Start?

[Akhter]

I know Ive asked before about starting with all the economy problems,
but my work finishes in about a week and cant get any other jobs and im back to the dole.
Ive done my tiling course and several tiling jobs.

I have a possibility of a business start up grant of about a thousand £ for tools and marketing.
Would you you say start anyway nothing to loose or its a no go?
Im interested in building the skills aswell to complete bathroom refits if it gives me another avenue.

[Oli]

I think that's a decision only you can mate bud, for me it would depend on my financial situation, if you can afford not to have any money coming in if no work comes your way then you have nothing to loose, on the other hand if you have a mortgage and bills then it would be a different story.

I admire you for not just giving in and going on the dole though mate, good to see someone trying to earn their keep so to speak.

Maybe you could get a job to tide you other doing temping work or something like that.
Best of look which every way you choose to go.

[Derry]

agreed with oli although if you have the possibility of a grant the arguably now is the best time to do it.

[medlar]

agreed with oli although if you have the possibility of a grant the arguably now is the best time to do it.

Agree with Oli and Derry,get your grant and go for it mate,tyr and get CSCS registered and get some sub contract work in to help you out until you get some private work

[brian c]

go for it,you have nothing to lose,get yourself some nice kit with the grant and get your advert in the local rag.

[Akhter]

Yip id say the chance of the grant is pretty good because theyve chased it up a few times since i put the application in as if they want me to go ahead with with it, there might be a test marketing grant aswell.
Have one more assessment to do for the NVQ tiling so I should get the CSCS card then. Unfortunatley the sites around here are closing big time so sit work might be a no go.

[cornish_crofter]

One chap came on here asking the same question recently, IIRC the concensus of opinion was that he should stay put as he had a job for now.

Having said that you don't. For you it's a choice between this and no job right now. Having said that there may be no reason why you can't work part time whilst things get started.

If there is a start up grant available to you, there may also be a business advice/courses available to you as well. When I went self employed I got a free 4 day course on running my own business, and I can apparently go back there for any advice when I need it.

Make sure you're getting all the help you need.

Working for yourself is actually quite good in terms of child tax credits and working tax credits. These should be claimed, as the chances are that they'll be worth a few quid to you.

[graham31]

By the sounds of things Akhter you have nothing to loose.Get the grant get some tools do what you have to and get advertising see what kind of response you get and take it from their.But the work won't find you,you have to find it be pro-active.

Must be better than sitting on the dole

[Akhter]

Yip I get full training on marketing and finance, then i can avail of a test marketing grant to help ascertyain if there will be enough trade which id imagine will be tough as we know tiling work is word of mouth a lot adventually.
Then if that goes well I may be able to avail of the grant upt to £1500, but ive costed £1000 for tools.