Start Your Own Business in Scotland

Starting a business in Scotland
Starting a business in Scotland

If you are thinking about starting a business in Scotland or would like to grow your existing business, you have come to the right place!

Start Your Own Business in Scotland contains masses of free resources and the useful information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights local organisations who offer friendly business advice and services that you need.

Our most popular LOCAL subjects are: Business Advice & Support, Where to Find Grants, Funding for Your Business, Local Networking Groups.

We have been helping start-ups and existing business owners in Scotland since 2005 and a list of key local contacts can be found below.

Everything that you will find on the site is free and a good place to start is our free start-up pack, a series of factsheets which cover all of the key considerations, relevant templates, links to other useful resources and our free downlodable 'Start Your Own Business' guide.

How to Succeed

The sad truth is that far too many new businesses start-ups fail in the early stages and our aim is to try and make sure that you are not one of them!

To help with this, we have broken down the start-up process into simple steps which highlight the things that have worked for other start-ups and the pitfalls that you need to avoid.

Is it for you?Is It For You?

Will your idea work?Will Your Idea Work?

Getting startedGetting Started

plan For SuccessPlan For Success

Funding and grantsFunding & Grants

Finding customersFinding Customers

Enterprise Hints and TipsWeb & Social Media

Common MistakesCommon Mistakes

Free ResourcesFree Resources

FREE Start-Up Pack

Our FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

It is a common trait amongst entrepreneurs to just want to 'get on with it'. However, if you want to maximise your chances of success, it is worth putting in time and effort before you start to ensure that you have set-up correctly.

  1. Start-up checklist
  2. Step-by-step guide
  3. Business plan template
  4. Personal budget planner
  5. Cashflow forecast template
  6. Marketing plan template
  7. Guide to business networking
  8. Start-up map
  9. Web & SEO Checklist
  10. Start-up map
Free start-up pack
One-time registration required but this unlocks all of the free resources on the site.

FREE Start-Up Pack

Free start-up pack

Our FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

It is a common trait amongst entrepreneurs to just want to 'get on with it'. However, if you want to maximise your chances of success, it is worth putting in time and effort before you start to ensure that you have set-up correctly.

  1. Start-up checklist
  2. Step-by-step guide
  3. Business plan template
  4. Personal budget planner
  5. Cashflow forecast template
  6. Marketing plan template
  7. Guide to business networking
  8. Start-up map
  9. Web & SEO Checklist
  10. Start-up map

FREE Book

Start Your Own Business in 2020

Start Your Own Business in 2020

This free 150 page book is packed with information and contact details designed to help you start or grow your business successfully.

We have been running SYOB for over 10 years now and have accumulated an enormous amount of information which could make the difference between success or failure.

Starting a business is easy but keeping it going and making a profit is a completely different proposition. The good news is that there are tried and tested 'rules' which have consistently proved to work.

As the old addage says 'you don't know what you don't know'!

Download Now

FREE 'Start & Grow Your Business' Book

This 2020 Edition is packed with the information that you need to start or grow a business in Scotland

Start Your Own Business in 2020
  1. Overview - easy to follow step by step guide
  2. Advice - where to find help and support
  3. Business planning - are you ready?
  4. Market research - is there a gap in the market?
  5. Business set-up - choosing the right structure
  6. Premises - work from home or premises?
  7. Finance & funding - your funding options
  8. Accountancy & tax - tax and VAT explained
  9. Business networking - tips and local groups
  10. Getting online - online marketing, social media
  11. Employing staff - how to find and recruit
  12. Law & insurance - the key considerations
  13. Common mistakes - and how to avoid them
  14. Business directory - useful contacts

You can download the whole of this 150 page book now free of charge. We are sure that you will find it both interesting and useful. The 2020 edition is packed with useful hints and tips, relevant, easy to read guides to all of the relevant subjects, real-life examples, and lots of contacts to enable you to get off to the best possible start.

Download Free copy

Start-Up Services

We are keen to see you succeed and can recommend the following...

