Running your own business

If you want to run your own business or develop a business idea ...

... there's lots to think about:

• what is your business and have you got a business plan?
• who will be your customers - is there a market for your products or service?
• where and how will you run your business?
• what is the competition?
• how do you let people know about your offer?
• what will it cost to start your business?
• what will you live off until your business makes a profit?

You'll need to find out about any laws that apply to your business and about things like tax and National Insurance, so it's important to get advice early.

If you are going to run a successful business, you'll neeed to make sure you have the right skills, do your research and write a business plan - if you want to borrow money to help you get started a plan is very important. A plan will help you set out your aims, get yourself organised and turn your plans into a reality.

Around 20% of new businesses fail in their first year and 50% fail in their first three years. Department for Business.

Still interested?

There is plenty of information on self-employment and the support available to make sure YOU succeed.

Search

• Login and search  for 'self-employment' to find our leaflets with lots of information on starting a business

Check out these websites for courses, funding and advice:

• Calderdale Council Business Support Team - live online chat service for Calderdale residents
• Business Hub Kirklees - a free online service for companies based in Kirklees, includes , funding and grants
• Kirklees Libraries - including an online business directory Cobra, which can help with market research, law and starting a business
• Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership - information and advice for businesses in the Leeds City Region
• Mid Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce
• Shell LiveWIRE
• Young Enterprise
• The Prince’s Trust - offers grants to young people as part of its Enterprise Programme
• Association of Disabled Professionals- information for self-employed people with a disability
• Business Support Helpline
• Federation of Small Businesses
• New Enterprise Allowance - funding for people who are unemployed
• British Franchise Association
• Social enterprise - support and advice
• Co‑operatives UK - advice and guidance on setting up a co-operative
  
  

Need to contact us?

Your C&K Careers school or college careers adviser can help and advise you – get in touch with the careers team in school/college.

Or:

• Ring 01484 242000 and ask for your careers adviser by name

You can also talk to one of our careers advisers via our Chat service:

It's open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

 Ring 01484 213856

 Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Look out for our Facebook Messenger

Please our  Facebook or  Twitter pages for updates

• Dewsbury Careers
• Halifax Careers Centre
• Huddersfield Careers Centre

Page updated October 2020