Thinking about starting a business

You'll be joining the ranks of the 400,000 new firms that are set up in the UK every year, making up well over 90% of the UK's total number of businesses, and contributing hugely to the economy.

There are plenty of reasons why people decide to set up new businesses, and before you start planning and preparing the launch of your new enterprise, you need to be clear about your hopes and motivations for becoming an entrepreneur.

• Do you just want to be your own boss?
• Do you have a skill that you want to sell?
• Have you spotted a gap in a market that you think you could fill?
• Do you want more independence?
• Do you want to earn enough money to pay your mortgage, or are you hoping to make some serious money?

Not everyone who wants to set up a business will necessarily have relevant experience already so this course is designed to take you step-by-step through all the processes involved in setting up a business, from developing your idea and deciding whether self-employment is right for you to kicking off your first marketing drive and opening your premises for business.

It's written in jargon-free language, with an emphasis on practical know-how, and it's packed with interactive checklists and task lists so you can measure your progress and plan your next steps.

• Sign up for the course now.
• Please read this important legal information