46 Start a shop on Instagram or TikTok Many social media platforms also offer ways to sell your products online. For example, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok all allow you to set up shops. To do this you will need to set up a business account rather than a personal account. Start a blog or YouTube channel Creating your own blog and regularly updating it with useful, interesting and relevant information will help customers find you online. It will also help prospective customers feel confident that they are dealing with an active, professional business. A YouTube channel offers a cheap way to promote your business by distributing how-to videos or demonstrations of your products or services. By posting content regularly, you can engage with customers, help attract new ones and raise your profile. Strategic alliances Look for businesses who offer complementary products or services who could stock or promote your business to their clients. For example, a florist might be interested in stocking and selling your wedding stationery. Workshops, events and taster sessions Consider running a short workshop or taster session to educate potential customers and showcase your skills, experience or products. It might also be worth attending similar events to build your customer base. Recommendations Generate new sales by asking happy customers to recommend you to other people. Word of mouth is invaluable to the small business owner. Ask followers on social media to like and share your posts and consider offering ‘refer a friend’ discounts where both customers can save money on their next purchase. Awards An award is a great endorsement that can differentiate your business from the competition. Be wary of industry awards that charge hundreds of pounds for entry. There are plenty of awards that you can enter for free, especially those designed to recognise the start-up community. Networking Networking is a cheap, highly efficient way to meet other small business owners and showcase your goods and services. There are many local and national networking organisations. Usually you can try these for a few sessions before you decide whether they are right for you. Some of these organisations are for members only and require you to pay membership fees. Many of these allow only participants in one trade or business sector to join. Other networking organisations are more relaxed and operate on a pay-as-you-go basis. Try a few and use the 4R methodology (see above) to check whether an organisation might be suitable for your business.
47 A few places to try include: • Business & IP Centres around the UK These centres in local libraries run regular business networking events with aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Full listings are at bl.uk/bipc/network • Global Entrepreneurship Network Start-up Huddles genuk.org • BNI bni.com/the-bni-experience • Local Chambers of Commerce britishchambers.org.uk • Do a quick search on Eventbrite for listings of networking events. eventbrite.com mickela hall-ramsAy HR Sports Academy
48 Naila Naila Ahmad is the founder of Naila Ahmad London, a homeware and apparel company that uses colours, designs and prints from her Pakistani culture and heritage. After a difficult period, suffering from fibromyalgia and depression, Naila turned to sewing as a therapeutic activity and discovered a passion and eye for design that led her to found her own apparel and homeware brand. Naila founded her business in 2016 from her home before expanding to a studio in Leyton, where she makes her handprinted scarves, clothing, tote bags, purses, gifts, homewares & accessories. Naila's business has grown rapidly, expanding her reach and sales, including pop-up stalls in John Lewis in the busy Westgate shopping centre. When starting and growing her business, Naila regularly used her local Business & IP Centre in Waltham Forest. Describing how the BIPC has support her, Naila said: ‘My local BIPC has supported my business through expert guidance, markets and free training. As an ambassador I’ve gained exposure, income and opportunities to support others. The free BIPC workshops have boosted my business, especially its online presence./caron.alt NAILA AHMAD London 49 How the Business & IP Centre can help We run many free workshops, events and one-to-ones at the BIPC to help people starting their own businesses. Stay up to date with our latest events by visiting bl.uk/bipc, following us on social media or signing up to our newsletter. Regular topics include: • Protecting your Intellectual Property (IP) • Trademarks, copyright and registered designs • How to do market research • Patents and patent searching • Using the British Library for your business • Business finances and funding
50 Government and Policy Department for Business & Trade (DBT) Supplies guidance to develop and influence policies that boost start-ups and small business growth and advises on exporting and international trade business.gov.uk Food Standards Agency Free online food safety courses available to help you and your business comply with food hygiene and food standards. food.gov.uk Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Information and advice on health and safety in the workplace. 0845 345 0055 hse.gov.uk HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) For information on income tax, capital allowances, National Insurance contributions, expenses, importing, exporting, customs duty, excise duty and VAT. 0845 607 0143 hmrc.gov.uk Information Commissioner’s Office Offers important information on data protection registration requirements with advice for start-ups and small organisations ico.org.uk Intellectual Property Office Responsible for intellectual property (copyright, designs, patents and trademarks) in the UK. gov.uk/government/organisations/ intellectual-property-office National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) Guidance that outlines cost-effective measures that you can take from day one to better protect your business ideas, reputation and future success. npsa.gov.uk/specialised-guidance/secure- innovation/company-guidance Useful contacts (external organisations)
