Why is it worth becoming your own boss? Part 2

Sole proprietorship is becoming an ever more popular form of doing business. That is why many people decide to go for it. Copywriting, tutoring, translation, working in real estate, graphic design or travel agencies – these professions lend themselves to opening your own business. But how do you do it?

In the previous article we focused more on everything you need to analyse before you can even start thinking about setting up your own business. Today we will focus on more pragmatic matters. What steps must you take to become your own boss? What formalities must you complete? Where can you get funds? We will try to answer all these questions. Enjoy the read!

Where to start?

By completing the CEIDG application (for an entry in the Central Registration and Information on Business). You can do this online. The interface of the website where you can fill it in, Prod.ceidg.gov.pl, is clear and contains a lot of useful information to help you make decisions, including on the form in which you will pay taxes and what your rights and obligations as a founder will be. Remember that if the income from your business does not exceed 50% of the minimum wage, you do not have to register it. You can then run a so-called unregistered business. In that case you have no obligation to report it to the authorities.

What information do you have to provide in the form? Certainly the type of business you will carry out. Before entering the appropriate description in the boxes, it is worth familiarising yourself with the list of the so-called Polish Classification of Activities. There is a really wide choice there. You also need to provide, among other things, the start date of the business, the choice of taxation, personal data, tax identification number (NIP) and the expected number of employees. Registering with CEIDG does not require a fee. It is completely free.

The next step is to deal with formal matters with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). There you will be seen in two ways – as a private individual, that is a "payer" paying contributions, and as the so-called insured person. You must fill in one of two forms: ZZA or ZUA. The first registers you for the health insurance contribution only, the second for all contributions.

As for the Tax Office, you already declare in the CEIDG application the form of taxation you want to choose and the type of accounting records you will keep. If you do not want to become an active VAT payer, you do not have to visit the office at all.

After that, just get yourself a company stamp, open a bank account, set up an email account, buy yourself a comfortable chair and feel like your own boss.

Where to get funds for your own company?

Although registering a business costs nothing, trying to get it off the ground does. That is why it is worth learning about the programmes and grants that will let you raise start-up money. Here are a few sources you can turn to for funds:

• In 2018 the project "Development of start-ups in Eastern Poland" was launched. The start-up platforms, prepared by the Ministry of Development, make it possible for innovative ideas to come to life.
• You can count on grants from the Labour Office. However, this kind of support is directed only at unemployed people who have not run their own business before.
• The BridgeALFA programme – under the project you can obtain up to PLN 1 million in investment. It is carried out by the National Centre for Research and Development under the Smart Growth Operational Programme.
• EU projects – announcements concerning various EU projects aimed at many entities and institutions should be sought on the website of the Voivodeship Labour Office.
• A bank loan.

Isn't it too demanding, though?

And although it may seem that there are quite a lot of formalities, they are still lighter than in previous years. So there is no reason to be put off setting up your own business. By choosing a career path such as that of an estate agent, you gain the ability to choose your own assignments. You are far more motivated to acquire knowledge in your industry, because only you are responsible for creating your image properly. You adapt your duties to your personal daily rhythm and do not have to put up with the often irrational demands of your boss. You can recommend the flats you manage with a clear conscience; no "higher authority" forces you to bend the rules and embellish listings.