Becoming Self-Employed - Tips for Young People
If you're a bright spark with a clever business idea, all kinds of resources are on offer to help you become self-employed.
Starting your own business is a challenge, whatever age you are. More and more young people are creating their own startups and becoming young entrepreneurs.
In fact, the average age of people starting their own business is declining. If you’re young and thinking of turning an idea into a business reality, you’re not alone!
What Is Self-Employment?
The term self employment is pretty self explanatory – it means you are employed by yourself. So instead of being employed by a company, you run your own business and maybe even employ your own staff.
A form of self employment you might have heard of is freelancing. This is where you sell your skills and services (e.g. web designing) to other companies on a flexible basis.
Can you start your own business if you're under 18?
Yes, you can. You will have extra challenges ahead of you, because until you’re 18 you’ll have barriers to setting up your own business bank account, getting credit and raising business finance. As well as balancing business with education you will be limited to the type of work you can do as a minor.
However, you can still get grants and cash from young enterprise schemes, and you may be able to set up a joint business with someone older or get loans from family and carers rather than the bank. You’re certainly never too young to have a good idea.
Self Employment Advice & Tips
Find out more about what you need to become self employed, and how to decide if it’s the right choice for YOU! Plus: get top tips and insight from other young entrepreneurs!
Start building your entrepreneurial skills TODAY
Build these 5 top life and work skills at any time as a Young Professional.
It’s never too early or late to begin your journey. Know your skills and strengths!
Self Employment Help & Support
Organisations & Resources
Need help with writing your business plan or finding funding? Looking for organisations that provide mentoring programmes or support for disabled entrepreneurs? Explore the list of organisations and resources below.
Gov UK Resources Scope - advice for disabled people The Prince's Trust Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs Gov UK Finance Resources Google Digital Garage Courses Welsh Gov Resources The Ingenuity Programme National Lottery Funding
