Hard to believe it's almost the end of April already. For those of you about to graduate, this is a big time for feeling out your options, or freaking out.

Some of you might have your summer and so on figured out, but others may be wondering what else is out there.

While a lot of us are comfortable being a cog in the wheel of a bigger company, there are some who may want to try their hand at selfemployment.

Chantielle MacFarlane, 24, moved to Chatham with her fiancée shortly after graduating from the University of Western Ontario in 2008 with a degree in English.

She started out in the online editing company, Scribendi, before realizing she wanted to take the leap and branch out on her own, and she gave the Interrobang some suggestions for future entrepreneurs.

First, look for a niche you can fill.

MacFarlane had a lot of experience in online marketing, after taking on a part-time job in that field in her first year and continuing with it until she was finished university. She noticed there were no jobs in Chatham matching what she wanted, but the services were needed — there were a lot of local businesses that needed to get online.

“No one I found could offer these services (local businesses) could afford,” she explained. “I wanted to be able to offer something I enjoy doing, it benefits me and the community.”

Being specific in what you offer is essential as well, she adds. She doesn't have a lot of experience in web design, so she partnered with someone who does. “You don't have to do it all,” she said.

So you know what you have — now what? It may actually not be the best idea to do it right away, MacFarlane cautions.

“Before I left my full-time job, I made sure there was enough of a market,” she said.

While still at her job, she researched potential clients to see if she could actually get work based on her credentials — and she did.

So she balanced the two to make sure she was financially stable to take off on her own.

“In this economy, I needed to have a job before I started the business.”

Being aware of money is paramount. You will be spending more than you will be making when you start out, so it's important you can still stay afloat, she said.

“You can't put all your eggs in one basket, you have to eat.”

For new graduates, it might be best to get a year's worth of experience or a part-time job in your desired field, she advised. It also always helps to find someone in your field who you can learn from.

It's important to do all the research you can because you want to make sure it's something you can do for the rest of your life potentially, said MacFarlane.

So you've got your niche, your services lined up — next is the legal nitty-gritty. Consulting both a lawyer and accountant, while pricey, were worth it, said MacFarlane. The lawyer helped her establish different contracts covering what she could promise to clients, and what they could expect from her. The accountant helped her realize all sorts of items she could write-off for taxes.

Going through these processes help ensure a more secure take-off in a way and makes sure something drastic like her getting sued doesn't happen, she said.

If this is sounding like a lot of work, it is. And it doesn't stop there. There's also the self-promotion that needs to go on to keep a business afloat. Balancing projects for clients and getting her own website off the ground, while planning a wedding, is tough, said MacFarlane. But it's all part of the process.

Another part of owning your business every aspiring entrepreneur should be aware of is you are your business — all day, every day. So if you choose to be your own boss, you need to watch your behaviour and keep an eye out for potential new business. Even a trip to the grocery store could land you a new account. Conversely a night out could mean a bad reputation for you and consequently your business.

Still think you want to do go it alone? While it's a lot of work, it's also a fulfilling challenge, and there's no worrying about the boss breathing down your neck. Finally, you can also create a unique opportunity for yourself and others.

“You never really know who in your everyday life you could help,” said MacFarlane.

Check the Interrobang's website http://fsu.ca/interrobang for more information on being a young entrepreneur.

If you'd like to hear more from the entrepreneur herself, check out http://www.cikmarketing.ca or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cikmarketing.