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By *usie pTV/TS 13 weeks ago
taunton |
Yes I have been self employed since being made redundant 35 years ago, financially a big mistake for me have never been a good business man I suppose, never charged enough and severely underestimated the amount of time on administration but I always wanted to be my own boss. |
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By *929Man 13 weeks ago
newcastle |
Been self employed most my adult life except when I was first working for my dad learning the trade and a 2 short stints in other jobs when work was quiet. Unless I’m very unlucky I’ll never work as an employee again I enjoy the feeling of being free fat too much |
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I went self employed a year before 'the vid'.
I'd just about built a client base when it happened.
No furlough, no grants.
Rinsed through savings to survive, now have the finances of a 21 year old.
I feel fucking cheated!
Still I'm stubborn and although I've struggled massively, deep down I do believe in myself and think I'll make a success of it. But it's hard to make firm business moves from a position of financial instability and fear. |
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"I went self employed a year before 'the vid'.
I'd just about built a client base when it happened.
No furlough, no grants.
Rinsed through savings to survive, now have the finances of a 21 year old.
I feel fucking cheated!
Still I'm stubborn and although I've struggled massively, deep down I do believe in myself and think I'll make a success of it. But it's hard to make firm business moves from a position of financial instability and fear. "
Same I can totally relate to this. To start from scratch is hard. And you see others in your industry getting some good deals and contracts can be disheartening as well. The loss of a good salary and the now debts is scary.
But I won't ho back, this stress is mine, I no longer need to send reports off or explain my every decision to anyone else. I make money now for me not some fat cat sat in London with mega bonuses.
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"I went self employed a year before 'the vid'.
I'd just about built a client base when it happened.
No furlough, no grants.
Rinsed through savings to survive, now have the finances of a 21 year old.
I feel fucking cheated!
Still I'm stubborn and although I've struggled massively, deep down I do believe in myself and think I'll make a success of it. But it's hard to make firm business moves from a position of financial instability and fear. "
Good luck mate. I believe you can make it work, you seem to have solid determination.
I remember one of my self employed friends complaining when the Rona hit. "oh why don't we get some support."
I didn't want to point out the 4 holidays they took a year and the three cars on their driveway to their oversized house. They had saved and invested almost nothing. And was lucky the Rona didn't ruin him. |
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By *bi HaiveMan 13 weeks ago
Forum Mod Cheeseville, Somerset |
Me.
But I love it. My boss is awesome. 😁
Aside from the lack of holiday/sick pay and the inconsistent hours and lack of financial stbility/security, it's great. I don't think I could ever go back to working for someone else again.
As for the isolation? I don't find that myself. My work pattern is such that I can find plenty to do in my downtime and I have a big enough network of friends off and on site to fill my time.
I'd love more free time at weekends of course. Sucks missing out on so many club trips and events, but I still manage to make time for those too. |
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By *ripfillMan 13 weeks ago
Paris, New York, Hong Kong and Havant |
I am now self employed - after years of being employed
I work when I like which is fantastic I am in a fortunate position which I never ever take for granted … there is always a fear in the back of your mind about continuity of work . |
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"I went self employed a year before 'the vid'.
I'd just about built a client base when it happened.
No furlough, no grants.
Rinsed through savings to survive, now have the finances of a 21 year old.
I feel fucking cheated!
Still I'm stubborn and although I've struggled massively, deep down I do believe in myself and think I'll make a success of it. But it's hard to make firm business moves from a position of financial instability and fear.
Same I can totally relate to this. To start from scratch is hard. And you see others in your industry getting some good deals and contracts can be disheartening as well. The loss of a good salary and the now debts is scary.
But I won't ho back, this stress is mine, I no longer need to send reports off or explain my every decision to anyone else. I make money now for me not some fat cat sat in London with mega bonuses.
"
I'd already made it hard for myself starting a personal training business in my late thirties, nevermind with rona happening. Probably wasn't the wisest decision in the first place but I'm truly believe I have something to offer the industry and I'm pig headed.
The worst bit is with personal training you can't let it show.
It can be 6am, you're tired and your account is bare, you have all the worries of the world on your shoulder but you must be high energy, open and willing to help.
I get a high helping people though so I persevere!
