Start Your Own Business

While some businesses grow steadily over many years, others achieve significant growth in a far shorter time and are started with that key aim. This episode looks at what types of start-ups are most scalable and in which sectors they're usually to be found. The guest expert is Guy Rigby – AKA The Entrepreneurs' Adviser – SME mentor and author. He explains how to start a scale-up and how to overcome key scale-up challenges.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

Email marketing can be a highly cost-effective way to attract and retain customers, but your email marketing strategy and content have to be right if you are to get the open rates and click-throughs that lead to sales. Email marketing expert Laura Hanlon of Birmingham-based agency Pink Leopard reveals the secrets of building good email marketing lists, sending marketing emails in the right volume at the right time, getting your content and subject lines spot-on and the all-important business of measuring your success so you can improve your results.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

In 2019, tired of their daily commutes and living for weekends, Charlie Low, then head of analytics for an adventure travel company, and design consultancy engineer Dale Comely decided to leave the nine-to-five behind by converting an old DHL delivery van into an off-grid mobile home, so they could live a simpler life and travel around Europe. They wrote a best-selling guide to converting vans into campervans, and launched their award-winning business, Climbingvan, which helps others with their campervan builds and provides an off-grid electrical system design service. So, what key start-up lessons did they learn and how do they run a business from their van while traveling around Europe?Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

Running a small business can leave you feeling isolated and lonely at times. Often you have no one to share your thoughts and feelings with. That's when reaching out to other small-business owners can really help. Great value can be gained from seeking their independent opinions (and giving them yours). Many formal peer networking options are available, but even just occasionally meeting up for a coffee or something stronger with other business owners can be mutually beneficial. In this episode, award-winning business coach, mentor, adviser and peer board facilitator Jonathan O'Shea explains the business and personal benefits of seeking peer group support.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

There are more than 5m family businesses in the UK. They employ 14.2m people and generate a quarter of UK GDP. Many people who start a business do so with a family member, whether their spouse, partner, sibling, son or daughter or other relation. And although there can be many pros to going into business with family – there can be cons. So, what's the key to getting it right so that the business is successful and family relationships are safeguarded? We ask Fiona Graham of the Institute of Family Business, who provides tips that could also help you if you're thinking of going into business with a colleague or friend.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

Matt Mahatme and Jordan Palmer were bartenders who spotted a gap in the market for mixers that combined big flavours with less sugar, fewer calories and nothing artificial. “We wanted to create a brand with a bit of an edge, with a contemporary feel, that looked as good as it tasted,” recalls Matt. Since launch in 2018, helped by a successful crowdfunding campaign, Lixir Drinks has grown into an award-winning mixer brand that's proved highly popular in the UK and internationally. So, what key start-up lessons did they learn and what's the recipe for their success?Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

Some people ooze self-confidence. And while others aren't very self-confident, most are probably somewhere in between. Often things happen to us in life and business that damages our self-confidence. Why do some people lack self-confidence while others are supremely confident? How can you boost your self-confidence? Self-confidence and human behaviour expert Jo Emerson answers these and other key questions.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

Following a year of eye-watering inflation in 2022, especially energy prices, economic forecasts for the UK for 2023 make for pretty sobering reading. According to the Bank of England, the UK is facing its longest recession since records began, while the UK Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects the UK economy to shrink by 1.4% in 2023, leading to the biggest drop in living standards on record, with consumer spending set to plummet. So, with really challenging times ahead for many UK businesses, what can owners do to mitigate risk and make their business as recession proof as possible? Find out from Rory MccGwire, founder and chief executive of Atom Content Marketing, publisher of the Donut websites – and battle-scarred veteran of previous recessions.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

Are you thinking of starting your own business in 2023? Maybe you've already taken the leap but are looking for reliable, free advice on the challenges you are facing.The popular Start your Own Business podcast is back. Packed with top tips and free advice, downloading the podcast could be one of the best business decisions you make this year.Find out what's coming up in series four by listening to the trailer now!Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell for Startup UK representative at UKSTARTUP@Dell.com

Time is the one thing that small-business owners don't have enough of, with many having to work long hours. Those starting a new business often must work even longer hours to get their business off the ground and into profit. So, what's the key to making best use of every minute of every day? What role can technology play? Where can time be lost? How can people work less and get more done? How can listeners stay better organised and productive each day? These are some of the key questions covered in the penultimate episode of our third series. Sharing her insight is guest Clare Evans, leading time management expert and productivity coach. She is also the author of the bestseller, Time Management For Dummies.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com

