Sarah Francis has successfully set up a book-keeping business working from home after attending SCOLA’s Start Your Own Business course.

Sarah said, “I had just had our baby, Sean, and had to decide whether to go back to my previous job after maternity leave, or whether I could work from home and look after him at the same time. It was a scary decision to make, but the course taught me so much, and gave me the confidence to go for it.”

The 8-week course, taught by Andrew Gadd, covers business planning, legal and financial aspects, marketing and the pitfalls to look out for.

“We explored the disadvantages such as the loneliness of working from home, but also the advantages of flexibility and freedom, and for me, being able to look after my baby at the same time,” explains Sarah. “The scariest thing was getting that first customer, but I now have a range of clients from builders to photographers and am able to go to their premises if they prefer, now that Sean is at nursery.”

Students on the course helped Sarah to choose the name of the company – Prime Numbers - and the design of the business card.

So, if you need help with your business accounts, contact Sarah on sarah@prime-numbers.biz, or if you have a plan to work from home and need help getting started, enrol on one of SCOLA’s short Start Your Own Business courses.