About

Ben Lobel was the editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk from 2010 to 2018. He specialises in writing for start-up and scale-up companies in the areas of finance, marketing and HR.

Employing & managing staff

Hiring your first employee: What you need to know

In this article, Neil Parker shares his top tips for small businesses hiring their first ever employee.

Business Technology

Why fixing the mobility basics is important

Andrew Fawcett looks at the importance of mobile working for small and large businesses and why it’s important to make sure that all the functions of the office are available wherever you are.

Business Ideas & Planning

Make your new business a success

Do you have a fresh new business venture you want to begin but are unsure how to proceed? Follow our guide here.

Advice

How to run an immersive theatre production

The extraordinary world of immersive theatre – in particular Suspects, Lunatics and a Leather Apron, which explores the Jack the Ripper story.

Advice

How to run a craft workshop

Frustrated with endless paperwork, art teacher Wayne sought a creative career elsewhere and now offers art workshops and craft-themed parties to people of all ages

Investing in a franchise

How to become a fudge shop franchisee

How two co-founders of a thriving PR firm harnessed a “mid-life crisis” to switch careers to their enduring satisfaction

Advice

How to run a cheese and craft ale shop

How a passion for fine cheeses and craft ales – and a positive response to a Twitter business pitch – spawned a thriving shop in north London.

Advice

How to be a butcher

Have you ever thought about becoming a butcher? Terry Murray and son explain the highs and lows of running a popular family butchers in London.

Advice

Getting started: Challenges faced by early-stage businesses

Here, Ian James highlights some of the common challenges which early stage businesses across all sectors face.

Business Ideas & Planning

The growth of online retailer Wooden Furniture Store

Here, in an exclusive interview, Clare Jackson, director of Wooden Furniture Store shares her business story.

Business Ideas & Planning

Raising the bar: Five ways to make 2017 your business year

Here, Richard Powell offers five top tips on how to make 2017 a year for growth, success and new business beginnings.

Business Ideas & Planning

How I started and grew a coupon code business

In this piece, Peter King discusses the origins of his coupon codes company and the challenges and opportunities he encountered along the way.