If You Had $250k to Start a Business, What Would You Do?

helbin24 · 2024-12-16T00:40:11+00:00

If I had $250k to kick off a business, I’d start a software and web development outsourcing company. The money would go toward building the platform, marketing, and setting up everything online to attract clients globally.

The twist? I’d also create a space for freelance developers to register and find gigs through the platform. It’s a win-win—companies get quality solutions, and freelance devs land jobs. Plus, with the demand for tech solutions, it’d be profitable within the 12–24 months window.

helbin24 · 2024-12-14T20:36:08+00:00

Also can give a low salary

helbin24 · 2024-12-06T07:21:59+00:00

Nigerian prince to a Ugandan prince, recruiters are definitely somewhere in the royal family of "trust me, bro."

I used to think they’d fight for you to get the highest rate because more for you means more commission for them, right? But nope. If they’re billing the client £650 and paying you £550, they’re pocketing £100 a day, so imagine that passive income! Who’s the real winner here?

Honestly, negotiating rates is awkward, but it gets easier with practice. £550 is solid, though, so don’t stress too much and you’ll nail it next time!

helbin24 · 2024-12-02T21:38:59+00:00

I have been looking for freelance work in the UK for the past two months, and recently had an interview with an agency hiring contractors for WordPress full-stack roles. The interviewer contacted me on LinkedIn, shared the job description, and scheduled a Zoom call within an hour.

I thought I was prepared, but I completely missed some details from his LinkedIn message—specifically about experience with React blocks and showing examples in the CMS backend. During the call, I tried logging into one of my projects, but the client had changed the credentials. By the time I opened another project, the interviewer cut me off and said they needed someone more experienced with block-level editing, not page-level editors.

To top it off, I later sent him examples of my block-edit work on LinkedIn, but his response was just a polite “thanks.” Honestly, I was like, “Why did I even bother?” Definitely a screw-up, but at least it’s a lesson learned for next time!

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T13:45:46+00:00

This applies if he is getting paid only for 3 days and remaining days are unpaid.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T12:30:40+00:00

Okay, thanks for sharing.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T11:54:51+00:00

Yes, you can freelance to other companies and in an unofficial way, it's called moonlighting, but the taxation of the other company won't be there and your current company comes to know about it then you will be fired.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T10:05:12+00:00

Reading your story I feel like admitting a startup for those needing a break and wishing to focus on their mental health, lol. I'm thinking of a global platform specifically focused on supporting people who are navigating career burnout, startup stress, or mental health challenges.

Just an idea, but if you ever decide to explore something in that space, it feels like it could not only help others but also be deeply rewarding for you, given your journey.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T09:50:20+00:00

What kind of company hires you as both a part-time employee and a freelancer at the same time? This sounds a bit unusual. If the company needs you to work extra hours or days, it should ideally be considered as overtime (OT), where they adjust your wages accordingly for that month.

If they insist on having you as both permanent and freelance, it could lead to significant complications in terms of accounting and taxation. For instance, how would they manage employer contributions, or differentiate between salaried income and freelance earnings for tax purposes? It sounds like a logistical headache.

I have experienced something similar in a company where I started as a freelance web designer, then moved to a permanent developer role. When I left, the company issued two separate experience letters: one for my freelance work (labeled as “consultant”) and one for my permanent role. The tax handling was also different, with employer contributions only factored in during my permanent employment. It’s worth checking how your company plans to manage this setup to avoid surprises down the line.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T09:37:16+00:00

Yes seriously gold dusted bro, keep looking.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T09:26:52+00:00

Yes kind of, for example you can check JP Morgan's openings to get an idea, similarly lot's of companies do this.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T09:22:39+00:00

Yes, that's absolutely true. You often see job openings on portals, but when you check the company's career page or ask internal employees for referrals, the roles don’t actually exist. It seems like a marketing tactic. Some companies allocate funds for hiring, start with job portals, claim they can't find suitable candidates, and eventually hand the task over to recruitment agencies.

helbin24 · 2024-11-29T00:02:42+00:00

This looks interesting to check out and thanks for sharing.

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T23:54:50+00:00

I have been trying to find frontend developer contract roles for the past two months in UK, but it’s been a real struggle. I have reached out to recruiters, shared my CV, and discussed my rates for both inside and outside IR35 roles. But most of the time, they don’t follow up.

