Small & medium business

Thinking...

Essential information before you start your business

  •  Is starting a business right for you?

    Setting up a business can be a great experience – but are you really the kind of person who can be their own boss?

  •  How do I know if I have a good idea?

    Lots of people make a sucess of being their own boss — find about the characteristics you need to suceeed.

  •  What skills will I need?

    Working for yourself means juggling a lot of different roles, from finance bookkeeping through to managing the marketing. Find out the skills you need to start up on your own.

  •  Should I quit the day job?

    In some cases, setting up your own business doesn’t mean you have to quit your current job. Find out if juggling regular work and a business on the side is the right approach for you.

  •  Getting advice

    There’s plenty of great business advice out there – but knowing where to go can be tricky. Here’s our pick of the best places to find great guidance.

Our top tips

  1. Do something you love - it makes the tough times easier

  2. Don't do it alone - get help and advice from lots of people

  3. Work out your market - who will you be selling to?

  4. Work out the income you need - and make sure your business can support this

More...

  • Alice Bowe on starting your own business

    Landscape gardener Alice Bowe on how she came up with her business idea

  • Entrepreneur: Mark Constantine

    How Mark Constantine, MD and co-founder of cosmetics company Lush, went from nothing to £63 million turnover in ten years

  • Entrepreneur: Keith Johnson

    The two founders saw an electric car prototype in India in 2002 and thought that it would really take off in London. They felt it was an opportunity to pursue their social conscience and give something back to the environment.

Video - 'The Start Up Story' - watch Richard Moross of MOO Print.  Watch now

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