Working Around the Family

When running your own catering business it may be that you have a family to organise at the same time. This can be a problem when you have bookings to complete and clients to meet.

Working From Home

Working from home can be a boon to the small business owner as starting costs will be low with no rent or business rates to pay. However fitting a business around home and family commitments can be a big problem. If you have young children holidays and childcare can be a problem. It is not professional to have young children tagging along when you have business appointments with prospective clients.

Treat yourself employment in the same way as you would a full time job with an employer. Arrange child care either with your partner a child minder or parents so that you have free time to commit to your business and earning a living. Remember if you worked for someone you could not arrive with your child if there was no one to care for them.

Family & Friends

Ensure that your friends and family know that you are working and cannot be interrupted during business hours. It is so easy to slip into the habit of having visitors arrive as they think your being home means you can have visitors. Firmly and kindly tell your loved ones that you are working and cannot be disturbed. Give them a time when you are free for coffee and a chat.

Telephone

Make sure you have a separate telephone number for your business. Using the family line means that it could be tied up for hours while your children chat to mates and clients will give up trying to contact you and give their custom to a more reliable caterer.

Never let your children answer your business line - it is unprofessional and lazy. If you are busy have an answer service take your calls but do remember to get back to your customers as soon as possible.

Pets

Most of us have pets its part of having a happy family. However, pets and running a catering business in the home do not go hand in hand. If you cook from home you must have a room where pets are not allowed. Cleanliness is paramount and your work area must comply with the same regulations that would be in place if you ran a commercial kitchen.

Laws

You must register your catering business with your local council within 28 days of setting up. Even when working from home you must have taken health and hygiene examinations and have the certificate to show your clients. You must also have public liability insurance as you are catering for the general public. You can be sued whether you work from a large professional establishment or a kitchen in the home.

Tax Man

Like any business you must register with the inland Revenue as a self employed person and pay your taxes on your earnings plus your national insurance stamps. You have to supply accounts each year, these can be done on line or you can employ a accountant to carry out your accountancy work.