<p>Setting up a business can feel like an overwhelming task, especially when you&#39;re standing at the edge of the unknown. But what if I told you that taking the first steps doesn&#39;t have to be complicated? With the right mindset, tools, and plan, you can turn your passion into a thriving business. Let me tell you about, a mum of two from Brighton who I met not long ago, she started her own handmade jewellery business from her kitchen table. Like many aspiring entrepreneurs, she didn’t have a background in business or marketing. She only had an idea, a small budget, and the determination to make it work!</p><p>In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps to start your dream business from scratch, sharing tips, tools, and practical advice tailored for first-time entrepreneurs.</p><h3>Step 1: Define Your Business Idea</h3><p>The first step is to get crystal clear on what your business will be about. Ask yourself:</p><ul><li><p>What am I most passionate about?</p></li><li><p>What skills or expertise do I already have?</p></li><li><p>Who would benefit from my product or service?</p></li></ul><p>For the jewellery maker in Brighton, she loved crafting unique, handmade jewellery. She realised there was a gap in the market for affordable, high-quality pieces made from sustainable materials. Your business idea doesn’t have to be revolutionary; it just needs to solve a problem or meet a need. Remember, every successful business started as a simple idea. And in my opinion, its the simple ideas that are more likely to be successful as there are fewer moving parts. </p><h3>Step 2: Research Your Target Audience</h3><p>Understanding your target audience is crucial. Who are they? What do they want? What problems are they facing that your business can solve? The jewellery maker discovered her audience was primarily women aged 25-40 who were environmentally conscious and loved unique, handmade products. She learned this by researching forums, social media groups, and even chatting with friends. You can use tools like <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/">Google Trends</a> and <a href="https://answerthepublic.com/">Answer the Public</a> to explore what people in your niche are actually searching for. This will help you tailor your product or service to meet their needs.</p><h3>Step 3: Create a Business Plan</h3><p>Writing a business plan may sound intimidating (and perhaps a little boring!) but it’s an essential road map to guide your journey. You don’t need a 30-page document; a simple plan and marketing strategy will suffice. It should include;</p><ul><li><p>An outline of your product or service </p></li><li><p>A summary of the target market</p></li><li><p>A list of materials and suppliers</p></li><li><p>A pricing structure that covers costs and leaves room for profit.</p></li><li><p>A basic marketing strategy.</p></li></ul><h3>Step 4: Set Up Your Business Legally</h3><p>In the UK, you’ll need to register your business with HMRC and decide whether you’ll operate as a sole trader or a limited company. Each option has its pros and cons, so choose what works best for your situation. Starting as a sole trader might be the easiest and most cost-effective option. You can register fully online, set up a business bank account, and research your tax obligations. Don’t forget to check if you need any specific licenses or insurance. </p><h3>Step 5: Build Your Online Presence</h3><p>In today’s world, having an online presence is non-negotiable. You will require a simple website, and social media profiles that align with your brand. Check out this article on <a href="https://www.lovemarketing.org/blog/social-media-platforms">which social media platforms to use.</a> </p><p>Wix is one of the most simplest website builders currently out there and you can use <a href="https://www.canva.com/free/">Canva&#39;s free plan</a> to design a logo and social media posts.</p><p>With a website, it is important to invest time in learning basic SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) to help your website rank higher on Google. To get you started, visit this article on<a href="https://www.lovemarketing.org/blog/how-to-get-your-business-found-on-google"> getting your website found on Google</a>. Don&#39;t worry, you don’t need to be an tech expert, you just have to focus on using relevant keywords and writing clear, helpful content. </p><h3>Step 6: Start Small</h3><p>When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to try every marketing strategy under the sun and sign up to every social media platform there is. Instead, focus on a few tactics that will work best for your target audience. Begin by:</p><ol><li><p>Reaching out to friends and family for support and word-of-mouth referrals.</p></li><li><p>Attending networking events or fairs to showcase your products in person.</p></li><li><p>Running simple social media campaigns with clear calls to action.</p></li></ol><p>Don’t underestimate the power of storytelling. Share your journey with your audience to create an emotional connection. Check out this<a href="https://www.lovemarketing.org/blog/brand-story"> brand storytelling to engage customers article.</a></p><h3>Step 7: Learn and Adapt</h3><p>Every business journey is a learning experience. You’ll make mistakes, and that’s okay! What matters is that you adapt and improve. You may find that your customers are particularly drawn to stories about the materials you use. In which case you can begin incorporating this into your marketing to boost engagement. You can use tools like Google Analytics and social media insights to track your progress. This data will help you understand what’s working and what isn’t. </p><h3>Final Thoughts</h3><p>Starting your dream business from scratch is a journey, not a sprint. Remember, every successful entrepreneur started where you are now, with an idea and the courage to pursue it. Like the jewellery maker, you can overcome the challenges and create a business that not only reflects your passion but also serves your customers in a meaningful way. So, take that first step. Define your idea, research your audience, and begin building your dream. With patience, perseverance, and a little creativity, success is within your reach.</p><p>Good luck, and remember, the best time to start is now!</p><p></p><p></p>

