Category

Starting a Business

Advice on how to start your own business, with guides to help you plan, develop and finance a start-up company, plus recommendations on registering the business, its legal structure and finding financial backing for growth. Whether you are just beginning or have already taken the first steps and want to keep everything on track, our expert articles will give you the knowledge to help lead you to success, whilst maintaining a good work-life balance.

Starting a business can initially seem daunting, but with good support and a strong idea you can quickly pass through the key stages of the setting-up process and be able to launch your company with a solid foundation.

Topics covered include: regulations and requirements for company owners, finding and selecting the professional services you may need (such as banking, insurance, accountancy etc.), legal structure options (self-employed person, sole trader, a partnership or a limited company), business planning, UK start up funding sources and finding your first customers.

5 things to do before you check your phone in the morning

Morning routine has become a hot topic. Jim Lusty shares five things to do to boost your energy and creativity before you get on the dreaded screen

Work life balance

Work life balance

Succeeding as a ‘parentpreneur’: Top tips

'Parentpreneurs’ have to become wiser at organising their time. Father of five Peter Tuvey reveals how to juggle kids and a business.

Work life balance

Why you should take your family on a business trip 

Here, we look at some reasons why it might be a good idea to mix personal and professional life when you're away on business.

Government Grants

Small business energy grants – what’s available

Whether you want to install an electric car charging station, replace your old boiler with a heat pump or just replace draughty windows, you can apply for a range of energy grants

Advice

Should you register as a sole trader or a limited company?

Mart Abramov, CEO of TaxScouts, shares the positives and negatives of being a sole trader or a limited company, so you can make the best choice for your growing business.

Sole trader

Tax advantages of a limited company versus sole trader

Haydn Rogan explains the tax advantages and disadvantages of status as a limited company and as a sole trader

Sole trader

6 examples of sole traders

What jobs are best if you want to go self-employed? We look at what it takes to become a personal trainer, a gardener, a hairdresser, a private chef, a photographer or a dog walker

Advice

The best cities in the UK to start a street food business

Setting up a street food business can be tough but incredibly rewarding and profitable. Here are the best cities in Britain to start.

Sole trader

6 examples of sole traders

What jobs are best if you want to go self-employed? We look at what it takes to become a personal trainer, a gardener, a hairdresser, a private chef, a photographer or a dog walker

Advice

The best cities in the UK to start a street food business

Setting up a street food business can be tough but incredibly rewarding and profitable. Here are the best cities in Britain to start.

Business Ideas & Planning

The best business ideas for 2024 

From going solo as a private chef or graphic designer to launching a nursery or your own food growing enterprise, we’ve got a range of ideas for everyone

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

Sole trader

What is the definition of a sole trader and being self-employed

What does it mean to be a 'sole trader'? Is there any difference between a sole trader and being ‘self employed’?

Advice

List of small business associations and networking groups

Business associations and networks offer SME owners and entrepreneurs useful resources to help them grow their companies.

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.