Business Plan Review
Business Plan
If you have already prepared a business plan, but feel it needs a professional 'eye' to look over it before presenting it to a bank or investor, or you’re worried that it simply isn’t up to scratch, then we can help.
Find out more
Mentoring
Mentoring
A professional business mentor is an invaluable resource for businesses of all shapes and sizes, so stick with one and they will help you to grow from a start-up to an established business.
Find out more
Business Opportunity
Peter Gow
Discover how you can earn a lifelong income by helping people get an all together better deal on their Gas, Electricity, Landline, Broadband and Mobile services. People like you have changed their lives!
Find out more
Start-Up Loans
Start-Up Loan
We have partnered with Transmit Start-Ups to deliver the Start Up Loans scheme to UK entrepreneurs. This is a government backed scheme, providing repayable loans and mentoring to individuals in the UK with a viable business idea but no access to finance.
Find out more

Scotland Local Contacts

Useful Start-Up Resources

If you can help new business start ups or existing small businesses in the Scotland area, we would love to promote you here free of charge. (Add Your Business)

My World of Work - Be Your Own Boss
My World of Work - Be Your Own Boss
Businesses come in all shapes and sizes. In Scotland, 99% of all private sector businesses are small to medium size enterprises – and they provide an estimated 1.1 million jobs*. What could you add to that mix?
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Visit Scotland - Supporting Your Business
Visit Scotland - Supporting Your Business
Scottish tourism businesses and the fantastic work they do make up the lifeblood of our industry. The world-class standards of our accommodation providers, visitor attractions, visitor/experiences, restaurants and other businesses are why Scotland attracts so many new and returning visitors year after year.
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University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
There are plenty of examples of successful entrepreneurs and ideas. You may find reading them sparks your own imagination and inspires you to seek out and build your own enterprise – whatever its size! Students have great ideas for ventures and with a bit of perseverance and support, turn them into successful ventures.
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Scottish Rural Network - Funding
Scottish Rural Network - Funding
Details of funding schemes for rural businesses in Scotland including the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Grants and support for economic, environmental and social measures to benefit rural Scotland are available through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).
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Bute Enterprise Finance Fund
Bute Enterprise Finance Fund
Bute Enterprise Finance Fund is a charity funded company which provides loans to businesses and organisations in Bute, Argyll, South and North Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire. Finance £10k-£200k is available with flexible repayment terms up to 10yrs. Specific emphasis is placed on businesses that will assist economic regeneration or generate and sustain employment. We can also help borrowers access other types of finance such as government funded start up loans, advise on business plans and support the growth of your business.
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Scottish Chambers of Commerce
SCC we are dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of our member companies and to helping them rise to the challenge, seize the opportunity and succeed in the marketplace. By joining a Chamber of Commerce your company automatically becomes part of Scotlands largest business organisation, with access to an unrivalled range of services, support and advice to aid your development as a thriving member of the business community. Address: Scottish Chambers of Commerce, 30 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1EQ
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FSB West of Scotland
FSB West of Scotland is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: Hisashi Kuboyama Development Manager Hisashi.Kuboyama@fsb.org.uk
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Business grants in Scotland: What do you need to know?
Small business grants in Scotland tend to either be funded by the Scottish or UK Government, as well as the European Union (EU). Generally, the funding is either available for any business across Scotland (or for businesses intending to be based in Scotland). Alternatively, some grants are only available to businesses working in certain sectors or specific locations.
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Digital Boost
Would you like you to know how your business could benefit from digital upskilling? Training, guides, tutorials, workshops, 1:1 advice and consultancy – all for free.
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Scottish Rural Network
The Scottish Rural Network website is your one-stop-shop for news, events and information about rural development. We can help you connect with other people, communities, organisations and businesses across rural Scotland and beyond.
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Scottish Enterprise
Do you have an idea for a business with the potential to grow strongly? We help researchers and academics to turn research into business. We can also help high growth startups.
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Photo of Scotland courtesy of   Start Your Own Business under a Creative Commons Attribution licence
Free Startup Pack
Local Partners
Can you help new business start ups?
Find Networking Events