Over 3.5 million people work for themselves in the UK; some may be one-person businesses, others may employ staff.
They’ve all got this in common – they had an idea for a business, they identified a need for that business or service, and they’ll have worked very hard to make it a success.
Have you identified:
- A product or service – that’s in short supply in your area and in demand?
- Something that’ll be the next ‘big thing’ in a year or so? There are lots of take away food shops now, often next to each other in the street – but how many of them are really profitable?
Have you got the skills needed to do it?
- No? You’ll need to consider going to college or training to get the skills. The National Enterprise Academy runs courses for budding entrepreneurs.
- Yes? You’ll need help and advice, and to draw up a business plan that shows that you’ve done your research and identified the demand for the service you want to provide.
Here are some organisations that particularly help young people who want to become self employed:
- Shell LiveWIRE
- The Prince's Trust
- Business Support Solutions – tel 0845 608 3388
- your local bank will offer you advice and - most important - if you can convince them your idea is sound, they may lend you money.
You can use the library in your Connexions Centre too as it has information for you to read or take away.