{"id":9751,"date":"2021-06-24T07:00:24","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T06:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=9751"},"modified":"2026-01-29T09:41:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T09:41:50","slug":"start-business-no-money-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/start-business-no-money-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s how to start a business if you haven\u2019t the money \u2013 or confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHere\u2019s how to start a business if you haven\u2019t the money \u2013 or confidence\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2021-06-24T07:00:24+01:00\">24 June, 2021<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Here\u2019s how to start a business if you haven\u2019t the money \u2013 or confidence\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/start-business-no-money-confidence\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/keirthomasbryant\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair.jpg 760w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Keir Thomas-Bryant<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are so many stories of entrepreneurs rising from humble backgrounds to achieve incredible success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prince Cofie Owusu started a takeaway business from his mother\u2019s flat in south London. Trap Kitchen operated entirely online at first, offering delivery via Instagram. Owusu now has outlets in Manchester, Birmingham and London \u2013 with eyes on even more expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of us have similar ambitions to earn an independent living in the place where we live. Others want to join the ongoing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/start-ecommerce-business-website\/\">ecommerce revolution<\/a> and sell online, with all the convenience this offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve been dreaming about creating a business, yet feel you lack the resources, confidence, or support then you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what we cover in this article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#knocking-anchor-link\">Knocking Down Barriers: Empowering business builders in the UK\u2019s most deprived communities<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#side-anchor-link\">Side hustles: The zero-cost way to be an entrepreneur<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#getting-anchor-link\">Getting your taxes right<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#how-anchor-link\">How to get the confidence to start a business<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#to-anchor-link\">How to get money for a business<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#living-anchor-link\">Living the dream of running your own business<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"knocking-anchor-link\">Knocking Down Barriers: Empowering business builders in the UK\u2019s most deprived communities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together with The Entrepreneurs Network, Sage spoke to 705 people in deprived areas of London and Newcastle who are open to the idea of starting a small business, along with 497 small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in those areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey found there\u2019s untapped entrepreneurial potential in deprived communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, more than four-in-ten respondents (43%) could, unprompted, name an idea for a business or side hustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a key first step on the road towards working for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just under half the survey respondents earned less than \u00a315,000 a year and only 25% were homeowners\u2014far below the national average of 66%. One fifth had relied on benefits, 29% had been unemployed for more than six months, and a fifth had been furloughed during the coronavirus disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey asked about their attitudes, ambitions, and fears relating to starting a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some sample quotes of what people saw themselves doing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Crafts:<\/strong> \u201cMaking bespoke knitted items\u201d or \u201chandmade jewellery\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creative:<\/strong> \u201cWriting short stories for publications\u201d or \u201ccustom drawings for clothes lines\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fashion and beauty:<\/strong> \u201cHair styling, selling wigs and oils\u201d or \u201copening an eyelash salon\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can probably add you own ideas here, based on your own hobbies, interests, skills or experiences. Or perhaps you simply want to try your hand at something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, the question becomes: what\u2019s stopping people from giving it a try?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"side-anchor-link\">Side hustles: The zero-cost way to be an entrepreneur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey respondents were pragmatic in their outlook, saying that they believed it would take on average \u00a312,000 to get started in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But do you even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/start-a-business-no-money\/\"><em>need<\/em> money to start a business<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In reality, and as so many entrepreneurs have shown, starting a business requires something most of us either have already, or can create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t have to go all in with this kind of investment. Lots of people have side hustles nowadays. People carve out time in evenings and weekends, around work and family commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what side hustler Sara Quayle says. She uses her experience as a full-time health and safety adviser to sell online first aid courses for families and childminders through <a href=\"https:\/\/saraquaylesafety.co.uk\/\">Sara Quayle Safety &amp; First Aid