Be inspired
We've been talking to people who turned their ideas into businesses and grew small firms into big ones. Here's how they did it:
Jennifer Okpapi
Jennifer managed to gain funding for her business and turned her passion for food into the UK’s first cookery school dedicated to African cuisine and now offers a range of day classes, courses as well as the school’s own range of food products. More – Jennifer Okpapi
Jamal Edwards
Jamal Edwards started SB.TV at the age of just 16 with a video camera he got for Christmas. Six years on his YouTube channel has over 150,000 subscribers, and offers broadcasting, production, editorial services, merchandise and live events. More – Jamal Edwards
Carol Powell
Carol Powell realised that beauty and fashion can be created from the most unlikely materials. Friends and family admired her creation and the idea for a business was born. More – Carol Powell
Paul Lindley
Paul had professional experience with children’s brands and was raising his family, but he’d never started a business. Stuck for something fun, healthy and convenient to feed his kids, he knew there was a business to be created that would fill a gap in the market and create a market in that gap. More – Paul Lindley
Tom Marchant and James Merrett
Underpinned by the motivation to create rare travel experiences to excite and amaze, Black Tomato was created by Matt Smith, Tom Marchant and James Merrett in 2005. With £20,000 in savings, and operating initially out of Marchant’s bedroom, sales at Black Tomato have grown by 75% year on year. More – Tom Marchant and James Merrett
Richard Moross
MOO.COM is a fast growing, innovative and award-winning print company based in Shoreditch, London. Originally from the design industry, Richard launched MOO.COM with the idea of creating a new product, at the heart of which would be the principles of great design. More – Richard Moross
Wendy Tan-White
Aiming to democratise web design and ecommerce online for everyone, Moonfruit provides a design-led DIY website and shop builder tools so that small and medium businesses can build their own websites and shops online. More – Wendy Tan-White
Tell us where you're at with your business and we'll send you a tailored selection of links to more great tools and help:
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Find finance
Our Finance Finder is a searchable database of publicly-backed and private sources of finance that can help you to start up and grow your business More - Finance Finder
Find a business mentor
Mentorsme connects you with mentoring organisations to guide the growth of your business. More - Business mentor
Find advice
Expert advice on the legal and practical issues involved in starting and running a growing business, from tax and employment law to marketing and IT More - Business advice
What's new
Tax breaks for small businesses
The Small Business Rate Relief has been doubled for the whole of 2012-13, we’ve simplified the application process and you may be eligible for the Business Rates Deferral scheme.
Download the factsheet on the business rates deferral scheme.
More - Tax breaks for small businesses
Get Mentoring: free online training for business mentors
Free online training has been launched to help get thousands of experienced business people mentoring SMEs. More - Get Mentoring: free online training for business mentors
Prime Minister meets business angels
The Government wants to unlock creativity and entrepreneurial talent in the UK, and encourage more people to invest in new business start ups. More - Prime Minister meets business angels
More sources of help
StartUp Britain is a national campaign by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to inspire, accelerate and celebrate enterprise in the UK. The Startup Britain website contains great offers, local events and links to help you start or grow your business.
Business Link helps you cut through the maze of schemes and rules to help you get the money, advice and information you need to help you start and grow your business.
