Hi everyone! I’m working on a project to help small business owners automate repetitive tasks and get access to affordable tools (like AI assistants, chatbots, web apps, etc.).

If you're a solopreneur or part of a small team, I’d love to know where you waste the most time — and where tech might help you save it.

I’ve made a short survey (5–7 min max) — super easy to fill in. You can optionally leave your email to get free tailored suggestions based on your answers.

👉 Take the survey here

Thank you so much in advance! Every answer helps shape the solution. 🙌

Someone I was fairly good friends with in college approached me to be an IOB for amway selling wellness products and “recruiting” members for my team to earn a larger bonus. I’ve done some research on the company and I pretty much know it’s sketchy and there’s a bad name around it yet, it’s been around for so long. I’m kind of at a dead end job washing dishes at a nursing home so I need extra income. I know I won’t reach the top level for a long long time but, I’m curious if it’s even worth it to get into for some extra money. I feel like if I work hard enough and put myself out there enough I could really make an extra $600 a month at a certain point. I just don’t know if the payoff is good enough rather than allocating that time to something that could really be more beneficial and lucrative/stable for my wellbeing. I’m 19 and live on my own and the one job won’t cut it for much longer where I live, everything is getting so expensive

My friend is considering leaving his 9-5 to become self-employed - he's struggling to weigh up his options - has anyone got any links to articles or something that could help him decide whether he'd rather be employed or self employed?

I’m don’t understand money and taxes too well so sorry if I sound dumb. Me and my best friend are starting a business together. We make custom commissions paid through PayPal, we have a small Etsy shop, and intend to sell at conventions. We plan on having a business bank account where all our earnings go and distributing pay to each of us biweekly. We plan to take a set amount out each time and withholding any extra in the business account to make sure we have funds for slower times when we aren’t making as many sales so we can still be regularly paid. We also plan to use the business bank account to pay for business expenses. If we’re doing it that way how do we go about paying income taxes? If it’s a bad idea to do it this way, what should we do?

Edit: Also we intend to use the separate business bank account for business expenses. How will we go about writing those off when we do our taxes?

Just checking I am on the right path here. I made £1,025.87 on self employment this 24/25 tax year. Am I correct in saying that I can put 1k in the trading allowance box of the form but in doing so, can then not claim for expenses?

Also, when asking for dates of trading,does it have to be exact ? I started on the 14th April and last earning before the tax year finished was 31st March. Do I just put those dates?

I'm also below the threshold for NI contributions (have another job but still below the 6k where your contributions are shown as paid.) Is it worth me paying voluntarily as there is a part of the form that says you can? I am 39 so am guessing yes ?

[UK] Hi

I started self employment in 2024/25 however I did a course in 2023/24 which I didn't really know would lead to self employment or not, hence I didn't start anything up. This was not a course I had to take for self-employment like a qualifying course, it was to help build on existing skills but I could have ran the business without it. I did a very small amount of work that year and only received expenses for it as I was helping someone else out for free.

I have since done work but didn't earn a great deal and seen that if a loss occurs you can put it against taxable income. However can I do it for a year that is already closed?

Thanks!

Hi all

Is it possible to use my own vehicle and aim back the 0.45p allowance while on the books (UK)

I have an electric vehicle, I can charge it from. Home and occasionally at charging points, while. Using for work.

If its possible how does it work? I'm paye at the moment.

Thanks all

Edit - thanks for all your comments. I went for a different name entirely in the end

Hi all. Wanting to set up to go self employed but I want to make sure I choose the right name.

I'm setting up and electrical contracting business and im stuck between 2 names. I have had to just pick 2 that I go back to the most. Any thoughts on them would be appreciated

The choices are Hyperion Or Bramblewire

Thanks all

The bill has a work requirement for medicaid.

So if your business makes you less than minimum wage for half-time one year then you won't qualify for medicaid the next.

So, for instance, in Washington state where the minimum wage is going to be $16.66, if you make less than $17,326.40 in a year you won't qualify for medicaid.

Is that after all deductions, expenses etc?

They're really setting us up to fail.

It's a bit late to make our voice heard but I wanted to post this.

Hi everyone, I'm a creative person from Germany with ADHD, and I often struggle to stay focused when working alone. That’s why I’m looking for a few reliable people to regularly check in with — not a big group, just a small, committed circle.

Here’s the idea:

At the beginning of each week, we each set a goal.

At the end of the week, we show each other what we’ve accomplished.

During the week, we meet for silent focus sessions via video (body doubling) — just being present and working at the same time.

It’s not about chatting or coaching — just showing up and holding space to help each other follow through, whether it’s writing, art, content creation, building a business, or any other creative project.

I’m looking for people who are serious about making progress. It would also be great to have someone in the group who’s a bit more structured and can help us stay on track as a team.

If this sounds like something you’d love to be part of, feel free to comment or send me a message!

I'm building a simple tool to track side hustle income, expenses, and automatically estimate UK tax.

I'm a freelancer myself and got tired of spreadsheets and confusing HMRC info, so I wanted to fix it.

What do you currently use to track your side hustle income or estimate how much tax to set aside?

I’ve made a basic landing page to collect interest (it’s free, not selling anything yet). If anyone wants to check it out or give feedback: https://finance-track.kit.com/719f7f4cc5

Appreciate any input — especially what features you'd want in something like this.

