Does anyone run a craft based business from home cakes/gift hampers

[bigeyes]

I have toyed with the idea of doing bits and bobs to work from home to top up my part time income from two days work. I dont need to but feel I 'want something' for me. I have considered:

Making and selling cakes - you are allowed to do this on an occasional basis from home via carboots

Selling stuff on ebay - gifts watever I get from wholesale section and breaking it down

Preparing gift hampers and selling them on line and to local area.

I know its tough time and I have a business bakground so know basis of whats involved in setting up for Tax etc but what are your thoughts?

Does anyone do any of the above?

Sorry for double post back there.

Hi eddas - you do have two little ones though dont you? Do you need a big kick or are you just waiting to spring into action quietly formulating strategies - what happend to you current clients?

Thanks for the link Betty it was very useful I will be looking at that more today.

I am still humming and harring over the blardy cashflow forecast - I am sick of looking at the darn thing.

hiya, yep i have 2 dc (4.6 and 2 nect month) which do hinder progress I stil have the 2 clients, and infcat one is becoming a much bigger job, started as just CIS and now i'm doing VAT and sorting bits for his change from a p'ship to an LLP keeps me learning though

Can i help at all with the cashflow? I'm not too hot on all that but I did study it so I might be able to help

ATm with my progress, really i'm trying to catch up on all things at home/work and then i'll chuck myself into advertising. I've come up with an advert, i just need to get it out there IYKWIM. Taking this long has also allowed me to refine the ad each time and add more to it which is a good thing, it's much more tailored to the service I actually want to provide than my first draft, thanks to mn help and nabbiong ideas of other adverts i've seen

Right best be off as school run beckons and i'm not dressed

Run eddas run!

Oh so you are moving along - that client work thats got bigger sounds interesting. I have only just bought the corrent bits I need to sort out digital camera so I can move towards doing my adverts and a corporate brochure.

I fully understand the cashflow and how to do one. It is find accurate costing information to put in like working out petrol costs - is it ok to go off HMRC milage allowance of 40p or is this something different - I dont know how much petrol costs per mile in my car. (This has really grated on me)

The other thing is I need to get a quote for public liability insurance to put in.

Lastly how do I budget for NI payments I have no idea how much these would be but I will say is I still work two days per week and pay NI there. I am not planning on taking any drawings for the first 6 months at least.

Oh then when I get peeved at this I just start lookking at suppliers again!

the 40p per mile is the authorised mielage rate so it's fine to use that. That covers all costs of the car(petrol, tax, repairs, ins etc) so you then don't have those seperately.plus you keep the car out of the business, so it's not an asset of the business, just your car that is used for business. I wil be using the 40p mile myself.

NI payments don't need to be included as they are privtae expense not business ones. Ythere are different types of NI, one you will pay along with any tax due when you do your tax return and the other is a very small amount, something like £30 per quarter, it's not even quite that much, but you have to pay those, but as I said they don't need to go in your forecast anyway.

HTH

Thanks Eddas on a forecast I downloaded from business link website the NI was included as a payment cash outflow - I will leave them blank and see what business advisor - I have an appointment with her next week. However i dont think she has really move me forward I am going to see how she is because I could otherwise team up with the Black Country Chamber.

I am off the get bathed and dressed and take DS out to library and park.

Hi
It's Maple Pecan under a new name.

Sorry been away for so long - busy with family and travel blah blah.

I have seen a graphic designer about a , website and cards, name and logo etc and will be starting my business link course next week. So it's kind of all on hold until after the course which I really felt would give me a clue about how to run the whole thing. Feel all is a bit on hold until then plus feel that the course will reignite my fire to work on my own.....

Sounds as though you are steaming ahead and I will be taking notes of your cashflow, expenses points.

big eyes, I guess the NI payments are in their as you would pay them out of money you make, so it would effect cashflow. I was thinking of tax allowable expenses So, I would include £30 per quarter for the NI as that is a little more than you will actually pay.

glad you're still moving forward shoes

Lovely to here from your shoes - if you need any tips about your business plan just ask - there section that are quite easy to write.

Thanks Eddas - I am not sure about the NI contribtions though as I still working and paying NI through my part time job? I shall hae to ask about this, I am registered to go on a HMRC free course abuot what its all about.

Have finally got all my bank things through. Lovely shoes, there is nothing to sto you setting up your business account see Abbey website for the free one, though there are some restrictions like a £3,000 per month linit on certain transactions but otherwise it all free just fill in form and post off £50 checque with proof of ID!

I found a couple of local busy shops that I can advertise in for free today - te people were very nice when I told them what I was doing. I am off to my first trade fair in a couple of weeks in Exeter too - cant wait.

sorry for typos sp

Big Eyes - I am just coming to the end of my Business Link course which has been really brilliant and I have got loads of ideas and things to think about from it.

