I'm thinking about starting my own business, what should I consider?

{"nodes":{"3071819852":{"ID":"Self-emp_0","answer":"<p>Although setting up and running your own business can be a very exciting prospect, it is also time consuming and challenging. Before you decide to set up your own business you will need to carefully consider whether becoming self-employed is right for you.<\/p>\n<p>Talk to other self-employed people to help you understand exactly what running your own business involves.<\/p>\n<p>You should also think about the following: <\/p>","entry_object_ref":"http:\/\/api.transversal.com\/mfapi\/objectref\/EntryStore\/Entry\/http:\/\/www.metafaq.com\/mfapi\/Metafaq\/Clients\/rnib\/Modules\/employment-work\/Topics\/finding-work:3071819852:3","entry_ref":"3071819852","entry_ref_encrypted":"M4SOR3IP6688DSA550EETIO408","entry_uid":"buacbjj43rmpyzi7euls6bbna2","label":"","question":"Self Employment for people with sight loss","choices":{"2":{"ID":"Self-emp_5","entry_object_ref":"http:\/\/api.transversal.com\/mfapi\/objectref\/EntryStore\/Entry\/http:\/\/www.metafaq.com\/mfapi\/Metafaq\/Clients\/rnib\/Modules\/employment-work\/Topics\/finding-work:3071819857:3","entry_ref":"3071819857","entry_ref_encrypted":"MK8SKRB9HK02KFJMKGLGBPS2GG","entry_uid":"buacbkcaua4vdlwb2netuh65is","head_ref":"3071819854","label":"","link_text":"Potential sources of funding ","order":"2","tail_ref":"3071819852"},"3":{"ID":"Self-emp_6","entry_object_ref":"http:\/\/api.transversal.com\/mfapi\/objectref\/EntryStore\/Entry\/http:\/\/www.metafaq.com\/mfapi\/Metafaq\/Clients\/rnib\/Modules\/employment-work\/Topics\/finding-work:3071819858:3","entry_ref":"3071819858","entry_ref_encrypted":"SKKK44TC80VQUMOKILG3RPV9OG","entry_uid":"buacbkgresmzhd77p6aw3ou2bc","head_ref":"3071819855","label":"","link_text":"Resources","order":"3","tail_ref":"3071819852"},"1":{"ID":"Self-emp_4","entry_object_ref":"http:\/\/api.transversal.com\/mfapi\/objectref\/EntryStore\/Entry\/http:\/\/www.metafaq.com\/mfapi\/Metafaq\/Clients\/rnib\/Modules\/employment-work\/Topics\/finding-work:3071819856:3","entry_ref":"3071819856","entry_ref_encrypted":"MCNJHN00NFT1LQLOUTKKIABESQ","entry_uid":"buacbk557su5nyfc767utjse4g","head_ref":"3071819853","label":"","link_text":"Business Plan","order":"1","tail_ref":"3071819852"}}},"3071819853":{"ID":"Self-emp_1","answer":"<p>It is vital that you conduct an assessment and carry out research to judge how viable your idea is. Creating a business plan can help you spot potential pitfalls, you should include the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Executive summary - this is an overview of the business you want to start.<\/li>\n<li>Business opportunity - who you are, your skills, experience and relevant training, what you plan to sell or offer, why and to whom.<\/li>\n<li>Marketing and sales strategy - why you think people will buy what you want to sell and how you plan to sell to them, who your key competitors are and how you plan to beat the competition. Include market research to confirm your idea fills a gap in the market.<\/li>\n<li>Management team and personnel - your credentials and the people you plan to recruit to work with you.<\/li>\n<li>Operations - your premises, production facilities, your management information systems and IT.<\/li>\n<li>Financial forecasts - this section translates everything you have said in the previous sections into numbers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","endNodeData":"","endNodeType":"","entry_object_ref":"http:\/\/api.transversal.com\/mfapi\/objectref\/EntryStore\/Entry\/http:\/\/www.metafaq.com\/mfapi\/Metafaq\/Clients\/rnib\/Modules\/employment-work\/Topics\/finding-work:3071819853:3","entry_ref":"3071819853","entry_ref_encrypted":"UBV8NN60N0G34E5U4GQ1QDLNCO","entry_uid":"buacbjo5vifetfhs7x7wpbjrfk","label":"","question":"Business Plan","choices":[]},"3071819854":{"ID":"Self-emp_2","answer":"<p>There are four types of