Yes, I am self employed.

I spent a number of years teaching English whilst I studied the business culture, the do's and don'ts, the opportunities, the threats and learning the language to a standard that I do not have to rely on translators to get by. I took an unpaid internship at a similar type company to the one that I envisioned constantly picking the brains of various connections and the owner. I then took one last teaching contract on a low salary but with absolutely loads of free time. During my free periods, I set about writing a very comprehensive business plan.

When I was satisfied with the circumstances, I took the dive. I transferred sufficient money to pay the first 20% of the company registered capital. I agreed a time period with the government for putting up the other 80% of the capital.

The first year was harder than I expected but the second year brought the first major contract. I have been trading now for just shy of five years and the last couple of years have been tough. Never-the-less, I do get by and I turn a reasonable profit most of which exits the country at every available opportunity.

To be frank, self employment in China is very difficult and it is almost impossible to incorporate contingency in the business plan for every potential risk. The reason for that is the nature and type of risk changes frequently sometimes daily. Dealing with government bureaucracy and ever changing policies will be the eternal bugbear.

Yes, there are times when I dearly regret taking the plunge in China but It has made me a much stronger and more resourceful person. Recently I have considered whether now is the time to move on but my British stubbornness keeps me going.