Top 10 tips for mums and dads

If you want to start your own home business, here are some pointers from Antonia Chitty, author of Family Friendly Working, to get you going.

  1. List your priorities such as earning money, or finding work that lets you stay home with your children. Write down your skills, and ask others what they think you're good at.
  2. Think about the hours you can devote to working. Be realistic if you plan to work around the kids, as children may not understand “mummy’s working”.
  3. Research the market for your business. Will people buy your product or service? Is it unique enough to be appealing?
  4. Prepare a business plan. Set out aims and objectives, and the steps to take to achieve your goals. Pop into a local Enterprise Agency for advice. The Inland Revenue can also send an advisor to your house.
  5. Work out how you will promote and market your business. Visit prbasics.co.uk for a free promotion plan and lots of PR ideas and resources.
  6. Register as self employed. You have three months to let the Inland Revenue know you have started a business, or you could end up with a £100 fine.
  7. Keep good records. It is easier to note down every item of expenditure from the start than to have to deal with a pile of receipts when your tax return is due in. You can claim many of your business costs against tax too.
  8. Make the most of every customer. From day one, start a customer database so you can send them offers. It is easier to get existing customers to buy again than to find new ones.
  9. Watch out for your work-life balance. Business can easily take over. Have a finish time each day, put your work away, and make some time to relax.
  10. If you’re serious about starting a business, sign up for the free e-course at themumpreneurguide.co.uk. The course comes direct to your computer every few days and is specially designed for mums. It covers issues from business planning to childcare, finances to setting aside time for you. It is the best way to get your new business a head start.

By Antonia Chitty

www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk