Small business discussion, (< 10 staff), how are you finding it?

LordNorbury

There is a lot of discussion out there at the mo re: small business survival, whether there is a recovery, or whether there isn't, whether banks are lending to small businesses or whether it is window dressing by the government, so I thought I'd start a general discussion for people who are at the frontline when it comes to small business, just general chit chat and sharing recent experiences maybe...

Gloomtastic!

Self-employed in a couple of service sector businesses - business and consumer.

One business is still very slow compared to before the introduction of the USC. The first five months of 2014 profits down about 10% on last year. (Profits down 55% since peak in 2010).

Other business profit up about 100% on last year.

jimmii

We are only in our second year so missed all the glory times! We haven't had to deal with the banks yet which has probably helped things progress a little more smoothly! Right now its hard to say whether things are looking up as we are still in that organic growth stage. In our area though a good few new places have opened which is great for the area and there are some really good plans to improve the area in general from the council. I was talking to one other local shop keeper though and at 2pm on Saturday they had one sale which is quite scary hopefully that was just a once off!

Evelyn Martina

Hi

We started up our business six months ago, originally as a sole trader, now employing someone full-time and another on a part-time basis. The business is primarily resin flooring , however we do other types of flooring and some construction. We managed to get a start-up business loan from AIB. Finding that there is plenty of work, in fact finding it a bit daunting as it is moving at such a fast pace.

thecommander

Graphic designer/print shop here. Definitely has picked up in the last 7 months or so. Taking on a full time designer next month. Money slowly but surely trickling down.