To ask if you have your own business?

[thecatinthetwat]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if any of you have started your own business?

How did you do it and did it work out?

Would love to hear your success stories or indeed failures..

Yes just started! I don't even have a website yet. Google Business gateway to get advice . HMRC website super helpful to figure out if wanted to be freelancer or own limited co w shares. Once I figured it out, the website took me through more advice and through the registray process to get a company no. I found joining IPSE really fantastic, esp their templates for contracts etc. All high street banks offer free 12-24 mo business banking - the key to get that is to include the words 'start up' in your search. Also you need a 'competent' or chartered accountant. I've not done that yet either. First failure: I bought QuickBooks regular instead of QuickBooks self employed and had to switch.

Yes myself and OH run an IT company, started small in our garage, moved into shared office then our own office. All customers are through B2B referrals, word of mouth. It's very hard work, lots of responsibilities, and stressful at times.

Would gladly sell up & live a quiet life tbh. I'm hoping to be out of the day to day stuff in a few years as it's draining. That said, working from home is possible, I can come and go at times to suit me, take holidays with flexibility.

Yes, I have 2 businesses, one a franchise we have had for 6 years, the other a coffee shop I started from scratch 2 years ago. Both hard graft but generally worth it. I never miss anything at school, I'm able to take plenty of time off over the holidays, pays a decent wage...I couldn't imagine working for anyone else, even if in the early days I was earning barely nothing for 80plus hour weeks!

I'm just winding down my catering business after 10+ successful years so I can spend more time doing as little as possible. Had a great time, met some wonderful people and am financially secure. :)

Just a few more bookings left and I'm done.

Oh fantastic guys, thanks for all your stories!

Best of luck to user just starting out and to those of you winding down too!