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.

New year, new business resolution: Top tips for start-ups

Stephen Ibbotson, ICAEW director of business, offers up some tips to help a new business get off to a strong start in 2017.

Setting up a company

Advice

How to regain your motivation as a small business owner

It's inevitable that your motivation levels will take a hit at some point near the beginning of your business journey. Grainne Kelly gives some top tips for regaining your work mojo.

Advice

The best advice to those setting up a business

Support is available; you just need to know where to find it. Claire Welch from Dobson Welch Recruitment Specialists shares her experience of setting up a successful business.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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