Business Startup Community : Ask the Experts : Helen Dowling

Hi Helen I am looking to start up a animal rescue centre I currently work as a vet nurse and am very interested in having my own rescue centre I was just wondering who would be best to contact with help starting it up and also if there would be any grants available as I have a bad credit rating and do not think I would be able to get a loan very easily. Many thanks. Jo

Posted on : 28 May 2009

Hello Jo, thanks for your question. Ok, let's start with the grants part first. I'm afraid that there are very few grants around these days - the number each year has been getting smaller and smaller and unless you tick the boxes of things the Government are rating as important, you're unlikely to get them. If you go to www.j4b.co.uk you'll find a list of all the current grants out there at the moment. A better way for you if your credit rating isn't high is to use Community Development Finance Associations which can provide finance for starting a business if the banks can't provide it - go to http://www.cdfa.org.uk/cmframe.php?prmid=4000 to find one in your area. As for who to contact about setting up the animal centre, I would recommend that you start by writing a business plan to map everything out for you and do some research by talking to other rescue centre owners (go out of your area if you feel they would class you as competition). It's well worth having a chat with your local business link too - www.businesslink.co.uk to find your nearest one. They can really give you a helping hand with setting up your business. Hope this helps and good luck. Helen

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Hi Helen I am a 29 year old looking for advice on starting my own business. I am an electro-mechanical engineer and have 5 years experience running a new business for someone else on my own from scratch and think now's the time to go it alone and get more out for the amount of work I put in. The only thing is, it is scary I don't know where to start. I have lots of ideas but need guidance of how to make it happen. I also already have a group of contacts who say they will follow me so I know I am already half there but I need a plan of action. Can you please help? David, Cambridgeshire

Posted on : 17 May 2009

Hi David, Thanks for your question. Yes I agree, you do need a plan of action. So are you ready to sit down with a pen and paper and get cracking? You're going to need to plan out what to do under each of the following headings: 1) Marketing - how are you going to promote and market your business while spending as little money as possible? 2) Research - what research have you done? You may have people who say they'll follow you, but how do you know they really will? You need to find out about competition and think about how the current economic climate may impact you? 3) Finances - how will you fund the business? How will you make sure you've got enough money to survive even if you don't bring any money in for the first few months? What will your costs be? How much will you expect to bring in? 4) The service - what will your service be? How will it work? What service will the customers get? What will you do if there is a complaint? 5) Legal stuff - what insurance do you need? What about health & safety? 6) Actions - what do you need to organise to set yourself up? i.e. do you need to sort out a website, car sign, leaflets, insurance, desk, computer etc? Hope this helps. Write down anything you can think of and then organise it into a to-do list. I think it's worth your while attending a business start-up course. We run them (our next one is in September) as do Business Link. Please don't hesitate to contact me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk for more details. Thanks Helen

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Hello Helen, I am planning to start up a security company , could you please give me some advice on set up thank you

Posted on : 10 May 2009

Hi, thanks for your question. The first thing you need to do really is write a business plan - a plan will enable you to really think through everything you need to do to set up a new business. The general headings are:

What is the business and how will it operate?

What makes you the best person to run it?

How will you market and promote the business?

What research have you done to make you think there is a market for your business?

What prices will you charge?

What are your plans for marketing on the internet i.e. will you need a website?

How much do you need to fund the business?

What will your costs be?

How much money do you think you will bring in from sales?

A business plan will also set you an action plan of everything you need to do to actually set up the business. Once it's written, you will be able to use it to get money from the bank if you need to and also you'll feel confident about actually starting. Then, when you're ready, you need to take a deep breath and actually start the business. Hope this helps. If you need any further specific advice, please feel free to drop me a line to helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk Thanks Helen

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Hi Helen, I am confused about which business is for me ? I want to start franchies for one UK base company in India, could you please advice me what step I need to take before I start any franchies business ? Please reply me. Many thanks Bijal Mehta

