Start with something you have an interest in? If you can make money from something you enjoy doing then you will be quids in and it might not even feel like work.
You can research and research all you like and still not get anywhere because it feels like "everyone is already doing everything" and you may wonder where you fit and get overwhelmed.
So... instead... Start something, now, today or tomorrow, anything! and see where it goes. If it doesn't work, at least you've tried something and you might have spotted something else on the way that you could try next.
I spotted something on TV the other day that I could make out of some wood and I've started making steps towards making and selling the same thing online (I'm not a crafter or wood work person at all). If it works, great, if not, it has been a bit of fun trying and I'll try something else.
If I can help in any way let me know. :-) 

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Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.

Mr W

thanks for your reply. I don't really have an idea at the moment i am just doing general research into the market to see what is out there and what is lacking.

Im glad to learn that you are doing well and its working out for you thanks for your comments. 

Cheers
Neo

I'm selling my skills and work from home. Not so much as a business as I take what I can - more like a freelancer - but hopefully the more returning clients I can accumulate then the target is to be self-sufficient.

The positive is that my clients can be anywhere in the world. The negative is that it's a race to the bottom when it comes to wage.

This is the first time I've been unemployed since I was 16 and I believe I have lots of employable and adaptable skills but nobody is interested in the real world because I'm now on the SOR. But in the online freelance world, nobody is asking 'that question' they just need the job doing, which suits me (obviously they're tasks that don't tiptoe anywhere near what my RMO would get sniffy about). Whether this is sustainable until I'm spent... who knows.

What is your business idea?

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Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.

Hi east72

Sounds reassuring. it is 100% something worth looking into.if all else fails i guess.

Neo

Hi CC

Thanks for your reply. do you mind me asking what sort of thing it is you do in the leisure sector?

Many thanks

Neo

Hi I have my own business in the leisure sector and its doing fine thanks. The only "hit" I have to take is a loading on my business insurance but otherwise no problems to be honest.

I know someone who done 3 years in prison, came out could not get work so went to collage started his own business in plastering he has so much work all the time, it kept him on the straight and narrow, kept money coming in, and allowed him to have a life again with his children..

Has anyone every started there own business on this forum after being convicted, just out of interest?

Thanks Yankee.

I will look into this, If all else fails this is certainly an avenue to consider.

There are lots of government schemes that provide grants and soft loans to start ups.  Most of them tend to be regional and/or focused on specific industries or sectors.

Follow this link for more information Gov.uk/business-finance

One word of warning - there are hundreds of business brokers out there who will all offer to arrange finance and/or grants. They are usually looking to make money themselves or may simply be an additional layer you pay for to access a scheme you could go directly to for free.