Getting used to being self-employed

January 30, 2018

Back in August 2017 I accepted redundancy from the company that I’d work for since I was 18. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was certainly the most logical.

Although I was offered an alternative job with the same company, which I did trial, it simply didn’t work out. It was an evening job which I initially thought would work quite well for me, however that wasn’t the case. I had thought that it’d be good because I could take our children to school and pick them up meaning my husband could start work earlier, (he’s also self-employed).

Unfortunately, due to travel time, it actually worked out that it wasn’t possible for me to also pick our girls up from school. Aside from the working hours, I also felt like I was  back at square one.

Finding myself in a room with school leavers meant I felt very out of place. After much discussion with my husband, we decided the best thing for all of us would be to take redundancy.

It was a scary thought at first. Knowing that I had no other job lined up made me question on numerous occasions if I was making the right decision.

I’d spend hours searching online for part time jobs, but I couldn’t find any that suited. They were either part time over four to five days a week or evening jobs.

Of course whilst the girls are in school that would be ok, but during half term, with my husband being self-employed and the main earner, if I worked four or five days during half term, it would mean that my husband wouldn’t be able to work as he’d need to stay home and look after our twins. During the summer holidays, this would leave a big dent in our bank balance.

I started to wonder if I’d ever find a job that would suit my family and I. That’s when I thought about doing something for myself. A job that would mean I could set my own hours and work flexibly to suit our family.

Before accepting redundancy, I had discussed the possibility of setting up my own cleaning business. My husband thought it was a great idea, and fully supported my decision to go ahead and give it a go.

So after accepting redundancy in August, I set up my own business in October. Four months later and I’m pleased to say that it’s going well.

I work three days a week at hours that suit me. I can take our children to school and pick them up. I don’t have to wake up at silly o’clock to join the rat race, to sit in traffic and struggle to find a car parking space in the multi-story car park.

I’m fully booked and have had lots of positive feedback from my customers. However, I’ll be honest and admit that it has taken me a long while to get my head around the idea of being self-employed. I’m still not used to it, and I imagine it will still take me a while longer to fully get to grips with the idea, but for now it works and I’m pretty happy!

 

30 Comments

  • Alan Hooper

    January 30, 2018 at 8:19 am

    Being self employed can be a totally different mindset. Everything revolves around you! Marketing, accounts, the work and more. I’m self employed and the amount of times where I feel like saying to our staff “look you can replace the toner cartridge yourself!” Is crazy.
    The deal is the buck stops with you.
    I’m sure you’ll agree it’s the best choice after the first year. Then it becomes a new routine. Good luck.

  • David Pearson

    January 30, 2018 at 10:53 am

    You are brave but fortune favours the brave – remember that!
    For a while (a few years) my wife and I were running and building up our photography business. I would be out doing family portraits in home on the weekend and also covering weddings – while I still had a hectic day job through the week. We loved the idea of taking it to a level where it was out main income source but were caught in a trap of not being able to build it to the level required because I had a day job, that ensure bills were paid, but not being able to give that job up as the photography wasn’t bringing in the amount needed to take the jump. When I was offered a job and the chance to move to the country we chose that over the photography business and shut it down – starting again in a completely new area didn’t appeal to us. I miss it though.
    Sound like you have been given an opportunity and are making a real go it it. Well done.

  • Tash

    February 2, 2018 at 12:20 am

    I am so glad it all working out for you and your beautiful family. My mum did the same thing as you when I was growing up and although it came with some challenges at first we all adjusted and in the end worked out well for our family. #ThatFridayLinky

  • Dad

    February 2, 2018 at 5:46 am

    Congratulations on taking the plunge to start your own business. I really admire that and wish I had the guts to do something like that. I’m sure it will be tough to get your head around for a little while, but stick with it and establish yourself. In a few years you will be thanking yourself, I’m sure! #ThatFridayLinky

  • Ross Hunt

    February 2, 2018 at 7:01 am

    I think I would find it very strange going self-employed and having all the uncertainties that follow, luckily you have Nige who’s been doing it to help you, so that must be handy! And at least you’ve found what works best for you and the family, which is always great if you can manage that! #ThatFridayLinky

  • Chloe

    February 2, 2018 at 7:11 am

    Well free me for taking the plunge into the world of being self employed. I hope that your cleaning business continues to grow #ThatFridayLinky

  • The Rhyming Mum

    February 2, 2018 at 7:12 am

    Good for you. I’m glad everything worked out! #thatfridaylinky

  • Lewis Brown

    February 2, 2018 at 7:29 am

    well done you, I cant imagine h hard it was to loose a job with nothing lined up, then to take a plunge into the unknown. I admire your ambition to go it alone.

