Business Boost: The North Devon Startup & Business Development Guide 2022
A guide to starting up and developing your business in North Devon
A guide to starting up and developing your business in North Devon
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HEADER<br />
<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Boost</strong><br />
business<br />
ACTION<br />
supplement<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
Introduction<br />
Atthemomentitfeelslike<br />
<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>ishumming<br />
tothesoundofnew<br />
businesses.Itiswonderful<br />
toseethevarietyof<br />
businessesthatare<br />
thrivinginourrelatively<br />
rurallocation.<br />
Butwhileitishugely<br />
rewardingtorunyourownbusiness,lifeisoftenfraught<br />
withthornydecisionsthatdon’thaveonecorrectanswer.<br />
I’dliketothinkthissupplementcananswersomeofthose<br />
questionsorgivesomeideasforwhereyoumightfind<br />
furtherhelp.<br />
Myownexperiencehasbeenthat,whileIhadaplanto<br />
start,ittookmeseveralyearstoworkouthowtoexplain<br />
thattootherpeopleandtofindcustomerswhovaluedthe<br />
serviceIprovide.<br />
Sowhilemybusinessplaninitiallysounded<br />
straightforward,therealityhasbeenmorelikea<br />
wanderingfootpath.Butit’sbeenhugelyrewardingalong<br />
thewayandIwouldencourageanyonethinkingoftrying<br />
outontheirowntogiveitagoandjointhisthriving<br />
communityofentrepreneurs.<br />
Susie Kevern<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Action Supplement Editor<br />
t: 07801 199671<br />
w: poundlane.co.uk<br />
Sincelaunching<strong>Business</strong><br />
Actionmagazinefor<br />
<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>in2020,it<br />
hasbeenanaimto<br />
publishsupplements<br />
focusingonspecific<br />
aspectsofbusiness,<br />
althoughthepandemic<br />
putthisonhold.Achat<br />
withSusieKevernreturnedittothefrontofthequeue.<br />
WorkingwithSusietocompilethematerialforthis<br />
firstsupplementhasbeenagreatpleasureandwehope<br />
youwillfinditahelpfulreferenceguideifyou’restarting<br />
anewbusinessordevelopingyourexistingenterprise.<br />
Andwithchangeoccurringsofastinallareas,eachofus<br />
hastostayawareandrefreshourknowledgeandskills.<br />
<strong>The</strong>searticlesareintendedasastartingpointtohelp<br />
youasknecessaryquestionsaboutyourbusinessand<br />
findusefulanswers.Youarewelcometocontactthe<br />
authorsdirectformorespecifichelpandadvice.<br />
Aswellasthissupplement,weareorganisingthe<br />
BBxpobusinessexhibitioninBidefordonThursday27<br />
Octoberandcontinuetopublish<strong>Business</strong>Action<br />
magazineeveryquarter.Addedtogether,wehopethese<br />
activitiesboostyour<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>business.<br />
Robert Zarywacz<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Action Publisher & Series Editor<br />
t: 07971 176044<br />
e: robertz@business-action.co.uk<br />
Useful guide<br />
Start up and grow<br />
GET STARTED 2<br />
<strong>The</strong>basicsofstartingtotradeofficially–fromregistering<br />
withHMRCtotermsandconditions,andfindingadvice.<br />
PRIVACY & GDPR 4<br />
Abriefintroductiontothelawandregulationstohelpyou<br />
protectyourself,youremployeesandcustomers.<br />
HR & RECRUITMENT 4<br />
5tipsongoodemploymentpracticeandresourcestohelp<br />
yourecruitthestaffyouneed.<br />
CASE STUDY 6<br />
Howa<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>mumtookthefirststeptofinancial<br />
independenceanddevelopedaflourishingbusiness.<br />
FINANCE & FACILITIES 7<br />
Anintroductiontodifferenttypesoffundingandaguide<br />
to<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>businessaccommodationandfacilities.<br />
