New start small businesses

[jazzactivist]

Hi all, I am definately going to be losing my job at the university this year, as while some of the posts at the rural campus where I work have been saved, mine isn't one of them! I am contemplating starting my own small business, something that I have always fancied doing, but I am not sure in what yet. I have thought of various ideas, but when looking into them they either seem too expensive, to difficult in a rural area, or need ore than one person. I don't have much in the way of savings to invest, and have always worked for an employer, so it is a bit daunting.

I know that some of you do work for yourselves either as freelancers or running service and/or products businesses, and would be delighted if you would post your top tips for starting up and working for yourself. I am sure that this sharing of ideas would be welcomed by more Rural Musers than just me. All contributions much appreciated.

[sheddie]

Hi Jazz what type of business had you in mind ? Would this need to be a regular income?

[Oola]

Hi jazz, just to let you know I'll post on this later. Up working early at the mo due to imminent deadline (eek) but will definitely let you know how I got started, how you can get help etc.

One thing to start looking at is the business link website: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

and Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE):
http://www.wireuk.org/

I'll write soon!

[eleanor2]

best thing about the inter-net.you can run a business from home wether in the country or town.

[Redstart]

I did freelance translation work while working as an EFL teacher and when it got that one of them had to go I stopped teaching.

There are lots of things to do on-line though - proof-reading, translating, designing websites, design work - in fact many jobs don't really need your presence in an office.

Thing is, what are you qualified/experienced as and how could you convert your skills to a web-based business? I must admit freelance translation was difficult in the country but now we have the Internet it's really taken off and I have enough work. If I advertised I'd get even more but I'm slowly easing off towards retirement in four years time so don't want lots of new clients - just one or two!

[mrsj]

Hi jazz, so sorry to hear this news. I don't know anything about running a business but wanted to offer you my support. What about ebay maybe just to tide you over/ get some advertising? I will have a think for you! xx

[Pippa]

Jazz, you write well and are always even handed in discussion, could you write a column for a magazine or newspaper, not enough for a livelihood I realise but could be a start. It depends upon whether you want a break from your current career subject. I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do and remember that revenge is always better served up cold for the person who sent that e-mail on Christmas Eve, dont' get mad, get even.

[jazzactivist]

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouraging words. I work as a lecturer in community development, and worked in practice in adult education and community work for a long time prior to this. The obvious thing for me to do would be to become a freelance consultant, but in the region where I live the Council is under a lot of public fire for paying out too much to consultants and they are stopping using any - at least for quite a while. I do write articles for academic journals, but they don't pay - it is supposed to be enough to just 'have your name in lights', as it were. I am not sure, though, if the best thing to do would be to use what I already do and build on that as it is an easier option, or use this as an opportunity to develop a small business around another interest that I love. I have a range of skills that I really enjoy which are sort of good enough for home / friends / family eg cooking, making jewellery, woodwork, gardening but don't feel that I'm good enough to go public with any of them. Thanks for the revenge reminder, Pippa, I am working on it as it was really mean to just email me at close of work on Christmas Eve! The scariest thing for the university would be for me to set up a website offering essay writing for students with guaranteed grades, but I don't think that I could bear all the deadlines. The best revenge is usually to be cool and successful at something else though, isn't it? Look forward to hearing more tips to help me off my perch.

[eleanor2]

jazz someone as brainy as you with the drive you have will find a route to go and do well.if you have any ideas we could be guinea pigs for them.my brother who lives in really rural wales started his own landscape garden firm.he is doing very well.

[jazzactivist]

Thanks, eleanor, your encouragement is much appreciated, and once I get my ideas a bit straighter then I may well come to you all for comments on them. The example of your brother's landscape business is very useful, as it is hard to imagine which types of businesses would work well in a rural region, although I am near the M74 / M6 and West Coast trainline and am planning to move to a small town in the Spring. On with the good debates please, sister!

[Oola]

If you ever think you need some sort of website, Rich and I can give you some tips and advice!

I would say start by making a list about everything that you can do, what you like doing and what sort of thing you'd be prepared to do. Be as fanciful or as realistic as you want. Then use the lists to come up with possible ideas for projects or ways that you could use your skills to set up your own freelance business. Rich and I both freelance, he's a computer programmer/website developer and I'm a freelance writer. If you make your list and want any other input, just keep posting and we'll see if we can come up with some viable ideas :)

[jazzactivist]

Thanks, Oola, your advice is really helpful. I'll be taking up the RM offer of posting ideas for comments and viability. I am not surprised to find out that you are a freelance writer, you have a lovely, fluent style of writing.

