In the last decade, there has been a 79 per cent increase in mums joining the UK’s freelance industry. Working mums now account for 1 in 7 of all freelancers in the UK.

I am one of them.

When I was on maternity leave with my second baby, I realised that returning to my 10-year career in publishing was no longer the right choice. My job involved long-haul travel and didn’t offer me the flexibility I needed.

I wanted a work-life that would give me more time to spend with my children and was going to fit around my family.

A few months before I was due to return to work, I decided to go for it and I quit my job. I spent a while dreaming up business ideas and finally, I started a self-care subscription box called Seventeen Minutes, to encourage mums to take time for themselves.

That’s not to say it’s been easy. Far from it. There have been countless late nights and weekends spent working and my son watches more Peppa Pig than I’d like to admit. I’ve had to learn how to run a business from scratch: from SEO, networking, PR, website maintenance. Everything that comes with running a business on my own.

But it is possible.

Now I’m able to spend a few days a week with my children, I’m growing a small business I love and I’m more motivated than ever.

Here’s My Top 10 Tips To Help You Start Your Business Journey:

Plan, Plan, Plan

Plan, plan, plan. Whether you decide to write a business plan or map out your business using the Business Model Canvas, spend as much time as you can planning. There is a lot to consider; from financing, marketing and website design down to childcare and how running your business will fit in with family life.

Get Talking

Talk to friends, family, neighbours, even the woman at the bus stop about your idea. You will need the support from family and friends to make it work and it’s always a good idea to ask for impartial opinions. Discuss your business proposal with anyone who will listen and take on their feedback.

What Will It Solve?

Rather than starting your idea simply because it’s what you want to do, think about what it will solve or provide for others. Is your business fixing a problem or addressing a need that isn’t yet catered for? Your business should fill a gap in a certain market or niche.

For example, I didn’t create Seventeen Minutes just because I had a passion for self-care. I struggled with losing my identity after becoming a mother and found self-care was a non-negotiable part of my routine. Then I started to look into how many other women were doing this, after having kids.

It turns out that most mums need nurturing, but aren’t getting it. So I decided to build a business – based on my own experience, and using solutions I’d found – to solve an issue and help other mums feel better within themselves.

Knowing and understanding what problems your target customers face and how you can solve them will help you build a relatable and current brand.

Keep It Simple

Keep it simple. If you’re reading this, chances are you have a business idea you’re considering pursuing. Be careful not to get carried away and let it snowball in to something more complicated. Stay focused on your core idea and be clear on your vision, motives and messaging.

Run The Numbers

Run the numbers. Twice. Consider your costs carefully as you will need to factor in various expenses to launch your business and operate. Basic costs might include rent or online platform fees, supplies, social media advertising, marketing materials, and more.

Estimate your startup costs and triple it. It’s better to be prepared for overspending, and trust me you will, than find yourself short of funds in the early days. Don’t forget to include a detailed personal budget too. You still need to live, eat and pay bills.

Side Hustle?

Start your business as a side hustle if you need to. It wasn’t an option for me but you don’t have to quit your job to get started. Build your business slowly and work during lunch breaks, in the evenings and weekends. You can use this handy tool to keep track of how much you have earned working in short bursts.  You can transition to full-time business owner when you feel the time is right.

Confidence

Confidence is key. Deciding to go freelance is not always an easy decision but don’t let your lack of confidence be the thing that holds you back from achieving something you want. Dig deep and believe in yourself.

Community

Build a community. Social media is a great place to start. There are so many active communities for women in business on Facebook and Instagram. Engage with other entrepreneurs, ask questions and support their businesses. Building relationships with other business owners will help you feel less isolated and develop your own support network.

Get Out Of That Comfort Zone

Get out of your comfort zone. There will be various things you will need to do that feel alien to you. For me, it was how to do my own PR. But, if I wanted my business to succeed, I had to put myself out there and share Seventeen Minutes with the world.

I can’t begin to tell you how terrified I was. I started with baby steps, talking to the camera on Instagram stories. As it turned out, I became a lot more comfortable the more I pushed myself.

Now I confidently approach national magazines and newspapers for business features. As a new business owner, you will need to market your business and network with clients and/or customers constantly. Learn how to talk about your business with confidence, even if you’re afraid to.

And Finally…

Just start. You’ll never know if you don’t start.

Are you thinking of taking the leap?

Bio  

Sara Vickery-Bragg is a mum of two and founder of Seventeen Minutes, self-care subscription boxes for mums. Her mission is to help mums take time out and reconnect with themselves. Instagram: @seventeen_minutes. Facebook: @seventeenminutes. Twitter: @saravbragg.