Finding time to set up a second business - how does anyone do it?

[SimLondon]

So I work full-time as a freelance IT contractor and having had just over a year off to have LO, (ran out of savings and started hitting the cards) I can't afford to take any time off at all for at least a year. I have 1.5 hour commute each way but I'm quite lucky with my current client in that my working day is quite short so I'm home by around 6.20 to spend time with LO and do bath/bed.

I would like to set up an online business selling jewellery, both that which i make myself and ready made, so that one day that will pay the bills - a pipe dream maybe but I know that people out there do make at least a part-time income out of selling on ebay, Amazon and their own websites.

But when to find the time, I'm worn out just working, doing my own bookwork and keeping on top of the household chores.

So I'm just wondering how other mums cope with expanding their business, work/life balance etc

I cut everything down in to small chunks and use an app called "Remember the milk". When I say small chunks, I mean s.m.a.l.l!

E.g., on my list right now I have things such as:-

• change background colour of x website to be navy blue
• elongate logo for x website
• print document y
• Tweet new offer

I take advantage of scheduling software such as Hootsuite and schedule tweets in advance - although it's good to engage in real time activity - if I can sit down on a saturday afternoon and schedule 20 tweets for the next week it helps.

I have all my email accounts synched to my phone so I can see where I am and if I need to pick something up later, again, I make it a mini-task.

I have 2 under 2 and the littlest one was diagnosed with reflux yesterday (after 17 weeks ) - I work full-time and am getting my business off the ground. I also have a horse which I ride 4/5 times a week - so lots to do!

For your commute, do you drive or are you on public transport? If on public transport that's a lot of organising you can be doing!

I try and get up before everyone else, or stay up after everyone else.

Thanks AlpinePony - you sound very busy, I guess I need to come up with a weekly to do list.

A list is good, but don't let it make you feel bad if you have a bad day with the children and things slip a day or two. Allow it to be flexible, yet at the same time when you make your list/overview at the beginning of the week - try and ascertain what your actual goals are for that week.

E.g., it might be "get 20 necklaces on the website" or "find the cheapest online payment system".

They have to be goals which are measurable and attainable - yet at the same time realistic.

Every Friday I take note of what I've achieved during the week and compare it to what I wanted to achieve, this way you've got an idea of whether you're on track or not - perhaps you're asking too much of yourself?

Then, on a Monday (Sunday or whenever) I re-read my notes from Friday so I know exactly where I am and can pick up again. It stops me thinking "right, what shall I get started on?" and running around like a headless chicken.

It sounds boring and "adminy" - but it really does help your focus.

Good luck!

PS If you do find the cheapest online payment method please let me know! Cheapest I've seen so far is about 30 dollars a month for creditcard payments!

PayPal was the cheapest when I last looked which was a while back, £20 a month plus transaction fee.

Now if only I could think of a name...

Can you "outsource" any of what you currently do? Get a cleaner etc? Is there a way to free up sometime during the week when you could work on it? Dropping a few hours from you client etc?

I freelance 4 days a week, spend 1 day with DS. I also do a lot of stuff in the evenings too. When it is your own business it feels like it is never "done"!

I have recently started using the "Get Things Done" productivity system, based on David Allen's book. I use Evernote, which is like Don't Forget the Milk Alpine mentions. (Alpine seriously impressed that you do all that you do and have the energy to launch your new biz inc going networking).It has an app, a web version and a downloaded programme. It focuses on next actions as opposed to whole projects. There is a GTD community out there if you do get into it.

Could you start off selling via existing platforms like Etsy or Ebay? A good way to test what sells etc and a quick way to get started?

Good luck!

Oh Yeh, I'm a massive fan of GTD!

Imo, paypal doesn't look very professional, plus they're pure bastards of course. I did see someone advertising on UK business forums for 10 a month I think it was, but it very much varies according to the number of transactions.

Etsy is a great site, but I believe they take 25% commission and again imo, it's a horrible site to navigate.

Well I have a name and domain now, I plan to use WP elegant themes and eshop or similar, and look to sell on other sites as well e.g etsy, not sure about eBay, do people buy more expensive things from there? I always go to eBay when I'm looking for a bargain.

Logo is another thing that seems important, i guess thats a job for tonight's commute home, to pick out some logos I like the look of. AP can I ask if you had one designed or you did it yourself?

Time management seems really important, the ghd app looks quite complicated, Things looks a bit simpler but is quite pricey for an app!

Great, sounds like you are nearly there!

Not sure it matters what app/system you use, as long as you stick to it. You need to regulary review where you are etc. Evernote is free, there is a pro version but I've not found the need for it.

I had a logo designed. I personally think it pays to have one done. There are designers on this thread or I know a couple of cheap ones if you PM me. But if you have the skill you can do it yourself. I started by looking at others I liked too.

How exciting though! Do you have products ready to sell?

I haven't had a logo done, well I got one from fiverr.com and didn't like it.

I'm reluctant to put any money in to an "unecessary" thing at this stage - I.e., until I get a customer! But maybe I should reconsider. You know what I mean? All my stationery is freebies from vistaprint type stuff. If I make money I'll invest in all that stuff but I'm really bootstrapping right now.

I personally think a logo when you first start out is important, as it might be the only thing people "see" of you and for me freelancing is my main "job" so I thought it was worth investing....however as I am in marketing I would say that!

I know people (including a training person like you) who have managed with a homemade logo and no website for years and they are still successful....Sorry to hijack Sim!

watersign (yes, sorry to hijack sim!) - that's what I'm divided about it - I think it is important - yet a woman I've been using as a mentor is incredibly successful and her website is absolute pants (no logo, no design) and she's adamant about not wasting money on that because all her business is word-of-mouth and quality of product.

Gah!

There are benefits to waiting. The logo you think you need now could be different to one you would commission in a year's time after a year of trading your offer could be slightly different/refined etc. Plus if you save up, it will be satisfying to buy it with your profits!!

Tried to reply to this on the train on the way home and spent the whole 30 minutes trying to get a signel!

About the logo, I am actually erring on the side of doing something very very simple myself for now and hoping it looks understated and elegant :-) if that proves impossible and it looks awful then i will have to think again. Making silver jewellery just to practise with is pretty expensive. I don't have a lot of products ready to go either, the pearl bracelets/necklaces are fine, but the silver ideally I need to practise a bit more, so the range won't be huge but it can grow gradually - I'd love to do course on ring setting sometimes this year. I'm hoping that by posting here it will help keep me motivated to spend my spare time on this - in fact I think I will post my to do list later :-)

I don't have a website or anything for my main freelance work, I only joined linkedin this year as I was coming back after a year out to have LO, its pretty much been word of mouth and going via agencies so I guess it depends what industry your in as to how important it is, what area are you setting up in AlpinePony?