Quick advice

[Gooner4life]

Would you guys recommend from your own experiences now - whether I should after university (considering I've never worked) go straight into my own start-up or gain experience in a work place?

Obviously it depends, but I'm just trying to see what people's views are on this.

Thanks

 

[morrigan]

I think it depends on a number of factors.
1. Do you have product/s or services you want to sell?
2. Have you seen a niche in the marketplace?
3. Are you wanting to start from scratch?
4. Do you want to buy an existing business?
5. Have you found a sector your interested in?

I started late in business made a lot of mistakes and have a lot of regrets. Funnily was talking to a family member about this I cam from an era were as children we were expected to finish school and find a job (any job).

The families expectations regardless of how well you did at school was find a job and it was the same for most people in my area.

Today there is advice and support everywhere even TV programmes offering encouragement.

If you have something in mind and remember I might be biased here, I would say go for it.

If you do not have family commitments, mortgage, car loan then the grants that are available for young entrepreneurs appears to be quite good.

 

[Gooner4life]

The mistakes and regrets are what makes you a stronger character for the future.

Also the only loan I have is a Student Loan

Yeah I have no commitments at all to be honest, but thinking about it although I've done some selling here and there, I don't think I'm fully 'mature' enough to do it full-time and I think you need that 'nous' with dealing with people.

But nevertheless I'll take it on board it was just an out of thought... thought. Just really don't want to work for somebody else, would rather work for myself.

 

[Jet Virtual]

Would you guys recommend from your own experiences now - whether I should after university (considering I've never worked) go straight into my own start-up or gain experience in a work place?

Obviously it depends, but I'm just trying to see what people's views are on this.

Thanks

How about NOT going to university and just start your business today?

 

[morrigan]

Why not browse through the sites below.

look at what is for sale in your area visit the businesses find out why they are for sale, find out what is happening locally.

Does the business have a physical presence, internet only or a combination?

Do you like meeting and greeting? Look at businesses for sale outside of your area can they be relocated or can you introduce the product or service into an area near you?

www.businessesforsale.com/
www.daltonsbusiness.com/
www.business4sale.co.uk

 

[Gooner4life]

How about NOT going to university and just start your business today?

If only life were so simple.

 

[Clareville Communications]

My advice would be to do your research into the area you are interested in starting a business in. If your industry is suffering from the financial downturn then it may not be a good time to start up a new business.
gaining work experience in your chosen field can be invaluable and may be the way to go before setting up on your own.

 

[geester]

If you have experience in the industry such as part time or holiday work, go for it. Otherwise try to get a job in the relevant industry gaining experience and then set up your own company.

What ever you do - Good luck.

Graham

 

[a4nthony]

Own experiences are not really relevant in this scenario because the question is, what if...?

In other words, those that did get work experience first will wonder what would have happened if they had just jumped in head first and those that did jump in will wonder if it had been better the other way ! Bit of a catch22.

However, what I would say is normally going into business is a gut feeling, you kind off know if its right at the time. If you are unsure, then it can be dangerous because if you are up for it, then you will deal with the challenges that lay ahead a lot better !

 

[tony84]

I would say work for a company.

You will see a lot of things in action - whether you agree with them or not, they will help going forward. It could also in years to come help you out of a situation.

I spent a few years at RBS and another large company before going self employed. I learnt a lot - things like MI (Management information) is important and bending the rules for the right people is well worth doing. I cant go through everything i learnt as im sure a lot of it i took in without realising but i still to this day call on things i picked up from past employers and colleagues.

I was never one for uni, i think you pick up more doing the job. I think being employed by a company they will invest time training you which you can use when being self employed if you still choose to go down that route after being employed.

 

[CharlotteM]

If only life were so simple.

The weight of expectation and finances eh?

Having been through similar I would err caution, is all.

As the original replier stated, there are many factors to consider and only you can say which.

But in terms of funding and advice, I've found being over 25 years old to be penalising. In terms of business acumen and experience, being over 25 has proved invaluable. Every which way you turn you will hit at least one big wall - your ability to scale that wall will determine your next move. Good luck!

 

[Manishp100]

its a very open question that.

depends on the business you want to go into.

it can work two ways.. you can work for companies in the field you want to go into or ecommerce etc and build up experience and start a side business..

or you can start up straight out of uni and learn as you go along.

you need to judge your own ability and knowledge and decide.. both methods will have the positive and negative to it.. just depends on the person

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

It really depends on what sort of business you want to start up.

In fact, I don't think it's possible to answer the question accurately without knowing that.