Posted on : 01 May 2009

Hi Bijal, Thanks for your question. There are two questions here, so I'll answer each one separately. Firstly, about franchises, the most important thing you need to do is your research. You need to know everything you can about the company and what support the business will offer to you. You also need to make sure that the franchise you're considering really suits your personality. People choose a franchise over starting their own business because of the support they get from the franchise, so make sure you really look into this. Know in your own mind how much support you'll need and make sure the franchise can offer this. Make sure you shop around too. There are several franchises out there. Look at several, do your research on each and make sure the one you choose is right for you. Your second question is about which business is for me. This is a very difficult question to answer as I'm not you and I don't know what sort of business would suit you, but chat this over with your friends and family and look at the other businesses that other people run - it might be an idea to go to a few networking events to see what businesses others are running and get some ideas about how they find being in business. We have a free factsheet about coming up with a business idea, which I would be happy to send you if you'd like me to. My email address is helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk Hope this helps Thanks Helen

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hi helen i have a very big problem i have an idea in me head but i have trouble putting it down on paper is there any help i can get to help me put it on to paper

Posted on : 08 April 2009

Hi, thanks for your question. Yes, putting your ideas on paper is quite difficult to do, so how about sitting down with a contact, friend or someone you trust and getting them to write while you talk? You don't have to worry about organising your thoughts at first - just get them down and then organise them afterwards. Another idea could be to record your ideas into a dictaphone - again this would give you a way of thinking the idea through without having to write it down. If you're still struggling, why not tear up pictures that reflect where you want to be from magazines and put them together to form a collage? Remember unless you are needing to borrow money from a bank, you won't actually need a big formal business plan - a one-two page summary will be fine. If you take the pressure off of yourself, I'm sure you'll be fine. Hope this helps Helen

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Good Evening Helen, I created a limited company in UK about clothing and office stationery. Registered trade mark and copyright on my own logo. I'm moving by internet community and friends to involve as many people to wear my clothes and making my logo known in London-Rome(where I come from)-Sau PAulo and Rio de Janeiro. I'll create a web site in short time but I'd like advices in how to move my first steps to get great results since beginning in a faster way,especially in planning properly my own business. Kind regards Marco Giannetto TUNICA Ltd marcogiannetto@hotmail.com

Posted on : 28 March 2009

Hi Marco, Thanks for your question. It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Getting people to wear the clothes and making your logo known is great. How about trying some PR too? PR is a great way to get your name and your brand out there. Why not write a press release and send it in to some papers or alternatively ask the press to come out and interview you? Hope this helps Helen

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how do I start a business plan? thanks danielle

Posted on : 23 February 2009

Hi Danielle, Thanks for your question. How to get started on a business plan is a really good question. The first place you should start is by dumping all of your thoughts onto a piece of paper - don't worry about what your thoughts are or what order they're in, just get them down. Once they're on paper you can start to organise your thoughts into categories. Group all the financial bits together; all the marketing bits; all the bits about how the business will actually work in practice together and so on. Now, you've got the basics of your business plan and you can start to write it. For each area, just pad it out - don't worry about being too complicated. A general rule for a business plan is if a 10 year old could understand it, you're on the right track. You need to include enough information in there so that if anyone picked up your plan after you've finished it, they would know what you're talking about. Do a little bit each day, so you don't get annoyed or frustrated with it and pretty soon it will be done. If you want me to send you a free factsheet on writing a business plan, just drop me a line to helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk. Hope this helps Thanks Helen

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hi, i may be made redundant in a few months. what grants and help is out there for me? i have heard of the "react scheme" but are there other grants to help a business start-up. i live and work in wales.

Posted on : 26 November 2008

Hi there, sorry about the delay in replying - I've only just been sent your question. Firstly I'm sorry to hear that you're going to be made redundant - it's an awful time for those people who are in this situation. But, I'm glad you've decided to do something positive and start your own business. Yes, the react scheme is available in Wales to help you, but at the time of writing (Jan 09), I'm not aware of any other grants to help people start up in business. There haven't been that many grants around now for the last 5 years or so unless you've been doing something that has ticked a Government box like sustainability for instance. However, you never know, the situation may change in the future - so watch this space. You can check out any grants or help there might be by going to www.j4b.co.uk which lists all current grants, loans and awards out there. Hope this helps and good luck in the future.

