Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
Rik Hellewell, franchising expert and founder of oven valeting business Ovenu, talks about the many advantages of setting up a franchise compared to starting a new business from scratch.
Investing in a franchise
Business Ideas & Planning
Christian Mouysset and Ronen Givon, the co-founders of Mediterranean restaurant chain Hummus Bros, reveal the main steps entrepreneurs need to consider when setting up a restaurant.
Advice
Daniel Abrahams started online travel money comparison site MyTravelMoney.co.uk in 2011 and now sees profit alone of £117,000. He talks to SmallBusiness.co.uk about his journey.
Sole trader
Jo Turnbull is a freelance SEO consultant, providing online marketing advice to small and medium-sized businesses. She talks about starting up on her own after being put out of a job.
Sole trader
In 2012, Dana Elemara started Arganic, offering rare argan oil, grown exclusively in Morocco, to the cosmetic and food industries. She talks to SmallBusiness.co.uk about her company and how it began.
Sole trader
Sam Wright started SEO and web content provider Blink in 2010. He talks to SmallBusiness.co.uk about starting up and how the lifestyle of a sole trader suits him.
Business Ideas & Planning
Michael Lister, managing partner at MLP Solicitors, is often approached for advice by the owners of new and growing businesses seeking funding from their bank. Here are his top tips for creating the perfect business plan.
Business Ideas & Planning
Norman Shaw, founder of mobile data security company ExactTrak, talks funding, intellectual property and entrepreneurial ambition.
Business Ideas & Planning
Michael Lister, managing partner at MLP Solicitors, is often approached for advice by the owners of new and growing businesses seeking funding from their bank. Here are his top tips for creating the perfect business plan.
Business Ideas & Planning
Norman Shaw, founder of mobile data security company ExactTrak, talks funding, intellectual property and entrepreneurial ambition.
Advice
Consultant Chris Merrington explores how to manage supplier relationships to deliver the best return for the business.
Work life balance
Béatrice Piquer Durand, of Ipanema Technologies, discusses the challenges of being a female in the male-dominated world of IT.
Investing in a franchise
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.
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 Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Partner content
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
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
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade