Want to start own business, need advice?

Question

Both myself and my husband are graphic designers and although we both work full time, we are quite poorly paid and thought about starting up on our own. The only problem being is that neither of us are sales people and don't feel confident that we could get the work in, although I'm fully confident in our abilities as talented designers. Anyone got any suggestions? We have thought aboout asking a third person to join the partnership but wouldn't know where to start looking for someone trustworthy and as commited as we are.

Answer 1

personally, dont get a third person involved....start the business with your husband alone...all you need to do is get some advertising out and wait for people to come to you...get a website set up....and then search for your clients on the net. ie theres a site called gumtree....theres loads of jobs on there...and some are even jobs for individuals....u can look through the posts and contact the relevant persons..and offer ur services...

trust me it works....its al bout hard work and dedication.....put ur mind to it and ull get there...

obviously its up to you whether u want to find someone else to join your partnership, but i think why when u have the skills already..

oh...and keep in touch, one of my clients may need a designer to design a company logo for her business very soon...
so i will let u know... you could provide some samples to her and hopefully make her ur first client..

all the best..

If you need advice on business, tax and accounting...im an accountant, so can advise you if necessary.

Answer 2

You'll need about year, to think through everything thoroughly, and prepare the nitty-gritty. Logo's, invoices, quotations, etc.
As well as writing a business plan.
Most think this is just for the bank, and you'll probably just work from home and build your own capital up, so you won't need one - you do. It will get you thinking about the right things (Ms Powerpoint templates is a good place to start).
After a year you should have a home/office setup - by that time you will have identified contacts and clients (through your work, or based on a marketing strategy (you have a year)).
Then one of you can resign and begin your company. If it gets too much work for one, the other can join.
Don't spend any money on staff - if someone joins it must be for a percentage - sales people often don't really pay there way when the business is small, try and do everything yourself with advice from friends and contacts. If someone you know has a skill, buy them a dinner and ask them for a favour.
Best strategy is to spend a year working nights and weekends on this, then one keeps their job but moonlights at night.
if the money starts coming in - go for it full tilt.

I'm about half way through the process, but going it alone, so I have to make it work.
The work, and the money comes in dribs and drabs at first, and your marketing (even if done by proffesionals) is hit and miss. I'm relying on old contacts and word of mouth. Took a big salary decrease at first but it's narrowing slowly. I'm doing independant project management and construction design. But I have had to diversify when old contacts ask for a favour - just to keep the money coming in. Have designed cost control programs, written budgets and planning documents, data entry and trouble shooting. So your business may not always go in the directions you intend - but if it's going at all it's a good thing.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Firstly congratulations for realising what your own strengths and weaknesses are. An absolute must in starting and running your own business. Also, congratulations for realising that successful selling is a skill in itself! You sound like you have the makings of a successful business, so much so that I am tempted to join u myslef LOL. However, to answer your question I would need to know the state of your financial resorces and access to finance. The obvious answer is go hire someone. Sales people are used to working a basic+commissions pay structure. It would be advisable to get help from someone in sales that you know and trust to help you with the selection. At hiring stage be very clear about the expectations of them in terms of monthly/quarterly targets. Be prepared to be ruthless if you dont see results. All the very best.

Answer 4

Why don't you see if one of you can get a better paid job then, if successfull, the other tries to branch out with the private side. That way, you would have an assured income while the business does or does not grow.

Alternatively, start doing out of hours work on the side - and see where that goes.

And a final alternative - one of you goes part time to explore this as an option.

Answer 5

There are plenty of opportunities out there, its just finding the right one for you.

do your research, as there are also scams, which you need to steer clear of.

Take a look at this site, where you can view 1000s of profiles worldwide of business people with all types of business opportunities. You can also add your own profile. Its FREE to register too.

Once you find your business opp, you need to work out how you are going to build your business. This is a skill in itself, but can be learned very easily and cheaply, if you have the right tools. I will gladly forward you info regarding this.

It is not usually the business opportunity that is at fault, but the person involved...i.e you !

If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to mail me...

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I just started my own business on Friday with a company Stayin home and loven it. It was the best thing I did!!! If you are interested just email me and I will fill you in about it.
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