Six Profitable Ways To Be A Sole Trader

Thinking of going it alone? Becoming a sole trader is the quickest way to turn a skill into your own business — no company paperwork, no registration fee, just you, your clients and full control of the profits after tax. Sole trader status means there’s no legal separation between you and your business, so you’re personally responsible for debts and liabilities. That simplicity makes it ideal for low‑cost start-ups and side hustles, and recent advances in AI have lowered barriers even further by putting powerful tools in one person's hands. Personal trainer: If you love fitness, this can pay well. Hourly rates average £30–£35 and fully established trainers can make £25,000–£60,000 a year; some specialists charge up to £100 an hour. You’ll need at least Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications, insurance (public liability, professional indemnity, equipment cover) and good scheduling and marketing to build a client base. Gardener: A practical, outdoorsy option with earnings from around £15,000 up to £70,000. Start‑up costs are typically £7,000–£10,000 (van, tools, licences) with about £1,500 for essential kit. Consider courses from RHS or junior roles with firms to learn the trade and register with groups like the Gardeners Guild (membership fees apply). Hairdresser: Flexible routes in — college, NVQ apprenticeships or learning on the job. You can rent a chair in a salon (often c.40% of takings) or go mobile. Average earnings sit near £30,000 for experienced stylists. Insurance packages for mobile stylists start from roughly £42.50 a year and commonly include up to £6m liability cover. Private chef: From one‑off dinner parties to live‑out roles on yachts, private chefs earn on average around £38,700, with live‑out salaries between £30,000 and £70,000. Formal cookery school helps but passion and organisation are key — expect long days and detailed menu planning. Photographer: A broad field — weddings, property, food, PR and stock all offer work. Average freelance pay is about £31,336, with starters charging around £28.50 an hour. Essential kit includes camera bodies, lenses, lighting and editing software. Graphic designer: Low entry costs (often £1,000–£3,000) and global freelancing potential. Beginners may earn near £18,000 while experienced designers can reach £40,000+. Specialising (brand work, motion graphics, accessible design) helps you command higher fees. Small but crucial admin: insurance, bookkeeping and banking matter. Look into accounting tools that are MTD‑ready (Sage Individual, QuickBooks sole trader plan at ~£10/month, Xero Simple at ~£7/month) and business accounts such as Tide, CardOneMoney or Countingup. From 2026, Making Tax Digital will apply to sole traders with gross income over £50,000, so get your record‑keeping in order. Treating your solo gig like a real business — specialising, budgeting, insuring and using decent software — is the difference between a hobby and a sustainable income. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://smallbusiness.co.uk | Read original article