funding available that you can look into:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Grant funding - money given to you that does not have to be repaid. This can be obtained from a variety of sources<\/li>\n<li>Loans - money loaned to you that has to be repaid<\/li>\n<li>Benefits - money paid to top up your income as a self-employed person, such as Working Tax credit<\/li>\n<li>Government support \u2013 such as support through the Access to Work scheme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","endNodeData":"","endNodeType":"","entry_object_ref":"http:\/\/api.transversal.com\/mfapi\/objectref\/EntryStore\/Entry\/http:\/\/www.metafaq.com\/mfapi\/Metafaq\/Clients\/rnib\/Modules\/employment-work\/Topics\/finding-work:3071819854:3","entry_ref":"3071819854","entry_ref_encrypted":"RHJ42E3KP1L62OUS4N3B19TN40","entry_uid":"buacbjtk6jz5mxfzrzjpqifxqk","label":"","question":"Potential sources of funding ","choices":[]},"3071819855":{"ID":"Self-emp_3","answer":"<h3>Access to Work<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/access-to-work\/apply\">Access to Work (AtW)<\/a> scheme provides advice and practical support to people to help overcome work-related obstacles resulting from a disability. The scheme can provide a wide range of support including access technology, transport and support workers.<\/p>\n<h3>Association of Disabled Professionals<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.adp.org.uk\/\">ADP<\/a> is a membership organisation that provides advice, information and peer support to disabled people interested in working in professional fields. ADP also provides a quarterly newsletter and a series of employment guides for disabled people.<\/p>\n<h3>Learndirect<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.learndirect.com\/\">Learndirect<\/a> is a network of online learning and information services. It offers a wide range of training courses that may help you if you are thinking of setting up your own business. Topics covered include key management skills, marketing, business planning and so on. Courses are either offered at your local Learndirect centre or online via their website.<\/p>\n<h3>National Enterprise Network<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nationalenterprisenetwork.org\/\">National Enterprise Network<\/a> offers independent advice and support to those thinking about starting or already running a business.<\/p>\n<h3>The Prince\u2019s Trust<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.princes-trust.org.uk\/\">Prince\u2019s Trust<\/a> can help young unemployed people aged 18-30 to set up their own businesses. The Trust can give loans, on-going business advice and help with marketing.<\/p>\n<h3>PRIME Cymru<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.primecymru.co.uk\/\">PRIME Cymru<\/a> is a registered charity and the only organisation in Wales dedicated to providing practical support to people aged 50 and over who want to become and remain economically active.<\/p>\n<h3>UnLtd<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unltd.org.uk\/\">UnLtd<\/a> is a charitable organisation set up by seven leading organisations that promote social entrepreneurship. UnLtd's Awards provide practical and financial support to social entrepreneurs in the UK; people with vision, passion, drive and commitment, who want to change the world for the better.<\/p>","endNodeData":"","endNodeType":"","entry_object_ref":"http:\/\/api.transversal.com\/mfapi\/objectref\/EntryStore\/Entry\/http:\/\/www.metafaq.com\/mfapi\/Metafaq\/Clients\/rnib\/Modules\/employment-work\/Topics\/finding-work:3071819855:3","entry_ref":"3071819855","entry_ref_encrypted":"P0HSEI2DVU3RUDI9JAHT9UN1LI","entry_uid":"buacbjxpm7s7kqjwejhpqc5fjk","label":"","question":"Resources","choices":[]}},"start":"3071819852"}

I'm thinking about starting my own business, what should I consider?

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