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Setting up a business is a marathon, not a sprint. Here is a step by step guide for you as an aspiring entrepreneur to get your small business up and running.

Starting A Business

How To Start Your Dream Business From Scratch

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<p>We all have great business ideas from time to time, particularly in the shower! And you often cannot wait to dart out and share it with a friend or family member, praying for them to respond with &#39;that idea is genius!&#39; But the truth is, every idea is a great idea! There is no such thing as a bad idea. BUT in business, the idea only ever supersedes &#39;great&#39; if there are customers out there who will actually want your product. </p><p>We’ve all experienced those light bulb moments, when a seemingly genius business idea pops into our heads, often in the most unexpected places, like the shower. Fueled by excitement, we rush to share it with friends or family, hoping for their enthusiastic approval. But here’s the reality, not every idea, no matter how clever, will succeed in the market. Why? Because it all depends on whether there are customers who genuinely need and want your product.</p><p>That’s where the <b>Value Proposition Canvas</b> comes in. This simple yet powerful framework helps you evaluate if your idea meets a real demand and delivers value to your customers. Whether you’re launching a new venture or refining an existing one, the canvas ensures your product aligns with the needs of your target audience, setting the stage for achieving a <b>product-market fit</b>.</p><h3>What is the Value Proposition Canvas?</h3><p>The Value Proposition Canvas is a strategic tool that I discovered at University. It visually maps the relationship between your product and your customers. On one side, it outlines your product’s features and benefits; on the other, it captures the jobs, pains, and gains of your target audience. By aligning these elements, you can determine whether your offering genuinely solves customer problems and fulfills their desires.</p><p>This framework is invaluable for startups testing a new idea, established businesses looking to innovate, or anyone seeking clarity about their market fit. But before diving into the canvas, ensure you’ve identified your <b>target customer</b> and researched their needs. Without this foundation, the canvas won’t be as effective.</p><h4>How To Use The Value Proposition Canvas</h4><p>You place your business on the left with your solution at the centre and your ideal customer is on the right. At this point, you must know who your customer is. If you have not yet made any decisions about who your target customer is and what their problem is, go back and carry out this research first. </p><h4><b>1. Identify Customer Jobs</b></h4><p>Customer jobs are the tasks, needs, or problems your customers aim to address. These can be:</p><ul><li><p><b>Functional</b></p><p> (e.g., buying a product or achieving a specific goal)</p></li><li><p><b>Social</b></p><p> (e.g., gaining status or connecting with others)</p></li><li><p><b>Emotional</b></p><p> (e.g., feeling happy or avoiding frustration)</p></li></ul><p><b>Example 3: Meal Delivery Service</b></p><ul><li><p>Functional job: Provide convenient, ready-to-eat meals.</p></li><li><p>Social job: Impress friends with a dinner party or a well-planned diet.</p></li><li><p>Emotional job: Avoid stress and feel reassured about healthy eating.</p></li></ul><h4>Products and Services</h4><p>This is the space to write about your product or service, even if it is just an idea, explain exactly what it is, its functionality and the problem it addresses. For example, a jewellery shop that sells affordable handmade pieces online, made from white gold and silver.</p><p>Now, reflect back on your customers jobs, does your product or service description help your customers achieve at least one of their tasks? If not, can it be adjusted?</p><h4>Customer pains</h4><p>Now you need to explore the potential barriers your customer faces when carrying out their jobs. What risks are there and what fears do they have? Using the example of jewellery, perhaps there is a fear of purchasing an expensive item online, or a fear it won&#39;t be delivered safely. Or maybe your customer is not well versed in jewellery and so is skeptical about product quality. This leads us on to pain relievers. </p><h4>Pain Relievers</h4><p>Reflect on the customer pains and describe how your product or service would alleviate their pains. For example, do you provide detailed product descriptions and customer reviews? This could ease any anxieties or fears about purchasing an expensive item online. Do you enable order tracking? This could remove fears around delivery. If you do not feel your product or service alleviates the customers pains, what changes could you make? </p><h4>Customer gains</h4><p>Now consider what your customer would expect to gain from your product or service. Perhaps they expect access to an online sales adviser to answer their queries. And maybe a guaranteed delivery time due to the value of the item. Gains can help persuade the customer to buy. </p><h4>Gain creators</h4><p>These are the features and benefits of your product or service that creates the customer gains and brings value. For example, is it good value for money? Do you offer next day delivery? Perhaps a 360 degree view of the ring online? Most importantly however, do your gain creators match up to the customers expected gains? Perhaps you need to shift your focus.</p><p>Remember this is just an example, you must conduct research into your customer in order to fill the framework with accurate information that will help you to achieve a product-market fit! </p><p>
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The Value Proposition Canvas. A valuable tool to assess the demand for your product

