STARTING up your own business can be one of the most daunting things you do.
It is even harder if you are out of work and scared of losing your benefits.
But now PM David Cameron wants 40,000 unemployed Brits to set up new firms in
the next two years and has pledged £50million for enterprise zones.
Yesterday he launched a scheme where claimants can keep benefits for six
months while they set up new businesses. Up to £2,000 – including a start-up
loan and a weekly allowance – will be available to those who are unemployed
and on benefits.
The Sun has worked hard to get Britain back to work after the recession.
Our Sunemployment campaign has found jobs for thousands of readers.
Here, JENNA SLOAN and DAVID LOWE ask two experts for their tips on how to set
up your own business and speak to two Sun readers who have taken the
plunge.
JULIAN DUNKERTON, pictured above right, set up the Superdry clothes
label from a market stall in Herefordshire in 1983 and later in Cheltenham,
Gloucs. It is now a global fashion brand worth £180million. Julian, 45, said:
“I was on the original Enterprise Allowance Scheme in the Eighties — it helped
me enormously.
I had been unemployed for nine weeks when I started on the scheme. It’s about
time the Government brought it back in.
The scheme was a massive benefit to me. I lived on the £40 per week allowance
you got then, which allowed me to plough all my profits back into my
business.
I lived frugally but that’s what you had to do. I would say that you really
have to plough your first year’s profit back into your business. Live off
the scheme and plough everything you possibly can back into it.
As a policy, I never spent more than ten per cent of what I earned for the
next ten to 15 years. I re-invested, then re-invested again.
You must be prepared to work hard. For the first two years I worked seven days
a week.
And remember that you are the least important person in the business. The
customer is first, then any staff, then you.
You should always have a goal. First, try to be the best in your town, then
your county, then the country. After that, you can focus on being the best
in the world at what you do.
And don’t let a lack of qualifications put you off. I did A-levels and they
were the worst two years of my life. There are very few jobs you need a
degree for. Most jobs rely on common sense and understanding.
If you have kids or you are older, you might be more risk averse and starting
up by yourself is a risk. Not everyone is built for it but it was the best
thing I could possibly have chosen.
You should always strive to do better — never think you’ve achieved the
finished article. You have to love what you do. And have an empathy with
people — and understand what they want.
What’s riskier? Working for somebody who is potentially not going to be there
in a year’s time or working for yourself — someone you know you can always
rely on?”
‘Just go for it — there’s no
better time to start’
says MICHELLE DEWBERRY, Apprentice winner
MICHELLE, who won TV series The Apprentice four years ago, started as a
check-out girl in Kwik Save in her home town of Hull when she was 16.
After working for internet service provider Tiscali, Michelle, 31, set up her
own consultancy giving advice to firms worldwide which wanted to take on
multi-million-pound projects to improve their businesses.
She now runs website ,
which rounds up the best money-saving lifestyle deals. Here are her top tips:
1. IF you have an idea, do your research. Is anyone else doing it? What
are you doing that is different? What problem does your business want to
solve? Find something you enjoy because you will be working a lot of hours.
2. WRITE it down. Who are your customers? What are your products? How
much money will you need? How do you intend to grow? How will your customers
hear about you? These will all form your business plan.
3. GET support from Government advice service Business Link, pals and
family. Join local business groups.
4. EVERY penny counts. Think how to keep costs down. Improve your
skills rather than pay someone else.
5. SET goals. List what you want to achieve by a certain time and make
sure you check it a lot to see how you are progressing.
6. PLAN how to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to drive
sales. A good website is crucial. Find a cheap developer.
7. FORM a routine. One of the hardest parts of setting up a new
business is being away from an office and a routine. On day one set the
alarm and add structure to your day.
8. PREPARE to work harder than ever before. Setting up a business is
not for the faint-hearted. There will be lots of lows – but the rewards will
far outweigh anything you would get from a job.
9. MAKE some time for your life. It is really important to take time
out of your business. This will give you a sense of perspective and allow
you to come back with a fresh pair of eyes.
10. JUST DO IT! There is never a “right” time to set up a business. My
advice is just go for it. There is no better time than the present. If you
hang around, someone may get there first.
Case study 1
ROSEMARY Ndukuba, 38, from Rugby, Warks, is the director of Devine Foods, an
African foods company. She said:
I came up with the idea for an African foods business four years ago when I
was at home raising the youngest of my three children.
I was an office worker before that but I didn’t want to go back to the daily
grind with someone else as my boss.
The challenges of starting a company are immense but if you have the drive and
conviction, it’s worth it. Last April we opened our new factory, which was a
very proud moment.
We sell sauces, chocolates and recently launched ready meals under the label
African Mamaputt Kitchen.
My advice for anyone considering starting a business is to think carefully
about your idea. If it makes sense, go for it.
Go to .
Case study 2
SIMON RUDD, 33, from Portsmouth, runs a graphic design firm. The dad-of-two
said:
I was made redundant as a computer programmer and despite applying for
hundreds of jobs, I was getting nowhere.
It’s depressing and lonely to sit at home on your own all day and my debts
built up.
I was unemployed for four years before the JobCentre sent me on a course on
how to set up your own firm. Setting up a business was hard but worth it.
You have to stick by your idea and really be your own boss. Don’t let others
persuade you to do something you don’t want to do.
It’s great that the Government are encouraging people to set up by themselves.
It beats sitting on your backside.