51 Finance The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Accountants who advise small to medium- sized businesses. 0207 059 5000 accaglobal.com British Business Bank An economic development bank owned by the Department for Business and Trade, dedicated to helping UK small businesses prosper. 0203 772 134 british-business-bank.co.uk British Venture Capital Association (BCVA) Represents and serves over 170 UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and offers services to entrepreneurs. 0207 420 1800 bcva.co.uk Funding Circle Loans, credit cards, lines of credit and asset finance for businesses of all sizes. fundingcircle.com/uk/ The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) The largest accountancy body in Europe, with more than 125,000 members working in business and public practice across 142 different countries. 01908 248250 icaew.com IWOCA A lender that offers flexible and accessible finance to small businesses across Europe. iwoca.co.uk Money Helper Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government. moneyhelper.org.uk Responsible Finance Fund people, businesses, and social enterprises who can’t get the finance they need from other lenders. 0207 430 0222 responsiblefinance.org.uk UK Business Angels Association Offers advice on equity funding for small businesses, bringing them together with angel networks, private investors, early stage funds and professional advisers. 0207 628 7222 ukbusinessangelsassociation.org.uk
52 Legal Support The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys The professional and examining body for patent attorneys in the United Kingdom cipa.org.uk The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys The professional membership organisation for trade mark lawyers in the UK and abroad. It offers events, news, case comments, blogs, and a directory of chartered trade mark attorneys. citma.org.uk The Law Society A network of 1,200 solicitor firms providing legal help and advice to small and medium- sized businesses throughout England and Wales. 0207 242 1222 lawsociety.org.uk SEQ Legal Provides free templates for legal documents relating to business operating in the UK. seqlegal.com/free-legal-documents Entrepreneurship British Franchise Association For independent advice on setting up a franchise. 01235 820470 thebfa.org Chambers of Commerce Provides support for international trade, information, training and commercial services, with substantial member discounts. 0207 654 5800 britishchambers.org.uk Chartered Institute of Marketing Offers career support in all aspects of marketing including sales. 01628 427120 cim.co.uk Chartered Management Institute Offers a range of services designed to help and support managers from all sectors. 01536 204222 managers.org.uk Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Advice on consumer protection legislation in relation to the safety and quality of goods and how to comply with it. Your local authority can put you in touch with your local Trading Standards Department. 0845 404 0506 tradingstandards.uk/ The Entrepreneur Refugee Network (TERN) Help refugees become entrepreneurs, and have supported over 750 founders since 2016. wearetern.org
53 Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) The UK’s largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. 0808 202 0888 fsb.org.uk Institute of Directors (IOD) Offers its members (who include directors, partners and sole traders) free, practical business information, expert advice, specialist training, professional development, courses and conferences. 0207 766 8866 iod.com The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs SFEDI Sets the standards for small business learning and support and promotes good practice in enterprise development. 0845 467 3218 ioee.uk/national-enterprise-standards The Kings Trust Enterprise Programme Supports young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 with free expert-led workshops, one-to-one support, and opportunities to apply for funding. kingstrust.org.uk Small Business Britain Championing 5.5 million small businesses in the UK no matter their location, sector or ambition level. smallbusinessbritain.uk Trade Association Forum Industry-specific information and training, covering areas such as production techniques, legal requirements and industry-wide standards. 0207 395 8283 taforum.org Social Enterprise The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Supports individuals and organizations tackling social and environmental problems by offering programs, funding, and mentorship to help them start, scale, and strengthen social enterprises. the-sse.org Social Enterprise UK The national voice for social enterprises, businesses with a social or environmental purpose. It provides news, evidence, policy, events and resources for social enterprises and their partners. socialenterprise.org.uk UnLtd UK-based organisation that supports social entrepreneurs with funding and services to tackle social problems. unltd.org.uk
54 Jennifer McLean & Fiona Wedderburn-Graham Amaze Associates
55 Jennifer and Fiona We run a London-based company offering career, business and leadership coaching. We first encountered our BIPC in Lewisham libraries when we took part in the BIPC’s start-up programme, which helped us build on our knowledge and skills as new business owners and take the right steps to position ourselves for success. The ongoing access to business support and networking opportunities has expanded our coaching business’ reach, allowing us to connect with a diverse client base and share our expertise more effectively.
Business & IP Centre @businessandipcentre Business & IP Centre @businessandipcentre We're here to help We hope this toolkit gives you the essential knowledge and confidence to get your business started. Don't forget we're also here to help. Get in touch with your local Business & IP Centre if you have any questions or need any help with any of the information in this guide. Good luck! bl.uk/bipc Last updated: December 2025