Any local accountants on here ?

[Jon Ison]

My wife is on incapacity benefit, as been since her illness, she dos not want to be.

She as found a business opportunity (no one seems to want to employ her now due to recurring health problems requiring occasional hospitalisation)

We have tested it and it works (will not allow us to retire in two years but will make a profit) so she wants to come off benefit and start a legitimate business.

How ? We have both always previously been employee's and have no experience of what to do, how to start, looking for advice, she does not want to sit on her ass claiming benefit for the rest of her life.

We are Chesterfield/Mansfield based, anyone got time to talk to us ?

[Beemer-5]

I have run a small business ever since my cancer scare.
Are you looking to work from home or do you need premises?

[Phoenix]

Firstly, good on you both for thinking positively and looking forwards.

I am sure there are people a lot better qualified that me around who can answer your questions but I do have experience of starting, setting up, running businesses, training people, basic bookkeeping, risk assessments etc etc.

For tax etc I have always consulted my accountant and acted on his advice.

Any questions, just ask. I am sure between us we can find the answers or posting on the business forum will open it up to more people.

[plasticpig]

I would recommend going to http://www.businesslink.gov.uk and read the stuff on starting your own business. If your wife is on incapacity benefit she may well be able to get a grant to help kick start her business. There is a grant search facility on the site. It also explains the tax situation and what you have to do. As well as the PH business forum there are some othere useful forums where you can get advice:

http://www.aardvarkbusiness.net/chat/
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/