You don't need me to tell you that things are rough. In Britain, apparently one job is lost ever 25 seconds, and California is looking like it might run out of money for the unemployed. Yup. Things are looking rosy.
Because jobs are so minimal, and plenty of us are wondering how the hell we're ever going to find work again, it seems that becoming self employed, going freelance and starting up your own company is gaining popularity.
So - what's a girl to do?
Where do you start?
Read....Read...And Then Read Some More.
If you're looking to start your own business or new venture, the best thing you can do is research your ass off. Read trade magazines, read books by people who have done something similar to what you want to do, and research your potential competition like there is no tomorrow.
You need to know your industry. Know your competition. And know yourself.
I personally recommend The Boss Of You, by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears.
Get Up And Off Your Ass
If you're working from your home office (aka your bed) you're going to need a heaping spoonful of motivation with your coffee every morning. With no boss to ride your ass, and no one to make you feel like shit for getting to work late - you're going to have to learn to kick your own butt into gear every day.
Is the project you're working on enough to get you out of bed every morning. To prevent you from getting completely plastered every night? Are you going to be proud telling everyone and anyone about your new company?
Working for yourself is hard enough as it is without secretly hating and/or being embarrassed of your product.
Work With The Right Tools
Every profession has a set of tools they need to survive and do their job correctly. An electrician wouldn't show up to a job without his toolkit, just as a doctor wouldn't make a house visit without their medical bag. There are a few fundamental things you'll need to be a one woman show...The Self Employed Wonder Woman...The Ferocious Freelancing Female. The...oh OK you get it.
As someone who has been self employed and working from their home office and remotely for the past nine months, allow me to help you create the ultimate toolbox.
The Essentials
A lightweight, portable laptop or netbook: Trust me, lugging around a laptop that weighs as much as a toddler is a pain in the ass, and the lower back...and the neck. It's just not worth it. Invest in a powerful yet lightweight laptop or netbook.
We've reviewed the Acer Aspire One and Dell's Inspirion 9 here on BitchBuzz, so be sure to check those out!
Blackberry Curve 8900: While iPhones are pretty and have an infinite number of applications you can entertain yourself with - when it comes to email, the Blackberry rules all.
If you're starting up a new business, are busy pitching articles to different publications, you're going to want to be available at all times. Sometimes deals can be made or broken within minutes, and if you want to be on top of every email that's sent to you, the moment it hits your inbox, Blackberry is the way to go.
I recommend the new Curve 8900, as that's the phone I have. I promise to review it very soon to let you all know why it kicks so much ass.
T-Mobile's Mobile Broadband: Internet anywhere and everywhere is essential. It allows you to work anywhere you damn well please, and if for some reason your website goes down or you need to access something that's only available online, you never have to worry about searching for WiFi.
Wireless Mouse: Working on your laptop and using the trackpad for hours upon hours is going to start to hurt after a while, and it's only a matter of time until you're living full time in RSI hell. Invest in a lightweight, portable wireless mouse. Trust me. It makes all the difference.
Skype: Whether you're dealing with business partners or clients overseas, or simply want a cheap and easy way to talk to friends and family for cheap and on the go - Skype is perfect. You can run conference calls, group IM chats or make international phone calls for dirt cheap. Skype is absolutely essential to business nowadays. If anything else, a quick Skype chat can make a conversation last 10 minutes, verses 10 back and forward emails.
The Helpful
Portable Notebook: Even though most of us have forgotten how to use a pen and paper, if you're brainstorming ideas or making a list, nothing beats scribbling your thoughts down on a piece of actual paper.
Sharpies: While they may seem a bit childish, having colorful marking pens like Sharpies with you when you're brainstorming is really useful. Whether you're labeling ideas or simply trying to get your creative juices flowing, Sharpies are the best markers out there! (And just look at the colors!)
Thermos: If you're working from home, or even in a café, nothing is more irritating than having to get up and remake more tea, or boil more hot water. If you a thermos of hot water or tea with you while you're working, it cuts back on the number of interruptions you have during your work day.
Moo Cards: Nothing is worse than going to a networking event when you're in between jobs, or perhaps on the prowl for a new job and having to give out an old, irrelevant business card. (Or perhaps not having any at all.) You need to get on that, pronto.
Go to Moo Cards's website, and order yourself a set of either full sized Moo Cards or the Mini Moo Cards and even a set of stickers if you're feeling particularly crazy. The quality of these cards is amazing, and the best part is that you can design them yourself with photos from your Flickr account!
The Comfortable
Working for yourself is hard work. I'm going going to lie. Therefore, having a few things to make your mind, body and spirit a little more comfortable is essential.
Fruit: You're going to be sitting on your ass all day. Unless you go to the gym or do physical activity every day, you're probably going to notice your body is going to change a bit. Therefore, why not have fruit available on your desk instead of a packet of girl scout cookies?
Glasses: Most jobs require that you look at a computer screen all day. If you're a contact lens wearer, this is particularly tricky as our poor eyeballs are being suffocated. Best thing you can do, get your eyes checked, and also invest in a pair of cute glasses that you can wear both at home, and out in public so that your eyeballs can actually breath every once and a while.
Vitamins: If your new schedule is crazy busy, and you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off, chances are you either going to forget to eat properly or get all the nutrients you should. Therefore, make sure that you're taking vitamins. (Or Valium. Whatever.)
Hip Flask: As I said, working for yourself is hard. Not that I recommend drinking in pubic, but I'm not going to lie and tell you that having a little bit of vodka in your bag isn't helpful. It is. A little pick-me-up in your afternoon latte? WHY THE HELL NOT.
Carmex: Maybe I'm just weird, but I cannot work with chapped lips. It drives me nuts. My favorite brand of chapstick is Carmex. There's also a cherry flavored version of Carmex which I highly recommend.
Comfy Laptop Bag: While we've concluded that there are some seriously fugly laptop bags out there, there are also some very cute ones. Make sure you buy yourself one that is both cute and comfortable. Comfortable being the key thing here. Find one that has a comfortable strap, and plenty of zips and compartments so that you don't have to carry around your laptop bag plus a handbag.