Training<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/started-side-hustles-what-we-learned\/\">side hustle<\/a> gives you a safety net, which is important, especially in this environment. Also, the extra money allows me to reinvest and come up with new courses and a better product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I enjoy it. I enjoy being able to make money and have a little bit extra there to spend on, for example, the children or a nice pair of shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The beauty of a side hustle is that you can walk away if you want to or put the idea on hold if life takes you in other directions. Or you can treat it as a way to test your idea, before building it out to a full-time, ongoing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re selling what you make on sites such as eBay or Etsy then there\u2019s zero financial outlay required until the sale has completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re selling a service, such as dog walking or cleaning, then social media sites like Facebook can help you reach potential local customers, again with zero outlay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Read <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/set-up-side-hustle-full-time\/\"><strong>How to set up a side hustle\u2026 and take it full time<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"getting-anchor-link\">Getting your taxes right<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our survey also revealed that just over a quarter of potential independent earners lacked confidence when it came to paying and filing taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what some of the potential independent earners said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cI am unsure and afraid of the administrative side of the business especially the taxes I have to pay.\u201d \u2013 Chantal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cThe administrative side of starting a business is a barrier as I need to research taxes and other admin duties I would need to stay on top of. Never doing this before leaves a lot of uncertainty. I think this would be difficult for me at first.\u201d \u2013 Matt<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet some of the SMEs the survey spoke were more optimistic, having been through it already:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cThe administration element was challenging however there are so many resources available&#8230; I will seek assistance for taxation though as I\u2019m aware of the ramifications of going wrong in this area.\u201d \u2013 Jamie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taxes and accounting are something to be aware of but not something that should stop you following your dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The basic facts are that a spreadsheet can record what you earn in the very early days, and should log what you spend too (if anything). Keep any receipts for items you buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need to pay tax and National Insurance contributions on anything you earn; it doesn\u2019t matter if you earn money as a side hustle, or as a full-time affair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve already got a full-time job and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/starting-side-hustle-faqs-answered\/\">run a side hustle<\/a> alongside it then what you earn still has to be declared to HMRC, and you\u2019ll still potentially have to pay tax and National Insurance on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good rule of thumb is to set aside 30% of what you earn each year in a savings account or similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What you end up owing will probably be less than this. But it\u2019s definitely better to have too much saved and available at tax time, compared with not having enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is one exception, which is that if you earn less than \u00a31,000 in a year from your business then it\u2019s effectively tax-free. You <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/tax-free-allowances-on-property-and-trading-income\">haven\u2019t even got to let HMRC know<\/a>. This is called the trading allowance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to registering for tax, even that costs nothing. You\u2019ll be classed as a sole trader and you can register for zero cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your turnover goes above \u00a385,000 then you\u2019ll also need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/register-for-vat-online\/\">register for VAT<\/a>, and again that\u2019s free\u2014although when your turnover gets to that level then it\u2019s probably time to get the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-choose-an-accountant-for-your-business\/\">expert help of an accountant<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-anchor-link\">How to get the confidence to start a business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sadly, a lack of confidence was a recurring theme in the Knocking Down Barriers survey. Almost two-thirds (62%) of those the survey spoke to were doubtful they could start a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The irony here is that many knew people who might be able to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Friends, perhaps, or family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But here, again, the survey found a crippling lack of confidence: 58% knew someone who they could turn to for advice, but fewer than half had actually reached out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, as with so many things in life, confidence comes after you make that first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Sage Ambassador <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-start-business-design-autumn-rabbitts\/\">Autumn Rabbitts<\/a>, Owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/plumbandrabbitts.co.uk\/\">Plumb and Rabbitts Cake Studio<\/a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;that\u2019s about having belief in your own unique abilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"video-container-wrap -mode-full\"><div class=\"video-container\"><video\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sage-video