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.

Small business franchising: The easiest way to grow your company?

Philip Ciniglio, CEO of Bartercard, discusses the small business franchising opportunity and what company owners should be aware of.

Investing in a franchise

Advice

Failure is an option – and part of a business’ evolution

Here, Jan Chmiel, managing director of Vistage International (UK), explores why we fear failure and how we can overcome that fear in business.

Advice

Count pounds, not sheep: The issues keeping SME owners up at night

Lack of resources, government support and cashflow problems are some of the issues SMEs face today.

Advice

How to identify high risk drivers

Here, we look at how you can recognise high risk drivers in your company and improve their skills and safety.

Advice

How to build a successful one-person start-up

Here, Sarah Giblin tells us all about her inspiring story to start a business that revolutionises the way we see backpack security.

Advice

Why start-ups and SMEs need to learn how to delegate

Here, Love Energy Savings tells us how learning to delegate tasks to your team can help free up your time to run your business.

Work life balance

Top tips for mums in business

Being a mum, business woman and woman can be a juggle – here are some top tips for mums who are running businesses.

Business Ideas & Planning

How one mother started a business to improve on the baby bib

Dawn Howe discusses how she navigated the early stages of her baby bib business.

Work life balance

Top tips for mums in business

Being a mum, business woman and woman can be a juggle – here are some top tips for mums who are running businesses.

Business Ideas & Planning

How one mother started a business to improve on the baby bib

Dawn Howe discusses how she navigated the early stages of her baby bib business.

Advice

How young freelancers should go about obtaining a mortgage

Here, Luke Somerset shares his tips on how Generation Z entrepreneurs can put a roof over their heads that will eventually belong to them.

Business Ideas & Planning

The qualities needed at the beginning of the start-up journey

Here's why pausing to reflect upon who you are, your beliefs, values and ultimate purpose, is vital before starting a business.

Advice

How to bootstrap and avoid consultants when growing your business

Here, Rune Sovndahl, ‎CEO and co-founder at Fantastic Services, gives us some bootstrapping tips to save money for small businesses.

Advice

How I started and grew my architecture business

Here, we talk to Jon Beswick, about the African inspiration for his business, acquiring a Golden Globe-winning client, and the power of word of mouth for marketing.

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.

Partner content

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?

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