LAHornbogen

I set up On The Go in November 2007 having been made redundant from my Regional PA post with a leading acute private healthcare company where I worked for nine years. Being made redundant was a shock in itself followed quite soon after with my turning 50! What was I going to do? I knew what I didn't want to do and that was face endless interviews; move back down the scale in the office environment on a salary which would unquestionably have been much lower.

I quickly realised that I was going to work for myself and as I had already started using audio digital transcription in my previous post looked into becoming a VA. My first two years were exciting, depressing, fraught but most of all challenging. Through 4Networking I met hundreds of people, some who have become good friends, some who have become valued clients and some who although will not require my service are excellent contacts that I can refer to others.

Yes there were times, still are, months when I wonder if I would be better getting a "full time" job with a set salary with set working hours so that I would be safe in the knowledge of what to expect come the end of the month – the thought doesn't last long! By being self-employed I get to meet so many different people with so many skills, my work is varied from one client to the other and each day brings different challenges with the scope for further varied work.

What are the pitfalls working for yourself based in a small "home office"? Learning to talk to yourself out loud – bouncing ideas off the walls – becoming a Shirley Valentine to name a few! That's why networking is key to maintaining your sanity and credibility. Meeting new people, getting out of the house, interacting via social media all help to keeping you sane. You may be working on your own but you are never alone – unless you choose to be so!

Lesley-Anne is also a professional actress and voice over artist with Equity membership.