I have been self employed now since 2004.

Never looked back

It is very hard work, I started with nothing I didn't have any loans or grants and just built it up the hard way through doing a decent job and getting referred to new clients.

What some people fail to realise is that even with a lot of hard work and dedication a business can still fail (and most likely will) so you need a solid plan.

I am a web designer my start up costs were £0 and I am self taught but now specialise in only certain areas of design. In 1 year I made a steady profit - so pretty much from day 1.

The toughest thing was building a portfolio - it can be difficult to convince a company to use you when you have little to back up what you say! thankfully I worked with the right people and didn't lower my standards.

This is the best bit of this thread IMHO :
2. Find a trustworthy partner or associate interested in the same goals early, preferably one who has expertise in things you don't, and vice versa.
Delta9 UK Reviewed by Delta9 UK on . Who here owns their own business? I doubt many do since most people here are too young to open up a business, but do you own your own business? Do you know anybody who does? I'm thinking this may be a path I should look into since post-sec. education courses aren't quite so appealing to me at the moment and especially since business expenses are at an all-time low with E-commerce and such. I've taken Entrepreneurship for 2 years now in High School too so I'm not completely new to some home-business concepts. so for those Rating: 5