Being the first franchisee
Carpenter Graeme Worsley took on the first franchise arm of property maintenance company Aspect.co.uk. He tells SmallBusiness.co.uk about why he decided to take the plunge.
Investing in a franchise
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.
Carpenter Graeme Worsley took on the first franchise arm of property maintenance company Aspect.co.uk. He tells SmallBusiness.co.uk about why he decided to take the plunge.
Investing in a franchise
Business Ideas & Planning
SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to Sohail Rashid, founder of venture capital-backed property finding app Property Place, which launched in January 2012.
Business Ideas & Planning
Mary Cummings talks about the transition from working for a corporate to starting her own marketing consultancy.
Business Ideas & Planning
Kathereen Paterson founded market trading business Dulce Kitchen in 2011 and tells SmallBusiness.co.uk how life for her is different now.
Business Ideas & Planning
Companies led by a duo rather than a single head often attribute their success to the power of their business partnership.
Business Ideas & Planning
Martin Hayward explains how businesses should prepare for the infrastructure challenges posed by the Olympics.
Business Ideas & Planning
Twenty-one year-old Ben Wilson set up Freshcig in July 2011 and expects sales of £250,000 for his first year of trading.
Investing in a franchise
Mum of two Rachel Ray decided to franchise her domestic cleaning company Bright and Beautiful in 2010. She shares her advice for would-be franchisors with SmallBusiness.co.uk.
Business Ideas & Planning
Twenty-one year-old Ben Wilson set up Freshcig in July 2011 and expects sales of £250,000 for his first year of trading.
Investing in a franchise
Mum of two Rachel Ray decided to franchise her domestic cleaning company Bright and Beautiful in 2010. She shares her advice for would-be franchisors with SmallBusiness.co.uk.
Sole trader
My business is now incorporated with Companies House. If I have not started the business yet can I just fill out the DS01 and pay £10 to remove and close the company and start as a sole trader?
Business Ideas & Planning
Serial investor and entrepreneur James Caan reviews Sara Williams' guide for entrepreneurs.
News
Small businesses struggling to access funding have been given an alternative option with the introduction of legislation allowing credit unions to lend to them.
Crowdfunding for Business
Knitting wool wholesaler Artesano raised £65,000 on Funding Circle, which matches lenders with businesses online.
Business Technology
To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis
Investing in a franchise
Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.
Partner content
Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems