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How to Start a Business in Brandon

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Brandon

Starting a business in Brandon

If you are thinking about starting a business in Brandon or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Brandon contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Brandon

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

Starting a Business in in Brandon

Business advice and support

"Two heads are better than one."

Whether you have been trading for some time, are new to the market or are just thinking about starting a business of your own, it has been proven that your chances of success are considerably improved if you seek support from an experienced business advisor or mentor. You can find out more about both options at Business Advice in Brandon and Business Mentors in Brandon.

Funding and grants

Running out of money is one the most common reasons why businesses fail. This risk of this happening to can be avoided (or minimised) by careful planning and cashflow forecasting. If you need additional funds to start or keep your business going, you can learn more about your options and download our free funding factsheet at: Brandon Business Grants and Business Funding

Business networking

Does the idea of business networking fill you with delight or dread? Either way, it can be beneficial for both your business and you as an entrepreneur. See Business Networking in Brandon for details of local groups and our free Networking Factsheet.

Business premises

Working from home is appealing to many new business owners but not practical for many others. Even if you are running a business by yourself, you might like to consider the option of 'hot desking' or co-working in one of the many flexi-workspaces that have emerged in recent years. Find out more at: Brandon Co-Working and Business Premises.

Finding new customers

Paying customers are the lifeblood of any business. Knowing how to find, satisfy and retain them is vitally important and best achieved with the help of experts in the field.

Accountancy, tax and law

While starting a new business is very exciting, this should not disguide the fact that there are some very important legal responsibilities that must be considered. See: Bookkeeping, Accountancy, Financial Planning and Law

FREE startup workshops

If you are thinking about starting a business, our FREE three-hour ONLINE workshop is definitely for you!

Open to everyone, our sole aim is to increase your chances of success. We do that by explaining:

The reality of running a business; the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them; which legal status is likely to be most suitable; funding, grants and managing your money; business planning and cashflow forecasting; finding and keeping customers.

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don’t become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Brandon

Key Contacts in Brandon

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Brandon is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

Mentoring

Osborn Coaching and Mentoring
Nick is a qualified coach and a mentor with a passion for helping others make the most of their lives at work. He focuses on business coaching and mentoring, career coaching and management/executive coaching. He has a wealth of experience, having worked for 40 years for, and with, businesses of all shapes and sizes and with people from budding entrepreneurs and new recruits to experienced business people and senior managers. He has been a corporate bank manager and a management consultant. He has built and managed many operational and project teams and has spent hundreds of hours coaching and mentoring.
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Funding

Invest in Suffolk
Grants and Funding for growing businesses in Suffolk.
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Marketing

Let's Do Marketing
Let’s Do Marketing is a subsidiary of Let’s Do Business Group that is here to help small businesses grow through marketing. Focussed on providing affordable and accessible support to new and small businesses, they offer consultancy and marketing services that can help you to achieve your big marketing ideas. Whether you’re just starting out with a brand new business or looking to grow, we can give you the guidance to create a marketing strategy that matches your goals. Let’s Do Marketing can also provide training to help you take control of your own marketing strategy, from learning new software and tools to creating award winning campaigns! Find out more about our services https://www.letsdomarketing.co.uk/ Want to chat about how Let’s Do Marketing can help you to level up your business? Get in touch at https://www.letsdomarketing.co.uk/contact or email us at hello@letsdomarketing.co.uk!
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Advice

TCHC
We offer a 6 day training course on Practical Skills for Business to help people who are unemployed start their own business or become self-employed. The course covers all the important areas you need to know about such as, business planning, raising finance, finding and keeping customers, legislation, tax, VAT and managing money etc. If you are unemployed or economically inactive and aged 24 or over the course is fully funded by the Big Lottery and European Social Fund.
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Advice

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership works with businesses, education and local authority partners to drive growth and enterprise in Norfolk and Suffolk. We secure public and private investment to deliver a range of programmes and initiatives with partners to improve infrastructure, skills and business support. Our work focuses on three sectors which support our place at the forefront of tackling the challenges and opportunities of climate change. This is the UKs clean growth region.
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Advice

