START

There is an enormous amount of information available about the nuts and bolts of starting a business and every good bookshop will have a selection of practical guides. 

For help and advice in Wales, a number of sources are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. There will be a local enterprise agency near you - Business Eye will advise - and your local authority may be able to help with things like planning permission, licences, premises, grants, loans and training.

Finally, remember this. Most people think of starting a business at one time or another. Many of them get as far as starting a business plan. Then something else comes along and it gathers dust in the bottom of a drawer. By the time they find it again, the moment has passed.

Don't let your dream gather dust.  Seize the moment.

1. Your first port of call…
Business Eye
Business Eye is the first stop for anybody thinking of starting or growing a business in Wales. The service is free and impartial and will direct you to the most relevant source of information, help or advice wherever you live in Wales, whatever your business need. Business Eye is managed by the WDA and sponsored by the National Assembly for Wales.
T: 0845 796 9798 W: www.businesseye.org.uk

2. Before you start…
Women's Enterprise Wales
If you're a woman thinking of starting a business, WEW can
help you develop your business idea through a programme of workshops and one-to-one sessions which are tailored to meet the complexity of many women's lives. You will also be introduced to role models and business women's support groups.
T: 029 2047 8900 W: www.chwaraeteg.com

Prime - Cymru
People over 50 often have excellent skills, expertise and plenty
of drive and imagination. Prime-Cymru provide early one-to-one counselling and start-up guidance, as well as networking opportunities. The website has interesting case histories and a section on practical help.
T: 01550 721 713 W: www.prime-cymru.co.uk

Chwarae Teg
Nearly 10% of new businesses are established by lone parents as self-employment offers the flexibility to manage your work-life balance. Chwarae Teg provides free enterprise taster days and mutual support networks to help you develop your idea and skills prior to starting a business.
T: 029 2047 8900 W: www.chwaraeteg.com

Disability Wales
There are many barriers restricting disabled people from participating in enterprise.  Disability Wales provides free mentoring and other services to enable disabled people to overcome these barriers and make their business idea a reality.
T: 029 2085 3175 W: www.disabilitywales.org

Ethnic Business Support Programme
EBSP aims to bridge the gap between ethnic communities and business support agents. They provide a range of free prestart-up services including guiding clients through the start-up process.
T: 08000 288211

Menter a Busnes
Menter a Busnes aims to give Welsh speakers the confidence to start up in business. They can help you identify opportunities and they have a range of free services, workshops and training to help you turn dreams into reality.
T: 029 2064 7541 W: www.menterabusnes.com

3. Young people…
Shell LiveWire
One of the very best sources of information, advice and common sense for young people, 16-30 years old, thinking of starting a business. An excellent website.
T: 0845 757 3252 W: www.shell-livewire.org

Prince's Trust Cymru
The Prince's Trust helps young people aged 18-30 start up in business through workshops, funding and mentoring. A must if you're under 30.
T: 0800 842842 W: www.princes-trust.org.uk

Graduating to Enterprise
G2E gives training to final year students and graduates from colleges and universities to help them develop a sound business plan and find funding. They hold workshops, summer schools and one-to-one mentoring.
T: 01633 811845

Knowledge Exploitation Fund
If you've been studying in a Welsh college or university within the last 3 years, and if you've got a great business idea, you should certainly approach KEF to see if you're eligible for one
of the Entrepreneurial Scholarships. These give you a wage subsidy of £144 per week for nine months to help you get your business going. Now that's worth considering!
W: www.kef-wales.org.uk

Young Enterprise Graduate Programme
This programme gives students experience of setting up and running their own company. It's a good alternative to a work placement if you're thinking of starting a business after graduating.
T: 01443 483644

4. Some specialist websites…
Opportunity Wales
If you're thinking of getting into e-commerce, talk to Opportunity Wales. They can help you find the right solutions and may help with funding.
T: 01443 484320 W: www.opportunitywales.co.uk

Cultural Enterprise Service
Cultural Enterprise provides information, advice and mentoring to the creative industries in Wales -  film, animation, new media, design, music, theatre, dance, writing, publishing, visual art, photography, craft, illustration or composition.
 A useful website and the weekly email newsletter highlighting new opportunities is particularly good.
T: 029 2034 3205 W: www.cultural-enterprise.com

Wales Tourist Board
For anybody thinking of starting a business targeting the important tourist market in Wales, a visit to the Wales Tourist Board site is recommended.
W: www.wtbonline.gov.uk

Wales Trade International
If your new business has the potential to export, you should consult WTI.  They offer support to develop export skills and identify potential trade partners through clinics, company development, export seminars and market research.
T: 029 2080 1046 W: www.walestrade.com
 
5. Finance…
Finance Wales
Finance Wales can provide fixed interest loans from as little as £1,000. They also deal in other kinds of finance such as mezzanine funds, equity, and community loans to support community enterprises. They also run a Business Angels Network if you've got a high growth idea that needs venture capital.
 Finance Wales deals with new start up companies as well
as established businesses but you'll need to have a well-worked business plan and it may be best to have a business adviser from one of your local agencies to help you.
T: 029 2033 8100 W: www.financewales.co.uk

Assembly Investment Grant
AIG is a new fast-track grant scheme available throughout Wales with a minimum of red tape.
 Grants range from £5,001-£50,000, aimed at smaller businesses, including new starts. The grant is available for capital investment, securing patent rights, creating or safeguarding jobs, and aiding job creation. Some sectors are excluded and retail businesses rarely qualify. 
 You'll need a solid business plan and the help of a business adviser is highly recommended.
T: 029 2082 3375

Wales Innovation Fund
This is a joint venture between the Royal Bank of Scotland, Finance Wales and the European Union.  The fund primarily invests on a 3-7 year timescale in the technology sectors but it
can consider good quality investments in more traditional sectors.
W: www.theinnovationfund.com
 
6. General information
Small Business Service and Business Link
The SBS is run by the Department of Trade and Industry and provides a service for small businesses in England. However, their Small Firms Loan Guarantee, which helps small businesses raise finance (between £5,000-£100,000) from banks by guaranteeing the loan for a period, is also available in Wales. Look on the SBS website for further information.
 SBS also runs Business Link, the English equivalent of Business Eye. The website has loads of resources tailored for the needs of new businesses.  It's jargon-free, well organised and very comprehensive. This is a five-star website if you're thinking of
starting a business and need to explore the detail in more detail!
W: www.sbs.gov.uk  www.businesslink.org

7. Buying a business or franchise
Dalton's Weekly
This is the main publication for seeing what businesses are for sale in your area and other opportunities such as franchising.
W: www.daltons.co.uk

British Franchise Association
For the best information on how to buy a franchise with loads of links and plenty of good advice.
W: www.british-franchise.org
 
8. Banks
Lloyds TSB
You'll need to register but it's worth it. The advice is simple and clear, there are lots of tools to download and brochures to order. You don't need to be a Lloyds TSB customer.
W: www.success4business.com

HSBC
Very useful information again, and well worth browsing.
You can order up to 4 factsheets at a time.
W: www.ukbusiness.hsbc.com

NatWest
It's quite difficult to find really practical information on the website. There are some useful tools such as online questionnaires and they've got free accounting software,
Book-Keeper, you can order or download.
W: www.natwest.com

Barclays
Lots of excellent articles when you finally find them. The information is free but you have to pay for business planning
and bookkeeping software.
W: www.clearlybusiness.com

Don't forget - if you feel you're stalling or it all seems a bit complicated - get help!  Phone 08457 969 798 now!