Starting a business is exciting, but also daunting. There’s so much advice out there, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about what actually matters in those early stages. I’ve pulled together the essentials that I’ve learned along the way, having moved my personal business from Australia to the UK. Please be aware this is NOT legal or business advice, this article is just a compilation of knowledge from my own experience.
1. Sole Trader, Limited Company, or Partnership?
Before anything else, decide your structure.
- Sole Trader – simplest, you keep profits but are personally liable.
- Limited Company – separates your personal and business finances, adds credibility, but requires more admin and compliance.
- Partnership – you and others share profits and responsibilities. Make sure there’s a formal agreement so things don’t sour later.
You don’t have to go big or go home. You can always start out as a sole trader to see if there’s a market for what you’re offering, and then expand into limited once you are more established.
2. Protect Your Ideas (IP and Trademarks)
Your intellectual property (IP) could be your biggest asset. This includes logos, written content, designs, software, and more.
- Register trademarks for your brand name and logo.
- Check no one else is already using a similar one.
- If you’re creating something unique, consider patents or design rights.
3. Get Your House in Order (Articles of Association)
If you’re running a limited company, your Articles of Association are your rulebook. They define how decisions are made, who does what, and how shares work. Even if you use the “model” version from Companies House, make sure it reflects your business intentions.
4. Money Matters (Expenses, Budget & Targets)
Track everything. From software subscriptions to mileage, those little expenses add up and can reduce your tax bill.
Set a budget and clear targets — without them, it’s hard to know if you’re on track.
And don’t forget your personal survival costs: what’s the minimum you need each month to live? This helps you set realistic income goals.
Once you figure out your minimum that you need to earn to survive, work backwards from there with how you will earn that, and preferably more! It was an eye opener to see just how many games we would need to sell to make the amount we wanted to!
5. What Makes You Different? (USPs & Brand Positioning)
Why should people choose you?
Get clear on your Unique Selling Points (USPs) early. Is it price, quality, speed, innovation, or personal touch?
Your brand positioning should flow from this. Are you premium or affordable? Fun or serious? Local or global? Clarify your messaging now — it feeds into your website, socials, and sales conversations.
6. Plan, Plan, Plan (and Then Adapt)
It doesn’t need to be 100 pages long, but you do need:
- Business Plan – vision, goals, finances.
- Production/Project Plan – how you’ll deliver your product or service.
- Marketing Plan + Socials – how you’ll reach your audience.
- Event Plan – are trade shows, conferences, or pop-ups part of your growth strategy?
- Connections & Leads List Plan – build your network intentionally, don’t just collect names.
These don’t have to be perfect from day one. Start small, refine as you go.
7. Partnerships & Support
Who are your partners? Suppliers, collaborators, even mentors can make or break your business. Clarify expectations early and keep communication open.
I spent weeks researching suppliers all over the world. Comparing production costs, international and domestic shipping costs, warehouse storage, print-on-demand. I feel like I now know the pricing structure of all small to medium-scale game board manufacturers across Europe and Asia.
Also ask yourself: when will I need help? This could be hiring an accountant, outsourcing design, or bringing in extra hands when demand grows. Knowing your “turning points” avoids burnout.
8. Keep Records (The Honest Kind)
Don’t just record your sales — log your progress, challenges, and successes. These notes become invaluable for reflection, applying for grants, and proving your resilience when talking to investors.
They are also a nice reflective tool for what worked and what didn’t as well as what worked really well and you need to continue doing.
It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of business and forget the small wins along the way.
9. Stay Aware of Opportunities
Look out for:
- Grants – local councils, Innovate UK, and charities often support small businesses.
- Awards – great for credibility and marketing.
- Events – not just trade shows, but also networking and learning opportunities.
We attended the Norwich Games Festival to field test our first kid’s game and got great feedback, customer engagement, and most importantly, media coverage about our businesses through an interivew with BBC 3 radio.
10. Do Your Market Research
Before you invest too heavily, research:
- Trends – what’s changing in your industry?
- Competitors – what are they doing well? Where are the gaps?
- Market Issues – regulation, supply chain risks, customer behaviours.
The clearer your view of the market, the stronger your decisions.
11. Network, Network, Network
It may feel cliché, but connections really do open doors. Join relevant LinkedIn groups, attend local meetups, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people. The right conversation at the right time can change the course of your business.
I have made some great connections attending expos, LinkedIn events, Meetup events, even Business ownership seminars – all of which have proved useful for feedback and support.
In Conclusion
Starting a UK business isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about building steadily: protecting your ideas, clarifying your vision, staying financially grounded, and surrounding yourself with the right people.
If you take one thing away: get your messaging clear early. From there, every plan, post, and pitch will feel more aligned — and more effective.
So, what’s the next step for you? And who’s already in your corner to help you get there?
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