Free Business Training – How to build a business around your busy life

If you’re looking for the flexibility to work around your kids or day job or to make extra money to help tackle the rising cost of living, starting your own business could be the option.

“When my son was little, I designed a portable toilet for children and always dreamed of seeing it for sale on the high street. Being a single mum gives me the drive to get up each day and show my son what it means to dream and make it a reality.” says, Zoë Chapman, founder of KiddiWhizz.  

“2020 was looking like a write-off (for developing the business), but within days of attending the Rebel course, I’d utilised all the hard work I’d previously done and took a leap of faith. Within a month, I was holding my manufactured product and had formed a company with a clear vision.”

Simon Paine, the co-founder of The Rebel School, shares his tips for starting a business alongside their other commitments:

1 – Figure out your idea

Most people get stuck thinking they need to be the next Sara Blakely or Richard Branson to start a business. It’s not true. Look at your past skills, your hobbies or things you find frustrating to find a simple product or service that you can sell. Be kind to yourself, take small, consistent steps and build the business at the pace that fits your lifestyle.

2 – Borrow, barter and get stuff for free

You don’t have money to waste. Search sites like Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle for physical things, negotiate with independent venues to bring people in during their downtime or swap your skills with someone else to get what you need.

3 – Sell your value before you create it

Get paid in advance for your product or service so you can use your customer’s cash to start developing or building your product. You can make this work with ANY kind of business, you just have to think differently about how you make it happen and your customers have to TRUST that you’ll deliver on your promises.

If you want help to turn your ideas into a business and get your new venture off the ground, join the next 10-day online Rebel Business School Havering course which starts on 31^st October and is free to attend thanks to funding from Havering Borough Council.

Visit their website for more information: therebelschool.com/havering