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.

The trials and tribulations of running a macaroon business

Rosie Ginday discusses her experience of setting up a macaroon business and the challenges she faced.

Business Ideas & Planning

Advice

Millions of ‘emergency chairs’ to be used on Christmas Day

Many people will find themselves perched on an 'emergency chair' this Christmas.

Advice

How to run a children’s shoe-fitting service

Tired of working long hours in financial PR, Sam switched to a very different vocation and couldn’t be happier. This is her story.

Advice

How to find the best vehicle for your business

In this piece, we look at the factors to consider over and above basic everyday suitability when it comes to choosing a vehicle

Sole trader

Self-employed freelancers just want a hug for Christmas

Self-employed freelancers ask for a hug for Christmas after a difficult and uncertain year.

Business Ideas & Planning

The five biggest mistakes when leaving your job to start a business

Nick Wealthall explores the common mistakes made by people thinking about quitting their job to work on their own business.

Advice

The rise of live sports broadcasts in the UK

This article traces the ways in which the boom in live sports broadcasts in Britain is affecting the economy.

Business Ideas & Planning

How one student turned her babysitting and tutoring platform into reality

South London student Ibiere Banigo discusses the lengths she went to to start and grow her online babysitting platform.

Advice

The rise of live sports broadcasts in the UK

This article traces the ways in which the boom in live sports broadcasts in Britain is affecting the economy.

Business Ideas & Planning

How one student turned her babysitting and tutoring platform into reality

South London student Ibiere Banigo discusses the lengths she went to to start and grow her online babysitting platform.

Setting up a company

Ireland trumps the rest of Europe as the best place to start a business

Ireland and the UK top the list of the best countries to start a business due to easy access to finance and strong economic growth, a study reveals.

Advice

Four gift ideas for your treasured clients this Christmas

Each of the Christmas gift suggestions are a great way to say thanks and give your business a boost for the year to come.

Advice

The ingredients you need for a successful food business

Here, chocolate industry guru James Hutchins shares his advice for start-up food businesses.

Business Ideas & Planning

Top small business ideas for students

Here, we look at just a few of the ways a student can make extra income by setting up a business while studying.

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