Our profiles* of local traders reveal the most common rewards and worries of going self-employed.
1 Brian – Gardener
Brian learned his business working for a gardening company. He went on his own because he wanted more freedom – to choose when he worked and who he worked for. He values more than anything not being dependent on anyone else for his workload.
The main business skills Brian has learned are i) what to charge ii) how to treat customers, and iii) knowing when to drop a customer. His best advice to others is: “Get an accountant to take away the headaches”. He thinks to succeed you need to be self-confident and able to sell yourself. It’s also important not to be a worrier because there is always a bit of insecurity – for instance if you’re ill for a few weeks the bills still have to be paid.
Brian thinks that people starting out today are finding it harder than he did to get support and advice. He’s been in business for 10 years and is more self-sufficient now. He thinks it could be helpful to join a business support group “as long as the cost is low” but admits he is “not really a group person”.
Reigate & Banstead Business Guide 2016 Help available locally
Self-employment: checklist Comprehensive coverage
* Interviews May 2017