Business founders support thread

[Whatwouldbuffydo]

Hi! Would anyone be interested in a support/advice thread for those running small businesses? What kind of businesses do people run?

I started my tutoring business in November 2018 but have only really taken on more clients since September. I still feel like I've got so much to learn!

I'm finding that I'm spending a lot of time travelling to my students so I'm thinking of offering a discount next year if students travel to me or restricting the number of students each week I'll travel to.

It's tricky as I don't want to lose work but there are some days where I seem to spend longer driving than teaching! Has anyone else with a business like mine where you travel to clients found a good solution to this?

[speakout]

HI, I run a small craft business, I sell online. Smallish- just under VAT threshold, so very busy. A very niche/quirky flavour to my products, I supply shops and sell a lot overseas, especially to the US. In the process of bukding a web site, but my biggest challenge is volume of orders. I sell on Amazon and ebay, but have to set holiday pause up every couple of weeks as my order volume is overwhelming.

[Ohnoducks]

Hi everyone, can I join you? I've been running a health and fitness business for about 3 years (exercise classes mostly but lots of different styles and ages, retreats too, team of over 15 people, health and fitness always sounds spammy and MLMish!) but we've been shut down a long time so I've spent lockdown trying to start up a new business which I hope to launch next week.

[Treatedlikeamaid]

Can I join too! Been trying to get illustration/design going for years, nit helped by stroppy dh - who is suddenly helpful, so am now under pressure!
I’m with you gypsy! I think especially when you are offering something you have created it’s a different mindset. Was told to just create, it’s up to everyone else if they want it or not. Found that helped! A bit 😀

[DanielleCrofts]

Yes, I felt compelled to start ul a Ltd company after all my freelance contracts were cancelled due to COVID. But with my 4 year old taking up 90% of my waking hours there's not much I can seriously do. I feel like it's a waiting game until schools go back properly. In the meantime I'm just building up my content and followers so I'll have some basis for launching products that can make a proper profit. Good luck everyone!

[Jonathan1234]

Hi. I've a small B2B mkting agency in London and am seeking individuals either 1) from the creative media and advertising sector (ideally with wide range of channel expertise) or 2) from the performance marketing & analytics side of things, interested in helping to take the business to the next level, help it develop an innovative & disruptive reputation and also being a part of the business moving forwards. Team players only please! Just having exploratory chats at the mo if of interest?

[Turefu]

I've been running my cleaning business for ten years. I started by working by myself, then took some people. But my son was born, I concentrated on him, just kept a few clients, my workers left eventually, I didn't replace them. Now my son is bigger and I want more. I'd like to build up proper cleaning company. It's hard always and even harder now.

[GypsyWanderer]

@Whatwouldbuffydo just to add I am a huge Buffy fan here! Love your profile name x

[GypsyWanderer]

Hi everyone I thought I’d join! I was working on starting my business (As an editor and writer for women) when this pandemic hit and then obviously everything went up in the air! I’m now feeling ready to set it up, website almost finished so could possibly start in the next couple of weeks officially.

But I’ve now got the wobbles. I’m feeling less motivated for sure, wondering how I’m supposed to fit it in with home educating 4 children, but also thinking is anybody going to actually hire me now? Surely it’s not the best time to start a business during a pandemic! But on the other hand we could really do with the extra money obviously and this has been a dream of mine for so long now.

I’m totally torn. Anyone else dealing with similar?

[anewdispensation]

I run a tech startup. Been doing it part time since 2015 and just took the plunge to do it full time this year after raising some funding.
I’m in the anxious WTF stage as I am now looking to expand, hire staff, move offices and build the next version of the platform...

[Whatwouldbuffydo]

Thesmelliesthouse, lol how dare you make them pull their weight? I live alone (apart from the cat) so I've got no one to help blame for the mess!

[Whatwouldbuffydo]

Leafyhouse- I've definitely found the responsibility more than I thought it'd be. I've also found I've taken on too much and then ended up overwhelmed. It's tricky as you just don't want to turn work away!

I can completely understand that! Is there anyway you could scale down your business and have a part time job? I work part time elsewhere as well as my business and it does take the pressure off a bit as I know I've got a certain amount each month coming in. Are you still enjoying the actual work you are doing? Is it just not being able to switch off that you dislike?

[undercoveraessedai]

Go on then :) side hustles since 2009, full time since mid 2018 here! Running to an appt but will catch up later!

[TheSmelliestHouse]

Leafyhouse what about hiring a book keeper etc to do the stuff you don't want to, and you just do your core role?

[TheSmelliestHouse]

Self employed since last January. Kids and husband quite annoyed with the hours I work (as they're now having to pull their weight hahaha)

[Leafyhouse]

It's hard isn't it? So much responsibility, I just want to sell up and forget about everything. I just yearn for a day when I've got literally nothing to do, where I can switch off at 5pm. Been in business since 2007, but it's time to quit now, and get a nice steady 9-5 job where I don't have to plot my next payslip on a spreadsheet or I don't get paid.