Calling all good men and women

Hello. Lots to talk about in this post, so please get comfortable.
Starting a business is challenge and is kinda universal, no matter what you decide to go into business as. It is true that some business start-ups require a heavy amount of upfront investment to perhaps develop bespoke websites or buy premises to store goods, or simply purchase your stock to get the ball rolling. Heavy financing just means more risk from the outset, more to consider.

As a Structural Engineer, you have to remember that you are the expert consultant that clients will be paying for. Experience and confidence is key - hopefully your training and past engineering mentors will have prepared you for almost everything. Note: I have always believed that as an Engineer you are not employed to know 'everything' there is to know about your field of expertise. You are employed to resolve problems - by utilising your resourcefulness and experience. This means that if you know where to look for information and the client gives you enough time, then you can deliver anything. Remember that when you are sat in a meeting with everyone staring at you expecting an answer... you need to grow a very thick skin and learn to buy enough time to think through your design proposals adequately.

What consultancy life doesn't prepare you for is the web design creatives and branding gurus who will take your business seed and and help form an image for you to personify day in day out. [They] don't prepare you for setting up a limited company OR making the decision to become VAT registered from day one or not. You are hidden away from chasing prospective clients and begging for work, or just for the opportunity to give them an estimate of your time! Many of these skills you will have to pick up as you go along, taking you away from fee earning time - and thus reducing your possible earnings to less than when you were a trainee... you are the creator, the decision maker, the completer finisher, the business host, the admin staff all in one.

And what do I think about that? I love it. I want that responsibility and to drive home my ideas or to see them fail and then rise like a phoenix as new directions of travel. If you feel the same way as me - then keep reading.

Engine[er]