7 Years ago today....

[Shakermaker Promotions]

It was around this time of the day 7 years ago that I rang up the Tax People and registered Shakermaker Promotions as a business and myself Self Employed.

I remember it well and haven't looked back since. Quite proud of myself actually and wish I had done it years before. The first year was a bit tough being a new business but since then it's been onwards and upwards.

I can remember my first 'proper' booking too where someone called up after seeing my advert in the Yellow Pages (I didn't have a website at the time). It was a 40th Birthday in a small venue that has since been knocked down. It went really well too and I was asked for business cards by a couple of people. I remember giving those people a shiny new business card that I had designed and it felt really good.

So, does anyone remember their first proper booking as a business?

When I had registered myself Self Employed, I promised myself that I would never ever work for anyone else again. There was a real sense of relief but also a lot of nerves in the early days because I wondered if I had made the right decision. At times it was hard because the work wasn't coming in back then. Perseverence, this forum and getting to grips with a number of other things along the way have helped me improve things and 7 years later, I am very happy and still enjoying what I am doing which is the main thing. If I didn't enjoy it, I'd be stuck!

I might have to get a bottle of bubbly later!

Let's hear your stories guys...

[Vectis]

Stop it, you'll have me in tears :D

[Excalibur]

So, does anyone remember their first proper booking as a business?
Let's hear your stories guys...
Well, if you take it to mean your first paid gig, then Caroline Bolton's 16th Birthday Party. Fee charged? £3 :D
First gig where my disco had a name, no, I can't remember.
I suppose technically the closest answer to Gary's question is that I retired once, and restarted by chance by working for a mate. Another mate of his was packing in, and offered him first chance at a residency. I was sent to work at Cave Castle originally going under the banner of the chap who had the residency, cos he hadn't told them he was leaving. I was good enough, and secured the residency for my mate's company when it came up. Shortly after, he stopped giving me work, and told me that since I usually did Cave Castle, I might as well go on my own, which I did.

Thus was born Excalibur Mobile Disco, and the first booking was a wedding, about twenty years ago.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It was around this time of the day 7 years ago that I rang up the Tax People and registered Shakermaker Promotions as a business

Do you have to register as a business then - I thought it was only if you were a Ltd company that you needed to register?

[Ecstatic Events]

Do you have to register as a business then - I thought it was only if you were a Ltd company that you needed to register?

I hope not, I'm only registered as Self Employed :)

Well done Gary, you'll be retiring before you know it.

[Vectis]

Do you have to register as a business then

Anyone who is trading has to inform HMRC within 3 months of the date of starting (or be fined if they find out later).

Even though the tax affairs don't need putting in order for some time afterwards, Class IV NICs are payable from day 1.

That's everything from your sole trader upwards.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Anyone who is trading has to inform HMRC within 3 months of the date of starting (or be fined if they find out later).



Yeah, that you are self employed...

What I am asking is how you register as a business if you aren't Ltd as I didn't think that you needed to?

I've been Ltd for a long time so thought the rules might have changed?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Darren, If I remember rightly...I was told that I would have to register with them as Self Employed. When they asked what I was going to be doing (and I didn't think they needed to know what I was doing as long as I said I was Self Employed), I told them and also said that my business was called Shakermaker Promotions.

Whenever I get anything to do with Tax Returns etc, they are in my name and not the business name. I am not an LTD business either just yet. I also remember back in the day someone making an enquiry and then saying that they couldn't find me at Companies House or something because I wasn't registered with them? I was under the impression that Companies House records show LTD Companies only? (probably a different thread I guess?).

Mike - I'm a long, long way of retiring yet mate!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Right, I see. It was probably just the way you worded the first post.

[Ecstatic Events]

Mike - I'm a long, long way of retiring yet mate!

Not what I wanted to hear - :D :D :D :D

I'm joking :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

How can I retire Mike when I'll be inundated with all the work you'll pass my way too eh!!? ;)

:beer1: Cheers! :beer1:

[Ecstatic Events]

How can I retire Mike when I'll be inundated with all the work you'll pass my way too eh!!? ;)

:beer1: Cheers! :beer1:

You never know Gary - I smashed a record last week with 9 confirmed bookings... 5 were sub-contracted to me, but still a record :)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Good for you.