The 1k-per-month crew....anyone still around?

[Redoubtable]

Inspired by the the original thread I got my ass-into-gear and started my own business, based at home. I have a professional qualification but had always worked 'for' a variety of employers.

I had dipped a toe into the self-employed water, but only as a 'hobby' really; as a way of keeping current until I returned to the world of 'proper' work once kids are older.

Circumstances changed drastically and I find myself needing to work to keep myself and DC. But needing the flexibility of being self-employed so that I can be here for them.

I was hugely inspired by the many people on there who were encouraging other women to think of 1K per month as a minimum.

My little business, while not yet at earning 1k per week is growing faster than I anticipated. I am on my way....which I dont think I would be were it not for the wonderful people on the original thread who were so supportive.

I'm on the laptop at the moment, as I have 4 pieces of work to finish and bill today; 4 clients who would have gone elsewhere. My phone rang yesterday with a new client source, which I would never have reached if I hadn't put my name out in a particular forum.
All of this stemmed from the inspiration I got from the people on here.

I'm starting this thread to see how people are doing (several of you stuck in my head).

Screwing up my courage every day, to put myself out there is still daunting. How do you do it?

Red - I'm lucky in that I enjoy pitching new ideas. I met with a big potential client yesterday and had so much fun chatting through the things I could do for his business.

I also get a kick out of brainstorming (or thought showering or whatever the PC term is) for my own businesses. I bought a giant bubble kit recently and plan to get my workshop clients running around the garden making giant bubbles as an unleashing creativity exercise. I can't wait to get started on that one

Happy Easter ; was away for a few days...surprise trip with my mum.

Billy how is your head today? I was reading Seth Godin over the weekend, and one of things he said (mis-quote but it's the general idea) that
you can be confident when things are going well, because you get a boost from your success. Being confident the rest of the time is a decision you make.

I'm thinking about that a lot!

waiting I am agog to know what how you can build bubble blowing into work for clients! It sounds awesome.

Hi all, I'm also working through Paul McKenna's I can make you rich, from the library. I'm finding it really surprisingly good.

Its lots about imagining really clearly what 'rich' looks like for you (which got me realising that a garden bench in the garden would go quite a long way for me - since bought for £50) and then lots of visualisation exercises. Bits about switching images of what you already feel confident with images of you in a successful 'rich' setting - hard to explain, but actually amazingly powerful. And one exercise I've really liked is writing down each day for a month 10 ways you could earn money, e.g. sell clothes on ebay, last job, new job, babysitting, etc - so you have a list of 300 options by end. Again turns it from feeling scarcity to feeling well wow there are so many things I could do.

Hi, great rich tips, and good use of libraries as a resource!
I've still got one DC on school holidays, and am torn between wanting to spend time with her and needing to close all the party bookings that came in over the BH weekend.
Business is certainly gaining momentum, enquiries are starting to come in from people stumbling across my website rather than me pushing marketing.
I need to develop my book sales though, they've stalled lately (annoyingly, just at the "in profit" boundary!)
Roll on Monday, DCs back at school for a few weeks at least and I can have a productive May to make up for April.

Can I stick my head in please ? I'm setting up a small business with a friend after trying to buy one which turned out not to have the planning permission it needed so I pulled out and we're planning to go the start small with no overhead route instead.

Am going to read old thread and get motivated.

Welcome in, Wynken!
What kind of business? We're a varied bunch here!

Hi all - I'm currently somewhat behind you all as I'm aiming at £100 per month for now. Some months I exceed this, but some months I fall far behind. A combination of also being a full time SAHM to a very active, imaginative (as in - good at imagining ways of causing me trouble) two year old and focusing on building bits of the business that aren't immediately financially viable, but will add value in the longer term.

Definitely interested in discussions on here, even reading all your posts has given me a bit of a boost to push harder on the sales front and cut back on the other stuff for a while. I do do some skill swaps with local businesses, too, though, which I should probably factor in as they have value too.

As well as the MN LE stuff I do press work and PR for small businesses, though think I'd like to refine that to 'press campaigns and social media advice' as I don't really have the capacity to do long-running projects at the moment.

Thanks InmySpareTime, it's a little plant nursery. Just been looking over logo designs and feel motivated.

Ah! I thought I recognised the username from the gardening boards.

it was actually 1000 a day if I recall rightly.
There was even a facebook group but they deleted me

There were two threads, ND!

(I'm on the FB group)
PM me if you want to join it, the £1k a day is definitely aspirational for most of us!