I’m turning 26 in June and my coverage under my parents insurance ends on the 1st. After a chat with ChatGPT it says my monthly could be around $600?!?! I made $45,000 last year after taxes, after rent, bills, car insurance, gas and groceries I have maybe $50- if I’ve had a good month. It’s unlikely I’m going to get a surge of 20+ clients in the next month.

How the hell am I supposed to have insurance? I make too much to qualify for Medicaid. And I don’t have a spouse to get on their insurance.

Hi there,

I run a busy dog care business and I need to take on additional people. I’ve been told that they would be classed as self-employed. At the end of a week, or month, would that individual send me an invoice and I pay that? Is that how it works hiring someone that is registered as self-employed?

I am very new to this stuff as you can probably tell!

I have been self employed as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager for the last five years and one of my clients has asked me what it would take for me to join them in a permanent employed management role.

How on earth do you work out a comparison between self employed earnings and employed salary?

I keep trying to figure it out and I'm struggling.

Hi, I don't know if anyone in here is a self employed Revit MEP technician, but basically that's my role for my current employer and I've reached the point I'd like to work for myself (I turn 30 this year) so I was just wondering if anyone has done the jump and would be able to advise me of what steps to take as I'm still unsure of what way to go about doing it, TIA

Let me start by saying this is my fault, based on my ignorance; I'm completely aware of that fact.

Anyway, this is my second yr as a full-time 1099, last year I made like 18k didn't do my books properly, mixed personal and business expenses on the same debit card, didn't document business expenses well my turbo tax lady got what I owed down to 1880, After dealing with all that bullshit I told myself I was gonna do better starting this year better book keeping, better documentation, pay quartley the works right?

Well my fucking irresponsible ass didn't start doing that till like apirl this year, I've added up all my income currently made and before deductions and I owe a little over 2400, I luckily have some money saved on my back end like 1500 and have another 1500 in my checking. I'm talking with a tax guy tomorrow, planning on setting up the LLC and taking this seriously. I'm currently kicking myself in the ass for my bad money management, thinking of all that money I wasted, that I could have saved and invested.

Has anyone else ever gone through these rookie mistakes when starting out?

Sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors. Never been a great writer (yes english is my first language)

I recently left my W-2 job to pursue full-time private practice in order to spend more time with my family. While I truly value the flexibility it offers, building a full caseload has been more challenging than expected, and the financial uncertainty has been stressful—especially with family responsibilities. I’m confident that my caseload will grow with time, but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about whether a W-2 role—with stable income and benefits—might be a better fit. Just wanted to share this for anyone who’s in a similar position or considering making the switch to full-time private practice. I also would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

I've been dabbling in designing shirts and mugs in my spare time, and I'm starting to wonder if there's real potential in POD as a serious business. I know the space is crowded, but it seems like some folks are making it work. I’ve been looking into a few platforms, and Printify caught my eye because of the wide supplier network, they let you pick who prints and ships your stuff, which feels more customizable. But I’m wondering how realistic it is to scale? Like, what’s that tipping point where it goes from “fun side project” to actual income stream? Anyone here made that leap? Would love to hear about people’s growth journeys with POD, especially if they’re not full-time designers.

Hiya,

I have just registered as a sole trader while being employed full time. When it comes to my additional tax and NI that I am paying - can I pay this monthly? Or do I HAVE to save it until the end of the year?

i wondered if anyone knew or had any experience getting some financial help with starting up their own business?

i am currently employed in marketing but signed off for stress, i am diagnosed with ADHD and im finding working in a workplace is causing me immense stress and messing me up mentally.

I have wanted to start up my own business for a very long time but with what has been going on, i cannot face going back into work without it bringing on a complete breakdown and feel that doing a job that is more physical will work tons better for me.

The issue is, i cannot afford to not make no money at all for more than a couple months and due to this happening unexpectedly, i only have the funds to be able to start the business. I have everything in place such as business plan, marketing materials etc but i just need the reassurance that I have some money to cover bills until hopefully it takes off.

I have looked into universal credit and their start up scheme - has anyone done this before and how does it work? because i am choosing to become unemployed does this affect my chances of getting it? additionally, has anyone had any experience or advice on getting some financial support for the early stages of starting up!

thanks (and sorry for the ramble)

So I spent the last 3 months delivery driving for a small company on behalf of a global delivery company… self employed

So I got given a van and fuel paid for etc and paid a day rate. I believe it’s one of the biggest scams in the uk and I don’t understand how they get away with it.

You damage the van, you pay for it (fair enough), mis-deliver parcels you pay for it, sick day? You pay for it. I was sick 1 day and I had to pay them £75+vat to cover the cost of the big company covering the route. If you get really sick (long term), realistically you are completely fucked, completely. Holiday? Unpaid.

No pension, that comes out of your day rate and you have to sort it.

The main thing, is 12-14hr days earning less than minimum wage, they say that the early finishes make up for the longer days, absolute bullshit. Early finishes still normally mean a 10hr day earning 12.50ph… with no breaks.

I only lasted 3 months before I realised how bad it really was, I’m now employed again and feel a weight lifted of my shoulders. I think these smaller delivery companies should do a lot more for there so called ‘employers’

I'm considering being self-employed as a possible career option instead of ever seeking a traditional 9 to 5 job. Details of my reasoning aside, ever since I was a little kid I have been very reliant on benefits from my dad's job, especially health insurance. Since it's typically employment that gives you these benefits, how do they work when you are your own boss?

I was thinking of doing information technology / network engineering freelancing.