New ventures in 2024

[NWQM]

Happy New Year all and hopefully for me it will include venturing out of the NHS and into being self employed. Scary at over 50 but exciting too. Have been reading the threads here - and one in AIBU about reviews - and so thought I would ask for your top tip and top thing to shy away from.

If it might make a difference my business will be micro suction for ear wax removal. Plan is to do some clinics by hiring space and home visits. I will not be offering hearing tests. I am qualified etc and sourced insurance. Advertising will need to be via social media and word of mouth at least at first.

I think you need a website. I wouldnt see someone offering this service without a website as credible. You can build a simple one in wix or squarespace. It doesn't need to be complicated. But you will need to target location keywords eg Ear Suction Services in Leeds

Then I would set up a Google Business profile - this is free and very important for service businesses.

Social media won't provide you with the traffic, I imagine for what you're doing it's mostly Google. I wouldnt follow an ear suction account until I had an issue and then I would Google it for my local area.

Hope that helps and good luck

I'd also imagine you need a booking system and to take payment prior to the session

Thank you both. Very good points. I have been pondering the payment up front v deposit debat

You will need to take payment prior and have a consent form etc. Lots of software does this, do some demos and see which you like.

It's really hard to start a business with no upfront costs. Look for a software you can pay monthly so if it didn't work out you could cancel it.

I work full time with small service businesses so I see this every day

Will these micro suctions be DIY or you have to be there to do it? Have you thought about DIY kits for this? You could get this device patented and get some funding to produce more of them.

Hi OP,

just resurrecting this thread to see how you got on with your venture? I’m contemplating something similar after being in the NHS for many years and would love to hear how it worked out for you. Happy to chat via DM if you would prefer?