video-js vjs-default-skin \"\n\t\t\t\twidth=\"640\"\n\t\t\t\theight=\"360\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-setup='{ \"controls\": true, \"aspectRatio\" : \"16:9\", \"poster\": \"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/LiG5OwwZ_oM\/maxresdefault.jpg\", \"techOrder\": [\"youtube\"], \"enablejsapi\": 1, \"origin\": \"https:\/\/www.sage.com\", \"sources\": [{ \"type\": \"video\/youtube\", \"src\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LiG5OwwZ_oM\"}], \"youtube\": { \"ytControls\": 0, \"cc_load_policy\": 3, \"modestbranding\": 1, \"hl\": \"en_GB\", \"playsinline\": 1 } }'\n\t\t\t\tcrossorigin=\"\"><\/video><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-start-baking-business-ryan-panchoo\/\">Ryan Panchoo<\/a>, founder and CEO of doughnut business <a href=\"https:\/\/borough22.com\/\">Borough 22<\/a>, having a motivational goal in mind is the secret to long-term confidence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"video-container-wrap -mode-full\"><div class=\"video-container\"><video\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sage-video video-js vjs-default-skin \"\n\t\t\t\twidth=\"640\"\n\t\t\t\theight=\"360\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-setup='{ \"controls\": true, \"aspectRatio\" : \"16:9\", \"poster\": \"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/PVkPMLrviDk\/hqdefault.jpg\", \"techOrder\": [\"youtube\"], \"enablejsapi\": 1, \"origin\": \"https:\/\/www.sage.com\", \"sources\": [{ \"type\": \"video\/youtube\", \"src\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PVkPMLrviDk\"}], \"youtube\": { \"ytControls\": 0, \"cc_load_policy\": 3, \"modestbranding\": 1, \"hl\": \"en_GB\", \"playsinline\": 1 } }'\n\t\t\t\tcrossorigin=\"\"><\/video><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ben runs a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/size\/small-business\/\">small business<\/a>. Here\u2019s what he told the survey: \u201cFinding the courage to start a business was one of the hardest aspects, I would say\u2026 So get a mentor or as much free friendly advice as you can to help you with the plunge and initial phases.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are three steps that empower you to turn a business idea into reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Talk about it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Ben says, the very first step is to externalise your idea, and seek input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bend the ear of anybody who will listen. Tell the shopkeeper, the bar staff, or even the bus driver. What have you got to lose?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aim to develop your thoughts. Remain open and aim to refine your idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not everybody will respond positively but try to listen and treat it as a learning exercise, even if that\u2019s difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Write it down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No, we\u2019re not talking about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/\">creating a business plan<\/a>. Not yet, anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just get something written down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get down some notes on your mobile whenever you can. Create a mission statement. Then describe in a sentence where you\u2019d like to be in 12 months\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">List prices for your products, and how much of that will be profit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Try to list costs, like materials you may have to buy. Don\u2019t get too bogged down in one particular area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep the notes broad, but do include necessary specifics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Get professional help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a general rule, governments are always keen to help people establish businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/business-support-helpline\">Business Support Helpline<\/a> provides free advice, via phone, webchat or email in England, with equivalents in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regional growth hubs in England also offer advice and toolkits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or you might also speak to an accountant, with a view to getting their services. Often, they\u2019re happy to share free advice, built up from experience with hundreds of clients running businesses just like yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Read <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/directory-resources-small-business\/\"><strong>Directory of resources for small business owners<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"to-anchor-link\">How to get money for a business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, let\u2019s say you\u2019ve proved your side hustle is feasible. People want what you offer, and you want to continue doing it. Perhaps you\u2019re just starting but believe your idea is strong and you\u2019re ready to go full time from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next step is to turn your idea into something more serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2472\" height=\"1673\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Cost-of-starting-a-business.png\" alt=\"Cost of starting a business\" class=\"wp-image-9767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Cost-of-starting-a-business.png 2472w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Cost-of-starting-a-business-768x520.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Cost-of-starting-a-business-1197x810.png 1197w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Cost-of-starting-a-business-1536x1040.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Cost-of-starting-a-business-2048x1386.