If you have picked up this guide and are reading this page, the chances
are that you are thinking about starting your own business. And,
despite whichever direction the prevailing economic wind is blowing
in, you are not alone. Until the recession in 2008, more and more
people were feeling the entrepreneurial urge. More than 200,000 new
businesses registered for VAT (value-added tax) in 2007, according
to the latest government statistics in November 2008 – a rise of
23,700 over 2006. Although the 2008 fi gures won’t be available until
late 2009, indications are that there will be only a small decline in
VAT registrations, despite de-registrations – those companies going
out of business – expected to increase signifi cantly, according to the
Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. This
is because many people who have lost their job are starting up on
their own.
Despite the downturn, small- and medium-sized businesses
remain a key driver of the UK economy. The days of hundreds of large
companies employing thousands of staff are no more. The number
of aspiring entrepreneurs starting small businesses has surged in
recent years, and their companies now make up 99.9% of the total
businesses in the UK, and are responsible for almost half of the UK’s
workforce.
Famous entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson, Stelios and Sahar Hashemi have all started businesses and thrived during a recession: could you be next? Despite the downturn, it's still a great time to start a business, with less competition and better deals for everything from inventory, advertising and rent. We deliver essential information on how to start a business, make it a success, as well as advice on overcoming challenges including the changing economic outlook. Be inspired by start up stories, and learn tips from the experts: Which businesses do the best in a recession; Write a convincing business plan; Learn who is still lending finance, and what they're looking for; Locate the most reliable suppliers; Use techniques to make sure you get paid; Discover the best ways to promote your business; Attract customers and keep them coming back. Startups.co.uk is the UK's most popular website for small businesses. Started by a successful entrepreneur, it has been helping people start their own business since 2000, and now helps over 150,000 people every month. Small business owners and new businesses consistently rate startups.co.uk as the leading source of information for UK entrepreneurs.
