Little advice needed

[Streetstylestickers]

Hello,

I'm currently in full time employment but looking to get out soon as I can, I have my own business which I do part time after work and weekends.

I'm currently getting a fair bit of work but looking to increase. I'm thinking of advertising in all the local takeaways and car dealers but as my prices are very competitive I have a little feeling ill get a good bit of interest. Only trouble is with me working part time it doesn't take much to fully book me. I obviously don't want to make customers wait too long and I don't want to turn jobs away.

Most jobs could be done in a day but they are taking 2-3 due to me only have 2-3 hours on a night after work.

I'm in two minds do I advertise in a few and do some more a bit later or do I hit them all at once and stuggle.
The car dealers if I can get in with them could be a good source of income and a regular one too.
Obviously the regular income is what I need if I'm to leave my other job, I don't want to rush and ruin my chances but I hate the job I have.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[leemason]

You haven't said what your business is? If you really want to leave your full time job and go it alone you need to have a plan. Try to calculate a minimum budget that you can live with initially. And then try to project how long it will take you to build up the amount of work to cover that. I wish you very good luck but a bit of planning also helps. Advertising is important but will take a while to work in many cases.

 

[Streetstylestickers]

Hi thanks for the reply.
I'm a sign writer I do all the stickers for vans, cars shop windows and the wall quotes.

I'm currently bringing in just under my wage from my fully time job but I have stock to pay for out of that so ill only need around £500-£600 extra a month then by the time I take my stock and running costs out of that I should be at my full time job wage.

I'm currently not doing any work for any car dealers just yet but If I can get in with them I could be looking at potentially £300-£400 pm per large size dealership so this would be a good place to try and get in

 

[ethical PR]

Why not get someone in on a freelance basis to manage the work or go part time where you're working.

 

[Neils2n]

I would look at your business model and see what part of your business you can outsource. That way you can grow your business, get more work in and when the income from your business supports you for 6 months than give up the day job...

 

[Streetstylestickers]

Thanks that's not a bad idea, any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated too

 

[chalkie99]

I'm currently bringing in just under my wage from my fully time job but I have stock to pay for out of that

That is the classic mistake of muddling turnover and profit.

my prices are very competitive

In other words, too cheap. This is not a trade where many people are making money as the potential low entry costs draw in a lot of people eager to set up on their own. Those who are cheap for the sake of it without having worked out a realistic business plan tend to fail quickly. Car dealers tend not to value your services highly but expect you to be at their bec and call. Investigate this more carefully rather than assume it will be a good move.

Don't forget that the day job pays you all year round, including holidays, Bank Holidays and the quiet months like January when you probably won't earn anything.

 

[Bri]

The above reply is completely correct. IMO I wouldnt entertain thinking of giving up my part time job at the risk of possible work, it's not gauranteed or a book full of orders.......yet!! Therefore plan as said, can your employer fit your hours around a bit so it frees you up to finish one job in a day, only take on what you can comfortably manage and complete. You'll find you have more work coming in with that attitude and attention, your customer service will be second to none and you will get more recommendations. In the spare hours you have from your job go around the dealers with your portfolio to drum up business.

 

[Streetstylestickers]

Thanks for all the help really appreciate it