Advice for mum starting her own part/time business

[AussieSim]

My DS (19mo) starts Family Day care 2 days a week next week and I have planned to start working for myself as a Human Resources Consultant. It is very complicated and lots to do but my main concern is how not to end up overcommitted. I will have two 8 hour days to do it all in and I do not want to end up spending evenings and weekends on it as well. How do I make sure I do not take on too much.

Learn to say no and mean it.

Make a schedule with 7 days on it and shade out all the days you do not intend to work and then you can structure your 8 hour day and if something arrives that's going to make the day 12 hours, say no. Easier said than done but it's the only way to work from home and not kill yourself!

The one thing that I do quite frequently is if a project is going to really push me then I tell the client and increase the costs considerably, it is then their decision whether the job is worth the money or if they can extend the deadline...if it is worth the money to them then the extra money does make up for the fact you've stepped over your 8 hours.

Hope this helps - Joe

Thanks artyjoe, it is just that I dont know how to balance the trying to win work with how not to scare off clients by telling them I am only available 2 days. Once I am established it might be easier but in the beginning it might be really hard.

Aussiesim,it is hard when you want the work but don't want to overcommit yourself.

When I had more customers than I could handle,I just explained that I was fully booked for the next few weeks/days,but would put them on my waiting list,as a priority & would call them the minute I had any free time.

If anything,this made them keener than ever to employ me & I have yet to have anyone go elsewhere because I'm not available immediately.

Good luck

Thanks mirage. I guess I can give it a go and it would not be the end of the world if I bombed.