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hi helen, I am planning to set up an online shop selling home accessories, and I am slightly unsure of the best plan of action, ie. what order to do things in. Is it best to sort out financing it first, and then look for the best deals within my budget for web design, buying goods etc, or do i need to work out all costs first and then ask for a loan? do you know any websites that give specific advice on online shops? thanks! C

Posted on : 16 November 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. When you're setting up a new business, it's always hard to know what order you should do things in, so you're not alone. What you probably need to do is write a plan of action. Dump all the things you need to do onto a piece of paper and then organise them. They'll be some things that you can do at the same time and other things where one thing will be dependent on another. Let me give you an example. Let's say the following was my list of actions: - Get a loan from the bank - Write a business plan to get a loan from the bank - Buy stock - Get a website - Work out the costs for my business I might put these into the following order: - Write a business plan (I need to do this in order to get a loan from the bank) - Work out the costs for my business (so it can go into my business plan) - Research websites, goods etc, but not buy them yet (I'll need to do this for my business plan) - Go and get a loan from the bank - Then buy the website, goods etc (once I've got the loan) Your action plan may well be different from mine, but if you write everything down and organise it, you'll get a clear plan of action that you can follow. I'm afraid I haven't come across any websites that give specific advice on online shops - I will keep my eyes open for one though and let you know if I do. Hope this helps Helen

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HELLO SIR, I AM A 18 YEAR OLD STUDENT AND CURRENTLY STUDYING LAW, BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO START MY OWN TRANSPORT, LOGISTICS COMPANY BUT I DONT KNOW HOW I SHOULD START MY BUSINESS CAN YOU PLEASE HELP. EVEN THOUGH I HAVENT DECIDED WHAT TYPE OF MARKET I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY SERVICES AND WHAT IS THE CURRENT METHOD OF CHARGES IN TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET TO KNPOW SOME OF THE BASICS TO STARTING THIS BUSINESS. I KNOW THAT I WILL NEED A GOOD BUSINESS, MARKETING AND OPERATIONS PLAN. BUT I WOULD STILL LIKE TO GET A N OPINION FROM AN EXPERT. THANK YOU

Posted on : 12 November 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. The steps involved in starting a business are: 1) Write a business plan. If you do this properly, this should give you a really good idea of whether your idea is a viable one or not and by the end of this you should know whether you want to go ahead with it. 2) Attend a business start-up course. While you're writing a business plan, you should ideally attend a business start-up course. This will give you all the basics you need to know about starting a business. Business Link run these (www.businesslink.gov.uk) as do we (www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk) 3) Put everything together. Once you've written a business plan and ideally been on a start-up course and you've decided you want to go ahead with your idea, you need to start getting everything together. This means doing things like deciding on a business name; doing a website (if you need one); getting business cards; getting all the stationery you need; sorting out your pricing structure; brochures; leaflets etc. 4) Start the business. When you've done all of the above, it's then time to take a deep breath and actually start the business. That means doing some marketing to get your first customers on board. Hope this helps. From your question, you seem to be at stage one and I recommend you start there. If you want any help with writing a plan or a free template, please feel free to contact me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk

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Hi Helen, I'm thinking of starting up a business which involves training people in a certain profession. what are the kind of things I need to consider when writing a business plan?

