Start Your Own Business

In the UK, small businesses are reportedly owed more than £23.4bn in unpaid invoices. That’s an eye-watering amount that creates significant cash flow problems for many business owners. Late payment remains a big problem for SMEs, with many large businesses particularly bad at paying their small-business suppliers on time. This can have disastrous consequences. Research by the Federation of Small Businesses suggests that 50,000 UK businesses a year close down as a consequence of late payment. In this episode, former small-business and consumer-affairs broadcaster and writer, Liz Barclay, who became the Small Business Commissioner in 2021, talks about political, economic and business factors that could make late payment worse in 2022 and 2023, and what small businesses can do to limit the chances that it will affect them. Liz also shares her insight on chasing overdue invoices, charging interest and what legal steps you can take should late payment become a bad debt. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Whether it’s via a market stall, shop, garage, restaurant, café or a range of other settings, being able to sell successfully face-to-face is key to success. It comes more naturally to some rather than others, but by adding knowledge and experience, most can get much better at it. In this episode, you can pick up some tried and tested face-to-face selling tips from sales expert Glen Williamson, who provides key dos and don’ts. Glen is the CEO of sales consultancy, Kiss the Fish Training. As a consultant sales director, sales trainer, speaker and accredited master coach, Glen works with sales professionals and SME business owners to help them to reach new heights of sales performance. With more than 30 years’ experience, Surrey-based Glen is also a Fellow of the Institute of Sales Management and is Chair of Judges at the UK Business Awards. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Potentially it can be a legal minefield with costly consequences if you get it badly wrong when recruiting and managing staff. There is a wide range of legislation with which employers must comply if they want to stay out of trouble. In this episode we speak to employment law specialist, solicitor Hannah Thomas of Markel Law. She explains how small businesses often get into legal difficulties when hiring and managing staff and provides practical advice on how to get it right. Hannah has specialised in employment law since 2009, having acted for employers and employees in contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. She has also helped employers to draft employment contracts and handbooks and continues to provide advice to businesses and HR professionals on all aspects of employment law. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

As well as being better for the planet, being a net-zero business can bring a range of bottom line benefits. However, according to FSB research, although most small firms are concerned about climate change, only one-in-three has a plan to help tackle it. In this episode, consultant Graham Oakley explains how his business ensures that it is net zero and sustainable, while providing practical advice to other start-ups and small businesses that want to do the same. Graham is the commercial director of multi award-winning West Midlands-based Clear Three, which works with business owners to reduce waste, pollution and misuse of natural resources to become cleaner, greener, more efficient and more profitable. Clear Three works with many customers operating in the laundry sector and among other things, the company is known for its award-winning carbon-reduction software. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Digital advertising can enable businesses of all sizes and ages to attract customers. Its popularity continues to grow. About £10.5bn was spent on digital advertising in the UK in the first half of 2021 – 42% higher than in H1 2019. Paid search makes up 36% of UK digital advertising spend, followed by digital display on 27%. In this episode, digital marketing expert Charlotte Sheridan explains the advantages of online advertising and runs through some key dos and don’ts. You can pick up many top tips to increase the chances that you’ll achieve a good return on investment when advertising online. Charlotte is the founder and director of The Small Biz Expert, which is a London-based full-service digital marketing agency that helps small-businesses to grow by marketing their brands, products and services online. Charlotte has helped a long list of small business clients and just one of her areas of expertise is digital advertising, whether on Google, Facebook or other platforms. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Some small-business owners don’t claim their full allowable expenses, which means they end up paying too much tax. Other small business claim for costs to which they’re not entitled, which can lead to problems if HMRC finds out. In this episode tax expert Mike Parkes provides a valuable introduction to claiming allowable expenses aimed at sole traders and freelancers, including those related to operating a business from your home, utility costs, travel and vehicle costs, buying tools and equipment, etc. Mike Parkes is Technical Director of Oldham-based GoSimpleTax, award-winning software that makes filing Self Assessment tax returns easier for sole traders, freelancers and others who pay Income Tax via Self Assessment. Mike has worked in the small-business and sole-trader accounting and accounting software space for almost 25 years, so he knows a thing or two about Self Assessment and allowable expenses. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Running your own small business can bring many highs and lows. It can be very stressful at times, too. In this episode, esteemed expert Sir Cary Cooper provides practical advice on dealing with stress when running a small business, while explaining the dangers to yourself and your employees if you fail to manage stress and disappointment effectively. Sir Cary Cooper is the 50th Anniversary Professor of Organizational Psychology & Health at the Alliance Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester. Sir Cary is also President of the Institute of Welfare and Chair of the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing at Work. He is co-founder of the Robertson Cooper mental health, resilience and wellbeing consultancy, and has been described as the UK media’s first-choice expert for comment on workplace issues. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

