Small business advice

[rjkh]

Who are the best people to talk to with regards getting advice on starting up a new business?

[Ghostrider]

Business Link. There should one in your local area, they will have specialist advisors to help you through the process and explain to you all the support options which may include: grants, loans, training courses etc.

[rjkh]

Thank you for such a prompt reply!

[WendyS]

If you have a local Chamber of Trade and Commerce, they might have a business advisor who can help you. I would hesitate to ask your local Bank Manager but your local library will probably have some very useful books on the subject.

[gammaray]

I wouldn't waste your time with your local bank manager. If he/she is anything like mine they don't know the first thing about running a business in my industry sector. Some advice they have is useful whatever the business but in general you can get advice about business plans, funding, tax, VAT etc etc from the net or the library. Talking to other business people is also a terrific way to increase your knowledge and in that respect WendyS' advice about the chamber of commerce is spot on.

Some advice will be free, some, more specific, you may have to pay for, but never be afraid to ask. Once you have started your business you can join networking organisations (BNI for example) which give you access to a whole host of people from all different spheres of business that can offer help, reffer business to you, and who you can bounce ideas off.