Posted on : 15 October 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. A business plan is all about saying where am I now; where do I want to get to; and how am I going to get there? It also answered the "What if" questions such as what happens if I'm booked to do some training and I'm ill? For your business plan, you will need to map out who you are and why you're the best person to run your business. Think about if you are going to use associates and how you can organise cover at short notice. You'll need to think about the business itself. Will you run courses in-house or open courses or both? How will you source venues? How will you look after H&S? Do you need insurance? What's your minimum and maximum numbers for the courses to go ahead? Then you'll need to think about marketing. How do you know there is a need for these courses? What market research have you done? How will you market and promote these courses? What about finances? Will you require payment in advance; a deposit system or payment on the day? What costs do you have? How many days will you need to work a year? Hope all this helps. I always recommend to people that they start a business plan by just brainstorming on some paper everything you would like to know the answer to - you can then start researching and pulling together a plan based on these questions. Let me know if you need any further help or advice. Thanks Helen

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What's the best place to register a limited company? On the web (which sites)? In person (where, how)? Many thanks!

Posted on : 10 October 2008

Hi there, thanks for your question. There's only one place to register a limited company and that's at Companies House (search on Google for it). You can either do this yourself for the sum of £20 or get someone else to do it for you. If you choose to use someone else, you can either use your Accountant or a Company Registration Business (which is probably the websites you've found) which will do it for you. Companies House should be able to give you all the information you need about registering though and also should be able to talk you through the process. Hope this helps Helen

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Whats the best way for person like my self who has just begun work, to increase my client base for selling marketing plans?

Posted on : 02 October 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. First question you need to ask yourself is who are you selling the plans to and why will they buy them? So, let's say for instance that you're not selling these plans to one-man bands, but bigger companies that have 20 or more people in them. Do these clients want just a marketing plan or do they actually want someone to write a plan and then implement it for them? What do they want? Once you know this, you can work on your message that you give to them. After deciding on who you're appealing to, have a think about where these companies might go if they were looking for a marketing plan i.e. they might go to networking events; conferences; put out a tender or something else. Then you need to work on putting your company into these places where your potential clients naturally go and delivering your message to them to show them you understand what they're experiencing on the marketing side with the aim of getting meetings with them. Hope this helps. If you need any further help or advice, please don't hesitate to ask another question or contact me directly on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk. Thanks Helen

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Dear Mrs Dowling, My name is Catherine Vaughan and I have just finished my A-Levels. I have had an idea for a product for students, it's essentially a paper pad to aid revision via it's format. So how do I execute the idea for this paper pad design? What are the first steps I need to take and who to contact? Finally what should my business plan consist of as I have little experience in business; my A-levels were humanity subjects i.e. Law Sociology etc and I shall study them at University. Also I am uncertain of financial figures to have in mind; what would you suggest? Many Thanks.

Posted on : 03 August 2008

Hi Catherine, Sounds like a great idea. The first step you need to take it to get the design on paper and do some mock-ups via computer. Then you need to do some market research to get people's views on it - talk to teachers, students etc. If the answer is favourable, then you need to get some quotes from a printer to get the finished version done. Your business plan needs to answer the question of where are you now; where are you going and how are you going to get there. Check out my blog for some quick help on this. I also have a business plan factsheet I can send you if you email me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk. Re financials, the best place to start is to write down how much everything will cost to make. Think about stationery, printing, stock, equipment, and so on. In your market research ask how much people would be willing to pay and then you can see if the business would be profitable. Again, my business plan factsheet can talk you through this in a bit more detail. Hope that's ok for a starter - please feel free to keep in touch and ask for advice as your product progresses. Good luck Helen

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Hi Helen, I am an artist and am having an exheition o fexceptionally beautiful (was told so) photographs of water that appear like abstract designs some of whish dont look like water at all. Just wondered how would I go about developing those into products like cards, towels, bags, stained glass or bathroom curtains? Grateful in advance, Sol

Posted on : 23 July 2008

Hi Sol, Thanks for your question. I've just done some research into this so hopefully this will help. What you need to do is search on google for "putting my logo on towels"; "putting my logo on cards" etc and you will be find a whole range of companies who should be able to do this on your behalf. If you shop around with a few companies, you should be able to get the best deal. Hope this helps Helen

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I want to post a new thread om the Forum side, but allways get the odd windows error page, why is that? Responding to a thread works... Thank you, Torsten

Posted on : 18 July 2008

Hi Torsten, Thanks for your question. I think the reason for this is because the site is being updated at the moment and all errors like this should hopefully be sorted out shortly. However, I have also sent your question to the site administrator who will hopefully be able to give me a more complete response. Once I get a reply I will put the answer in my blog so watch this space! Thanks Helen

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Hi Helen, 4 weeks ago I started Expedition Credit Management Limited with my father who is an experienced credit manager with 25 years in the industry. We provide a virtual credit control function to small and medium sized businesses. We are struggling to get our marketing message across to the right people and at present we are finding it difficult to bring in the business. Do you have any ideas on how to develop our business on a start-up budget?