Just one problem - I applied for a job ages ago through and agency and they kept my details on file for future opportunities...and of course one has come up this week so I may be off for an interview next week.

So torn between working for myself which would be lovely and flexible and going for a job with a nice regular income. We are particularly poor ATM so really have to go for the job - anyway, may not get the job so can always do my own thing!

Hi Lots - tricky but i fear the sensible thing to do would be to go for the job. I mean if its just temporary you can always come back to this.

I am still going to be working two days per week to support myself and as soon as get going enough I will leave!

I have listed on ebay for the first time, just getting to grips with on line selling in a managed way. Might go for an ebay shop.

Had another meeting with advisor I am fed up with Business Plan and Cashflow - she says I am being too nervous I have great ideas and I just need to focus and do one thing at a time. I am still not sure about her????

By for now

Hope you are all well to the lurkers too!

Betty bare with me for that order I am not kicking off with baby gifts to start with (limited funds for stock!) but will be soo.

Hi Big Eyes - good to hear from you. I seem to be getting out of the Mumsnet habit recently. Afraid I don't feel that is a bad thing somehow although miss our inspirational messages.....

Have you been on the Business Link start up course yet?

Found it was probably about 3 days too long and the main focus was putting management consultant types in work for a day at a time to tak to us about managing our time. Loads of triangle diagrams about important tasks and urgent tasks and the difference between them.

Never mind - I have taken away some good stuff from it and realise what I have to do to get going and keep going.

Still hopeful on the job though, but it is full time!!

Hello Lots - me too re MN just checking in now and then.

No she didnt suggest I go on anything, but I had nearly completed a full business plan prior to our first meeting - when you do your be very stricy about the actual writing and set a deadline - i keep messing about with mine.

I feel like ive been lacking in drive the past couple of weeks the last time I saw advisor she said just do it! But we are going on an Easter break to lakes so it seemed pointless to advertise and launch just to be going away.

I have been to one trade fair and I am going to another tomorrow. I met lots of nice small business owners at Taste if the West and felt reassured I could do it. I have got stock starting to mount up and I get a it scared that my bedroom is going to end up looking like steptoes house!

I hope the job works out for you - you may learn some useful skills and get ideas. Stay in touch - bye for now

Hello to lurkers - anyone else want to give me a kick and advise how they combine preschooler at home with working from home!

x

This is a subject that interests me graetly as I would love to make cakes to supplement my income. Would I have to have a food hygene certificate?

Welcome Posh - I replied on other thread.

Ladies - I am not getting full support from DH I am V p off about this (thanks rant over)

However, yesterday I did ask someone about stocking my items in their shop an whooooppeeeee theys aid they interested!!!!

Yeaaahhhhhhh!

Have done two trade fairs now. Met more nice people with advice for setting up and selling. Cant wait to get back and actually launch.

Happy Easter - keep researching, networking aand of course mulling things over with wine of an evening!

Big Eyes et al

I have got the job so I am now making a U turn on working for myself, can't really belive I got so far with it but at least the ground work is done for another time. The job is on a contract for about a year so who knows what will happen...

Good luck to you with your launch, can't think of any really good tips on toddlers and a business.....sorry! But you sound like an achiever and will sort out a solution I am sure!

sorry, not been on mn for a while- rl, you know how it is

Congrats on the job, lotsoflovelyshoes!

bigcometobedeyes, sound like things are still progressing really well, having your items stocked in a shop would be fab!(hope your dp is proving more supportive!)

Congratulations Lotsoflovelyshoes! Hope it works out for you. I sheleved this idea last summer and came back to it. All the best.

Oh Betty thanks I feel like I have done loads of work but still havnt launched or sold anything. I have two shops that I am going to pitch to on a sale or return basis next Saturday so they are not 'sales'

Both my mum and DH gave me money to buy stock, he does seem a bit more supportive as he realises its not a passing thing!

I have decided to do website to save money but I am extremely frustrated with it but least I have domain name registered and can sort that out next week.

Stupis as it sounds I am scared my stuff will sell and the shops will want more and I wont have any more stock til a week past pay day! Still working part time!!!!!

But a lest I havnt borrowed any money from bank. I am off to see a new business advisor tomorrow so will have to review the cashflow (dont like it)

Betty were you a bit demented at the beginning? - I want stuff to happen!!!

Morning all

Been chatting to Betty on the other thread - my up date is I have two shops stocking gifts on sale or return I am viewing this as a test marketing exercise and the margins aren't great BUT they both gave me loads of advice. Feel like I've done loads of work but havnt acutally sold anything yet as I have yet to launch.