  • David Pearson

    February 2, 2018 at 8:22 am

    Once again I’ve already been here, read it and had something to say 😉
    #ThatFridayLinky

  • obsessive.compulsive.mother

    February 2, 2018 at 10:06 am

    It must have been scary to take the plunge and set up your own business, but it’s great to hear it is going well and it is working for your family. Well done on being brave and for putting in the hard work, as I know it must not have been easy to set up a business from scratch. Would be interested in your cleaning tips! 🙂 #ThatFridayLinky

  • Daddy Poppins

    February 2, 2018 at 10:25 am

    Well Done on taking the plunge. I became a stay at home dad in September 16 and am now trying to make some money through writing to help subsidise it. So never had that same ‘big jump’ where I had to ‘hit the ground running’.

  • Jaki

    February 2, 2018 at 11:14 am

    Emily, this is fab news! Well done you. I can imagine being self-employed is scary but what a great achievement. I’m really pleased for you. #thatfridaylinky

  • Anne

    February 2, 2018 at 11:40 am

    Well done, I’ve been there before, trying to find work that fits in with the rest of the family. I think becoming self employed is a great idea and setting up your own business is difficult but I believe you deserve a huge pat on the back. I hope it all continues to go swimmingly well and that you soon get used to being your own boss. How exciting!!

  • Jeff Wood

    February 2, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    It can be very hard to make a career change when you are a parent, let alone becoming self employed. I think it’s amazing that you did it! Soon enough all uncertainty will leave and stress will go and you will be left with the best decision of your life. I would much rather be self employed and have the ability to spend more time with my kids, than working how I am now.
    #ThatFridayLinky

  • Sara @ Magical Mama Blog

    February 2, 2018 at 4:54 pm

    Congratulations! That is a huge step. You are one brave mama and it sounds like it’s paying off! Hope it continues to only get better from here!
    #ThatFridayLinky

  • Lisa – It’s a Blogs Life

    February 2, 2018 at 5:38 pm

    Well done – taking that initial plunge is always the hardest. You now have the opportunity to work when you want, take time off when you like, be answerable to no-one but yourself and you can take on as much or as little as you want to. It’s nice to be able to have something to work around the children, isn’t it? #ThatFridayLinky

  • Carrie Ford-Coates

    February 2, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    Change is hard. Good for you for taking the plunge to start your own business. Seems like its all working out! Best of luck. #thatfridaylinky

  • Katelynn|hampersandhiccups.com

    February 2, 2018 at 7:22 pm

    Good for you for finding what works for your family!! Bonus to being able to be flexible and not work a ton of hours!
    #thatfridaylinky
    Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com

  • Kate

    February 2, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    You have found what works for you for now and that is all we can do as parents. To be honest, I hate how so many mums are pretty much forced into self-employment if they want to work as employers are very rarely family-friendly and the whole 9-5 thing does not really work around schools and nurseries etc. So much needs to change so that mums can actually contribute to society via work without heaps of added stress. Sorry you have hit on a subject that really winds me up #ThatFridayLinky

  • Pen

    February 2, 2018 at 10:30 pm

    Hi Emily, that’s great! Good for you. I don’t think I would be very good at being self-employed. I like the structure and social aspect of the office. Well done you though for taking the initiative. Pen x #ThatFridayLinky

  • Tracy Albiero

    February 2, 2018 at 11:43 pm

    Good for you for taking charge of your life and schedule! #thatfridaylinky

  • Malin, Sensational Learning with Penguin

    February 3, 2018 at 2:13 am

    I’m happy to hear that it seems to work out well for you, going self-employed! Onwards and upwards!😉x
    #thatfridaylinky

  • David – Tales of Two Children

    February 3, 2018 at 4:10 pm

    Well done for taking the plunge,Emily. Both you and Nige seem really motivated to succeed, so I’m sure you will just go from strength to strength. I wish you continued success.
    #ThatFridayLinky

  • Musings of a tired mummy…zzz…

    February 3, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    I’m so glad that you have found a solution that suits your whole family #thatfridaylinky

  • Kev

    February 3, 2018 at 11:59 pm

    Fantastic to see what can happen from adversity. Well done! I’ve been through the redundancy process a number of years ago but came out better and stronger for it. Every cloud…

  • Helen Gandy

    February 4, 2018 at 6:57 am

    Good for you for taking the plunge, very scary and glad to see things are going well! Thanks for hosting #ThatFridayLinky

  • DADulting

    February 4, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    Congrats on going for it! I imagine it feels bit weird and scary but I’m sure it’l be great for you and your family in the long run!

  • Jo – Pickle and Poppet

    February 4, 2018 at 9:19 pm

    I’m really pleased it all seems to be working out for you! #ThatFridayLinky

  • Mrs Mummy Harris

    February 8, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    Congrats lovely! being self employed is a scary thought, but thats what i’ll be getting up to by the end of this month too! Sometimes with kids, being is your own boss is the best way to fit around family life! looking forward to hearing about a team of cleaners you have and you sitting back and running the show in the future! =] #thatfridaylinky

    1. Emily

      February 8, 2018 at 7:54 pm

      Haha I wish! Maybe one day! Thanks lovely xx

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