The small business thread - do you work for yourself?

malachi said:
Thanks for the info, that was very helpful and insteresting

Just like you, me getting away from being the "jack of all trades" and start specialising will be a good start.
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It will certainly narrow your focus which will let you determine what you’re interested in.

It’s a massive step, and no safety buffer, which is why you can always start as a side hustle.

I am unaware of your circumstances, but do it for the right reasons. I.e. because you genuinely want to do it and think you can add value. Don’t do it because you hate your boss, or where you work.

Not sure of your work environment, or if you already know what ‘genre’ of IT you want to specialise in, but if you’re in a big company with lots of IT teams, ask to shadow them for a day, even if it means booking a days A/L to do it. If you’re in a more closed environment, and it sounds like you could be because you’re the jackmof all trades, then take some time out to analyse what you enjoy, even volunteer at local businesses/trusts and see if that gives you a different perspective. Also looks good on the CV.

You have to be determined and paitent, as much as it makes my wife crazy, she will admit (I think!!) that you can’t do anything without a plan. You HAVE to have a plan. Understand the plan will change, it will be delayed and won’t always go your way, but that’s why you change the plan. Even if it’s a couple of bullet points, it doesn’t need to be war and peace. For example: by 45 I want to do this, or that. And then plan back how you’re going to make that happen. I’ve always believed in having a plan, setting goals and on the whole, a positive attitude. I’m perhaps a bit too over the top in terms of planning/goals but from my humble upbringing, I’ve done alright so it doesn’t hurt.
 
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HoneyBadger said:
It will certainly narrow your focus which will let you determine what you’re interested in.

It’s a massive step, and no safety buffer, which is why you can always start as a side hustle.

I am unaware of your circumstances, but do it for the right reasons. I.e. because you genuinely want to do it and think you can add value. Don’t do it because you hate your boss, or where you work.

Not sure of your work environment, or if you already know what ‘genre’ of IT you want to specialise in, but if you’re in a big company with lots of IT teams, ask to shadow them for a day, even if it means booking a days A/L to do it. If you’re in a more closed environment, and it sounds like you could be because you’re the jackmof all trades, then take some time out to analyse what you enjoy, even volunteer at local businesses/trusts and see if that gives you a different perspective. Also looks good on the CV.

You have to be determined and paitent, as much as it makes my wife crazy, she will admit (I think!!) that you can’t do anything without a plan. You HAVE to have a plan. Understand the plan will change, it will be delayed and won’t always go your way, but that’s why you change the plan. Even if it’s a couple of bullet points, it doesn’t need to be war and peace. For example: by 45 I want to do this, or that. And then plan back how you’re going to make that happen. I’ve always believed in having a plan, setting goals and on the whole, a positive attitude. I’m perhaps a bit too over the top in terms of planning/goals but from my humble upbringing, I’ve done alright so it doesn’t hurt.
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Thanks.

My main focus is cloud and security.

My last job was an IT System Engineer for a start up. But it turned into another jack of all trades IT job, I spent most of my time doing 1st line and application support after I rebuild their Azure infrastructure. I left that job last month. Next month I be starting a new role as an Microsoft Platform Engineer for a bank, main focus will be on the Microsoft cloud side.

I always wanted to go self employed for years but I left the UK back in 2019 to start a new job in mainland Europe. Ive been here since, my main hurdle is me trying to learn the local language. So I’m basically starting again. But I do volunteer doing Cyber Security for an non profit org back in the UK.

I know what my weaknesses are and what I don’t really enjoying, networking and programming. Those are two fields I like to avoid.

HoneyBadger said:
I hope that doesn’t come across as patronising, it wasn’t my intent.
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Nope, it was fine :D
 
You’ve clearly got a solid background and guts to up end and move abroad. Bank positions sounds good also.

Get a plan together. Do 1-2 years at the bank and use that time to plan starting your own business, get any necessary skills and qualifications and gain contacts and potential clients. Things will then start to fall into place.
 
I'm about at the end of my rope with working for "the man" now. I've been doing what I do over 12 years now, moved between 3 companies, I reckon I can take the best bits of each and put together a small business that would tide me over. I just lack the balls to make the jump and do it myself, I have a fairly young family and the financial security of working for someone keeps me where I am.
 
Steveocee said:
I'm about at the end of my rope with working for "the man" now. I've been doing what I do over 12 years now, moved between 3 companies, I reckon I can take the best bits of each and put together a small business that would tide me over. I just lack the balls to make the jump and do it myself, I have a fairly young family and the financial security of working for someone keeps me where I am.
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That's tough for sure - I went self employed and my kids were 7 & 4 at the time - big risk. But some security as wife has a good solid job.

Try and plan you business, estimate revenues and stash away some money as best you can to tide you over 6-12 months. Then go for it. Assuming it's a solid business, it's the best thing you will do for yourself and your family.

My work life balance is fabulous - My wife's is a different story (NHS worker)....
 
I used to have a side hustle (helping women who struggled to lose weight through slimming clubs.) Always stress test a business idea and see if it has legs (provides x amount per month for 6 months etc) as this can ease the stress.
 
I've a full time job, a part time self employed job, and the wife is a clinician with 3 practices. Life is hellishly busy but with any luck the plan will be to retire from the full time job in 5-8 years time, and go part time consultancy whilst owning a motor home and bumming around the Med.
 
Did 5 years being a locum GP via Ltd Company. Become employed/PAYE now but still do some locum/weekend work on the side via Ltd Co. We also have another Ltd Co for buy to lets.
 
I run my own business and in the process of starting another one (which I really need to pull my finger out).

My first and main business is computer repair and IT support. Look after a wide range of customers, from little old Doris to 25 user businesses. Extremely busy with this, although there are months were things go quiet. I initially was self employed 2016-2000, and in late 2000 registered as a limited company.

To give you an idea of my workload, got 3 laptops in that I'm working on (one for data recovery, another for replacement screen and another with weird boot up issues), another laptop is going out the door this afternoon that had a new screen. Tomorrow, I've got a site visit to a business customer to look at one of their laptops, another site visit because a customers desk phone saying no service, and then tomorrow afternoon I've got a laptop keyboard to replace. Thursday, I've got a new PC to install for a customer and an SSD upgrade on a laptop. Friday is move day for one of my customers. They bought a new business and they want all the equipment moving to their office. Next week is looking quiet but no doubt I'll start booking my time up towards the end of this week.

I know people say there's no money in computer repair, but I'll be honest, I've never been so busy. I'm one of the most expensive computer repair businesses in the area too.

I've got a sub contractor who does some of my repair work, such as soldering.
 
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