New Anglia Growth Hub
Led by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, and delivered in partnership with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, New Anglia Growth Hub can help your business access a range of business support services from hundreds of sources. The hubs service is FREE and IMPARTIAL and can help you access grants, finance, start-up support, international trade support and other specialist advice all from a single point of contact.
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Networking

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Small Businesses & Start-ups. Business is done better together - You dont have to run your business on your own Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is here to help. It is about what you know, but who you know can come in pretty handy in growing your business. Our networking events will put you in touch with the right people over a calendar of different events, from business breakfasts to lunches, and leadership dinners, to help you develop and grow your business.
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Funding

Access business finance up to £150k
Let’s Do Business Finance offers funding to both start-up businesses and businesses wanting to grow and invest in their future. Start up finance We’re one of the official Business Support Partners of the British Business Bank and Start Up Loan Company. We can offer loans from £500 up to £25k with a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum, and that includes 12 months of free mentoring to help you get off to the best start. Could you be eligible? Find out more https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/lets-start-up Business loans Let’s Do Business Finance are able to offer business loans to help established businesses to grow. We’re accredited lenders of the Recovery Loan Scheme under the British Business Bank, and we’re able to lend from £25,001 to £150,000 on terms from 3 months to 6 years. This business finance can be used to help you secure anything from new premises, equipment, and capital, and our team can help you to assess your cash flow and finances, build your marketing strategy and more with our built-in business support which is tailored to your needs. Want to learn more about business loans, and see if you’re eligible? Visit our website https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/ or send us an enquiry https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/contact-us
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Advice

Start up Suffolk
StartUp Suffolk (established in 2012) provides free and independent advice, support, guidance and expertise to owners of start-up business ventures in Suffolk and those which arent profitable or earning a living for the owners. You can ask for our help if you have a great business idea, want your Suffolk-based business to grow or to become more profitable. The most successful business owners always reflect on their original start-up venture and identify what they wish theyd known or done differently, to have achieved business growth and success even faster.
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Advice

Suffolk County Council - Business
Suffolk County Council's website has a section dedicated to helping local business. This includes: Trading Standard licences, tenders, economic development, council services, advice for businesses and projects and programmes. Very useful if you are running a business in the county or thinking about starting up from scratch.
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Networking

EBN - Ipswich Networking Group
Effective Business Network: structured face-to-face networking without the pressures! Are you new to networking, unsure of what to do, or nervous and apprehensive about attending? Don't worry, our Group Directors are on hand to help - to greet you, introduce you to others, and give you guidance on some of the dos and don'ts of networking. They will help you to become a great networker.
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Advice

East Suffolk Council - Business
East Suffolk Council's website contains a section designed to help local business. It includes details about: East Suffolk Plan for the Future Grant Licensing Business training Business grants and fundingBusiness incentives East Suffolk Means Business East Suffolk Economic Growth Plan Food safety Business associations and networksLand and premises Business rates Filming and photography Regeneration projects Digital TownsHealth and safety Business continuity Supplying the Council Exporting from East Suffolk Business support
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Networking

ISSBA (Ipswich & Suffolk Small Business Association
ISSBA provides a forum for the mutual support of small businesses in Ipswich and surrounding parts of Suffolk, in the east of England. It is an informal organisation of business owners and others involved with small businesses, funded by sponsorship, members' subscriptions and organised by an elected committee. Run entirely by a team of volunteers, for the past 28 years ISSBA is proud to be the only organisation of its kind in East Anglia. We offer cost effective, clear and relevant support to our members and work closely with partner organisations to ensure our goals for growth are aligned to the Suffolk Growth Strategy.
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Networking

Do Good networking
Do Good Networking, based in Ipswich, Suffolk build lasting business relationships whilst supporting local charities and worthy causes hands on. Whats more, everyone has a lot of fun and itll make you feel great. Thats a promise!
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Advice

