The opening of a business to some is a grand event. You’re going out in the world of work, fully in control of your own professional career. It may be something that is entirely a business of your own making in the fact that you have created a brand and selling to the public. This is mostly for retail businesses that offer the consumer and clients something they can buy from you to make easier or improve their life somehow. On the other hand, opening up a business can be something nonchalant, nothing to write home about. This is usually when you’re a novice and want to take things slow. The latter is, in fact, the most common form of how small businesses are born. It’s understandable since you’re basically like a baby deer, with spindly weak legs trying to stand up on your own two feet for the first time. If you are in this position, how do you get your first few jobs? Becoming a contractor to other businesses is mainly how you can get solid work to keep flowing in.
In your sector
More than likely you don’t want to get involved with the larger industrial companies. When you first become a contractor and own your own business, you’re essentially offering up your services to another company. Therefore you must stick to what you know. Rather than advertise or offer your services broadly, seek our companies that are in your area of expertise. If you make a particular product or can work with certain software, tools, machines and more, keep in this sector. The companies you offer your services to, will look at your record and find out that you are most qualified in a particular area anyway, so get some experience and contacts while developing a good working relationship with these companies.
Stability is survival
Your first couple of year as a small business will determine whether you survive or not. The lack of business and work from clients is what will sink your ship. That’s why when you cannot find clients by yourself, you can always contact an agency that will find work on your behalf. However, you will be taking home less money as of course, the agency or rather umbrella company will charge you for their services. However, the good news is that you don’t have to do the paperwork. They will do all the tax paperwork for you and therefore and admin costs that you would have incurred are bypassed. First read about hmrc umbrella companies and the stance of the government on such companies. Be mindful that some agencies will be sketchy and even downright corrupt. Always check the reputation of the company you’re contacting. There have been cases of umbrella companies literally stealing money from contractors and even shutting down and vanishing without a trace.
Not a lot of people will know who you are and what your business is about when you start your own company. However, there are ways to get stable work as long as you are ready to work under an umbrella company. Most of all, keep within a sector you’re really good in until you have expanded your talents to new areas or grown a healthy reputation.
