women decorators

[moonlight_83]

Hey all im a woman with an artistic background and i am soon going to make my all important desicion to whether change my career to painting and decorating from my normal office job prospects. I would like to know women's experience in this appealing field, including safety when meeting new customers. I would eventually work by myself and im

Comments

[bayberrybush]

In terms of running your own business, here are a few thoughts I had.

To get started, I would definitely recommend reading a couple books to help you with contract law. I see you are in the UK, so I don't know what particular books would be appropriate there, but I would make a trip to the library and check out everything I could get my hands on in terms of business management.

Check into joining a professional organization, also: here in the States, the National Kitchen & Bath Assiciation has great resources - preprinted business forms, contracts, etc, plus training opportunities.

You will definitely meet weirdos, as you will in any job. As a designer, it is your role to be prepared for difficult "customers" and there are many resources out there to help you. Additionally, if you are freelancing, you can always choose to not take the job. The non-paying customer issue is dealt with through making sure you've got signed contracts, work orders, purchase orders, etc that will stand up in court.

Write a good business plan (googlable). Even if you don't need outside financing, the plan will help you focus your thoughts on the matter. Banks here make you write a plan for their use, but really, the plan is for your benefit.

Some other things to think about might be marketing and liability insurance.

Some of your safety concerns might be alleviated by researching what neighborhoods you will target. Set up a phone call system so you will call a friend when you return from an appointment. Carry a cell phone.

Sometimes it is useful to work in the field before jumping in all at once with your own business. Working in a furniture store is helpful, for example, although it doesn't have the glamour of being a designer. It is a good place to learn how things work while having a nice safety net behind you (management, warehouse support, etc) and you can learn about typical concerns and problems that come up and how to solve or prevent them.

Most of all, have fun and good luck! :)