Start Your Own Business in Somerset

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

Start Your Own Business in Somerset 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 Somerset 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.

Somerset Locations Covered

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.

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.

Start-up checklist
Step-by-step guide
Business plan template
Personal budget planner
Cashflow forecast template
Marketing plan template
Guide to business networking
Start-up map
Web & SEO Checklist
Start-up map

Download Pack

One-time registration required but this unlocks all of the free resources on the site.

FREE Start-Up Pack

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

Start-up checklist
Step-by-step guide
Business plan template
Personal budget planner
Cashflow forecast template
Marketing plan template
Guide to business networking
Start-up map
Web & SEO Checklist
Start-up map

Download Pack

FREE Book

Start & Grow Your Business in Somerset

This free 140 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 Somerset

Overview - easy to follow step by step guide
Advice - where to find help and support
Business planning - are you ready?
Market research - is there a gap in the market?
Business set-up - choosing the right structure
Premises - work from home or premises?
Finance & funding - your funding options
Accountancy & tax - tax and VAT explained
Business networking - tips and local groups
Getting online - online marketing, social media
Employing staff - how to find and recruit
Law & insurance - the key considerations
Common mistakes - and how to avoid them
Business directory - useful contacts

You can download the whole of this 140 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

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

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

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

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

Somerset Local Contacts

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

FSB Somerset & Wiltshire

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the UK’s leading business campaigner. As experts in business , they offer a range of services as part of membership and a powerful voice in government for the small business community. On a local basis they run regular events open to both members and non-members to provide support to grow and develop whatever stage you are at and an opportunity to meet your wider business community. Information on local events can be found here: https://www.fsb.org.uk/regions/south-west/events

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Somerset Chamber of Commerce

The Somerset Chamber is a membership-based business support organisation which promotes and lobbies for business development in Somerset. As a combined force, with Somersets Town Chambers, we represent c.2,000 businesses across the diverse economy of Somerset. Address: Equity House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Blackbrook Business Park, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2PX

Community Council for Somerset

The Community Council for Somerset is a charity and company limited by guarantee. We offer support and advice for individuals and groups wishing to set up a small business or social or community enterprise. We offer governance and legal structure advice, help with investment options and grant funding, business and financial planning and networking and promotion opportunities.

North Somerset Enterprise Agency

Since 1987 the North Somerset Enterprise Agency has actively supported thousands of local businesses by offering them free advice, information and training services. We offer a wide range of support for those who are thinking about working for themselves and for those already running their own small or medium sized company. Accredited business advisors are available to provide one to one advice sessions on an ongoing basis both from our premises based on Oldmixon Crescent or at your own premises if you prefer. Our business information officers can provide you with up to date details of legislation affecting your business, events and training opportunities and have a wealth of local contacts to help you. We are also an access point for the government business support service Business Link. Contact us for further details on this service.

Photo of Somerset courtesy of Start Your Own Business under a Creative Commons Attribution licence

Somerset Pages

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Local Partners

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