday so that's £600 over a weekend. But you've got the hall hire or the fee for whatever place the parent picks to pay out for, and the food, and the party bags and the games etc. Or will you offer different packages on top of the £150 fee?

RebootYourEngine · 27/04/2019 16:25

I think you need to speak to a business advisor and go over everything involved in your business idea. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

DantesInferno · 27/04/2019 16:25

Is that including party food? Bags? Invitations? Advertising? INSURANCE? Location to hold it? entertainment?

Hollowvictory · 27/04/2019 16:26

I do think this idea gas potential

Prisonbreak · 27/04/2019 16:27

It’s no different from someone who isn’t on benefits starting a business. I didn’t get to pay a percentage of my mortgage due to a start up company.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 27/04/2019 16:28

I've paid for parties. But that price includes food, bags, entertainment, venue and insurance!
Realistically, you can max 4 per weekend if you're fully booked. Do you have a venue in mind? Can you transport everything plus 3 kids for 2 parties a day? What will your kids do all weekend whilst you're working? (With respect, I don't want 3 kids I don't know at my "professional" party)
Toddler groups - hiring venues, insurance is huge, advertising etc.
You could make it work but I'm it sure you've thought it through...

Order654 · 27/04/2019 16:30

If I'm paying for a party organiser then it's because I don't want the hassle of dealing with it all, so I'd expect your undivided attention on my kids and the party activities. I wouldnt be impressed if you turned up with 3 kids of your own (and fed them out of the party food I paid for) and then only paid half your attention to the activities (which you'd want your kids to join in with??). It won't work*

^ this.

I wouldn’t want your kids there either. You can’t take them with you so how will you work on the weekends ?

Hollowvictory · 27/04/2019 16:32

No you definitely cannot turn up with your own 3 kids.

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