5 MARCH 2010 - FRIENDSHIP

Those of you who know me will know that I have experienced a major problem in my life.

Many people talk about nightmares but in truth that has become a misnomer for everyday crises.I have for the last 5 years been subject to a problem which has caused my wife and I to go to the edge financially, emotionally, physically - you name it. We have lost most of our material possessions  - my Company was my personal response to that. It was my cocking a snoop at life and saying, whatever you have I can take it and I'll come back for more. The Company is doing OK - it was always going to be a slow starter and it is now starting to show some "green shoots". Time will tell if those shoots blossom into fully grown plants.

Back to the topic. Trauma shows your true friends and I have been shocked to discover that I have friends when I have always considered myself to be something of a loner. Better, that those friends have been four square behind me offering everything from money to murder.

My family have amazed me at the nature of their support. My wider family has been by my side all the time.

My closer family, from my son who offered me everything he had worked for to help, to my wife who has never offered me any recriminations - even when I felt they were due - to the grandchildren who just offer you love. I can mention them all but they know what they gave and I am sure that they know that I appreciate every single one of them.

Two friends stand out - both will remain nameless that would be their wish not mine. The first in giving me help and support in the blackest of times and the other who has completely humbled me with his generosity of mind and spirit and otherwise.

Thank you each and every one of you.

The major part of my trauma is over. Five years of hell have ended with a much better than expected outcome. Now it's time for tomorrow - watch this space!

Now to business. I am not sure that I have any gripes this week, my mind has been elsewhere. So let me do some preaching.

Sole traders - why? The dangers in being a sole trader are enormous, unlimited and completely avoidable.

A sole trader is someone who goes and starts in business on their own and doesn't bother to register as a limited company. The majority of sole traders carry on their business without problem. They never experience the worst problems that can arise but they are always at risk.

The simple answer to this is to register your business as a limited company. It costs next to nothing. There is no real increase in your administration or paperwork and you get protection. Protection from making an error, protection from overtrading, protection from recession. Without limited status all of your possessions are at risk, with it they are not. It's that simple.

"Ah - but I'm insured" - they all cry. "I've got it covered". Well, the trauma I mentioned above was due in no small part to an insurance company rejecting a perfectly valid claim. How many times does that happen? Once is more than enough and we have all heard about people getting screwed by their insurers.

This is not a tirade borne out of bitterness - as it happens I am not bitter just disappointed - rather it is a simple statement of common sense.

Have a good week


Chris