Hey Guys,

Honest opinions required here.

I have been thinking for a long time about goin it alone and learning a trade however due to financial restraints have had to think about it more precisely.

Basically i've come across an organisation which because i am only 23 do business start loans upto 5k on a low interest rate.

So here was my thinking (like i said honest opinions)

Start off going on a tiling course (maybe working with a tiler afterwards), get a van and advertise advertise advertise by any means possible, then after a while, go on a plastering course and or a bathroom plumbing course and start taking it all from there.

Do you guys think i'm living in a dream world or does this sound like a good idea?

Mike

mike

its all achievable mate and only you can make it happen

single mindedness and determination will bring you success, theres no easy route

go for it and good luck

hi there Mike.

the structure you have laid out sounds good except for the loan....but if you have to then you have to as money is a key factor. the more advertising you can afford at the start the better if you are going to do a tiling course then go on to a plastering/plumbing course why not see what can be offered for combined they usually work out cheaper. I would honestly recommend that you go on the most extensive training course in your area.
hope this helps and the very best of luck.
chris

hi newbie mike

before you even attempt opening a business you must....

know what your doing?

its great being postive BUT be realistic!! you want to be self employed because you want to be your own man and thats good but you must have something to be self employed at?

whats your goal, your outcome?? what do you want to be/specialize in??
a tiler? a plasterer? a plumber? or bathroom specialist.. these are the questions you need to ask yourself in order to make that step.

you can have all the optomism, confidence, single mindedness in the world but if you dont back it up with knowledge in that field, it will turn sour....

i'd say. go on a course and get some experience behind you..actually see if you like it
then, get competant at it and take it one step at a time

definately do not get any debt at this stage!! see what grants are available for training...start small, take one step at a time..use all the options and free expert advice thats available to you...business link etc....

best of luck and be smart mate...find the why's, then you'll find the way

ed

Cracking advice Ed.

I agree, if you want to do a tiling course then go for it, there are plenty out there and there are plenty of guys on here who can recommend good 1s. BUT learning a trade is not a quick thing, you will not come ouit of a tiling course and be set to dive right into the tiling world. Id do your coarse, then try to get some work with an established tiler in your area, this is where you will learn the trade (if he is any good of course). Unfortunately there are countless guys out there that have had the same idea and have either crashed and burned or they are still going but carrying out poor work. If you really want to go into this line of work, do it well and be the best at it you can. Even if that means sticking toi tiling and calling other trades in to do work for you, you can make good money out of this.

Hope that is some kind of help, dont mean to be all doom and gloom but this would be my advice and I wish you good luck

P.S dont forget the free expert advice on here Ed

also bear in mind it won't happen for you overnight and if you have bills to pay like most of us then you will still need an income,maybe think about a part-time job and try filling the rest of the week with 1 or 2 jobs to see how you get on,because you won't be able to fill a diary up for the first few months!

word of mouth and referrals is the best advertising you can get and it will take time

good luck and all the best

Hi Newbie Mike
If you are unemployed then try the local colleges that teach trades they do a discounted course, the courses are 15 hrs a week max, you pay a fraction of what the working people pay. The colleges have contacts within the trade and may be able to help you get fixed up.
Be careful when you pick a course as some places that offer plumbing, plastering etc will do the main trades i.e. plumbing really well but the tiling courses are a waste of money. I did a course at Access Training and the bathroom fitting and plastering were really good but the tiling course did not teach me how to tile, I am now booked on at Diamond training to do another tiling course.
Good luck with whatever you end up doing.