Value Proposition Canvas

A simple tool you can use to discover whether or not you have a product-market fit.

The Value Proposition Canvas

The Best Tool For Creating A Product Customers Actually Want

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<p>I used to be the queen of procrastination. My to-do list has always been an endless scroll of tasks that I’d either put off, half-complete, or forget about altogether. I’d tell myself, <i>“I’ll do it tomorrow,”</i> until tomorrow became next week. Running a business with so many moving parts can feel overwhelming. And if you’re anything like I was, you might be nodding along right now.</p><p>I remember first learning about SMART goals when I was at university, they didn’t seem particularly transformative to me at the time, instead just a framework to organise you a bit more. Until the day I decided to take my business seriously. It changed everything. No more vague ideas floating around in my head or tasks slipping through the cracks. SMART goals gave my business the structure and the focus it desperately needed to thrive. Let me share how they can do the same for you.</p><h2><b>What Are SMART Goals?</b></h2><p>SMART is an acronym that stands for <b>Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound</b>. These five elements transform your goals from vague wishes into actionable plans. Here’s what each part means:</p><h3><b>Specific</b></h3><p>Clearly define what you want to achieve. Instead of saying, ‘I want more sales,’ work out the exact number of sales you want to achieve and how you plan to do it. Through social media? Your website?</p><h3><b>Measurable</b></h3><p>Include a way to track your progress. Use a number or a milestone you can work towards.</p><h3><b>Achievable</b> </h3><p>Be realistic and set a goal you can achieve. Setting goals that are too ambitious will leave you feeling discouraged, so consider your resources.</p><h3><b>Relevant</b></h3><p>Make sure your goal aligns with your business vision and priorities so you know you’re moving in the right direction. </p><h3><b>Time-bound</b></h3><p>Set a deadline. This is possibly the most important, a goal without a  timeline is far less likely to be achieved, so give yourself a set amount of time to reach this goal. </p><p>Here’s what your SMART Goal could look like; </p><p>‘I want to increase online sales by 20% over the next three months by launching a targeted Instagram ad campaign.’</p><ul><li><p><b>Specific</b>: Increase online sales.</p></li><li><p><b>Measurable</b>: By 20%.</p></li><li><p><b>Achievable</b>: If sales have been growing steadily previously, this goal is realistic.</p></li><li><p><b>Relevant</b>: It aligns with your business growth strategy.</p></li><li><p><b>Time-bound</b>: Within three months.</p></li></ul><h2><b>How Can SMART Goals Help Your Business Grow?</b></h2><p>Once I started using SMART goals, everything changed. My scattered ideas became actionable plans, and I started seeing results. Here’s how these goals can benefit your business too:</p><h3><b>1. Clarity and Focus</b></h3><p>Without clear goals, it’s too easy to get distracted or overwhelmed. SMART goals give you a clear direction, helping you prioritise tasks that will have the biggest impact on your business.</p><h3><b>2. Accountability</b></h3><p>When you set measurable goals, you hold yourself accountable. Whether it’s tracking sales, social media growth, or project deadlines, you’ll know exactly where you stand. </p><h3><b>3. Motivation</b></h3><p>Nothing beats the satisfaction of ticking off a goal you’ve achieved. Small wins build momentum and keep you motivated to tackle bigger challenges.</p><h3><b>4. Better Time Management</b></h3><p>As a procrastinator, deadlines were a game-changer for me. Knowing I had a set timeline forced me to plan my time better and avoid last-minute stress.</p><h3><b>5. Improved Decision-Making</b></h3><p>When you know what you’re working towards, decision-making becomes easier. You can say no to distractions and focus on what really matters.
</p><h3><b>Tips for Setting Your Own SMART Goals</b></h3><ol><li><p><b>Start Small</b>: If you’re new to goal setting, begin with one or two SMART goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.</p></li><li><p><b>Write Them Down</b>: Physically writing your goals (or typing them in a notes app) makes them feel real and gives you something to refer back to.</p></li><li><p><b>Review Regularly</b>: Check in on your progress weekly or monthly. Adjust your strategies if needed but stick to your timeline.</p></li><li><p><b>Celebrate Wins</b>: Reward yourself when you achieve a goal, no matter how small. It keeps you motivated and reinforces positive habits.</p></li></ol><p></p><h3><b>Why Every Entrepreneur Needs SMART Goals</b></h3><p>In business, we often juggle a hundred things at once, clients, family, and everything in between. SMART goals are like your personal assistant, guiding you through the chaos and keeping you on track.</p><p>So, if you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, give SMART goals a try. Start small, make them meaningful, and watch as they transform your business. Trust me, if I could go from a serial procrastinator to a goal-smashing entrepreneur, so can you!</p><p>What’s your first SMART goal going to be? </p><p>
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No more vague ideas floating around in my head or tasks slipping through the cracks. SMART goals give your business the structure it desperately needs to thrive. Here's how they can do the same for you.

SMART Goals

What Are SMART Goals and How Can They Help Your Business Grow?

