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starting up a business

Build a successful startup: A handy guide for new businesses

Starting a business? Brace yourself. The early years can be a brutal mix of excitement, chaos, and wildly unpredictable bank balances. The stats aren’t pretty either. Most startups don’t make it past year five, but you’re not here to be part of most. You’re here to build a successful startup that doesn’t just survive but thrives.

Building a successful business takes more than enthusiasm and a half-baked pitch deck; it takes proper planning, smart cash management, strong people practices, and a long-term growth mindset. Sounds like a lot, right? It is, but the good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out from scratch. We have some of the best insights from our blogs below to help you get it right from the start.

Planning:- the bit too many skip

If you’re already mentally designing your business cards but haven’t thought about cash flow, goals, or even what you’re offering in 12 months, slow down. A lot of startups tank early because they rush straight into the doing without laying the groundwork.

Here’s how to avoid that mistake:

Why you need to create a business plan

Think business plans are just for banks and investors? Think again. This blog shows why your business plan is your best tool, not just for raising money, but for making smarter decisions from day one.

Business planning: what do you plan for and how do you do it?

This explains exactly what to include in your plan, how to stress-test your assumptions, and what to track once you’re up and running.

Strategic goal planning: a blueprint for business success

Vision boards are cute, but actual goals are better. If you’re serious about creating a successful startup, this guide will help you.

Cash flow:- your make-or-break factor

Cash keeps your business breathing. As a startup, you’ll probably need more of it than you think and sooner than you expect.

Here are some steps you can take:

7 ways that startup business owners can save money

This one’s a goldmine of practical advice to plug money leaks early and run lean without cutting corners. Think smarter spending, not penny-pinching.

Five top tips for crowdfunding success

If you’re planning to raise funds from the crowd, read this first. This blog shows you how to create buzz, build trust, and hit your target.

Why build startup sweat equity?

When you’re short on cash but long on ambition, sweat equity can keep things moving. This guide shows how to use time, skills, and shares wisely without overpromising or giving away the shop.

Does sweat equity qualify for SEIS/EIS?

If you’re considering offering sweat equity, this blog explains how it fits into SEIS and EIS. Two game-changing tax relief schemes for investors in your successful startup.

People:- they are just as important as your product

If you’re not flying solo, the people you hire (or partner with) will shape your startup just as much as your product or service. Therefore, they need clarity, direction, and a reason to care.

Here are our golden nuggets of wisdom:

Budgeting for new staff

Hiring your first team member? Don’t wing it. This blog shows you what to factor in, how to avoid nasty surprises, and what it really costs to bring someone on board.

Making sense of PAYE payment reference numbers for 2024-25

Payroll’s not exactly exciting, but mess it up and HMRC will come knocking. This one clears up confusion around PAYE so you can keep things compliant and calm.

Creating a fun workplace

Culture matters, especially in the early days. This one’s packed with ideas for making work somewhere your team actually wants to be, without needing a ball pit or free pizza Fridays.

Long-term growth:- how to build something that lasts

A successful startup should evolve into a resilient business that’s ready for change, challenge, and whatever the future throws at it.

Here are a few key areas you can focus on now:

Is your business not growing fast enough?

This blog helps you spot the signs of slow growth early and gives clear next steps to get moving again.

Insurance for a limited company

It’s not flashy, but it’s vital. From public liability to professional indemnity, here’s what you really need and what you don’t.

Future-proofing: how to build more resilient businesses

Storms happen. This blog gives practical advice on how to build something that bends without breaking – a must-read if you want your startup to outlive your caffeine addiction.

Harnessing AI in your business: practical steps for business owners

AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley. This guide gives practical ways to start using AI right now, even if you’re a small business with zero developers.

Build a startup that lasts

A successful startup doesn’t just happen; you have to build it brick by brick with planning, patience, and a ton of decisions that feel small but end up mattering more than you expect. And that’s what this guide is for. Each of these blogs will help you steer clear of rookie errors, make smarter calls, and build a business that isn’t just busy, but sustainable. 

Need help making a solid business plan that you actually action? Get in touch! We’ll help you build your business right from day one.

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