They’ve done it...
Can I work for myself?
If you’re thinking about working for yourself you’ll probably have loads of questions about what it means for you. You’ll find the answers to these and more in ‘Getting started’ below.
Our Can Do Calculator also offers a fun way for you to find out if you’ve got what it takes to become your own boss. Why not give it a try.
If you’re thinking about working for yourself then you’ll probably have questions about what this will mean for you. You may find the answers to some of these below.
If you’ve got questions that we’ve not covered here or you’d like to talk to someone directly about getting started then get in touch using our helpline number.
Will I need any business experience?
No. Many people who run a business have practically no experience of working for themselves.
No Limits can offer you lots of help to plug any skills gaps you may have but no-one can replace the time and effort that you will need to put in yourself to get your business up and running.
How will I know if my idea is a good one?
There are no rules about what makes a good idea. The best way to know if yours will work is by doing some research.
Who will your potential customers be?
Who is already providing something similar in the area?
Remember, competition is not necessarily a bad thing as it shows that people are interested in buying your kind of product and service. The downside is that unless you can bring something different to the business you will be competing solely on price, which might be difficult in the early days.
How much research you do will depend on the time and money you have available but the more you do, the better prepared you will be.
How much will it cost to get started?
Unfortunately, there is no one answer to this question.
Some businesses will be cheaper to set up; some may take longer to pay back on your initial investment.
With careful planning and guidance on the best finance options for you there is no reason why money should be a barrier.
And while no business should rely on funding rather than profits to survive, No Limits can offer a range of practical help with your money matters.
Get in touch with our team to chat through your finance options and to see if your idea qualifies for funding support.
What if I don’t have a business idea?
If you’re struggling to come up with an idea, here are some pointers to get you started:
What do you enjoy doing?
What product or services are currently missing in your community? Is this something you could develop yourself?
Do you currently use a service or buy a product which you think you could provide at a better price or quality?
Even if you’ve never though about working for yourself before, why not come and chat to our team about things you enjoy doing or any ideas you may have.
Also talk to people who are already working for themselves. To give you a head start we’ve chatted to quite a few already – see case studies for some ideas and inspiration.
Where does No Limits come in?
There’s no doubt that the road to working for yourself will have a few bumps along the way. And you will need to put in plenty of time and effort, especially in the early days. But there is lots of help out there for people in your area.
This is where No Limits comes in. We’ve brought together 16 different projects, each offering an exciting package of support, to help people who want to work for themselves and grow their business right here.
You don’t need to have any experience. You don’t even need to have a definite idea of what you want to do. All that we ask is that you come prepared to make the most of all the opportunities open to you.
So whether you want practical support, advice or just someone to chat through your options with you, No Limits acts as a central gateway to whatever help you need.
Find out more about what's on offer or give us a call on freephone 0800 612 2029