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2472px) 100vw, 2472px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Knocking Down Barriers survey respondents believed they\u2019d need around \u00a312,000 to start a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, this is on the higher side of what\u2019s probably needed initially. The SMEs in the survey thought it closer to \u00a35,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecompanywarehouse.co.uk\/downloads\/2016-uk-startup-funding-report.pdf\">Separate research into startup costs<\/a> from a few years ago showed that even this might be an overestimate. Depending on industry, many businesses are typically founded on \u00a31,000 initial capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Read <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-much-money-start-a-business\/\"><strong>How much money do you need to start a business?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The blocker is that only 14% of our survey respondents said they already had \u00a312,000 available. Around a third (61%) believed they would need to take out a loan to get it. And 62% also responded that they were not sure it was even worth it financially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People reported lacking confidence around accessing finance (27% of respondents).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once again, much of this boils down to an issue with confidence. In the survey, 49% said they thought they would be rejected if they applied for a loan to start a business, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The majority (60%) believed they would need to access external financing, but only a third (34%) felt comfortable taking out a loan. A quarter felt entirely uncomfortable doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But here\u2019s the thing: loans aren\u2019t the only way to get money for a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/moving-from-benefits-to-work\/starting-your-own-business\">New Enterprise Allowance<\/a> provides those on benefits (such as Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance or Universal Credit) to get a weekly allowance of up to \u00a31,274 in total across 26 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And other kinds of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/government-grants-for-small-businesses\/\">grants<\/a> are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These often are built around individual circumstances, such as living in a certain area, or coming from a certain background. But potentially receiving free money is surely worth the time investment of searching a few sites and filling in application forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Try the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.j4bgrants.co.uk\/\">J4bgrants<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grantfinder.co.uk\/\">GrantFinder<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grantsonline.org.uk\/\">Grants Online <\/a>websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What about crowdfunding?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where lots of people contribute a small amount. Often crowdfunding works by a business offering products for pre-order while they\u2019re still in development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it\u2019s a mistake to think crowdfunding relates only to selling products. Often crowdfunding sites are about investing in businesses. Sometimes the sites allow people to give money as a form of charity donation to what they consider worthy causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As just one example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdfunder.co.uk\/\">Crowdfunder.co.uk<\/a> lets you raise funds for community projects, causes and campaigns, or more. Social media you already use every day can then be used to promote your crowdfunding campaign, especially within your local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/crowdfunding-tips\/\">Crowdfunding tips: Alternative finance to support your business<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"living-anchor-link\">Living the dream of running your own business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Knocking Down Barriers survey respondents listed better quality of life (64%), a higher income (62%), and better career satisfaction (61%) as the top benefits of starting a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5408\" height=\"2609\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Benefits-of-entrepreneurship.png\" alt=\"Benefits of entrepreneurship\" class=\"wp-image-9768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Benefits-of-entrepreneurship.png 5408w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Benefits-of-entrepreneurship-768x371.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Benefits-of-entrepreneurship-1440x695.png 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Benefits-of-entrepreneurship-1536x741.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/06\/Benefits-of-entrepreneurship-2048x988.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5408px) 100vw, 5408px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s not just about money. Having more control over their lives and the having ability to do something they love were seen to be as important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To this end, Sage has announced a three-year, multimillion-pound UK partnership with MyKindaFuture to provide training and mentorship to disadvantaged and underrepresented young people via Jobcentre Plus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the survey, 73% of the established SME owners surveyed say they had access to a mentor and more than half have sought their advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you can tap into your ideas and ambitions for business then everybody wins. Your business will undoubtedly employ people locally as it expands, helping others in a similar situation to your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find out more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get in touch with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mykindafuture.com\/contact\/\">MyKindaFuture<\/a> to find out more about taking your next entrepreneurial steps with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Discover more about the research, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tenentrepreneurs.org\/knocking-down-barriers\">Knocking Down Barriers: empowering business builders in the UK\u2019s most deprived communities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/start-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to start a business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/tax\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTax\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-30495 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-cafe tag-retail tag-tax tag-vat business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-entertainment industry-food-beverage industry-travel-hospitality card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"759\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1355237717.