Oh hello all. Delighted to see more entrepreneurs!

redmaple going on your reccommendation I've held that Paul McKenna book from the library. I'm wading through the Seth Godin blog online which i find quite inspiring.
What I like is that he encourages me to be good at what I do, to have integrity, to aim to be good... and trust that the clientele will find me.(..well this is my interpretation of his message).

sparetime I hear you about the DC and holidays. I found myself dealing with a substantial client query last week; as I tramped across fields with the DC to look at a badger sett. But it's better than tramping with them and worrying whether I can make a go of it. Better to have tried than not.

wynken good luck with the venture...

localed I was where you are when the original thread kicked off. I was thrilled to turn over £100 pm and wondered how I would/could get it to £1000. I found it inspiring to be told to stop doubting myself, to aim higher if anything.
NigellasD was there a FB page? Hate that place (side effect of misogyny which I seem to be able to avoid in other places).

Hello everyone. Ive been avoiding this thread for a while as was still smarting a bit and didnt want to be reminded of what had gone wrong. For a while there i was in damage control mode and all i could think was 'shit- must get job' an had no headspace for anything else but i've realised that getting a job could be a long process and there's no reason not to be doing something for the long term goal. Still no idea what i'm going to do but i think i should just grab an idea and go with it and see where it takes me. Doing anything has to be better than waiting for the 'right' thing whilst earning nothing.

My free range human book arrived aswell so going to get started on that this evening.

. .. Hello everyone :)
After a year months of scratching my head (and looking after a new baby) I've had a light bulb moment. I've finally thought of something that i can do and just might work
I've spoken with some family members who have said that they can see a market for my idea. (They would be quite honest if it was rubbish)
I have a very small amount of money coming my way (fingers crossed) next month which i need to grow. It should be enough to get me started. ... I'm really nervous.
I've found a company doing what I'm hoping to start based in London but nothing in the city i live in.
Omg just posting this is making it real!
Tomorrow I'm writing my business plan down on paper with a to do list.
I've even rearrange the lounge to make an 'office space' :)
Would love to stick around for moral support and advice if that's ok. .. :)

I've been recently reading all the 1k a day threads - so will be reading this too! Not looking to start business now, but looking for ways me and my husband can make money once we finish studying... creative businesses and social enterprises spring to mind first.

Well done and good luck everyone so far!

Rosiedays - whereabouts are you? Had a fab networking event today and have got some really really useful contacts in Oxfordshire :)

I can't believe that thread was almost 2 years ago.

It inspired me to put on my big boy pants and look for some freelance work. Have picked up two regular clients which pays what I need for us to make ends meet.

Am now getting more organised with a website, portfoilo, social media identity as would like to ditch one of the clients, and now have a much better idea of the clients I want to target. Exciting times and I have had a lot of support from other MNrs having a crack at it.

I am taking a great deal of confidence in the knowledge that I have made this happen using my own initiative, brains, enthusiasm and energy, which makes me feel ready to take on just about anything.

Hi mellow. What field are you working in?

It's a great feeling to look at the bank account and know that you did it. isn't it?

I'm on MN this evening as I have a business meeting in the morning with a potential long term client...I've never before had to negotiate rates, or bargain etc etc

The advice I've been reading basically advises to know your 'floor' value, the point below which it's not viable to work. Also to have an idea of the market (can't find that out but I know what other clients are happy to pay me), to not be the first to mention a figure and to walk away and think about it before finalising terms.
Anyone with experience of negotiating a rate for (healthcare area) providing a service?

I think the £1k a day/week thread was one of the first threads I ever read on mn, I was so motivated I did quite my job whilst on mat leave and set up on my own. Not sure if I read it in real time, I read it probably a year ago. I'm really happy with what I did and enjoying it but would be great if Xenia would be my personal coach at all times to motivate me more towards the £1k a day bracket

Can't complain though, I love being my own boss, no more politics

I wasn't on the old thread, but I am pleased to say that I earn more like £1500 a month but want to double it...(wishful thinking!)

Despite having worked as a freelancer for 5 years, I am only now starting to take it seriously and am attempting to be more professional. my first step towards that is to speak to my clients on the phone...

Sounds simple. But I always used to deal with them via email because it meant I didn't have to think on my feet. lately I have been phoning them - it saves me time, but it also gives me confidence.

The next step is face to face meetings.

can we start a £3k thread? Only joking. The advice applies to any level of income. it is about getting excited about your work and making the most of your potential.

I'm in the same position as ZebraZeebra except can't quit for a couple of weeks. Really just want to keep my hand in and my brain active. It's hard to know what work's going to be out there till you quit. I should probably be drumming up work now, but working full time and looking after a toddler in the evenings doesn't really leave me any space for doing work.

could I join please? started my own business 3 years ago

Hmmm, start a £3k thread, you say?

Thats roughly £750/wk.

Roughly, £150/day rate.....(perhaps £200 to allow for planning days, illness etc)

If you've got a professional qualification, that sounds reasonable to me. It would be a matter of getting the volume of higher paying clients up; the ones who are happy to pay that much because you have an expertise they need?

MABS, do join; have you read the (inspirational) old thread?

indeed I have :) great to read