Starting up a business
If you are considering starting up a new business, you need to think about a number of factors including business structures, business planning, finding and keeping customers, funding, and tax and legal issues.
Top content within Starting up a business
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guide
Starting a business: the basics
If you are considering starting up a new business, you need to consider a number of factors to ensure the best chance of success, including researching your business idea, business planning, funding and finding and keeping customers.
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Starting a business from home
This guide will help you decide whether starting a business from home is right for you. It also tells you what you need to do if you decide to start a home-based business.
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Funding support for start-ups
Before approaching anyone for external finance when starting up a business, you should consider your funding options, how much finance you need and if you can use some of your own money.
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Starting up: common mistakes and how to avoid them
Being aware of some of the common mistakes new business owners make, and more importantly, how to avoid them, will improve the chances of your business succeeding.
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Starting a part-time business
You may want to start a part-time business if you need to balance work with family commitments or want to test the market for your business idea.
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Starting a business as a non-UK national
You can start a business in Scotland as a non-UK national if you are from the European Economic Area (EEA). If you are from outside the EEA, you will need to get a visa.
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Start your business in the Highlands and Islands
There are a number of support services available to start-up businesses, social enterprises and co-operatives in the Highlands and Islands.
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How to set up an innovation start-up business
This guide shows you how to create an innovation start-up and how to set up the business. As an innovation start-up you take personal ownership of a new business idea.
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Starting and growing a rural business
Rural businesses can get support from various networks and schemes, including social enterprise organisations and the Scottish Government.
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Set up a business in the UK
Setting up business if you're new to the UK - registering, financing, employing staff and paying tax
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Common types of legal structures for businesses - video
This video introduces common types of legal structures for businesses, ie sole trader and partnership.
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Starting up: consider your exit strategy
Planning your exit strategy can help you to maximise the value you get from your business. This includes thinking about the different exit options available.
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How I chose the right name for my business - video case study
William Hammersley, co-founder of Arctic Farms, explains how he came up with his brand and business name. He also gives his top tips on choosing a business name in this video case study.
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Starting a social enterprise
Social enterprises are businesses with social aims. They trade in competitive markets and use their profits for community benefits.
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Family-run businesses
Starting a family business can bring valuable benefits compared with other businesses. Challenges can be channelled to become positive forces for business growth and success.
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Register your new business with HMRC
Register your new business with HM Revenue & Customs in 1 transaction - Self Assessment, VAT, Corporation Tax, PAYE for employers, HMRC
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Video diary on getting started in business: Video diaries 1
Ruth, Nick and Hannah explain how they started in business in this video diary. This is the first video of 5 in the series.
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Starting a business in tough economic conditions
By choosing the right type of business and conducting it in the right way, your business could thrive when economic conditions are tough.
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How I set up my limited liability company - video case study
Yolanda Hinchliffe from Suka Sport talks about setting up as a limited liability company and gives her top tips on setting up a business in this video case study.
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Setting up a social enterprise
Starting a business that helps people or communities - types of legal structure including community interest companies and co-operatives
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High growth start-up support
Start ups with high growth potential can receive business support from Scottish Enterprise through the High Growth Start Up programme.
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How I used my skills and experience to launch a creative digital agency business - video case study
Vinnie Morgan, founder of creative digital agency, Mango Studios, talks about the transition from working freelance into setting up a limited company in this video case study.
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Match your business skills and experience
Discover how your skills and experience can help you start up.
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Commercial Property
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have a wide range of commercial and industrial property available for sale or lease throughout the Highlands and Islands.
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Video diary on first steps in business: Video diaries 2
Ruth, Nick and Hannah talk about how they get are getting on in their businesses in this video diary. This is the second video of 5 in the series.
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Reasons why to work for yourself - video
This short video looks at the reasons why starting a business might be right for you. The reasons include flexibility, working when you want and the chance to turn your passion into a business.
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How I went back to college to learn new skills to turn my love of hats into a business – case study
Morag Young explains how she launched her millinery business, Momo Chapeaux, with help from Business Gateway in this case study.
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Turning your hobby into a business - video
A vdeo on turning your hobby into a business, including allocating enough time for the business plan and research for your business idea.
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VentureNavigator online business support service
VentureNavigator is a free online business support service offering business information resources and business assessments for creating and growing a new business.
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Property - Enterprise Park Forres
Stretching over 100 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this sustainable development is sited one mile east of Forres and just 15 minutes away from Elgin, and benefits from excellent local amenities and easy access to the A96.
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How I turned my idea into a food safety product: case study
How Pete Higgins came up with his award-winning product, UWI Label, and his plans for moving from the food manufacturing industry into the aviation sector.
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Video diary on businesses one year on: Video diaries 5
Ruth, Nick and Hannah talk about their businesses one year on after starting up in this video diary. This is the fifth video of 5 in the series.
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Property - The European Marine Science Park
The European Marine Science Park is the ideal location for start-up businesses, spin-out businesses and small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
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Video diary on business highs and lows: Video diaries 4
Ruth, Nick and Hannah talk about the ups and downs of their businesses in this video diary. This is the fourth video of 5 in the series.
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Video diary on new horizons in business: Video diaries 3
Ruth, Nick and Hannah talk about moving on with their businesses in this video diary. This is the third video of 5 in the series.
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Property - Hatston Industrial Units
Six new industrial units were completed in March 2012 at Hatston in Orkney and are now available to businesses working in or related to renewable energy sector.
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Business support for graduates and students
If you are a student or graduate, registering with the Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) gives you access to their unique support network, business advisors and online resources to help you create a new business or social enterprise.