About
Why me, why now?
I am here to help new, part time and low income Sole Traders take control of their records, recoup any overpaid tax and avoid the high cost of quarterly and annual accredited digital accounting
Hi, I'm Sue
I have been a self employed Sole Trader since leaving school following a childhood brought up in a family business.
I used to pull the lever on a manual adding machine for my Mum late into the night as she worked on balancing the ledgers to the last penny. She taught me well and I am meticulous when it comes to simplfying accounting as well as keeping up with changes in HMRC and other requirements.
I choose to live on a low income while I focus on creating value for my future as a writer and volunteer for CA British Isles. It means I can offer affordable services to friends who benefit from my unique knowledge and experience.
I am not an accountant, tax agent or financial advisor but was once an award-winning Business Enterprise Advisor and I have been an Associate Member of the Institute of Administrative Management (AInstAM) for over 40 years.
My aim is to help you avoid going digital by providing information and guidance on my blog and sharing ideas on how we can keep cash in our communities and earn extra income by trading in the private. If you are full or part time, or just starting out, I hope you find this helpful.
My aim is for Sole Trader Services to grow into an valuable resource for independent traders. Thank you for being here to traverse this new landscape with me on our journey to freedom.
Please get in touch with any questions. You can request to join my mailing list, if you would like to receive reminders and new information.
I look forward to working with you.
Much love
Sue Xx
Looking back over the last 7 years
How things have changed and what we need to do now
I created the infographic on the left (or above) in 2018 when I first set up Sole Trader Services as a self employed business.
I am not sure what to make of it but compared to 4.3 million of us trading without employees in 2017, today there are 4 million Sole Traders earning less than £20,000 a year.
If you are new to sole trading or are starting again having lost everything, or you have somehow managed to keep going throughout it all, I salute you. I still strongly believe that we are the hidden heroes generating growth and wealth in our communities and, I will add - doing the most important work.
I have always been passionate about supporting independent traders. I won an award, sponsored by Business Link West Midlands and Business Enterprise Support (BES) in 2010, for Business Consulting Professional of the Year following an impressive 12 months using the virtues of social media to help boost enterprise in the Wyre Forest and beyond.
I have been a qualified Associate Member of the Institute of Administrative Management for over 40 years with experience in creating and delivering workshops, forums and special interest groups, local business community events, one-to-one services and, in more recent years, services for part time or low-income friends to help them navigate the system.
Looking back over 7 years, the opportunitites are the same in terms of: increasing sales without having to increase overheads or employ people; improving skills to include creating high value residual income; and planning for a brighter future when we never have to go digital because we can earn extra income by trading successfully with each other in the private.
With the recent changes, you do have to act now by estimating your gross income for 2025-26. If it's below the new Making Tax Digital threshold of £20K per year, you DO NOT have to go digital.
I can show you how to give HMRC exactly what they need early and how to reclaim anything owed to you so that you can relax for the rest of the year and focus on what you do best.
I am no bird and no net ensnares me, I am a free human being with an independent will.
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