The history of family business Grasmere Gingerbread dates back to 1854, when Victorian cook, Sarah Nelson, invented Grasmere gingerbread and started selling it locally. Third-generation owners Joanne and Andrew Hunter now run the and Yasmine is their daughter. As well as gingerbread – which is said to be the world’s best – Grasmere Gingerbread sells award-winning rum butter, toffee, fudges, chocolates, conserves, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Sauce, Kendal Mint Cake, ginger beer and other mouthwatering delights. Some years ago, Grasmere Gingerbread started to sell its delicious wares online and it’s proved to be a very wise decision. In this episode, Yasmine retraces the steps Grasmere Gingerbread took to start selling online and shares her advice to other new and established small businesses that want to replicate Grasmere Gingerbread’s success. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Such has been digital marketing’s rise to prominence that you could be forgiven for believing that there’s no point in bothering with offline marketing when it comes to trying to attract new customers to your start-up or small business. But for many start-ups and small businesses, tried and tested offline marketing techniques continue to offer excellent returns, enabling them to attract and retain customers for a relatively modest budget. In this episode, expert Tony Dowling, director of Swansea-based Real Inbound Marketing, runs through the main offline marketing options that are available to small businesses, including word-of-mouth, face-to-face networking, as well as newspaper, magazine and even local radio advertising. Tony shares his considerable insight, so you can learn how your start-up or small business can ensure the best results from offline marketing. Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on offline marketing and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Record numbers are starting their own business. People of all ages, from all manner of backgrounds. Starting your own business is exciting and rewarding. And although it’s cheaper, quicker and easier than ever – there are risks and many pitfalls to avoid. Sound advice from an experienced, reliable source can make a huge difference when you’re starting up. If you’re starting your own business or soon plan to, you really shouldn’t miss this superb second series. This short trailer will tell you why.  Visit (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses).

Advice on achieving the right work-life balance, managing your time, feeling supported and safeguarding your health and mental wellbeing. Running a small business can be highly demanding and working alone can make you feel isolated. In this episode, Christine Husbands joins us to offer tips on how to take better care of yourself, so you and your new business benefits.         Christine is the managing director of RedArc, which works with the Federation of Small Businesses and other organisations, and provides advice and emotional support to help people to better cope with illness, disability, trauma or bereavement. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

An introduction to selling online, whether via marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon and Etsy, or your own e-commerce or general website. In this episode we speak to online selling expert, Chris Dawson, who talks about the advantages of selling online and guides us through selling via popular marketplace platforms.    Chris is co-founder and editor of Tamebay, leading source of intelligence and news for those who sell on online marketplaces, whether experienced “power sellers” looking to boost their sales or beginners looking for best practice advice. Chris co-founded Tamebay in 2006, but for eight years before that he’d been a full time eBay seller. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit  (Start Up Donut) for more information about online selling and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

An unmissable introduction to the all-important business of online marketing and digital marketing methods you can use to attract and retain customers. In this episode we speak to Aggie Meroni to find out all about social media marketing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, search engine marketing, so you stand a better chance of people finding your business via search engines such as Google, and organic and paid online advertising. You’ll also get an introduction to email marketing. Aggie is the founder and CEO of White Bee Digital, a consultancy that helps start-ups and small businesses to build their online presence, so they can attract and retain more customers. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit (Start Up Donut )for more information about marketing your business online and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