Posted on : 07 July 2008

Hi, Well, you have a very valuable business right at this moment - now more than ever is the right time for businesses to make sure they're getting money in from their customers. The first piece of advice that I would give you is to make sure that you are targeting the right customers. Small businesses would mainly do their credit control themselves and they're only likely to use you if a) they're really struggling with one particular customer or b) they have lots of customers that are not paying them their money. So, I suggest that you specifically target industries where they have a large volume of customers who owe large amounts of money. Have a really good think about what these types of industries are, but for starters I would suggest the recruitment industry; construction industries etc. Once, you've identified who these industries are, have a think about what message would appeal to them. At the moment, a good message might be something like "With changes to the economy happening on a daily basis, it's vital - now more than ever - to make sure you get the money that's due from your customers. We can help with this because..." Then, once you've worked on this, go where your customers go. Have you tried networking events; linking up with book-keepers and accountants; talking to banks; printers; graphic designers and so on. Have a really good think about what other sorts of businesses have the same target customers as you and then go out there (using networking events is a good cheap way to do this) and talk to them. Remember to follow-up after the networking event so you don't miss out on opportunities. Hope this helps. If you email me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk, I'll also send you 50 ways to market your business for little or no cost. Feel free to come back to me if you have any other questions. Helen

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Hi Helen. I am setting up a business in the USA and need some information. The market i am in is worth $60m with 3 competitors If my marketing, product, and pricing are all as good, and better than the competition. What should I be able to expect to turn over in year 1,2,3,4 & 5. I know this is a wide question, but I need some figures to work on. As the US embassy need me to do a business plan, and I need to document the figures I provide.

Posted on : 18 June 2008

Hi there, thanks for your question. I think I've answered your question in the forums, so check back there. It's a very difficult question to answer without knowing what your business idea is - if you want to email me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk and let me know some more details I'll try and help further. Hope this helps Helen

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Hi Helen. I run a Painting & Decorating Company in London and would like to find out how best to expand my business and to gain new contracts. I'm mainly looking for Commercial projects. You can view my Company profile on: www.asperitycontracts.com Thanks in advance

Posted on : 12 June 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. To get commercial projects you'll need to go back to basics and write down what sort of companies might buy; what projects might they be doing; would they hire a painting company directly or would they go through a builder; what is the reason why they've decided to do some rennovation; how would they find a painting and decorating company? Once you have the answers to these questions, this should give you some clues as to where to go to find your customers. For instance, if all of them said that they use a builder to find them a painter and decorator, you would then need to team up with all the builders you could find and build a relationship with them. If on the other hand they said they found a painter by seeing a sign, you need to make sure you have a sign on the side of your van etc. On top of this, you also need to do things to build people's awareness of you and make people think you're an expert in your field. If you email me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk, I'll send you a free factsheet on marketing with 50 ideas to promote your business for free. Hope this helps Helen

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HI Helen, I am 36 yrs old and got 2 kids and have started ecommerce business for couple of months ago but i need to get some support like finance and advice relating to imports( i read it in the internet but still not clear about the hidden costs). I am reselling computer accessories, laptops, etc.,Do i get any interest free loan for women small bus entrepre. Where i can get these advices and i am living in Eastleigh.

