Enterprise Nation

Sally Eaton Richards works from her sitting room in a house in the Algarve. She does her research by the pool and loves the way of life. She tells us how she got there, about her work, and advice for others who are thinking about moving their home business from the UK. 

When did you become your own boss?

The very first time was in 1985 at the tender age of 19.  I became a self-employed book-keeper preparing accounts and wages for small businesses, usually one man band companies.  Most of my work was by referral from local accountants in my town then by word of mouth from my clients.  I later went on to co-own an accountancy business with my husband and we started three other companies, all providing accountancy and payroll solutions for freelancers in the contracting industry.  We continued with these businesses until 2004 when we decided enough was enough.  The stress and time consumed was ridiculous, when we weren’t at work we were talking business at home; our holidays were usually spent making business plans around a swimming pool!

We decided to bite the bullet, put a managing director in charge and ‘retire’ to the Algarve and oversee the businesses from there.  Sadly, the businesses suffered along with our marriage and we ended up closing the companies down.

What do you do?

Now I am a freelance writer and write articles and blog posts for accountants based on both general small business topics and topical news in the freelancing industry.

Where do you do it from?

I work from a little corner desk in my sitting room in my house on a condominium in the Algarve

Why did you move to Portugal?

A life long wish!  I lived here from the age of 7-13, my formative years.  I returned to the UK in 1979 as my parents decided to go and live back in the UK.  For 25 years I longed to come back.  I can’t say that I was ever unhappy in England but I always felt that Portugal was my home.

Is it as wonderful as we imagine it to be? Breakfast in the sunshine and a dip in the pool before starting work .. ?!

It is fabulous and sometimes I take it for granted. I often have lunch in a little restaurant overlooking the beach; that always makes me realise how lucky I am.  The first two years here were ‘holiday mode’ with the dip in the pool before breakfast, but when you get used to it and it’s always available, the novelty wears off.  I guess that like everyone that works from home you have deadlines and duties and can easily get ‘stuck’ into routine.  However, much of my research of reading material is carried out in my garden, on the beach or around the pool!

How has technology helped you do what you do, from a place that offers a great quality of life?

If it wasn’t for technology, I wouldn’t be here.  My work relies solely on the internet and when we arrived four years ago we only had dial up network, broadband was unheard of!  Most of my communication is carried out by email.  I also use skype, but don’t have too much success, not because of the service but the telephones or headphones; I think the gremlins must get to them.

I find that it helps ‘connecting’ with people in business as the topic of living in Portugal usually starts a discussion.  At the moment, I do not disguise the fact that I live abroad as I see it as a bonus!  My skype in number did cause confusion though as it was a Birmingham number, so it had to go.

Do your family help you in the business?

The only claim to help from family is George (7), I go out the room and there he is, playing games on my computer having closed down the unsaved article that I had been writing for three hours!.  On a positive note, he is a little gem, at the moment he is on his ten week summer holiday.  His childcare only extends to three days a week so the other two he is at home with me, so I find a piece of work that I can manually research and write so that he can swim in the pool whilst I can continue to work.

Are you aware of any homeworking neighbours?

Not neighbours as I am one of two permanent residents where I live, however I do have a friend here that runs a business from home for the UK market, providing tips on horse racing!

Do you plan to stay in Portugal, or do you have plans to return to the UK?

This is a tricky question!  Most of the time I intend to stay here in the Algarve, but, on days when I have to deal with the bureaucracy here it is so frustrating I miss the civilization and language of England.  I think if there was one thing that would force me to come back to the UK, it would be lack of work.  The average wage here is 500 euros per month and there a very few jobs to be had.  The ‘better’ jobs are usually in real estate on commission only.

For anyone else considering moving their home business abroad, what would be your top 3 tips?

• Research, research, research.  I cannot reiterate this enough.  There are so many ex-pats here that have fallen foul in one way or another because the rose coloured spectacles distorted their vision of what a move abroad would entail, and yes, I am one of those.
• Maintain an income from the UK or elsewhere.  Those that move here to open a bar or small business to support them financially are usually dreaming and end up closing 6 months down the line.  This is not a country for ‘get rich quick’ schemes, there are very few ex-pats here who make a living solely from a business over here.  The best jobs to have are those like my current one where you can work from any country.
• Go with the flow. Accept the Portuguese people and embrace their way of life.  Don’t expect things to happen today as they rarely do!

Sally Eaton Richards talks to Emma Jones