Has any mums recently set up own business (shop)

[Startover23]

I’ve decided to go for it. Yes, I know it’s not a great time to start a new business. But my kids are both at Primary school from next year.
I worked over 20 years in the public sector. Now feel it’s time to do something for me and the children.

Ive been looking at renting local commercial premises and it’s pricy.

Also looking into maybe a pop up shop.
I have some savings and looking into government loans.

It would be great to chat to others who’ve done this or starting up a business in coming months.

Thank you

It's a hard time to be setting us a business! What will you sell?

As someone who, after twelve years, is having to face reality that I may well be closing my retail business within a year, I would say that you need a lot more than a bit of savings behind you. You need several years worth of money to cover your own salary, that of staff, shop fittings and furniture, and your fixed outgoings. Bear in mind you will have to sign a lease on property too, which is often several years.
You won't get a government loan. You'll struggle to get a bank loan unless you do it in your personal name (hard without any income to back it up) or put your house up as collateral (really not advisable).
Proceed with extreme caution if you do not have the funds. Now is not the time to be setting up a retail business.
And FYI, I don't have retail premises and my business premises lease is up so I only have to give a month's notice. I haven't even had to cover energy costs as my rent is all in, so I am incredibly lucky.

Don't do it. A premises-based business that is, unless you can afford to lose £100k. Not saying you would, but I shut after 10 years because was hit by the 2008 recession. It hurt. Suppliers need paying, costs inc the VATman, utilities, rates etc are high. In retail you need a good margin and that's hard these days unless you have mega buying power, or what you produce yourself is exceptional and appeals to HNWIs who aren't affected by the Cost of living crisis.
Be self employed by all means but offer your services, rather than goods.

Or stay online only. I run a pretty successful women’s fashion boutique online only. I work from home and sell via my website getting traffic from my email list and social media.

It’s not easy and I work bloody hard - but the overheads are reasonably low compared to a premise based business.

Thank you @DelilahBucket @Lysianthus @Namechange1345677 @EssexCat for your replies.

I will take it all on board and give some serious thought.

@EssexCat i did think about starting off with a online business initially.

I will PM you. Thank you.
@DelilahBucket sorry to hear about your situation.