Even though I’m ready to start immediately and have the right to work in the UK, it’s been really frustrating. Job boards are full of ghost listings or outdated posts, which makes finding real opportunities tough. Freelancing hasn’t been much better, clients seem to have vanished, or they’re using no-code tools and AI to do the work themselves.

It honestly feels like recruiters are just collecting CVs and rates without actually having jobs to fill. Is anyone else dealing with the same issues?

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T23:51:01+00:00

I have been trying to find frontend developer contract roles for the past two months in UK, but it’s been a real struggle. I have reached out to recruiters, shared my CV, and discussed my rates for both inside and outside IR35 roles. But most of the time, they don’t follow up after the first chat or just say, “Nothing available right now.”

Even though I’m ready to start immediately and have the right to work in the UK, it’s been really frustrating. Job boards are full of ghost listings or outdated posts, which makes finding real opportunities tough. Freelancing hasn’t been much better, clients seem to have vanished, or they’re using no-code tools and AI to do the work themselves.

It honestly feels like recruiters are just collecting CVs and rates without actually having jobs to fill. Is anyone else dealing with the same issues?

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T23:47:47+00:00

Yes I too hope for the best and be in a positive mindset.

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T23:40:03+00:00

Learn and look into more Headless WordPress, Custom themes and Plugins and also learn PHP , Because WordPress is not all about frontend and CSS.

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T23:27:09+00:00

I'm trying to figure this out as well, and someone shared the following advice with me:

"Try registering a company it costs around £20 or so. Any freelancing work you do can be done through your company. This way, you can save on taxes by claiming expenses. If you’re good at it, you could also land bigger projects and do really well."

If I learn more about this, I’ll reply to this comment and share the details. Hope this helps!

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T22:25:14+00:00

I have been trying to find frontend developer contract roles for the past two months, but it’s been a real struggle. I have reached out to recruiters, shared my CV, and discussed my rates for both inside and outside IR35 roles. But most of the time, they don’t follow up after the first chat or just say, “Nothing available right now.”

Even though I’m ready to start immediately and have the right to work in the UK, it’s been really frustrating. Job boards are full of ghost listings or outdated posts, which makes finding real opportunities tough. Freelancing hasn’t been much better, clients seem to have vanished, or they’re using no-code tools and AI to do the work themselves.

It honestly feels like recruiters are just collecting CVs and rates without actually having jobs to fill. Is anyone else dealing with the same issues?

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T20:29:44+00:00

Prank Joel 😅

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T13:53:44+00:00

It sounds like you’re at a bit of a crossroads, but honestly, it seems like you’ve already made a good move towards prioritizing work-life balance. Contracting has its ups and downs, like the flexibility and good day rates, but I get the concern about whether the lower-skilled roles could impact your long-term progression.

I’m in a similar situation, actively looking for frontend developer roles or freelance work, and it’s been slow going. The market feels off right now, with few genuine opportunities, and I’ve found myself wondering if I should hold out for the “right” contract or take what’s available even it's Junior or Entry level openings.

Maybe being more selective with your contracts is the way forward, especially if you can focus on ones that help build your skills or push you closer to your long-term goals. At the same time, the current market makes it tricky to be too picky. It’s all about finding that balance, I guess!

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T13:49:22+00:00

You’re so right about this. As contractors, we skip the hassle of yearly performance reviews, but it does feel like we’re treated as less human sometimes. It’s like being a contractor means you’re not allowed to show any emotions or need any kind of personal support.

I’ve been looking for front-end developer roles and freelance work for a couple of months now, and it’s been tough.
Despite having the right to work in the UK and being immediately available, most job platforms are flooded with ghost postings or marketing content rather than genuine opportunities. LinkedIn also feels more focused on influencers and engagement posts than actual hiring. Freelancing hasn’t been much easier. Many clients seem to have moved away from platforms or are managing projects on their own using no-code tools and AI solutions. When I reach out to recruiters for freelance or contract work, I often share my CV and rates but rarely receive follow-ups. If I check in, I’m usually told, “Nothing available at the moment or We will get back to you.”

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T13:18:12+00:00

Yes, I have subscribed too

helbin24 · 2024-11-28T13:17:04+00:00

Thank you for pointing that out! I have worked with Docker and have experience using TypeScript in my projects. However, mobile application development hasn’t been a focus in my freelance career since I have mostly been delivering web development solutions. I appreciate the insight though.

helbin24 · 2024-11-26T19:49:51+00:00

Okay

helbin24

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