| The Breakroom > The Water Cooler |
| How do you go about starting a small manufacturing business? |
| (1/9) > >> |
| S. Heslop:
I always ask these dopey general questions but this might be my dopiest yet! So i'm sorry about sounding completely clueless. I've been thinking about starting a business making musical instruments for a while (it's a more exciting idea than going back to college), but i've really got little idea what that'd entail. I figure starting a business would require stuff like insurance, renting premises, safety, etc. It's something i'd like to read up on but the stuff i'm finding via google is either vague and doesn't go into specifics, or it's aimed at people hiring employees. One thing i'm concerned about is what effect my total lack of practical qualifications would have. Would I end up having to pay more for insurance if i'm commercially operating tools? Or would health and safety law not let me touch any tools at all without appropriate training? Would I need to fill in risk assessment forms and hang safety posters if it's only me working? I've got a million and one questions though, and would appreciate if someone could direct me to some useful stuff to read up on. |
| John Rudd:
Ok, Having worked in heavy engineering all my life.... You need to read up on: The health and safety at work act Electricity at work act Have employment liability insurance if you employ people Employment law... I sure there are plenty of other things to consider........ |
| chipenter:
Just make some instruments and sell them , will give you an idea iff there is a market , after all Stradavarious was a one man band at first . |
| BaronJ:
Having been self employed for most of my working life my advice is simple ! "Just do It" If you don't you will wish that you had, if you do and fail you will wish you hadn't. Being self employed is a life of all fat or all famine ! It comes in waves. One minute you have so much work that there aren't enough hours in the day, the next you are left wondering where everybody has gone to ! Good luck... |
| John Stevenson:
If it's just you working none of the above relates to you. H&S and employment laws don't apply. Insurance is a moot point as if what you are selling cannot injure or kill anyone then its really up to you. About the only legal thing that does apply is to notify work and pensions that you are going self employed and to set up a direct debit for national insurance, currently about £12 a month, varies from month to month. That has got to be the best value contribution any government has come up with. That £12 gets you your pension [ if there is anything left ] and your health contributions. |
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