September 28th, 2010 by We would like to welcome Mandy, our latest addition to the Mindbubble editorial team. Mandy, is editor of www.workingmums.co.uk and a freelance writer specialising in education.
Stay tuned for her next blog on gender stereotyping in children’s clothing.
How was your return from the holidays? Was it full of gloom at the prospect of the commute back into work and the relentless scrutiny of your boss? Maybe you’re still wondering if there is another way?
If you are, you’re not alone. An increasing number of people, particularly women, are opting to set up their own businesses so they can control the way they work.
British Banking Association figures show that, despite the recession, the number of people who are self-employed continues to rise, with 460,000 new businesses having been created in the first ten months of 2009, compared with 468,000 for the whole of 2008.
Women were far more likely than men to go it alone, with female self-employment increasing by 4.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2009, compared with the same period a year earlier.
Male self-employment was up just 1.1 per cent by contrast.
Why the surge in female-led enterprises?
The growth in home businesses, sparked by technological advances, is one reason, say experts. This allows for greater flexibility to fit working life around other commitments, such as children. It also allows them to use the skills they have developed as a parent.
Nothing sharpens your time management and communication skills than dealing with a tetchy toddler after all.
The phenomenon of “mumpreneurs” has led to a spate of books and other advice for women. BT’s Yell.com, for instance, has recently created a site for entrepreneurial mums.
In the last few months several books have been published which spell out step by step how to run a business alongside your family.
They include Millionaire Mumpreneurs by Mel McGee. McGee says: “We live in unprecedented times. A time when technology has given us freedom to break the rules about combining work and family…Demonstrate to your children what’s possible in life by being an example of living your life on your terms.”
So where do you start if you want to set up a home business?
First, you need a business idea. Enterprise Nation, the home business specialists, offer a huge amount of information and case studies. Business Link will give you all the advice you need on the technicalities of becoming self-employed and it’s free.
Next come the practicalities of working from home. The main things you need to do are:
- Make sure you create a separate space for work and home life so the two don’t become muddled.
- Research the best technology around. With a Blackberry or iPhone, a mobile phone and a good broadband connection you can set up your own website and ensure you are able to work any time, any place.
- Ensure you have technological back-up if, for example, your computer packs up.
A key concern for homeworkers is isolation.
A good way round this is to use social networking sites and build contacts with others doing similar work to you. They will give you lots of advice as well as support.
So why not make a new start rather than the usual 9 to 5?
