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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want something for myself? Small business ideas/side hustle

11 replies

Singlemum90 · 20/09/2022 11:33

So I am very fortunate to be a SAHM because my husband makes good money. I know I'm very lucky for this and have enjoyed being at home . however!! I am also bored out of my freaking mind. I have 4 kids who are now all school age.
I am not short of qualifications-think a couple of degrees & previously a professional career, however after being at home for a number of years I have zero confidence to go back to the industry I was in as it was difficult then and the industry is ever changing.

I also had an incident where I resigned from a post because of how I was being treated and after I resigned the boss was quite negative about my performance, told me I was useless really. Until then I had thought I was doing ok but yeah, years of working towards a goal in an industry where my confidence is now in bits! Maybe he was pissed I was leaving, who knows. I did have a job after this in the same industry and it was ok, but only for a short time. I am low confidence in myself anyway but he has made me believe I can't make it in that industry. I am too old really to retrain but still want to work. I feel like my bain is being wasted running after children, cleaning and cooking.

So on to the good stuff, what do you do to make money!? If it's a side hustle, how much do you make & how did you get into it? If you retrained how old were you and how tough was it to break into your industry? I would love to start my own business as to be honest I work well on my own, but I don't know in what! Help and advice for someone trying to gather a piece of their life for themselves please! I could use a small amount to start up, but probs only a couple of thousand max. Any ideas!? I was so determined and career focused, I miss those days. I would LOVE something for myself again!

OP posts:
ThisisCollie2022 · 20/09/2022 11:38

I'm with you, we sound very similar. One tiny difference is that I've been made redundant and open to an actual job.
And I've been looking for a new role for a while but it looks like I'm in the 2.7% of unemployable people as I'm finding it difficult to get a job offer (on site, hybrid and remote!).

So I too am looking at starting up on my own. I do digital marketing and have a few clients but I'd like to bring in more money somehow.

A job would suit me better as i love the office environment but when they have 300+ applicants per role then no wonder I'm struggling.

Following for advice :)

ZellyFitzgerald · 20/09/2022 11:38

No advice OP but following this thread.....I'm in the same situation. Looking to go back to work (qualifications in veterinary medicine) which is hard to get back into once there's been a significant gap, which in my case has been about 5 years.

Singlemum90 · 20/09/2022 12:19

Thanks ladies, it does seem that there is such a negative association with employers too when you explain why you have been off for a number of years. It would be lovely to leave my old career and the negative feelings I now have for it behind and move into something new now I can focus on work again. Hopefully not a pipe dream!

Thisiscollie is there a way for you to advertise your services more if you already have some of you own clients in order to make more money that way? Or consulting for other companies? Do you have you own company and website etc? I know nothing of digital marketing but it does seem a very competitive field!

Kelly do you have any old vet friends who might get you an in? I hear it is quite a tight knit community so maybe reaching out to old colleagues may help-if you want to go back to that field of course.

I love my husband and he is amazing not only with providing but around the house and with the children but honestly some days I could kick him when he says he would love to be a SAHP. Some days it is just so mind-numbingly boring!

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 20/09/2022 12:30

What are your qualifications and professional background in? You’ll be in a better position to hit the ground running and offer credibility to potential clients if you branch off what you’re already experienced in and can demonstrate you have good knowledge of, even if it’s only in transferable skills. Requalifying in something and then trying to build a reputation alongside actually making money is going to be time intensive if you’re just looking for a few hours a week working around the DC.

I provide clerking and governance services freelance to schools, small charities and community groups who don’t have the provision for doing this in house. My full time career is in governance and company secretarial, so apart from initially needing to get up to speed on education and charity regulation and so on, it wasn’t difficult to get started and my initial outlay was small. The idea is, eventually, to try and make it my sole source of income, although for now I’m Company Secretary to a large global insurance group and really enjoy it so not looking to downsize quite yet.

BunnyMum2000 · 20/09/2022 13:08

Hi,

Do you have any hobbies?
What do you enjoy doing?

I taught myself to sew and crochet about 9 years ago .. and started selling my stuff about 6 years ago (on and off), fitting it around work and the children.

Last year I took the leap and quit my job, so I could just focus on my business.
I mean I'm never going to be a millionaire from it, but I now get to do what I love, be my own boss, and have complete flexibility to work around my children's needs (school run etc)

Do you have a passion you could pursue?

Singlemum90 · 20/09/2022 13:11

Thank you ComtesseDeSpair! It sounds like you have used your skills successfully to create an extra income! I honestly want very little to do with my previous career as it has such a negative association in my mind now. It was finance related but I guess would cover several areas-administration, etc as well as finance. I have a degree in Psychology as well but never used it and this was 15+ years ago now. I do understand your point about sticking around the areas I know though. I am not opposed to working full time as my older DC are now off to 'big school' I just would love some ideas as to what people do that I may not have thought of.

OP posts:
Singlemum90 · 20/09/2022 13:22

BunnyMum2000 I don't! With the 4 children my life has revolved around them for so many years I'm sad to say I neglected my hobbies. There are a few things I do enjoy, such as painting but it is very much just for fun and no one would mistake me for an artist! I am going to have a long think about other things I enjoy though as this is a great idea to get started in something new. It sounds like you have made a business from something you enjoy that works for your family and honestly that is the dream. Well done you!

OP posts:
gogohmm · 20/09/2022 13:26

I used my skills from the corporate world to benefit the non profit sector who tend to be more flexible on hours and understanding all around (in return for significantly lower pay). I enjoy my job, it's not enough to contribute significantly to the household but I run my car, pay for all my personal expenses etc out of it now kids are older (I paid for holiday childcare when they were smaller of course, but worked school hours so no term time care)

girlfriend44 · 20/09/2022 14:10

I've got a good one.

It's something I do a monthly basis it's great fun too which is a bonus but I'm not wanting to share on here.

Singlemum90 · 20/09/2022 15:31

Gogohmm that sounds really ideal. So you enjoy it more than the corporate world?

Girlfriend44 sounds intriguing, I'd love to know something I'd only have to do once a month!

OP posts:
Dodie66 · 20/09/2022 15:56

I know somebody who started their own business doing gardening. They weren’t happy in their previous job and that made them I’ll so they left. Then they gradually built up a business doing general gardening, weeding mowing lawns, planting and then got into designing and planning gardens a bit for customers and now have a thriving business and love it. Much happier and healthier too

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