Personal Loan
I got a personal loan from the bank, my bank manager knew I was in PAYE employment at the time I took out the loan so no security was needed. He knew I was becoming self employed but also knew from past history that if I got into trouble the loan would still be repaid.
Make sure the room that you dedicate as your office does not double as the sitting room in the evening etc. You will need to be able to close the door at night and forget what is on your desk. Lose the playroom or the dining room if you have too. Get rid of all soft furnishings, pretty pictures & fancy knick knacks that may be in the room. Get up every morning at the same time, but on your "work clothes" be at your desk at a set time. Work out what time you will break for lunch etc. Do not use eircom call waiting or answer machine, it sounds very amateurish. Get to know your postman!!! and learn to ignore what is going on outside "your office".
Take advantage of being selfemployed, work all hours if necessary to get a job done but also remember it is then OK to finish up at lunchtime on a Friday. Remember the time you are saving sitting in traffic. People think they have to work all hours to be successful, all you have to do is work smarter not harder.
Finally get the wife on board, Mr Potblack is also Self employed and we both work from home. I answer his phone he answers mine. It sounds like a real hub of industry.
Once again Good Luck.