Enterprise Nation

Accountant Sam Thewlis spent just over a year working as an accountant by day and building her writing business by night. Last year she said farewell to employment and became full time her own boss. Not all 5 to 9’ers want to give up the day job but this one is sure glad she did.

The first chapter

Sam entered a short story writing competition in her local paper in 2006. Although she didn't win, it did remind her of how much she liked writing.

"I went on to have a number of stories published in books and magazines. In 2008 I started thinking about how I could actually make a living doing what I loved instead of being an accountant, which I didn't."

Whilst working full time, Sam launched herself as a writer and copywriter. She secured a number of valuable contracts, including one for national website, fool.co.uk and one for a business networking organisation, Mumsclub. She then expanded into lecturing and running seminars.

"My biggest client, The Motley Fool, is a website with 30,000-50,000 hits a day. I wrote to the editor and suggested how I could be of use as a freelance contributor and they took me on a trial for 5 weeks. At the end of the trial they decided to keep me on and doubled my workload to 2 articles per week, which was great. I am fortunate in that my work is its own PR- my name is on everything I write and so my name becomes known- I recently 'met' someone on Twitter who mentioned me to her husband, only to be told by him that I "write for The Motley Fool". My fame precedes me!"

Sam was growing the business alongside the day job and caring for a family of two young children and a husband.

"My children appreciate that often Mummy had to work, but I tried to lock myself in the dining room so I could come out and give them my undivided attention. Unless absolutely necessary, I didn’t work between coming home from work and 8pm when the children went to bed. My husband was also very supportive. As with everything, however, one man (or woman) cannot do all at once and something had to give. In my case, it was the housework. The way I see it, my family is happy, loved but maybe a bit grubby."

A happy ending

Sam was getting so many contracts (and earnings were improving) that she decided to give up the day job and is now dedicating all her time to the business. She’s working on a new site which will be a magazine site offering advice and tips for mums and will showcase her writing skills as well as offer ebooks for sale.

"I’m loving being in control of my own working hours and now being able to work completely around the family. Self employment is even better than I thought it would be!"

• Samthewlis.co.uk