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<p>When starting an online business, many entrepreneurs focus on product development, marketing, and revenue generation but often overlook one essential tool: a business planner.</p><h2><b>1. What is a business planner?</b></h2><p>A business planner is not just for jotting down ideas, it is in fact a vital strategic tool or document designed to help entrepreneurs organise and manage all their business activities. It includes many sections that covers the follolwing; setting your business goals, planning daily tasks, tracking finances, and forming your marketing strategy. For online businesses, a planner enables you to outline your content strategy, track your sales, and monitor overall progress.</p><p>It can either be in digital or physical format, tailored to your specific business needs. There are many digital planners available online that can be downloaded and printed. </p><h2><b>2. How do I use a business planner?</b></h2><p>Business planners vary in terms of what they include and the order in which you are prompted to input information. However here is how you will typically use your planner.</p><h3><b>Explain the problem</b></h3><p>Usually you will start with exploring the problem your business is looking to solve and fully explaining the solution your business provides. Outlining this ensure it makes sense. When its just in your head, its easy to miss important details.</p><h3><b>Set your goals</b></h3><p>You will then be prompted to set your business goals. Ideally you will present these as SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound) This will increase your chances of actually meeting your goals. Be sure to include short-term and long-term goals here. Whether it’s launching a new product, growing your email list, or improving customer retention, you can break down these larger goals into actionable steps.</p><h3><b>Decide on branding</b></h3><p>A good business planner will enable you to input details on colour palette, fonts and your logo. This is your visual branding. You will want to check the colours you choose with accessibility guidelines. Certain shades will not work well together and can be difficult to see for those with disabilities. So be sure to check this.</p><h3><b>Analyse your customer</b></h3><p>This is an essential stage in the business planner. A customer analysis will enable you to take all your customer research and present it in an easy to read diagram or table. A customer analysis should consider areas such as; demographics, geographics and perhaps psychographics. Without this valuable information, your will have no idea as to how to appeal to your audience and meet their needs. This information will also provide direction for all your content. </p><p>Some planners will enable you to produce a customer persona profile. This will help you to visualise your ideal customer and input every detail about them. You will then be able to understand their pain points, and how to market your product to them.</p><h3><b>Develop a marketing strategy.</b></h3><p>Successful marketing requires consistent planning and execution. With a business planner, you can outline your social media content, email campaigns, and advertising strategies. Whether you post on Instagram, Pinterest, or run Facebook ads, a planner helps you create a content calendar, plan launches, and keep track of campaign performance.