Business Start Up 2

Business Start Up 2

Author
Discussion

WD*

Original Poster:

4,045 posts

253 months

Monday 3rd September 2007
quotequote all
I'm sick of working for party plan style companies where someone at the top of the chain sits and reaps the benefits of you out begging for sales and bookings, and trying to recruit people with the same tired lines that I fell for.

So, I am looking at taking the plunge and starting a venture of my own.

It basically involves running childrens classes on a weekly basis encouraging them to exercise but at the same time promoting fun, team-building, self-confidence etc

I am also looking at offering children's parties along a similar theme, and offering a fairly healthy food selection too.

I am still in the very early stages of looking at this, having got an idea of the equipment I want, where I can get it and for how much, and am currently doing some market research into whether it is even a viable proposition, which it seems to be. I am also still on maternity leave (claiming maternity allowance as I am self-employed, so no issue with having to return to an employer etc) so it wont be something I will be starting for a few months yet which gives me plenty of time to get everything done properly.

What I would like from you lovely people is a rough idea of what I need to think about in terms of ensuring I have adequate insurance, certificates etc.

Obviously I will need public liability insurance, and some sort of first aid certificate. What about food - some sort of hygiene or preparation certificate? Would the PL ins cover me for every eventuality you can think of, or is there anything else I would need?

As I will be working with children, I would have expected to need a CRB check, but it isn't possible to get one on yourself as an individual or as a self-employed person - this seems silly to me, but the only option I can see to get one is to register myself as a company, then register with the CRB people at a cost of £300 then pay for the CRB check.

It isn't going to be a massive venture initially, though I hope to grow it to the point I will need to take on staff etc, but that is way down the line yet.

WD*

Original Poster:

4,045 posts

253 months

Monday 3rd September 2007
quotequote all
[quote="http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=289&qid=447"]
  • I am self-employed; can I apply for a CRB check on myself?
* No. The current legislation does not allow the self-employed or individuals to apply for a CRB check on themselves.
[/quote]


Plotloss, that would be lovely if she was able - I won't need it for a while yet though. smile

I do actually have one, I think it is an enhanced one; however it is from when I worked as a care assistant about 3 years ago. It does say on the website that an employer may accept one from a previous job, but obviously this is a bit different.



WD*

Original Poster:

4,045 posts

253 months

Monday 3rd September 2007
quotequote all
From what I understand, either your operatic society will be registered with the CRB or will use an umbrella company to go through to get them. The operatic society can get them on the 'matrons', but the matrons couldn't get them on themselves.

Seems very strange, though, hindering the genuine people!

WD*

Original Poster:

4,045 posts

253 months

Monday 3rd September 2007
quotequote all
I'm tempted, if I were to go for the ltd option, to go for one of the companies that will set it all up and sort out the books - I saw one mentioned the other day on here (companiesmadesimple.com) - is it something worth considering?

WD*

Original Poster:

4,045 posts

253 months

Monday 3rd September 2007
quotequote all
The one I mentioned claims to sort out all the books for you and submit them - I appreciate I would need to do the day to day book-keeping, they and accountants aren't psychic after all!

For the time being I am going to concentrate on making sure I have the relevant certs etc.

smile

WD*

Original Poster:

4,045 posts

253 months

Tuesday 4th September 2007
quotequote all
RP thanks, I will have a look at that. It seems madness that they make it more difficult than it needs to be - surely if you are willingly trying to get one then you have nothing to hide and if you have something to hide then you wouldn't be trying to get one, so why make it hard?!

V8 EOL - Rich said:
One final thing, have you considered franchising?
It has crossed my mind actually, that if I find it works then franchising will be an option for the future. I'm quite irritated as on another forum I suggested how someone could expand their business through franchising - she has done so and made thousands out of it, and I didn't even get a thank you!