How are everyone else?

Eddas
Dubh
Tracey
Cate
No1andNo2
Posh - what did you decide to do

Anyone recommend if it worth joining a women in business group. And any tips on organising time as things are busy and my domestic routine is all to pot and I feel guilty re DS, still fitted in a play date but doens anyone have a rule of thumb they follow? Must say DH has been very supportive with DS care even though he is not that much interested.

Sorry if I have missed anyone - new posters welcome too.

Hi BCTBE. You are such an inspiration to us all.

I've done bugger all due to the 18 day Easter hols ds had!

I still have my 3 clients - but invoicing amounts this month is very lean.

I'm not sure how much more work I should try and find - school summer hols are looming - I don't know how I' cope with any more work - though could do with the money.

I was a member of a women in business group many moons ago - and it was good for motivation - albeit got no work from it. But did make a life long friend. So it was good from the social side, but not work generating.

I think you have to be uber organised and strict with yourself to keep house/work/kids in order. I'm not! But if you could get a certain time each week - say a Sat.morning when dh could take ds out/swimming. Then go hell for leather and clean the house - it's amazing how much you can clean/tidy in 2 hours. Do online grocery shopping. Work when ds in bed.

I should take my own advice and not watch sky+ and MN when ds is out!

Thanks Tracey K - I have a good routine, but now the business needs me to be out and about and not just research/doing business plan on laptop it will need to be adjusted.
Tacey K you done well to keep your clients, can you look at summer holiday clubs/ take turns with friend/family to look after kids so you get some quiet time to do tasks?

I did something very silly this week, see my update below...

Hello all I have been very busy

After getting my sale or return orders I scurried about sourcing an easier way to make my handmade tags and found about a machine that will do this. Had a lot of help from a local craft shop - great ladies they were.

Spent for ever typing up information labels and checking out stuff on Food Standards Agenecy website and stumbled across British Food Fornight organisation that promote produce and retail of British Food - cue free tasting session proposal to one of the outlets who agreed and also told me about another event I could sell at!

But after all my faffing and fiddling with the pretty bits I ended up staying up ALL NIGHT to do gifts and met my delivery commitment but was felt very ill. DS kept his playdate but I so tire and felt I wasnt there properly for him - I will never do this again, it was very silly.

I have composed a sales letter I am very proud of (even DH says its good and he is stickler for compostitiona and grammar of formal documents) and I am just about to finish my database to do a mail merge. It is a captive audience and feel positive about it.

The web address is registered but website not published - that is this weeks evening task.

Overall I have learnt:

Dont expected everyone else to have the same standards as yourself or passion for what you do and make sure you keep yours

BIG lesson in time management

• there are elements of what I do can be done at anytime without taking up extra storage space, I will have these done and ready prepared.

• DELIVERIES - plan in time for things that are missed off or delivered late and if you have a local DHL homebased courier that will deliver to you locally who messes up bit your tounge as you will have to deal with them on regular basis (crabby old cow never even apologised for her mistake which set me back 2 days)

• Check with suppliers when ordering stock that they confirm everything IS IN STOCK

• I really enjoy what I am doing and happy that i've gone for it (if your dithering just do it!)

• Business Advisors are OK for bits of tips but its down to you really.

Oh dear - I hve learnt how not to do your own website - had a bit of rant on another thread I started, thought I better post it here too. I have no idea what I am doing and I am currently registered with two hosting companies.

Hi
I am based in Surrey and am thinking about purchasing the baby ballet franchise locally. I would basically teach ballet for pre-school little ones from 6 months to 5 years and am just wondering if people think there is much of a market for this locally. I have recently become a mum and am desperatley looking to make this work to avoid me having to go back and work in the city ! Guess I'm just wondering if there are other surrey mums out there who would pay for their little ones to do this..or if anyone else has purchased a franchise and can offer any advice.
Thanks

Hi Millie - have you posted your question on your MN local area?

I would also try and ask about in Chat as it is busier in there.

If this is viable GO GO GO for it my new motto albeit an old saying 'this life is not a practice run' If you can avoid going back to the city and fit this option around your DC I would highly recommend it.

Best Wishes

Gosh BCTBE - what a whirlwind of activity!

Do you have any family members/friends that you could use for free in this busy setup time. Even if it's little things to help you out like get milk and loo rolls??

I often get overwhelmed with my to do list - and a lot of it is 'household' type stuff.

I'm going to do a mailshot to local businesses to try and pick up some more work. Just joined a posh/expensive gym at the weekend for the 3 of us - and need some dosh to pay for it. Though I'm hoping it will keep ds amused through the summer hols and maybe, just maybe pick up some business leads too. Not sure what kind of impression I'll make though in m,y swimmers!