wingnut Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 (edited) For the last 3 years i have been working as a Health and Safety adviser / trainer, but, even though i enjoy the job i missed organising and attending the bike shows that i was responsible for with my previous employer. Over the last 3 years i have kept my hand in at shows by helping my mate out at the shows he attended, but the turning point was reached in August last year when it was suggested by a show organiser, and my mate that i return to the fold so to speak, and set up my own business selling these particular parts as no one else was doing it at any of the shows around the country. So i did a bit of hunting around various shows to see if it was true. After much thought and soul searching I have now decided to set up my own business selling my previous employers after market motorcycle parts at the various shows in the Uk (and abroad). I contacted my previous employer yesterday and put forward a proposal, and was extremely delighted at his response, and that he fully endorsed the project as they have no one promoting their products at these events, and even better they have no plans to do so. He has provided all stock on a sale / return basis so there is no initial outlay, and supplied promotional display stands, banners, etc I can share costs such as stand space, diesel, accomodation, food etc with my mate, which will help him no end. We can help each other selling products as we both know each others product ranges very well. At this moment in time it will be done at weekends all over the country from Scotland>>>> Exeter, but eventually it may even be full time. It's a daunting task for me, but one which i am really looking forward to Edited March 28, 2010 by wingnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Congratulations and good luck, I hope your initiative is well rewarded, it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesman Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Best of luck pal. I'm in the same boat and it is very scary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1 Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 I'd just like top wish you the best of luck , the wife (who comes from Everton just outside Bawtry incidentaly) made the move around 18 months ago after being made redundant and your right, its ******g scary. All the best Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Get yourself up to Devil's Bidge at Kirby Lonsdale of a weekend, you can hire a spot in a field right where the bikers all park up. For someone starting up on their own it would be alot cheaper than the shows and i'm sure you would have lots more through your doors.1000's go there every weekend from April through October. Good luck, and remmember think outside the box. from Auntie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter_zero Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Good luck and best wishes!! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6shot Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 (edited) hi mate. thanks again for the h and s advice you gave me. i set my own business up 5 years ago. i had 2 young children and a mortgage. it was a scary time. but we have been lucky and done fairly well. looking back its the best thing we did. i hope you have the same good luck Edited March 28, 2010 by 6shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poorwullie Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Best of luck with it. Everything is now you're responsibiliy. Hope it goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 good luck I just set up my own company and it's the best thing I've done for a long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Get a good accountant to do your books lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 good luck, work hard.... its for you and remember..there are no such things as sick days anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 good luck, work hard.... its for you and remember..there are no such things as sick days anymore Or paid holidays... Just get focused on your task and don't let PW put you off your day job, like it does to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollysp2 Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Get yourself up to Devil's Bidge at Kirby Lonsdale of a weekend, you can hire a spot in a field right where the bikers all park up. For someone starting up on their own it would be alot cheaper than the shows and i'm sure you would have lots more through your doors.1000's go there every weekend from April through October. Good luck, and remmember think outside the box. from Auntie. Defo good idea thousands attend during the summer months also see if you can get on any local bike meets as there are some big ones during the summer good luck all the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 send me some details on your after market stuff, website? if you have one, my missus does alot of work on "the london bikers" forum/club meets etc, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 All the very best from me as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Good luck. I wish I had had the bottle to become self employed years ago. I my job pays well enough, but effort has never been rewarded. I would have been paid the same if I had done half the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Get registered with HMRC, have to do it within 3 months of starting or you'll get £100 fine. Make sure you keep all your receipts and if you can use Excel and record all your sales/expenses on it then you'll save money rather than dumping all your receipts in a box on an accountants desk. Do your bookkeeping on a weekly basis and it won't become a huge nightmare when time comes to do your tax return. Good luck if you have any queries from an accounting side feel free to pm me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 All the best of luck! My major piece of advice is whatever you do, make sure all your customers pay their bills. Cash flow, or the lack thereof has killed more small businesses than perhaps any other cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 (edited) Best of luck with your new venture but dont let it take up too many Saturdays as we may need your betting skills this coming season. edited as I have just noticed I put betting skills and I should have put beating skills All the very best Edited March 29, 2010 by harrycatcat1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulf Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Good luck. going self employed was the best decision I ever made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 So thats what you have been up to then Good luck its hard work but worth it the first year is allways the most testing time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted March 28, 2010 Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Onwards and upwards good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnut Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Best of luck with your new venture but dont let it take up too many Saturdays as we may need your betting skills this coming season. No problem there , just let me know where and when, as most bike shows have finished by the time pheasant season is upon us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnut Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 All the best of luck! My major piece of advice is whatever you do, make sure all your customers pay their bills. Cash flow, or the lack thereof has killed more small businesses than perhaps any other cause. Should not be a problem as customers will be paying prior to goods being taken from the show Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnut Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Get yourself up to Devil's Bidge at Kirby Lonsdale of a weekend, you can hire a spot in a field right where the bikers all park up. For someone starting up on their own it would be alot cheaper than the shows and i'm sure you would have lots more through your doors.1000's go there every weekend from April through October. Good luck, and remmember think outside the box. from Auntie. I am going to be targetting all the local bike nights in Lincs,Notts, to start with, then try and target others as and when i can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.