by Peter Crocker

Whether you’re loving, loathing or just knee-deep in building your business, it’s easy to forget that it won’t last forever.

During a recent family holiday, we met up with a couple that we hadn’t seen for a few years. What they’d achieved in the intervening years made me feel like I was standing still!

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by Peter Crocker

A friend recently completed his first successful year as a solo business owner. His synopsis: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Well, there are lots of reasons that stop people starting their own business.

While the Flying Solo community is buzzing with established entrepreneurs, we know that there are also thousands of aspiring business owners lurking, learning and plotting their launch.
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by Peter Crocker

I always had a desire to work for myself one day. If you’re reading this, you probably did too. But for me, when it came to taking the plunge, it was a total knee-jerk reaction with no inkling of a business plan. Is that the norm or the exception?

A few years ago I argued that, there’s never a ‘right’ time to start your own business. It’s a dream that will always be ‘one day’ until something makes it become ‘today’. So what pushes people over the edge?
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by Peter Crocker

I moved house, and therefore office, earlier this month. Inside there’s plenty of competition for bedrooms and, with three wardrobe-hogging girls circling my precious office, I could be banished to the doghouse. But should I go?

We know from the Flying Solo Understanding Micro Business, 2008 survey that 69% of Flying Solo community members work from home, but just where in the home is less clear.

On the weekend I found myself trawling displays of backyard sheds, studios, bungalows and cubby houses to see whether or not one might work for me as an office. (more…)

by Peter Crocker

Okay, so they’re easy to make and virtually impossible to keep, but with every New Year comes resolutions. At Flying Solo we put our heads together and came up with these 11 ½ practical resolutions for micro business owners.

Here comes 2009! Go and put the kettle on and get set to make some big promises.
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by Peter Crocker

The world of big business is renowned for mysterious fees and charges. But here amongst small business, the use of hidden line items is running rampant! Here’s an exposé of the black art of business quoting.

When a quote comes in for $675+GST, it’s comforting to think that it’s worked out using some neat formula based on standard items such as labour, materials, product costs and a thin margin.
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by Peter Crocker

Whether you’re leading a team from the corner office, crafting clothes from the kitchen table, working in a shop or bringing up children, I hereby declare you a solo business owner. You are the CEO of You Inc.

Life’s big challenge, just like in business, is turning the limited resources available into something we find rich and rewarding. (more…)

by Peter Crocker

When talk turns to starting your own business, there’s never a shortage of someone to tut-tut to themselves… “Most small businesses fail you know.” “Never go into business with family.” “Don’t borrow from friends.” “Don’t work with your partner.” And so it goes on.

True, it’s quite possible that it won’t work out. So based on this logic I’ll go one step further and suggest that you should never start your own business with anyone, never lend or borrow money and, definitely, never get romantically involved with anyone, let alone a business partner – because there’s a real risk of disaster. (more…)

by Peter Crocker

You stroll into your boss’ office, flick your resignation letter nonchalantly onto the desk and explain precisely what they can do with their stinking job. Then you swan out to the cheers of your workmates. Or so goes the fantasy.

Much of the appeal of working for yourself is escaping the annoying, incompetent and/or bullying bosses that make your life a misery. But when you leave employment to run your own show it’s not just those bosses that you leave behind. (more…)

by Peter Crocker

In an earlier article I listed four things I wish I’d done from day one of my solo business. This time, on a more positive note, I’m looking at five things I’m glad I did.

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by Peter Crocker

Hindsight is a beautiful thing, isn’t it? I’ve been in my solo business for five years now and in looking back, can see four simple things that I wish I’d done consistently from day one.

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by Peter Crocker

Working for yourself from home is often glamorised as a life of freedom, leisure & balance. A world where shiny silver laptops roam free and hours are spent at the beach. But what’s the reality? And is it all worth it?

It’s Wednesday 11.30am and the sun is shining.

I’m perched on the grass covering the headland overlooking Curl Curl beach. In the distance I can see Manly. If I squint really hard and use my imagination I can even see inside the old cubicle I used to work in above Wynyard station, and I can almost taste the soggy lunch I used to eat on the train on the way home at 8pm. (more…)

by Peter Crocker

How do you know exactly when the time is just right to take the plunge and start your own business? The answer is surprisingly simple: never.

There will never be a day when you cross the last task off your list and say “Great, that’s all done – time to work for myself.” (more…)

by Peter Crocker

“Ditch the corporate job and go it alone” they say “Life is not a rehearsal!” But realistically, it’s hard to chuck in a good job. Have you considered starting a side business?

Many people dreaming of starting their own solo business are independent professionals – essentially they sell their expertise and time for a fee. To gain this expertise they’ve usually spent a lot of time working in an established business, probably with quite a tidy salary. (more…)