Posted on : 08 June 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. Firstly, re the importing, for this one you need to go and see Business Link - www.businesslink.gov.uk to find an office near you - they run a scheme called Passport to Export and should be able to help you with all of your queries on importing. Re the interest free loans for women - there are loans available but not interest free. Even the lowest loan rate I know of (at the Prince's Trust) is 3% interest. However, there are loans available - try searching on http://www.cdfa.org.uk/cmframe.php?prmid=4300 to find a finance company that can help you. Please bear in mind that all the companies listed on this site are "lenders of the last resort". In other words, they will only be able to help you if you've been turned down by a bank or cannot get finance from another source. If you can get finance from a bank, you will probably need to try there first, even though they don't offer the cheapest interest rate available. Hope this helps Helen

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Dear Helen, I'm running domestic cleaning company, but would like to do contracts with factories to provide them agency staff to do simple jobs such as packaging. I have no idea about contract conditions and hourly rates. I have been searching information on internet with little success.

Posted on : 08 June 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. What you are talking about here is changing from a domestic cleaning company to an employment agency supplying agency workers. This is not as easy as it sounds as employment agencies are highly regulated - have a look at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20033319.htm which sets out the conduct of Employment Agencies supplying agency workers, which you would fall under. As long as you are happy with this, the next thing to do is some research. Have a look at some existing employment agencies who supply agency workers to see what hourly rates they are advertising - roughly then, these are the hourly rates which you should be charging to. As to contract conditions, the website I've given above should be able to help. The other way to do this is to sign on with an existing employment agency who will then give you a copy of their contract which you could adapt to fit your own business. Hope this helps Helen

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Hi Helen, Your profile attracted me because I have been doing what you do for 7 years helping pre-starts and early-stage start-ups answer long lists of questions like the preceding ones. I have helped over 2000 clients through ESO's and BL surgeries. My questions to you are 1) How do we advance our practice so that it is more financially rewarding, when this customer group expect our support for free, and ESO's and BL's remunerations are so meagre? How do we get booked for seminars when they're always going to the same people? How can we attract clients who are willing and able to pay us?

Posted on : 07 June 2008

Hi, thanks for your question and what an interesting one as it makes me look at my business too and evaluate what's made it successful. Here are my thoughts on your questions: 1) I think there are always going to be a group of people who expect support for free. For instance, we do a lot of work with the Prince's Trust and do not expect anything back as we know they won't be able to afford our services. So, I would say you need to do one of two things a) change your customer profile so that one of the characteristics is that the person you work with MUST have money to pay you or b) say that the money you've received from BL has allowed you to provide your service at a discounted rate. I think this one is also about a shift in thinking to say we're only going to work with people who CAN pay us too and NOT everyone who we could help, but can't pay us. This will also require a shift in branding as well as I would imagine you've become associated with helping anybody even if they can't pay. 2) If the seminars you're bidding for are always going to the same people, the next question from me is why are you bidding for them? It's a waste of your time. Instead why not use sites like www.skillfair.co.uk to identify tenders and opportunities that aren't already sown up - it can be done. We've just won a new contract in this way. 3) It doesn't sound like you've got a problem attracting clients - just ones who are willing and able to pay you. Why not make them jump through a couple of hoops when they first make contact to see if they can pay you - i.e. completing a form; answering some preliminary questions? If the answer is no, they can't pay you, sign post them to someone like BL who can see them for free. Within the people who contact you, there will be a pool who can pay - you just need to identify who they are. Hope this helps. Happy to chat this through on the phone if you want to call me - 0845 644 9371. Helen

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Dear Helen Downing, 29th May. Hope you are well. I’m Osmond Noakes from Nottingham who saw you on the Startupcommunity website. I wonder if you could (or someone) please help as I’m trying as many possible likely places for pointers. My partner who is 42 years old and artistic and therefore clever at making unbreakable dolls house furniture is very keen to get some good startup advise in retailing the furniture. We have approached Nottm Business Venture but the advisor we spoke to isn't really able to help. I’ve just emailed Katie at Startup Comm regarding the same. Could you are someone therefore please give me some pointers for some good startup advise. We are considering trying ebay but need an advisor to help get started as we have already taken a number of good photographs of some of the items. I prefer it If you to call me my tel num is 0115 9282383 or 07906971292. I really look forward to your reply. Regards, Osmond Noakes

Posted on : 29 May 2008

Hi Osmond, Thanks for your question. I will give you a call. Helen

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Hello Helen. I have just formed a Ltd company and I'm in the marketing stage - trying to find clients. Is there any legal requirement to take out any kind of business insurance at this stage - or does this only become relevant once I am actively trading?

