Small Business Ideas

Articles, guides and listings about business ideas for entrepreneurs and those wanting to start a new commercial enterprise.

News

Entrepreneurial Britain bristling with business brains

Britons generate more than 13,000 new business ideas per hour, according to a study.

Business management

Simon Hill on starting ideas management company Wazoku

Simon Hill started innovation management company Wazoku in 2011 and is already looking to turn over £400,000 for his next year of trading.

Blog

Merchandise and product licensing for small businesses

Kelvyn Gardner, managing director of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association, explains how licensing can work for small businesses.

News

‘Dormant entrepreneurs’ missing opportunities

Some 70 per cent of those with an idea for a business have not acted on it, research finds.

Business Ideas & Planning

How to make a business idea happen

If you've got a great idea for an invention, now could be the ideal time to take the plunge. Read our guide on how to make a new business idea a reality.

Blog

Patrick Forsyth, author of 100 Great Sales Ideas

Whatever kind of small business you have, you probably didn't start it because you wanted to sell things. Perhaps you have technical expertise, design flair or a bright idea. Yet people won’t beat a path to your door unless you tell them about your business and do so convincingly.

Startup Funding and Grants

Non-disclosure agreements and raising funding

I've got a great idea for a business but I'm reluctant to approach sources of funding because I don't want anyone to steal it.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: your business idea

You have a great idea for your business and you're champing at the bit to get it up and running. But first, take a few minutes to make sure you are absolutely ready.

Advice

How to set up a trade association

The first thing you need to consider is whether a trade association already exists.

Legal advice

Steps to protect your business ideas

If you have thought of an idea on which to base your business, then it is certainly worth trying to protect it with the law, in case someone tries to copy your idea.

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

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

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

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

16 ways to improve your business cash flow

Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems