Starting a Business

Starting and running a successful business can be one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. It can also be one of the most daunting. This page outlines the main areas of help available to people starting a business including a free mentoring service to ensure you get the best start.

If you have a business idea and are not sure where to start, then get in touch with the Council's Business Development Team or call 01993 861485. We are here to help.

No Nonsense Guide to Starting a Business

The No Nonsense Guide to starting a business is designed in six modules so that you can select the ones that are right for you. They are all available to download below:

Module 1 - Overview
A summary of the material in other modules giving you the basic steps you'll need to take in order to set up your own business.

Module 2 - Is starting a business right for you?
Information and activities to help you decide whether running your own business will suit you.

Module 3 - Planning your business
Planning the practical and legal aspects of your business.

Module 4 - Finding and keeping customers
Researching the market, getting your business offer right and successfully selling to customers.

Module 5 - Managing money
The key skills needed to organise your business finances and how to apply for funding.

Module 6 - Your business plan
Collate the information that you wrote in the worksheets into an essential or comprehensive business plan.

The No Nonsense Guide to Starting a Business is produced by Business Link as part of its Starting a Business service. Business Link provides impartial advice and information to help you start, grow and succeed in business. Help and support is also available online, through local workshops and over the telephone.

Visit www.businesslink.gov.uk or call 0845 600 9 006, for further details.

Business Mentoring

Oxfordshire Business Enterprises (OBE) provides a high quality, free mentoring service to all people starting up their own business. OBE will continue to provide ongoing mentoring and a comprehensive range of business services throughout the first two to three years of business development.
OBE: 01295 227082

Finance

Fredericks Oxfordshire is a local loan fund for viable businesses that have been turned down by a bank or a mainstream lender. The business can be at any stage - money to start-up; capital to expand the business; or funds to bridge a gap. For start-up businesses Fredericks Oxfordshire offers up to a maximum of £10,000, though the average loan is less than £5,000. For further information please download the Fredericks Oxfordshire flyer or visit the Fredericks Oxfordshire website.