Taking the Plunge

[scale90]

I've been employed by the same employer for the past 20+ years (a borough council). The pay has never been the best, and the career progression prospects are practically zero. I've ran my own small business along side my whole time job for the past 10 years & built a good rep/client base in this time.

All my kit is paid for saw's, chipper, truck etc.

 

I feel that the time is right for me, any advice would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

[Taupotreeman]

I went the other way. From full time self employed to council work running my own business on the side. Going full time is incredibly fulfilling; way more so than banging your head against the wall for council. Just make sure you have done your homework first. Have you enough work? Enough to cover holidays, sick time etc. make sure you have your budgets sorted. Running a part time business with a full time job paying a steady wage is way different to doing it all on your own. At the end of the day, you'll know if it's right. Personally speaking, if you have the work or the right business ethic, I'd go for it. You'll never know if you don't try.

[delabodge]

Always a big step,but a rewarding one,and sounds like you`,ve almost there anyway, I was a full time ranger,in a good job, but after five yrs found that my chance of promotion was poor(and justified as the senior ranger is still there 19yrs on)so I went part time whilst I built up my customer base,this worked and soon enough the days I still worked for the council was a pain, is there options for this,or subbing back to them, ?

Follow your gut,I covered my backside a bit and learnt new skills too ,so when one aspect was quiet then I work on the otherside of the buisness(woodwork)

Good luck

[richy_B]

I'd advise asking the council you work for, for reduced hours. 3 days a week for example. Councils are crying out for cost savings.

 

You then have a bit of income 'guaranteed' and can test the waters working for yourself 4 days a week for 6 months - year.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

I'd advise asking the council you work for, for reduced hours. 3 days a week for example. Councils are crying out for cost savings.

 

You then have a bit of income 'guaranteed' and can test the waters working for yourself 4 days a week for 6 months - year.

 

That sounds a really good way of testing the waters...

 

Security in mind but with the opportunity to stretch if the need arises!

 

[Ian Flatters]

I went the other way. From full time self employed to council work running my own business on the side. Going full time is incredibly fulfilling; way more so than banging your head against the wall for council. Just make sure you have done your homework first. Have you enough work? Enough to cover holidays, sick time etc. make sure you have your budgets sorted. Running a part time business with a full time job paying a steady wage is way different to doing it all on your own. At the end of the day, you'll know if it's right. Personally speaking, if you have the work or the right business ethic, I'd go for it. You'll never know if you don't try.

 

 

Well said.

 

Just remember. If you have a full time job and you've got 4 weekends ahead of work that's only in reality 6 days self employed. But 6 days a head is much better than when I setup.

 

If you feel it's the right time either ask to reduce your hours (councils are pretty good with this) or jump in both feet and go for it.

[Shane]

I suspect that, deep down, you know the answer. Good idea if you can go part-time, just spreads the risk a bit.

 

Do you wake up in the morning looking forward to the next 10 hours?

Answer these ....

It will be difficult and maybe I shouldn't because.....(fill in whatever you think here)

I can do it and I should do it because....(fill in whatever you think here)

 

When you look back in 20 years time at the decision you made ...

What do you want to be able to think about your choice?

 

We are dead for a very long time, you can only live NOW.

 

Good luck

[scale90]

Thanks for the replies guys, I work as well as a retained firefighter

so this is extra income. There's probably no chance of reducing my hours due to me working in a team of 2.

On paper it all looks good but its just taking that step after being employed with regular money/benefits for 20 odd years. My wife & family are fully behind me which is awesome.

 

 

 

I'll keep you all posted, thanks again

[stihlmadasever]

I've been employed by the same employer for the past 20+ years (a borough council). The pay has never been the best, and the career progression prospects are practically zero. I've ran my own small business along side my whole time job for the past 10 years & built a good rep/client base in this time.

All my kit is paid for saw's, chipper, truck etc.

 

I feel that the time is right for me, any advice would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

Im in the same position,minus the chipper,im just biding my time till i go it alone...go for it,if you dont you'll always question why you didnt.

[fagus]

One thing to consider is pension provision. Although final salary based pensions are less common, LA pensions are sound.

Many self employed have work till they nearly drop to keep a reasonable lifestyle. However if you are not happy working a lot of years just for a good pension is not good. Too easy to buy a new chipper and put off contributions to your pension fund.The state pension is not adequate to live comfortably on