[sunflower]

I know I am talking out of the top of my head, having only a little experience in running my own business, but How about workshops relating to your specialist subject? You say that you worked in the community...in what capacity? I mean, were you helping people to become more independent, helping them to access information and the appropriate services? We have all heard of Personal Trainers. How about a Group Trainer?

[Healing Hands]

Hi Jazzactivist, I read your thread yesterday, but I was running late and did not get time to reply. As you may know I am hoping to open a shop this year selling lingerie, but I have yesterday spoken to my accountant and today he is working on figures to make sure I can make a living out of it. As I do not have another income coming I need to make sure that I can draw a salary from it so I can pay my bills. If you want to start something yourself do make sure that you have covered all aspect of cost.

My massaging business although somedays are good there are days when I do not have any clients and of course do not earn. I do not have any overheads here which does help, but I am just not making enough money.

I was sorry to hear that you are losing your job and that I hope you find something that suits you. It is not easy I do know that, but it does depend on how much you need to earn to make a living, so go careful before you spend your capital.

[sheddie]

Location, location, location would be my advice to anyone setting up in business.

[jazzactivist]

Thanks some more for these useful tips. Sunflower, I have worked all of my life organising and facilitating community-based workshops, classes and events for adults, and setting up and developing new projects and organisations in the UK and other countries. However, my specialist field is in citizenship and political and cultural education, so I am not sure if this would translate well into my own small business, especially in a rural area. However, I do really enjoy working with people, and the practical aspects of organising and developing their ideas into workable projects.

I do need to make a reasonable enough livelihood to cover my costs and some kind of salary from whatever I do, as I currently earn double that of my partner! I would love to have a small shop where I get to meet people every day and be part of a local network of traders, but I think that this may be further off due to cost and I will have to initially be home-based for whatever I do. Or perhaps have some kind of mobile unit.

[dinger]

I wish you lots of luck Jaz whatever you choose to do.

[mrsj]

I think a mobile unit of some kind would be greatly valued by most people - Having been pretty much housebound during this pregnancy I know how much I have appreciated the internet and things being brought to my door, and many people in places with poor transport would enjoy the benefits of a local "something" you could provide!

[Redstart]

Perhaps some sort of counselling/advisory service to help people settle in rural areas, in your area, ion Scotland, etc.

My daughter has just moved to Oban and what information she'll get will be via her husband's work colleagues and mixing with other mothers of toddlers. Children really do help you meet people and get local information. But other people don't have it so easy.

We know of so many people moving to their ideal of country life after a working life in a town - we used to cynically given them two years and sometimes it was even less than that. Would they have achieved their rural dream if there'd been some sort of advice to turn to?

[Healing Hands]

Mobile work sounds good Jazzactivist, maybe you should try that path.

[lily]

Local councils in England are conducting exercises with locals to determine how money should be spent. Wonder if there is any sort of opening for this type of work in Scotland- you would be an ideal candidate! I recently attended a discussion group, at which we had to work in small groups and prioritise spending.

[sheddie]

What about being an advisor for people thinking of moving to the country. It doesn't work for everyone.

[jazzactivist]

Thanks again, these are fab ideas. I really like the one about providing support, advice and local orientation for people moving to the country, so will look into this some more. And it would be really interesting to be mobile. The same spending review process is going on in Scotland, lily, twice recently as we had a change of government, but here members of local partnerships take on the work of consulting, so it is carried out without the need to pay anyone! Sadly, as I do enjoy that type of work. Tomorrow I have a day off so the chance to sit down and have a good think abut possibilities, and do all the pros and cons / 'thought showering' etc that you have all been suggesting. Thanks again - much appreciated.

[Crocus]

Hi Jazz, I don't think that you will have any problems finding something else to do! You've got what it takes.

[sheddie]

Jazz villages look all very nice on a summers day but what about winter and no street lights, services advice like the fish man,calling, W.I. or whatever. Couldn't you work in with an estate agent?

[jazzactivist]

I agree with you, Sheddie. Rural villages in winter have their own charms... often quite hidden. I'm having a think about it all today, getting out my biggest notebook.

[sheddie]

Do Jazz I have a good feeling about this advisor bit - location, location. X