Starting Out

[Moosh]

Hi all,

It's nice to be here and I'd be grateful for your wise words and hopefully some support.

I want to be a bespoke picture framer. I'm artistic and haven't been able to exploit my talent in my previous or current jobs. I'm looking at giving up my full time job and initially working from home to keep overheads low while I build up custom. I will have an income stream for about a year from part time employment, which is fortunately flexible. Framing will be a second income to the household but still vital. I'm hoping to cover set up cost through the sale of my car and savings but it will be tight. My workshop will be small, approx 17 sq metres so no doubt things will encroach into the house (storage) - which is ok.

I intend to be professional from the outset, purchasing the right machinery and equiptment, albeit second hand. I will also undertake training and become a member of the FATG etc. I am customer focused having worked in the service industry for many years. I'm management trained but do need to learn about running a business/being self employed.

There is competition in the county but only a couple of outlets provide a specialist service and are geographically spread so I believe there is room for me. I have good networking and marketing opportunities so hopefully if I build a good reputation for myself word of mouth will be my biggest advert.

I have wanted to work for myself for a while, for all the reasons I'm sure you have, but have been waiting for the right time etc. Having made greeting cards as a hobby I enjoy the quick artistic fix that has given me with the pleasure of giving the cards away. As I have an eye for colour, shape and form I relish the opportunity of enhancing artwork, needlework etc. through framing, getting that relatively quick fix hopefully resulting in a happy customer, job satisfaction and the bonus of earning a living (fingers crossed). I guess if it all fails I'll have to go back to working for someone else

It appears that you all come from diverse backgrounds but wouldn't go back to anything else. Is this true, and if so what advice can you give someone like me so that I won't have to go back on someone elses payrol?

Kind regards

Moosh

[Not your average framer]

Hi Moosh,

What a great name! I started out originally at home, but only had limited success from home, because my situation was not ideal. However one thing I did do which made a big difference was to start claiming the Working Tax Credit. This not only helps your finances, but also if you qualify for this it then also means you can then apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Relief. These all are very helpful while you are struggling to get known and build up business.

In order to claim the Working Tax Credit you have to be working a certain minimum number of hours a week. To get my hours up I bought framed items from a local auction house which needed some restoration or just tidying up and then re-sold them mainly at the same auction house which also enabled me to practice and earn a little extra at the same time.

I hope this helps and good luck.

[Moosh]

Thanks for the advice. I do get a little working tax credit at the moment so I guess that will increase. It all helps!