Posted on : 22 May 2008

Hi, thanks for your question. Whether you need business insurance depends on your industry. The main types of insurance are: PUBLIC LIABILITY - protects a member of the public from being injured or damaged by your products / services. If you're a hairdresser for instance you would definitely need this; if you're a website designer you probably wouldn't unless you plan to have people coming round to your premises in which case you would. PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY - insurance if you give advice to people. Architects, Accountants and Counsellors would need this one. BUILDINGS & CONTENTS - wise to have if you have premises or business related contents stored in premises. PRODUCTS INSURANCE - protects a product. So if I was Apple, I might have products insurance just in case all of my IPods had a defect. EMPLOYER'S LIABILITY - if you have staff, you need this one by law. MOTOR INSURANCE - wise to include business trips if you're using your car for business. KEY PERSON INSURANCE - insures the main person in the business for health purposes. This list isn't completely comprehensive. It's possible to get insurance for anything if you ask! Depending on your business, it is perfectly possible for you not to need any insurance at all - when you're looking at insurance, you need to go on the risk. Is there a risk of getting sued or is your customer just likely to complain? But if your products or services could injure or harm someone else, then it's wise to have public liability as a minimum. As to when you need to get it, you should get it in place so that you're covered when you get your first client. Shop around for insurance too and don't get everything. Really have a think about if you need the insurance before you buy. Hope this helps. Helen

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Hi Helen, My name is Sonia and I make and sell hand made greeting cards/wedding stationary.the sales so far has been among family and friends.My local florist and a shop display my cards too.I want to set up an internet shop as well as to supply to big names in the card industry, but do not know how to start.I do not have business skills/knowledge. Would you be able to help and advise.

Posted on : 07 May 2008

Hi Sonia, Thanks for your question. I'll look at both of your questions separately. Firstly about supplying to big names in the card industry - although programmes like "The Apprentice" make it look easy, unless you have contacts already in this field, you will have to go the long way round on this. You should initially concentrate on building your reputation in this field so that when you do approach the big boys, you can say "I've done this, that and the other". You can build your reputation by doing things like entering awards, getting involved in charity events, getting your cards into all the local shops in and around your county etc. Once you feel you've built your reputation, then is the time to approach the big boys. It is likely even then, that the big boys will take a small sample of your cards to test how they sell - this is probably going to be on the deal that you only get paid if and when they sell. Once they've proved a demand, they'll be more likely to place larger orders. Good luck, be patient, don't give up and eventually you will be successfully. Re the internet, this one is easier. Just find yourself a website designer (approach 3 or 4 and see which one you like best) and ask them to build you an e-commerce site. Make sure you have a content management system in there (where you can change the cards as you design them). E-commerce sites and content management systems do cost more (typically around £2K), so make sure you think the site through (the designer should be able to help you with this) before you go ahead. Hope this helps Helen

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Hi Helen, Like most people i want to be my own boss and run my own business. how ever like most lack security, the bank and accountants all say i have a viable business plan but due to lack of security are unable to assist with the financial help i require. Ive taken a look at most oppertunities their is and still hit a wall with lack of security. Ive studied the small firm loans scheme and find it misleading however im unable to apply for this due to the sector i wish to follow, thus being transport. please can you advise what avenues their are for me to consider, thank you. stuart scrivens