Good luck with your business, sounds like you have the resolve to make it |
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By *929Man 13 weeks ago
newcastle |
"I'm glad to hear, if that's possible, that it sucks financially. I'm certain if we keep going though, we'll see some financial benefits at some point (maybe) lol"
It will mate I still recall the days of putting in rock bottom prices making shit money just to get established it will pay off in the end mate |
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Self employed also. Have been for the last 10yrs. Fell lucky at the time as told my boss to shove his job up his arse one morning. Then started self employed the following week. Never looked back although the body feels like its taken more of a hit since being self-employed  |
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Self employed nearly 10 years no isolation as I'm out in community all the time. There is always a fear at first regarding paying the bills and making it work. It all just seems to fall in to place. |
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Self employed since 19, best way to be and would never look back. Been fortunate my job is quite social and have always been busy. Took a long time to make time for myself though and learning that you can say no to allow yourself that time x |
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"Self employed since 19, best way to be and would never look back. Been fortunate my job is quite social and have always been busy. Took a long time to make time for myself though and learning that you can say no to allow yourself that time x"
This is great advice thankyou.
You've been self employed since 2019 or since you were 19?? |
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"I went self employed a year before 'the vid'.
I'd just about built a client base when it happened.
No furlough, no grants.
Rinsed through savings to survive, now have the finances of a 21 year old.
I feel fucking cheated!
Still I'm stubborn and although I've struggled massively, deep down I do believe in myself and think I'll make a success of it. But it's hard to make firm business moves from a position of financial instability and fear. "
exact same position pal used life saving to invest into some plant a van and trailer and thought id give it a proper go after years of guvvi jobs then boom rona attacked, no finacial help so worked through sensibly on my own where i could and i can honestly say its only probably been the last few months weve got back onto our feet after been a subby for the past year, so im kinda in the middle now been a bit self employed without all the stress but paid well enough and can in theory leave when i want |
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I took a redundancy package in 2021 and decided to follow my dream to open a yarn shop. It’s the best thing I ever did!
Fortunately I’ve not had to earn a salary so far because Shaggy earns enough to support us, so every penny of profit so far has gone back in to growing and expanding the business. We’re now starting to see the results of that sacrifice.
It’s been a lot of hard work, working 6 days a week, having very few holidays and going in to work when ill because there’s no one else to open the shop. But I’m happier than I’ve ever been |
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"Who here is self employed? It can feel a bit isolating sometimes so let's say hello and throw some support out there for each other! X"
I’m self employed and I do very much understand what you are trying to say here |
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"Self employed since 19, best way to be and would never look back. Been fortunate my job is quite social and have always been busy. Took a long time to make time for myself though and learning that you can say no to allow yourself that time x This is great advice thankyou.
You've been self employed since 2019 or since you were 19?? "
Since I was 19 |
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Have been self employed carpenter/kitchen fitter for 30 or so years now, love the freedom to work when I want miss the banter on site when health and safety ruined the fun. Can be quiet sometimes when customers at work but enjoy talking back to myself. Lol |
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Been self employed as a commercial photographer since the mid eighties, though when Covid hit & work dried up accidently branched out into installing home cinemas & automation. Now split my time between the two.
Other than a few tempory & part time jobs in the early days, I've never had a normal full time job. |
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By (user no longer on site) 13 weeks ago
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I am self employed, at times I struggle with finding my own structure. Feels like I am either always at work or not earning enough!
I have recently been offered a job and I’m considering employed life again |
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"Self employed since 19, best way to be and would never look back. Been fortunate my job is quite social and have always been busy. Took a long time to make time for myself though and learning that you can say no to allow yourself that time x This is great advice thankyou.
You've been self employed since 2019 or since you were 19??
Since I was 19 "
Well you're absolutely fantastic and a real inspiration!! I just nipped over to your profile too and now I'm a bit hot under the collar, not gonna lie!  |
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"I am self employed, at times I struggle with finding my own structure. Feels like I am either always at work or not earning enough!
I have recently been offered a job and I’m considering employed life again "
Ouch a proper job will be brutal but we have to choose what's best for us. Just make sure you're not giving up because that could be the pivotal breakthrough moment! |
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"Been self employed as a commercial photographer since the mid eighties, though when Covid hit & work dried up accidently branched out into installing home cinemas & automation. Now split my time between the two.
Other than a few tempory & part time jobs in the early days, I've never had a normal full time job."
Well then you're a legend!! |
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"Have been self employed carpenter/kitchen fitter for 30 or so years now, love the freedom to work when I want miss the banter on site when health and safety ruined the fun. Can be quiet sometimes when customers at work but enjoy talking back to myself. Lol"
I've been talking to myself a lot...   |
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"
I have recently been offered a job and I’m considering employed life again "
Can entirely understand that. Self-employed or contact work can often be feast or famine.
Or work life balance disappears because you're constantly doing or looking for work in case you hit a dry spell.
Ours was partly foisted on us by health, COVID, home schooling and not being able to go back to old careers
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