Calling self employed people...

[Kirstie]

How's it been going in the current economic climate work-wise?
The other half's business has taken a massive nosedive and so far he has no work until the middle of November, meaning that we are in the sh1t. It's scary. Usually October is a ridiculously busy month.
Umm, does anyone have any sound and/or lighting engineering they need doing?

 

[rich p]

My business deals with small independent retail shops and the trend since the new year has been sharply downhill. They saw the writing on the wall long before the current crisis and it directly affects me. It doesn't help that there's many in the same boat and it may get worse but he's not alone.

 

[PaulB]

Sorry for your troubles and equally so since I don't need any sound/lightning engineering and I'm not a small shop. BUT, these things come and go and we'll all see ups and downs in our lives. Look at the bigger picture, take a long view and take the attitude that it's all part of life's rich tapestry. Sorry there's nowt concrete there but attitude and tenacity will get you through so stick to it.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

So far so good, sales are as busy as ever for this time of year. I don't think we will see any real impact till the first quarter of 2009 when the effects of job losses in industry work through.

 

[jasper]

I've got my HGV so I'm back driving while looking for another accounting job.

I hope you're looking out for those cyclists Lee

I'm a self employed telecomms project manager, so far things haven't affected me (touchwood). Hopefully, things will sort themselves out for you guys.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Sympathies (and not much else of any practical value, sorry) to everyone self employed who's suffering. I'm just glad someone else owns the lorry I drive.

 

[Night Train]

This is why I teach and do agency work as a back up to my workshop. The work shop is fairly quiet at the moment though the carpenter jobs still appear once in a while.

Diversity helps, as does back up income that covers the bills.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

glad i never passed that driving instructor's exam now…

 

[fossyant]

My sister has been out of work for a few months - Property Solicitor (commercial) - loads of solicitors loosing jobs at the moment...she's thinking about re-training completely - to an accountant.

A mate has been tasked with laying a load of staff off from a construction company - the house building part of it.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

glad i never passed that driving instructor's exam now…

...and I'm glad I got out of it. Not only is there little money around but we also have a demographic blip so there are fewer teenagers. Instructors I still know are bleeding out of their eyes.

 

[Noodley]

Having been self-employed and had my business go tits-up a few years ago (the death of the High Street store), which I am still paying for and shall be for many years to come, I am very glad I now work for the Council. I feel for those who are self-employed in the current climate.

 

[Kirstie]

Sorry for your troubles and equally so since I don't need any sound/lightning engineering and I'm not a small shop. BUT, these things come and go and we'll all see ups and downs in our lives. Look at the bigger picture, take a long view and take the attitude that it's all part of life's rich tapestry. Sorry there's nowt concrete there but attitude and tenacity will get you through so stick to it.

It's a good job I like beans on toast

 

[Crackle]

Having been self-employed and had my business go tits-up a few years ago (the death of the High Street store), which I am still paying for and shall be for many years to come, I am very glad I now work for the Council. I feel for those who are self-employed in the current climate.

It wasn't a fishshop was it?

 

[Crackle]

What does a lighting and sound engineer do, if that's not a silly question? I thought at first it was to do with film and TV.

 

[Kirstie]

they design, install and operate PAs, lighting rigs, video walls and other projection, operate cameras etc at all kinds of events. mostly corporate stuff, sports events, concerts, exhibitions, festivals, that kind of thing...

problem is everyone is cancelling or postponing their events at the moment, so it's going to go bonkers in january but there's bugger all now. anyone who is self employed knows that the big tax bill comes in just after christmas, but with nothing to live on etc there's nothing left to pay the tax man either. it's a nightmare.