</p><p>It also gives you a bird’s eye view of upcoming promotions, product launches, and sales events, ensuring that all your marketing efforts are cohesive and well-timed.</p><h3><b>Track your finances</b></h3><p>Managing cash flow and expenses is vital to any business, and an online business is no different. Many business planners come with sections dedicated to financial planning, helping you track income, expenses, and profits. This visibility into your finances helps avoid surprises, such as unexpected costs or slow months.</p><p>A planner can also assist with financial forecasting and budgeting, giving you a better understanding of how to allocate funds and when to invest in growth.</p><h3><b>Identify opportunities</b></h3><p>One of the major benefits of using a business planner is its flexibility. While it offers structure, it also allows room for adjustments. Businesses grow and change, and so do their needs. As new opportunities arise or challenges emerge, your planner enables you to adapt your strategy.</p><p>Whether you&#39;re shifting focus due to a change in market trends or reevaluating a product line, a business planner offers the ability to reassess and realign your priorities without losing sight of your bigger picture goals.</p><h2><b>3. Where can I get a business planner?</b></h2><p>You can find business planners in a variety of places, both online and in stores. Here are some popular options:</p><ol><li><p><a href="http://amazon.com"><b>Amazon</b></a> – They offer a wide range of both physical and digital business planners tailored to different needs.</p></li><li><p><b>Stationery Stores</b> – Brands like <a href="https://www.staples.com/">Staples</a>, or local bookstores often carry business planners.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.canva.com/"><b>Canva</b></a> – For fully customisable and editable digital planner templates.</p></li><li><p><b>Love Marketing</b> - Yes we do an online business planner! It is filled with prompts and suggestions to keep you on track and get you thinking! It is fully customisable on canva, you can <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1784857668/guided-digital-business-planner-workbook">purchase it on Etsy</a></p></li></ol><h2><b>Conclusion</b></h2><p>Starting a business is exciting but can be overwhelming without proper planning. A business planner acts as your roadmap, guiding you from ideation to execution, all while keeping you focused on your goals. From organising daily tasks to tracking finances and developing marketing strategies, a planner is an indispensable tool for online entrepreneurs. By investing time in creating a well-thought-out business plan, you set your business up for long-term success. Having a well-thought-out plan for each day, week, and month enables you to prioritise activities that drive your business forward. </p><p>
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When starting an online business, many entrepreneurs focus on product development, marketing, and revenue generation but often overlook one essential tool: a business planner.

Blog

How To Start Your Dream Business From Scratch

The Best Tool For Creating A Product Customers Actually Want

What Are SMART Goals and How Can They Help Your Business Grow?

A Guide to Using a Business Planner for Your Online Business