Tell us a little bit about you and the business that you run
I work from home, offering bookkeeping, payroll and admin services to small businesses. I especially enjoy working with business owners who are mums as I understand the additional pressures that they face and I love being to help make their lives easier. I make my services very flexible to help such as taking calls after 7pm when the kids are in bed or having friendly informal meetings with a client with their kids present if they don’t have a babysitter.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I gave up my full time job to be a full time stay at home mum after having my first baby but then missed the challenge of work. I wanted to work, but I didn’t want to leave my child. I started thinking of a career change that would enable me to work from home and still be with my son. Bookkeeping seemed a perfect choice for me and I started to study from home. Best decision ever!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Confidence! Running my own business has been challenging at times with not having a lot of confidence and not having colleagues to fall back on for help or support. That is why I started to attend MTB meetings, to meet new people who understood the challenges I faced. The support I get from the friendships that I have formed there are invaluable to me
What have you learnt about yourself since you became self-employed?
That the only thing that can hold you back is yourself. If you want something, you have to go out and get it. Becoming self employed was very scary for me, but I went for it and have never regretted my decision.
What has been the best thing about being your own boss?
Definitely being able to work from home. The other day both my boys were ill and I could take care of them and work in the evening when they were asleep. No apologetic calls to a boss or guilt at leaving them ill with a sitter.
If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring “mumpreneur” what would it be?
Be realistic and don’t try to do everything! Being a mum and running a business is like having two full time jobs. Ask for help and take any that’s offered. Friends can help with school runs or babysitting while you visit a client or customer. Paying a cleaner, ironing service or gardener will free your time up to work, meaning that you will earn more money and not spend all your spare time doing household chores.
You can find out more about Terri and her business A1 Bookkeeping , on the South Yorkshire members page. if you would like to be a featured member, please check out the membership page
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About Debbie O'Connor
