Sole practitioner - now expecting. Any tips on how to run practice/deal with clients?

Sole practitioner - now expecting. Any tips on...

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I set up on my own last year and have done quite well, my turnover is nearly what my gross salary used to be (of course I have more costs now but can keep those to a minimum, I have a much better work/life balance now) and am nearly 4 months pregnant.

I just wondered whether anyone had any tips on how to inform clients without scaring them off/run a (small) practice whilst having a child (it is no 2).

I genuinely think I can cope with the clients I have (make sure all deadlines are met way before my due date, have up to 2 months off completely and then towards the end of the year do the work needed then for tax returns - my deadlines are quite well grouped together).

I haven't told any clients yet although I would rather do it sooner rather than later and I know I may lose a couple but I think the majority will stick with me.

Thanks for any advice it is most appreciated.

Chicka

Replies (6)

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By sarahg
09th Feb 2015 20:05

Get a subcontractor?

Could you get a subcontractor to help out?  I would be interested, PM me

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By Jakarmi
09th Feb 2015 20:47

Proactive

Hi,

Being a man this issue hasn't happened to me but I guess it is best to be upfront with the clients.

I'd give each one a call and explain;

a) That you're expecting in the middle of the year

b) You will take two months off at this time to spend time with the baby, but will be able to answer any queries that arise in this time (barring the week or two after the baby is born). Explain you planned on expanding your family when it is a quieter time of year for your clients (even if untrue...)

c) You will return to work in September full time to deal with all of your client's tax affairs and the way you have managed your work will ensure everything is done comfortably.

I'd do this by telephone where necessary as I feel this is more personalised and will make the client feel more special. I would also then write to the clients that get tax refunds asking them to provide their records by date x in order for you to process their returns in good time before you have a leave of absence.

I wouldn't really engage a sub contractor as the time of year should be quiet for you and perhaps reconsider this if the addition to the family leads you wanting to take more time off (or work less hours) than you anticipated.

 

 

 

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By TaxAngel
09th Feb 2015 22:17

Keep clients in the loop

If you have given clients good service, I think you'll find they will stick with you provided, as Jakarmi says, you keep them informed of your working hours/absences.  Don't underestimate how tired you'll be with a second child and how little time you'll have initially but with support from your partner or a friend, you ought to be able to field the odd query around the birth and deal with more involved work when it arises.   I would tend not to call specifically to announce pregnancy, rather call to organise dates to do work and mention constraints of new baby en passant. If you can't meet client deadlines, I would say so up-front and give clients the choice of going elsewhere or adapting to your availability or having work done by a sub-contractor, although my experiences using subcontractors were never as satisfactory as I would have liked. As for email or telephone or letter, I think this depends on your clients and what they prefer.  I tend not to phone many clients as email works well for them and me and can be more efficient for me.

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By sparkler
09th Feb 2015 23:42

It is possible!

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I became a sole practitioner around 7 years ago. I had my third child in 2009 and my fourth child in 2010, and kept my business running throughout this time. My practice was quite small so I didn't need to get any extra help in - but I did alert clients to the fact that I was pregnant and might take a little longer to answer e-mails.  I don't think I could have managed to give up work completely for 2 months, as there would be all the usual sorts of things to be done such as payroll and answering client e-mails, but I managed to fit this in around the baby - night feeds were quite a good time for catching up with e-mails!

Now my business is larger, if I were in the same position again I would want to get some help on board, either to help out with the running of the business (e.g. answering e-mails and doing simple payroll / accounts work) or simply someone to hold the baby while I caught up with work.

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By taxation4
10th Feb 2015 09:48

Congratulations

Sorry if I'm being naïve - I do run my own business and have other calls on my time.

I don't see why you really need to inform your clients you are pregnant if you are intending to continue. You say you already have a child so, presumably, they know you can deal with them professionally whilst arranging childcare/client cover when necessary.

It sounds as if you have thought and planned the work out for the year in a professional manner anyway.

In effect will you really be not answering e mails etc for any longer than an annual holiday?

 

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By chicka
11th Feb 2015 13:38

Thanks everyone for your comments!

I don't see the need to sub-contract any work as the practice isnt that big, if things go to plan the birth should fall within a very quiet time anyway - although I said '2 months off' I know there will still be some 'bits' to do which I hope I can cope with as long as the bulk of the work is done and all deadlines met beforehand.

TaxAngel made a good point of not calling specifically to announce it and I'm sure I can come up with other reasons to contact them all and just tag it on the end of the conversation. Some clients (tax returns) only expect me to have contact with them once a year and so as long as they know they either need to get the info to me early in 2015/16 or it will have to wait until towards Xmas, I will probably just email them as they wouldn't expect me to call.

Thanks again!

Chicka

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