Be Your Own Boss Bonus: Taking a month off

By Jane Comben

How lucky am I?

As you may know, I emigrated to New Zealand from Britain 15 years ago and I've been back a handful of times since. We're just back from our latest trip, having spent a month visiting family and friends.

The main joy of working for yourself is the little freedoms this allows. I've shared a few on our page on facebook. But the main freedom it provides is time. Nice big chunks of it.

One of my favourtite places, Portland Bill, Dorset, UK

Of course travelling to the other side of the world is a costly, exhausting and time hungry extravagance. Depending on how many are going (and what you do when you get there) the cost of a trip ranges from a cheap second hand car to a new kitchen. As with a lot of things, you often have the time OR the money. Not usually both. But, the desire to see family and friends can be a strong one.

When I worked full-time I had the money and with three weeks annual leave, not much time. Now my partner and I are self employed, we can take as long as we like – so long as we plan well and save hard. This time, my clients got plenty of notice of my plans and all the time sensitive jobs were completed before we left (just!). Emails were re-directed, another designer lined up as backup for a client, the answer machine switched on and we were off.

How to eat an elephant and other survival tips

By Julia Anderson, marketing and communications consultant - oh, and elephant eater

You know what they say: If you have to eat an elephant, take one bite at a time.

I set up my own business six years ago to get some balance in my life: I had tried combining full-time employment with solo parenting and it wasn’t working for me. I needed to put myself first and start calling the shots about how I’d invest my energy: In other words, I had to stop trying to eat the whole elephant in one gulp.

Getting a part-time job was not a desirable option in my line of work: I was over-qualified, and I couldn’t afford to take the pay cut. Establishing a business had been in my mind for years – so I set about doing it, one chunk at a time.

I set up a company in which I’m the sole employee. I work an average of 22 hours a week on an hourly rate, mainly on contracts lasting for a few months at a time, in a range of different organisations.

I now spend less time at work but I’m far more productive than when I held a ‘full-time’ job. I’m a better family member because I’ve created the space for it and I’m fortunate to earn more than when I was in full-time employment.

Networking - the power of the 'Ladies that Lunch'

By Angela Bensemann

Never underestimate the power of lunching with like-minded individuals and where it might take you – you might even find yourself launching a new venture.  That’s how WorksWonders was born.

About seven years ago Catherine, Julia and I started regularly meeting for lunch, probably about once every couple of months or so.  We knew we were kindred spirits all having worked on the local government elections campaigns in 2004.
 
I guess we just clicked and once the election was over, instead of going our own separate ways we decided to keep on meeting – but this time for lunch.

Catherine helped mentor me into setting up my own business Halo Communications – she’d made the plunge into self-employment several years earlier herself.  Julia was still grappling with working full-time and trying to work out how she could juggle work and family better.

We became the tight three, bouncing work issues off each other and supporting each other through life’s traumas.

Over time we felt there was something missing – enter Jane Comben (the other half of WorksWonders).  Jane too had been grappling with how to work differently and spend more time with her family.

Setting up business online

Lynette Bailey

Bridgette lawrence

By Lynette Bailey co-founder of Ciao Bella

Believe in yourself and your idea

I can not recall how many times people said that I could not, should not, would not start a business or generally mocked the concept of my business.  After all, why would someone with a financial background, choose to set up business of an online autobiography/ funeral planning service. Do not let these negative ninjas win under any circumstance. Believe in yourself and live your dream.

Take time to reflect on what made you excited when you first started thinking of your business and hold on to that feeling. During the course of your journey, you will travel one heck of a rollercoaster ride with highs turning into lows and back again. Learn from the lows and treat them as opportunities to learn and celebrate the highs as you achieve them no matter how small they are. This could be by sharing the story with a likeminded person, treating yourself a special lunch or simply high 5 yourself. After all, you deserve it.

Understand your core values and belief system

Take some time out of your daily routine to make a list of what it is that you want to achieve, what you will not compromise and what your values are. For me it was understanding why I wanted to do this, what I would not compromise, having the belief in what I was doing and being passionate and relentless about it. I composed a list of what you want the product to deliver eg it would be seen as quality,the brand would be clear and strong, there would be an ability to grow and develop the business, it would be a desirable product and support core charities that were close to my heart.

Expand your Mind and your Network: How to Start a Bookclub

By Jane Comben

You don't have to be Oprah to start a bookclub. If you want an excuse to read more, talk more and meet new friends, then a bookclub is for you.


Why start a bookclub?

• Meet new friends or get to know the people you already know on a different level.
• Usually monthly, they're a regular time outside of home or work to have interesting conversations and time to relax.
• Stretch yourself. Experience lots of different books, viewpoints and opinions.
• Have a good reason to find time to read.
• Have fun.