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Start up business ideas

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Set up a business

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Skills and wellbeing

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Business planning

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

Start up funding

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Tax and National Insurance

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Business law

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Sales and marketing

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Business premises

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Employees

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

Business IT

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Grow your business

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Set up a business

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Resource topics

19 results shown

How and why I became a franchisee

Actress and singer Daniele Coombe owns the Exeter franchise for Monkey Music, for pre-schoolers. She explains how and why she became a franchisee.

Essential guide to ethical finance for your business

If you want your business to be ethical, you need to make informed choices about everyone you work with - including financial providers. Our guide.

Q&A: franchising and franchise agreements

Laura Clarke, partner at WBW Solicitors, answers key questions about franchise agreements and says the agreement needs to be in writing.

Essential guide to financing your community organisation

Funding can be hard to come by and competition is fierce - but by planning your approach you can maximise your chances of attracting finance.

Essential guide to buying a business

Buying a business can be a big step forward, but there are pitfalls. Find out how to complete the purchase and check the real state of the business.

Q&A: Buying a business

Buying a business can be less risky than starting one. If the business has customers, then it has income. But it will need upfront investment.

Start up story: buying an existing business

Heather Baker had no previous experience of running a business, but when a local business came up for sale the opportunity was much too good to miss.

How we launched our babysitting app bubble

Ari Last, co-founder of bubble, reveals how the business got started – from concept and market research to finding funding and product development.

Essential guide to being a treasurer in a community organisation

Managing the finances of a community organisation is a big responsibility. Here's our guide to managing the red tape and regulations.

Essential guide to running a community organisation

Guide for not-for-profit organisations who deliver important services to their local community and face unusual challenges, including finance.

Essential guide to legal responsibilities of community organisations

Community organisations have many of the same legal responsibilities as businesses run for profit. How to stay on the right side of the law.

Why I chose Community Interest Company status for my business

At first glance, Bookdonors, a Selkirk-based social enterprise, appears simply to sell books to raise money for good cause. But there's more to it.

How our CIC brings remote communities together

Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company was set up in Glenelg in Scotland in 2006 to run the Isle of Skye ferry for the good of the community.

How our CIC provides a haven for artists

Long neglected farm buildings in rural Worcestershire were renovated to provide a home for The Fold Bransford Community Interest Company.

Essential guide to accessing knowledge and networks

Networking can help you to share knowledge, forge alliances and access the skills and experience of others. Read our guide to collaborating.

Essential guide to sources of support for start ups

Setting up a business can be challenging and you're unlikely to have all the skills and knowledge you need. Our guide to source of support for start ups and new businesses.

Essential guide to finding advisers in finance, law, HR and intellectual property

Using a professional adviser can save you time and prevent you making costly mistakes. Our guide to finding and getting the best from advisers.

How The Prince's Trust helped me launch my business

When ill health left Fay Miladowska out of work, The Prince's Trust enabled the young designer to launch her highly successful greetings card business.

Work with a small business mentor

Running your own small business can be lonely and it can be difficult to know what to do when faced with new challenges unless you have a mentor.