More than 640,000 new businesses are started each year in the UK and most don't grow much, they pretty much stay as one person enterprises, which suits their owners. Others are more ambitious, they want to take on staff, win many more customers, expand their operation, grow their business and take it to new heights. But growth isn't a given. You have to work hard to achieve it. You must make good decisions. You have to take risks. You need some luck. There are many new obstacles to overcome. In this episode we speak to Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, who is also Associate Director of the Aston Centre for Growth and Deputy Director of the national Enterprise Research Centre. Mark explains why some owners are able to grow their businesses into much bigger enterprises – while others fail. He outlines the critical factors that affect growth and offers his advice to small-business owners who want to make it big.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com

The best start-up advice usually comes from the best-placed experts of all – those who've actually been there and done it. In this Start-up Story episode, we speak to Surlender Pendress, co-founder of the Love Writing Company, which is based in the West Midlands. It sells innovative writing pencils, erasable colour pencils and washable crayons developed specifically for children's hands, created to make it easier, quicker and more enjoyable for children to learn to write. Surlender started the business in 2019 with Mark Sherwood. She explains where the idea for her business came from and retraces her start-up steps, looking at key challenges she faced and how she overcame them.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com

Instagram is the world's seventh most-visited website. Some 1.22bn people use Instagram each month, with 18 to 34 year olds making up the biggest share of Instagram's audience. About 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business, and reportedly, half of its users have discovered new brands via Instagram. When you get it right, Instagram can be a superb, low-cost way to market your business to new and existing customers. In this episode, we speak to Lou Chudley of Bristol-based agency, Spark Social. She reveals her top tips on how to build a brand on Instagram and generate leads and sales. If you want to find out how to use Instagram to grow your business, this episode is packed with top tips, so don't miss it.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com

Making sure that you have the right tech can enable your new business to quickly get established and grow. If you don't have the required IT hardware and software – it will hold you back. In this episode, we speak to leading small-business technology expert, Richard Hillsdon, of Caerphilly-based IT consultancy Tekeez, which provides IT systems, remote support and advice to small-business customers throughout the UK. Richard explains how you can work out your start-up's IT hardware and software needs and make sure that you have what you need to help power your success and growth.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com.

The best start-up advice usually comes from the best-placed experts of all – those who've actually been there and done it. In this start-up story episode, we speak to Troy Johnson, co-founder of Juici Jerk, award-winning Caribbean food brand, kitchen and meal-kit maker, which is based in Tooting, South London. Juici Jerk also sells its delicious sauces online, as well as mouthwatering Caribbean delights from locations in London, including Selfridges, while also providing private and corporate catering services.In 2017, Troy started the business with his brother, Jarrell, inspired and influenced by their mother's West Indian home-cooked delights. But the Johnson brothers are winning many fans with their own unique, modern take on traditional Caribbean cooking. Here Troy looks back at his start-up journey and offers some great start-up advice.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com.

Offering superior customer service is a proven way that small businesses can be more attractive to customers and lure them away from larger and more established competitors. But any commitment to offering superior customer service has to be firm and consistent throughout your business. In this episode, we speak to leading customer service expert Stephanie Edwards of Wiltshire-based Customer 1st, specialist provider of innovative self-paced online customer service programmes. She explains how you can raise your customer service game to enviable heights and attract and retain customers as a result.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com.

More than 640,000 new businesses are launched each year in the UK and the popularity of starting up continues to grow. But significantly rising costs means many people will have to try to start their own business with little or no money. In this first episode of our third series, we get top money-saving start-up tips from Lucy Cohen of Mazuma, leading provider of low-cost, subscription-based accounting services. With a relatively modest budget, aged just 23, Lucy founded Mazuma with Sophie Hughes in 2006. It's since grown into a multi-award-winning business with almost 40 employees. If you're strapped for cash but determined to start your own business, don't miss this tips-packed season-opener.Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com.

In this trailer for the third series, host Chloe Thomas runs through the start-up topics covered in each episode and explains what start-up challenges you can learn to overcome as a result. She also reveals the key theme of this new series – business growth. Series three is packed with top tips and free advice so, if you're just starting out on your business journey, this is the podcast for you. Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) and sign up to the https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/newsletter (Donut newsletter )for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money. This series is brought to you thanks to the support of Dell Technologies. Our partnership with Dell means you get top products at special prices and a personalised consultation from a dedicated tech adviser who will get to know the goals of your business. Find out more by emailing the Dell Small Business Associations UK representative at SBAUK@Dell.com.

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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on selling online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on offline marketing and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more information about online selling and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut )for more information about marketing your business online and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut )for more information about raising money and managing your cashflow and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more help and information on branding and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective/ (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut )for more information about forming a business and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses.) Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (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 https://www.fsb.org.uk/start (Federation of Small Businesses). Visit https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/podcast (Start Up Donut) for more information about starting a business and join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonutSmallBusinessCollective (Donut Small Business Collective Facebook group) for tips and support from other start-ups and small-business owners.