MENTA
At MENTA our award-winning, How to Start a Business training packages for new enterprises and start-ups in Norfolk and Suffolk are comprehensive, focused and above all completely free of charge. Starting a business from scratch or transferring your skills to become a freelancer or sole trader is a big step. Thats why the industry experts at MENTA who make up our top team of business advisers and specialist trainers are so keen to share their experience. You can count on us to help you get your venture on the best footing so your new business can move on in confident strides towards an exciting and profitable future. *Fully funded packages are subject to certain eligibility criteria. Currently the Start-up project is funded by The European Regional Development Fund. MENTA Business Support, The Vision Centre, 5 Eastern Way,Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7AB
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Advice

NWES
We help turn business ideas into realityEstablished in 1982, Nwes is a not-for-profit enterprise agency. We provide total business support to boost self-employment and encourage enterprise.
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Advice

Let's Do Business Group
With the ability to help businesses across all sectors, our team can offer business consultancy services to help you achieve your goals. The Let’s Do Business Group can provide virtual business consultancy services through our team of business professionals and quality assured consultants. Whether its developing a business plan or strategy, coaching or mentoring of senior staff and business owners, or just being a sounding board our team are here to help. We offer a free initial consultation so that we understand your needs, and you get to know us. We will then agree how we will work together and our fees – this could be from a one off session, a short support programme or a longer term project. We also have access to a range of other business specialists to help you with anything from Marketing to HR – so whatever your need, we can find a solution. Contact the team today at https://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/contact-us or email info@ldbgroup.co.uk
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Advice

East Suffolk Means Business
Starting your business. East Suffolk Council recognise the importance of support at the early stages of starting up your business. East Suffolk Councils Economic Development and Regeneration team reinvigorate the local economy through physical regeneration whilst enhancing the local environment to support economic growth and prosperity. We encourage new and existing businesses to survive, revive and thrive, making our district more attractive to residents, visitors and investors alike. Our team provide ongoing support to the development of a stronger skill base including skills to future-proof tomorrows generation, today.
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Advice

West Suffolk Council - Start Your Business
Start your businessGet the information you need to turn your business idea into a reality. Our experienced team can provide you with free and impartial advice, support and direction for any business related enquiry. Contact us in person, by telephone or email if you want personal, one to one service. We're here to help. We've brought together information and links to websites that will help turn your business idea into a reality.
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Networking

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with colleagues in the British Chambers of Commerce to produce A Business Plan for Britain, outlining what we all need to do to become a more confident, enterprising and skilled trading nation. Address: Felaw Maltings, South Kiln, 42 Felaw Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8SQ
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Accountancy

Newman & Co
Starting up a business can seem a daunting and lonely task. There are substantial risks involved when moving away from the security of employment to become a business owner. We specialise in assisting owner-managed businesses take that leap and work closely with them ensuring that their legal, financial and statutory obligations are covered, allowing them to concentrate on utilising their own skills to their full potential and growing the business. Whatever the size or activity of your business we can provide advice on: * Business form - including sole-trader, partnership, company, charity; * Statutory obligations - including company formation and set-up and dealing with HM Revenue & Customs; * Preparation of business plans, budgets and cash-flow forecasts; * Sourcing and arranging finance; * Maintenance of your records and implementing internal procedures; * Tax planning If you are thinking about starting a business, arrange an appointment with us at the very beginning of your venture to ensure that you receive good advice and proceed in the best manner, avoiding unnecessary pitfalls in the future.
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Advice

Remedy For Business Ltd
Business advisors and mentors helping companies start up and grow.
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Advice

Mid Anglian Enterprise Agency (MENTA)
Our aim is to help our clients start and grow their businesses, improve their performance and encourage them to realise their potential through a mix of one-to-one advice, business skills workshops and networking opportunities.
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Advice

Menta
Our core service is the provision of free, impartial one-to-one advice for the self employed and small business owners. For over 20 years we have gained a reputation for being the specialist agency for assisting people to start a business, and to help established businesses to grow. Our experienced advisors are able to assist with all aspects of business.
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business