Posted By Gerard Marr I started my own business and I can tell you it is not easy. To get work is hard. Remember consultancy is very different to advising. You need to get all your products set up and be ready to sell. The best way is to get a list of everything you can do and then turn what the Client requires into an action plan. If you would like to give me a call on 07770464987 I can give you tips or if you want to set up a branch with us no problems. Regards Gerry

Posted By John A Wright Carl, I started up my business in April this year and maybe I've been lucky but I have five customers and always done at least 3 days a week. You need a website. Three of my customers found me that way. Also set up a google account and they'll put you on their map page, people will google safety and your town and you should pop up there. There are probably 30 industrial estates within a 5 miles radius of my house, I started listing names of the larger units, particularly one's who use FLTs and have drums of chemicals in their yard! Check those companies on the net for websites, if they have one then you might quickly get the manager(s) names and e-mails without ringing them up. Then you can ring them up and know who to ask for but I suggest just write nice informative letters; they at least might file the letter away till they have an accident! My main customer responded to my letter. I'm pretty cheap as I only have NEBOSH Cert. but I do have 30 years industrial experience. I visited Toyota Derby several times! Good luck. I'll post other tips when I think of them. John W

Posted By John A Wright Carl, I started creating the website in January, and also creating my own corporate documents, logo-headed papers for risk assessment, COSHH assessment, WAHR, LOLER, PUWER assessment, accident investigation, workplace inspections etc etc using ideas from previous employment, NEBOSH course etc. During April I toured round local industrial estates. I'm sole-trader so was just looking at small and medium units, and picking out those using chemicals and engineering as that's my background. Because of tax issues I had waited till April to launch the business proper, uploading the website and registering with google and various business registery sites, but because of holidays I didn't do that till the end of April. In May I started sending out letters and e-mails. Enquiries started coming in end of May. My main customer actually has a Safety Manager, not qualified, so their safety auditor required them to get some professional input into safety. Other customers were under pressure from insurance companies or from their own big customers to get fire assessments and risk assessments done and sought help. One customer is a small building/restoration company who need a safety rep to help with the site safety plan. (Things have gone quiet there since I told them to get an asbestos check done......). I'm in the Midlands too, and there does seem to be work for us out there, with businesses coming under pressure from insurance companies, local authorities, auditiors, and also if they doing work for big corporations they have to demonstrate effective safety and environmental policies etc. Once you get 'your feet in the door' you start making contacts. A fire trainer recommended me to one of his customers so I've quoted them for initial safety inspections. And a PVC window company recommended me to their glass supplier and I've done some work for them too. Two of the customers are just one day a month, but it all adds up. I am fortunate that the main customer has me for 3 days a week - that sort of contract is hard to come by. John W

Posted By Carl Welland To every one who has sent me good tips and information on how to start up my own business, thank you very much, please keep them coming in, as any new ideas are much appreciated. Many thanks Carl Welland Dip Sm, TECH IOSH

Posted By Ian G Hutchings Carl I would also recommend accessing resources like Business Link. You should be able to arrange an initial advisory meeting with them. You can also register your business as a supplier. I have found networking and referrals on the back of existing clients to be invaluable in developing business. Good luck Ian