I've wanted to be self-employed since I was seven or eight. But now 22 years later I'm working in local government in a 'steady career'. All those years ago I could never decide what business I wanted to run. All I knew was that I wanted to be my own boss. That dream has never gone away, but I'm in danger of ending up in my 60s and it still being a dream.
I'm addicted to reading books and magazines on self-employment, I watch anything on TV about entrepreneurs and love talking to people are self-employed. But where do I go from here? I'm married with a young baby but luckily our mortgage isn't huge . In my mind (my dreams) I know I could be successful and start a business. The most positive step I've taken in the last year is set up a savings account and called it 'start my own business' account.' It means that as well as dreaming I regularly pay money into it and convince myself it's a step closer to 'going it alone.'
I've done some freelance journalism over the years and earned a small amount of money. My current job is in public relations and this is where I see my main future business. I say main because I would like to continue writing magazine articles. I also have an idea to start a local community magazine. But I worry about selling advertising and whether or not local businesses have budgets to spend. Local businesses survive on local customers so surely a 3000- 4000 circulation free magazine which contains real news about only that area will be a success? The BBC and local newspapers are cutting staff. Residents want to know about the crimes and news from their local area so would this idea work?
I also worry if the changing communications industry will make it difficult for me to start a PR agency. The trade magazines debate the influence of the internet and impact of blogs, podcasting and video streaming. Local government have tiny budgets and aren't known for spending money on the latest communication techniques so I worry that I'm missing out on learning new skills. Do organisations want a traditional PR agency anymore? How do I find clients when I'm working 9 till 5 in my day job?
