Starting a business when unemployed

Starting your own business has numerous benefits ranging from the satisfaction of creating your own job to being able to do something that really interests you and that provides variety from day to day. Being your own boss also gives you a feeling of control over your time and working conditions and the opportunity to be creative.

You should think about assessing your skills and where you might need some extra development or support, eg creating a business plan and forecasting finances - see how to write a business plan: step-by-step.

Often the best path back into employment is through training and further education. Local Further and Higher Education Colleges provide a range of courses that can help you build confidence, explore and test out your ideas in a safe environment and develop the skills required to run a successful small business. Find your nearest college with nidirect.

There is a support system that can help you to develop your skills and turn your business idea into a reality - see support available for unemployed start-ups.

You can also use our Events Finder for business related training, workshops, networking and seminars from a variety of organisations.

The Northern Ireland business support finder is a searchable database that can help you find publicly-funded and not-for-profit sources of business start-up assistance you may be eligible to apply for. Support may be available in a number of forms, including financial assistance and free or subsidised advice services.