Posted on : 03 May 2008

Hi Stuart, Thanks for your email. Yes, I'm afraid the banks need a lot more reassurance these days to lend money. First question, do you need to borrow money and what do you need the money for? Is there a way you can get the item for free or for a lower cost? The first instinct of most people is to say no to this question. But, think about it - is there another way? If you decide you still need money, but the banks won't lend, I would be tempted to investigate http://www.cdfa.org.uk/cmdirec2.php - this group of companies are charities who lend money to people who can't get money through the banks. They may do match funding with the banks (you get half from them and half from the banks) thus providing you with some security. Hope this helps - I've got a free factsheet on the do's and don'ts of raising finance for your business. If you'd like a copy email me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk. All the best Helen

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could you email me a copy of your 50 ways to market your business thank you peter . I have an oppertunity to start a business importing products from china . This will be shown on a mainsteam tv documentery on three channels there will be two importand distribution experts to hold my hand and guide me through the whole process , how to source ,how to negociate and all i,ll need to know about shipping and taxes .My question is this , with this being on mainstream television and on three mainstream channels i know there is scope to advertise who would be interested in sponcering me

Posted on : 02 May 2008

Hi Peter, if you let me know your email address by emailing me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk, I will be happy to send you the 50 ways to market your business sheet. Not sure I've 100% understood your other question - I think you're asking how to you get companies to sponsor you and give you money for building your business? Is that right? If so, the question back to you is what's it in for the company? I've worked with people who want sponsorship before and what you need to realise is no-one is going sponsor you unless there is something in it for them. So, that's the first question you need to answer for them. Think of at least 5 different benefits they would get for sponsoring you. Then you need to think about the types of companies who might be interested and I suspect this would be those companies who are already successful in exporting or importing and want to build the profile of their company. If your question is who would be interested in advertising during the breaks on the channels though - don't worry too much about this, the tv companies will sort this out for you. Hope this helps. If I've not given you the answer you're looking for, please email me and I will try to help. Thanks Helen

Expert : Helen Dowling

Helen Dowling - Owner Manager - Exceptional Thinking

Area of Expertise :business planning

Helen 's Questions:

Posted on : 28 May 2009

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Hello Helen, I am planning to start up a security company , could you please give me some advice on set up thank you

Posted on : 10 May 2009

Hi Helen, I am confused about which business is for me ? I want to start franchies for one UK base company in India, could you please advice me what step I need to take before I start any franchies business ? Please reply me. Many thanks Bijal Mehta

Posted on : 01 May 2009

hi helen i have a very big problem i have an idea in me head but i have trouble putting it down on paper is there any help i can get to help me put it on to paper

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how do I start a business plan? thanks danielle

Posted on : 23 February 2009

hi, i may be made redundant in a few months. what grants and help is out there for me? i have heard of the "react scheme" but are there other grants to help a business start-up. i live and work in wales.

Posted on : 26 November 2008

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Hi Helen, I'm thinking of starting up a business which involves training people in a certain profession. what are the kind of things I need to consider when writing a business plan?

Posted on : 15 October 2008

What's the best place to register a limited company? On the web (which sites)? In person (where, how)? Many thanks!

Posted on : 10 October 2008

Whats the best way for person like my self who has just begun work, to increase my client base for selling marketing plans?

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Posted on : 23 July 2008

I want to post a new thread om the Forum side, but allways get the odd windows error page, why is that? Responding to a thread works... Thank you, Torsten

Posted on : 18 July 2008

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Posted on : 18 June 2008

Hi Helen. I run a Painting & Decorating Company in London and would like to find out how best to expand my business and to gain new contracts. I'm mainly looking for Commercial projects. You can view my Company profile on: www.asperitycontracts.com Thanks in advance

Posted on : 12 June 2008

Posted on : 08 June 2008

Dear Helen, I'm running domestic cleaning company, but would like to do contracts with factories to provide them agency staff to do simple jobs such as packaging. I have no idea about contract conditions and hourly rates. I have been searching information on internet with little success.

Posted on : 08 June 2008

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Posted on : 29 May 2008

Hello Helen. I have just formed a Ltd company and I'm in the marketing stage - trying to find clients. Is there any legal requirement to take out any kind of business insurance at this stage - or does this only become relevant once I am actively trading?

Posted on : 22 May 2008

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