Self Employed? Tips on managing a business when on holiday

by Startacus Admin
Self Employed? Tips on managing a business when on holiday...
Holiday season is upon us. The kids are off school - the sun is shining and the weather is sweet. Makes you want to move those dancing feet (as I digress!). However as a self employed person (often working alone), the thought of a summer holiday can fill you with dread.
We have previously written about the importance of taking a holiday if self employed, but how can you have a holiday when there is no one to manage the work, the emails, the financial responsibilities and necessities that being self employed can bring. Yes - there are many advantages in working for yourself, but managing a business during a holiday period and when you are on holiday, can seem like a nightmare. With this in mind, here are a few tidbits of advice and pointers that at least might mean you can not only book that well earned break from work - you can learn to enjoy it too!
Forward Plan
If you expect everything just to nicely fall into place - think again. Planning for the time you have off is as important as the plans you have in place for when you are actually in the office. If you leave it until the last minute - the chances are you will not only end up working until the last possible moment, you will end up worrying, stressing and working throughout your holiday too.
Don’t rely on “out of office”
With forward planning in mind - it is a good idea - in fact essential that you make contact with all your valuable clients, businesses, suppliers etc. to let them know what you intend to do and when you will be on holiday. Valuable clients who also value your work and service, will want to also go out of their way to try and respect the break / holiday you are looking to have. Therefore if you know that in two months time, you are taking a two week holiday - then start the process of speaking and communicating to your clients now. Relying on setting up an “out of office” email alert is at best short in preparation and at worst can be damaging to your business. Yes - an out of office email should work for new and prospective clients and customers, but in no way should it be an appropriate way of speaking to your existing client base and business customer.
Manage Expectations Got a business in the manufacturing sector? These tips on how you can reduce energy costs while being more sustainable are well worth a read... Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs. Nassia Skoulikariti, Director of IoT Programmes, Mobile Ecosystem Forum shares some insights on how IoT is having a significant impact on all our lives. Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, a world-leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, discusses how introducing a globalized curriculum will help better prepare students. SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis. 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms. Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community. Thingtrax Secures £4.3M to Empower Manufacturers to Build the Factories of the Future A measure of inflation relief for small firms sees transport costs fall but service price increases remain elevated Bedfordshire-based HR tech startup HR DataHub has built a range of tools for HR departments
Once you do let all your existing businesses, customers, clients etc know that you are taking a well earned break, you then need to work out what they and you should expect during that period. You can only manage expectations if you set them yourself first - so work out how much you are either uncontactable, working or not in the office during the holiday period you set. We can’t tell you what is best for your business - only you will know on this and for some taking a two week break will be easier - for others this might be totally unrealistic, whether you like it or not.
Continued on page 2...
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
How Manufacturing Businesses Can Reduce Energy Costs
SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap
How IoT Is Revolutionising Consumers' Daily Lives
How to invest in tech companies with the help of AI
SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round
Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships
Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training
Thingtrax Secures £4.3M
A measure of inflation relief for small firms
A look at HR tech startup HR DataHub
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap 15th Aug 2023 Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
- SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round 28th Jul 2023 SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
- Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships 27th Jul 2023 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
- Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training 21st Jul 2023 Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.