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1355237717-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1355237717-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1355237717.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-23T11:01:18+01:00\">23 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/great-british-summer-savings-vat-reduction-need-to-know\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSummer VAT cut 2026: What family-facing businesses need to know\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tThe UK government&#8217;s Great British Summer Savings runs until 1 September 2026. Here&#8217;s how your business can take advantage of it. \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-1543 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-free-guides-templates category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-continuity tag-create-business-plan tag-grow-business tag-start-business business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M11.988 2.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v10.689l-1.72-1.72a.75.75 0 0 0-.957-.099.75.75 0 0 0-.315.776c.031.146.104.28.211.384l3 3a.75.75 0 0 0 1.06 0l3-3a.76.76 0 0 0 .231-.533.74.74 0 0 0-.22-.538q-.108-.106-.247-.164c-.139-.058-.191-.057-.291-.056s-.198.022-.29.061-.174.097-.243.169l-1.72 1.72V3.75a.76.76 0 0 0-.22-.541.76.76 0 0 0-.542-.22zM5.75 8.5C4.24 8.5 3 9.74 3 11.25v7C3 19.76 4.24 21 5.75 21h12.5c1.51 0 2.75-1.24 2.75-2.75v-7c0-1.51-1.24-2.75-2.75-2.75h-3a.76.76 0 0 0-.537.216.74.74 0 0 0-.223.535.76.76 0 0 0 .223.535.74.74 0 0 0 .537.216h3c.699 0 1.25.551 1.25 1.25v7a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25 1.25H5.75a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25-1.25v-7c0-.699.551-1.25 1.25-1.25h3a.76.76 0 0 0 .537-.216.74.74 0 0 0 .223-.535.76.76 0 0 0-.223-.535.75.75 0 0 0-.537-.216z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T11:19:49+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tFree template: How to write a business plan\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-4239 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations tag-create-business-plan tag-start-business business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/starting-and-planning\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-612742822_super-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-612742822_super-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-612742822_super-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-612742822_super-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T10:02:11+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to start a business\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-18419 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-grow-business tag-start-business tag-sound-advice-podcast tag-startup-stories post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business industry-ecommerce\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-sdvice-started-business-with-spice-girl-christopher-money\/?scroll=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/05\/Blog_S3_Ep8-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Christopher Money and Emma Bunton\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/05\/Blog_S3_Ep8-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/05\/Blog_S3_Ep8-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/05\/Blog_S3_Ep8-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 .147-.102.25-.25.25h-5.5a.24.24 0 0 1-.25-.25zm3 1a.997.997 0 0 0-1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1-1 .997.997 0 0 0-1-1\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-21T15:30:08+01:00\">21 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">32 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tI started a business with a Spice Girl\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-9993 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-finances tag-cash-flow tag-start-business tag-sound-advice-podcast post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-how-to-fund-your-startup-sam-jones\/?scroll=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Sam Jones\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/Blog_Header_Image_19-810x810.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 .147-.102.25-.25.25h-5.5a.24.24 0 0 1-.25-.25zm3 1a.997.997 0 0 0-1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1-1 .997.997 0 0 0-1-1\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-21T15:03:16+01:00\">21 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">37 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to fund\u00a0a\u00a0start-up: Top tips from\u00a0Dragons\u2019\u00a0Den\u2019s \u2018best ever pitcher\u2019\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to start a business but lacking in confidence or unsure about how much money you need? Read on for support and advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":280,"featured_media":8440,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,9],"tags":[12,27],"business_type":[4],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[73,75],"imagine_tag":[109],"coauthors":[369],"class_list":["post-9751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","category-strategy-legal-operations","tag-start-business","tag-tax","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Keir Thomas-Bryant","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/11\/Bright-Path-Consulting_FY20_SBC-Accounting-Payroll_82.jpg","imagine_tags":{"109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/280"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/8440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=9751"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=9751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}