Work from home?

[Bluwise]

Just wondering if anyone on here works from home and what sort of work they do?
I have just made the decision to take voluntary redundancy from my job - it was that or lose my mind!  I couldn't take another year of sales gobbledegook , buzz words, pneumonics, team building, daft treasure hunts around London to see who is the dog's nuts and worst of all, having my personal time stolen to travel to ridiculous venues and not being paid for it - I'm too old to cope with all that ambition and testosterone.

I was made redundant after almost 20 years from my previous job in field marketing and moved into a sales management role and have hated just about every competitive minute of the 3 years here! 

I only plan to work for another 6 years to top my pension up but in that time, want to do something I can enjoy.  I don't mind putting the hours in and re-training but would like some say in when and where I work - I'm done with hotels and nights away 

 So, I thought I would ask you good people to see if I can pick up any ideas as there are so many people on here from many walks of life - my perfect job could be just a post away.   

[Menthol]

You no doubt have accumulated some real expertise over your career and could advise others, so consultancy all the way, Sue. Bluwise Incorporated.

[KKOB]

Ah yes, consultants. Wonderful people.

They ask to borrow your watch. Tell you the time. Then try to sell your watch back to you.

 

[Highlander]

I don't work from home bluwise and would not have the first idea of how to start.

Sorry.

[Scunner]

Valuable input there John.

[Jacqui Harvey]

When I started my business I approached the local council and they sent me on a couple of courses on running a business.  I then put in a business plan and eventually got an Enterprise Allowance for a year.  I was also given an adviser who was a retired Bank Manager.
I ran an Antiques Business obviously you don't want to do that, but when you decide on what you want to do, try the local council and see if there are grants.
Keep recorders of what you buy and sell and also keep all receipts.  If you run a business from home you can claim on your tax for heating, electricity etc.  Also if you use your car for your business you can claim for that too.
However, running a business from home can affect your household insurance and some companies will not cover you if you do run a business from home and some charge you more if you keep stock at home.  Same for car insurance you have to tell them if you use it for your business.  If you have customers to your home you have to get Public Liability Insurance.   Also, you have to get your neighbours permission for some businesses.
I knew a lady who started a sewing business from home and the neighbours complained about all the callers and she had to stop.
Good luck.

[Highlander]

"I knew a lady who started a sewing business from home and the neighbours complained about all the callers and she had to stop"

Stitched her up like a kipper Jacqui ?   

I am intriqued by that - any more details would be greatly appreciated.

[Jacqui Harvey]

The lady used to work in a shop in Peterhead with two other ladies doing sewing alterations.   They announced they were closing down.  The lady gave me a card with her number and said she would be working from home.
A couple of months later, she was serving in the Supermarket.  I asked her what had happened and she told me that the neighbours complained about her customers coming to the door, she had not applied for permission to run a business from her home and she had to cease and close the business.  I am assuming she may had lived in a council house, I know the council can be strict about businesses.  Although, when I started my business I had to ask the neighbours did they object even though we live on farm land and own our home.  The lane  running up to our place has two houses at the bottom and one half way up.

[BernieTeyze]

Market researcher sounds up your street bluewise. I did this a few years ago. Money isn,t bad either. You are usually self employed. Everybody wants summat for nothing. Not hard saying to 20 people try product a this week, product b the next. Fill in a form saying what u liked and what you didn,t. Post forms back to market research company by agreed date. It really is that simple. I found it enjoyable anyway and it kept the wolf from the door between jobs. Good Luck.

[Bluwise]

Thanks for the ideas folks - love the Bluewise Inc name Menthol, just need to think what I could consult on!

Appreciate you telling me all the points re business Jacqui, thanks.  I have been in business before, both retail and licensed trade and having a home office for my FM jobs, am aware of the tax allowances and various insurance implications.

Bernie, good idea re the Market Research thanks.  Both the FM companies I've worked for have 'tactical' divisions so whilst I am looking at options,  I will probably register for mystery shopping, auditing etc as I can do that 'as and when' rather than have a fixed contract. 

In an ideal world I would have an "on-line" job so I could spend more time in Calis and work while I'm there but realistically, I've thought about training in HR or something on those lines - need something to ignite some passion as my current job/employers managed to suppress all my drive and enthusiasm 

Still, I've had some laughs trawling the various websites and realising I could have been earning thousands simply for sitting at home and completing surveys on line!