Mastering the fundamentals
Before starting any business, there are some key decisions to make, such as business form, ownership structure and capitalisation.
Starting your business
Firstly, congratulations and welcome to entrepreneurship! Starting a business is an exciting time and you’re probably wondering where to begin. We’re here to break it down for you – from setting up to financing.
In this section:
Getting started
Find out how to set up your business for success.
Writing a business plan
A business plan sets out a roadmap for your business, helping you decide which path to take when you come across obstacles and opportunities.
Financing your business
Explore different finance options to find the best fit for your business.
Finance for start-ups
How do start-up businesses raise finance with no sales or track record? While most are self-funded, there are options for external finance even early on.
Start Up Loans
Start Up Loans, from the British Business Bank, help aspiring entrepreneurs realise their ambitions of starting and growing their business.
Grant funding
Awarded by government, local authorities and private sector bodies, grants can help you remain in control of your business.
Success stories
Get inspired by some of the incredible women who have made the leap into entrepreneurship.
Don’t be afraid to step into unfamiliar territory!
Florence Lace-Evans
Lace-Evans Productions
Florence Lace-Evans is the CEO and female founder of Lace-Evans Productions, a female-led production company championing women's voices in theatre, comedy and TV. Florence shares her inspirational journey as an entrepreneur, the one rule of success she standbys to the advice she has for female entrepreneurs.
Your Spin: Turning an idea into a business
Eilidh Mutch
Your Spin
Eilidh Mutch is the founder of Your Spin Limited, an in-venue activation game for the hospitality sector. As a young entrepreneur Eilidh shares more about her journey as well as the importance of networking.
Barefoot Tech: Tackling waste
Ffion McCormick Edwards
Barefoot Tech
23-year-old Ffion McCormick Edwards founded Barefoot Tech with the support of Big Ideas Wales in a bid to tackle the volume of old, unused wetsuits that are adding to the environmental impact caused by landfill. Ffion built her business around her love for the sea and places sustainability at the core of her business ethos...
Brownie and the Bean
Charlotte Giddings
Brownie and the Bean
Being part of the NatWest Accelerator has helped to accelerate growth within 6 months of being on the Accelerator, sales revenue was up by 82% in 2021 and set to be up another 22% in 2022.
The Recruitment Duo
Holly Vaughan & Louise Dunn
The Recruitment Duo
From a standing start in 2021, Holly Vaughan and Louise Dunn, cofounders of independent recruitment agency The Recruitment Duo have built a substantial and successful business.
Hair Raising Growth
Hayley Fox
Foxy Hair Extensions
Foxy Hair Extensions may have started small in 2006 as a one woman band, but today, the company has both a thriving online and salon business. Foxy Hair Extensions is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of 100% human hair extension products and training designed for both professional hair salons and extensionists. The company was...