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.

Avoiding funding mistakes

Funding is the one thorny topic every entrepreneur must tackle if their enterprise is to survive and thrive. Securing the right kind of investor, level of investment and managing the process effectively is often the difference between having a future in business or booking a one-way ticket to bankruptcy.

Startup Funding and Grants

Accounting

PAYE for sole traders

If operating as a sole trader, profits (or losses) will be taxed under Income Tax rules and you can continue working in employment under PAYE (Pay As You Earn).

Business Ideas & Planning

Choosing your business address

My 2 friends & I are starting up a business, trading as a partnership. This business will be run from each of our homes, as it is an Internet-based business, I need advice on a business address. Out of the three houses, how do we decide which address to put on stationery etc, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using that person's address?

Startup Funding and Grants

Guide to expanding your small enterprise

Growing your business, by its very nature, is likely to bring greater complexity. This guide to expanding your small enterprise should help.

Investing in a franchise

Top tips on becoming a franchisee

Turning your franchise dreams into business reality is a complex process, so make sure you set off on the right foot by following these ten steps to success.

Investing in a franchise

Watch out for the hidden costs of franchising!

In addition to an initial franchise fee and ongoing service fee, there may be other, less obvious costs associated with setting up a franchise, all of which must be taken into account when arranging funding for your business

Startup Funding and Grants

Ways to raise finance

Can you advise me on the best way to gain financing for my new joinery company?

Startup Funding and Grants

Sources of funding to open a restaurant

Could you give information on getting a loan? I run a successful pizza takeaway business and am now seeking funds to open a restaurant.

Startup Funding and Grants

Ways to raise finance

Can you advise me on the best way to gain financing for my new joinery company?

Startup Funding and Grants

Sources of funding to open a restaurant

Could you give information on getting a loan? I run a successful pizza takeaway business and am now seeking funds to open a restaurant.

Business Ideas & Planning

Opening a village shop

I am looking for advice on starting up a village shop in my own premises. I have already made enquiries about re-opening the sub post-office which closed some months ago.

Investing in a franchise

What is franchising?

Wouldn't it be great if there was a way you could start a business of your own with a much greater chance of survival than the average start-up? Well, there is and that method is called business format franchising and here's how it works...

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: know your market

Do you want to sell to the common man or to the more priviliged, is your product something for shops, for the internet or for both? Use this checklist to find your target market.

Business Ideas & Planning