Pick up top tips and learn key start-up lessons from the biggest experts of all – those who’ve actually been there and started their own business. In this episode we speak to Lee DeSanges, founder of Birmingham-based Baked In Brick, a business he launched in 2015 from his garden shed. Soon Lee was cooking and selling BBQ chicken tikka wraps out of a modified Mini Cooper, as well as wood-fired style pizza at events and street markets. More recently, Lee opened his own Baked In Brick restaurant in Birmingham. Find out what Lee would do differently if he had to start his business again and what his key start-up tips are. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

Why it’s important to spend as little as possible when starting a business, where to get funding and tips on cash flow management and setting prices. In this episode we speak to Guy Bridge to find out about the pros and cons of various sources of start-up funding. Is it possible to start a business with little or no money? What can you claim for when running your business from home all or some of the time? You can also find out about how to keep your cash flow healthy, which is arguably the most important challenge you face in business. Guy is the CEO of Finpoint, a business finance platform that makes it easier for SMEs and their advisers to find the right business finance. Finpoint works with the Federation of Small Businesses and many other organisations. Previously, for 25 years, Guy worked in banking for HSBC, RBS and others, so he’s highly experienced when it comes small business funding and finance.  The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit  (Start Up Donut )for more information about raising money and managing your cashflow and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

Why a brand is much more than just colours, fonts or slogans and how to come up with a great business name. In this episode we speak to Liz Mosley to learn the importance of creating a strong, distinctive brand when starting a business. We hear about the importance of brand values and how to create a distinctive brand identity.  Liz is the host of the popular Building Your Brand podcast, which advises small businesses on a wide variety of subjects linked to their brand and marketing. She also offers training courses for small businesses and she’s a graphic designer with more than 10 years’ experience who creates stunning brand identities for start-ups and small businesses. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on branding and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

Pick up top tips and learn key start-up lessons from the biggest experts of all – those who’ve actually been there and started their own business. In this episode we speak to Eve Kekeh, London-based founder of Bundlee, the UK’s first and most popular baby clothing rental subscription service. Eve explains why she started her business and retraces her start-up journey, sharing key lessons that she learned along the way. Find out what Eve would do differently if she had to start her business again and what her key start-up tips are. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit  (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

The pros and cons of the main business formation options and how to legally register your new business. In this episode, we speak to expert Carl Reader, who talks through the main options for forming a business, how to register and the steps you need to take before reaching that point. He also touches on whether you need to register for VAT, business bank accounts and working with an accountant. Carl Reader is a serial entrepreneur, a trained accountant and author of business book, Boss It, which is currently in the WHSmith best-seller charts. He regularly appears as a small business tax and finance expert in the national and business media. Carl has helped thousands of owners by enabling them to better understand business and make better choices when faced with challenges related to starting, running and growing a small business. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit (Start Up Donut )for more information about forming a business and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

If you want to find out how to start your own business and get off to a great start, you’ve come to the right place. In six episodes of this first eight-part series, a leading expert provides tips on a specific aspect of starting your own business. Many of the basic essentials are covered, including whether to set up as a sole trader, limited company or partnership and how to register. You can find out about sources of start-up funding and how to keep your cash flow healthy. One episode will tell you how to create a winning brand and come up with a good business. Another provides a basic introduction to marketing. We also explain how to sell online and look after your mental and physical health when running your own business. Two further episodes enable you learn invaluable start-up lessons from actual business owners – those who’ve been there and done it. If you’re starting your own business or thinking about it, the Start Your Own Business podcast is unmissable. It could save you lots of time, money and effort. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses.) Visit  (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.

The UK is experiencing a start-up boom. More than 770,000 people started their own business in 2020 – a huge increase on the more usual annual tally of 660,000.  Starting a business is cheaper, quicker and easier than ever. People of all ages, from all over the UK, from all manner of backgrounds are now starting their own business. They need reliable advice, so they can make good decisions and avoid expensive mistakes.  For more than 12 years, the Start Up Donut website has provided sound advice to people starting their own business. The site attracts some three-quarters of a million visitors a year and for the very first time the Start Up Donut has launched its own podcast. With need-to-know advice from small-business experts and tips from those who’ve started their own business, the Start Your Own Business podcast is essential listening if you’re starting your own business (or thinking about it). Set up your new business in the right way and get off to the best possible start. The first series of this podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of the (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.