MARKETING 8<br />
Wheredoyoustart?Somethoughtsonmarketing,the<br />
powerofdirectmailand5tipsondigitalmarketing.<br />
IT & TECHNOLOGY 9<br />
UseITandtechnologytoolstorunyourbusiness<br />
efficiently,protectandpromoteit.<br />
SUSTAINABILITY 10<br />
Resourcestohelpyourbusinessmaintainandprotectthe<br />
environment–plusprotectyourselfandyourbusiness.<br />
CASE STUDY 12<br />
Howone<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>businessdevelopedintoa<br />
nationallyrecognisedbrand.<br />
ACCESS SUPPORT 13<br />
Currentprogrammesprovidingsupporttohelpyoustart<br />
uporexpandyourbusiness.<br />
NETWORKING 14<br />
Buildbusinessrelationships,enjoyrepresentationatlocal<br />
andnationallevels,andattendexhibitions.<br />
<strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk<br />
@businessactionm | Winter 2021 | business action 1
1 Define your business<br />
Definingyourproductor<br />
serviceandtheprocessofhow<br />
youdeliverittoyourcustomers<br />
iskeytodefiningfuturesuccess.<br />
<strong>The</strong>momentyoustartto<br />
thinkspecificallyaboutwhat<br />
youaresupplyingandidentify<br />
youridealcustomer,itwill<br />
becomeeasiertoseehowto<br />
targetyourmarketandfindthe<br />
rightpricepoint.<br />
2 Plan your business<br />
Next,plan.Keepyourbusiness<br />
planassimpleandspecificas<br />
youcan.Yourplanshouldhelp<br />
youidentifywhatequipment<br />
youneed,whoyouneedto<br />
employ,ifyouneedapremises,<br />
anyfinancerequiredandmost<br />
importantly,theprecisecostof<br />
yourproductorservice.<br />
<strong>The</strong>creativepartofyour<br />
planistoconsiderhowtoput<br />
allofthistogethertogiveyour<br />
businessitsuniqueedge,ensure<br />
itisresilienttochange,and<br />
provideagoodincomeforyour<br />
hardworkandcreativity.<br />
3 Choose a structure<br />
Nextyouneedtochoosethe<br />
structureforyourbusiness.<br />
Wemayrolloureyesatthe<br />
thoughtof‘thesmallprint’–<br />
typicallawyerschargingfees<br />
forsomethingnotreally<br />
needed–butbelieveme,when<br />
youareinthemiddleofalegal<br />
disputewhichcouldhavebeen<br />
avoidedbyforwardplanning<br />
andagoodsetoftermsand<br />
conditionsofbusiness(T&C),<br />
youmaynotberollingyour<br />
eyesafterall.AlthoughT&Cs<br />
maynotbeabletocoverall<br />
eventualities(although<br />
Amazon’sexclusionclause<br />
shouldthezombieapocalypse<br />
occurwasprettyenterprising!),<br />
itcanstillpreventalotof<br />
problemsinthefuturesoitis<br />
worthgettingthemdrafted<br />
beforeyoustarttrading.<br />
Howdoyougoabout<br />
draftingyourT&Cs?Youwill<br />
probablywantsomeinput<br />
GETHEADER<br />
STARTED<br />
5 steps to start up<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is so much to consider when starting up a business so James<br />
Dapling of JD Accountants in Barnstaple has distilled five basic formal<br />
steps to help you. Of course, there are many more steps . . .<br />
Alimitedcompanyisits<br />
ownlegalentityandwillgive<br />
yournewbusinessalevel<br />
standingnotprovidedbysole<br />
tradeorpartnershipstructures,<br />
aswellasprovideyouwiththe<br />
protectionoflimitedliability.<br />
Asoletradeorpartnership<br />
formatisasimpler,easier<br />
structuretosetup,orcloseif<br />
yourbusinessideasdonot<br />
work.However,youwillnotget<br />
thelegalprotectionsthatcome<br />
withlimitedcompanies.<br />
4 Register business<br />
Allbusinessesarelegally<br />
requiredtoregisterwithHM<br />
RevenueandCustomsand,if<br />
tradingasalimitedcompany,<br />
CompaniesHouse.<br />
Registrationcanbe<br />
completedonlineatgov.uk,or<br />
usingformsCWF1forsole<br />
traders,SA400&SA401for<br />
partnershipsorIN01fora<br />
company.Tip:usetheseforms<br />
toworkoutwhatdetailsyou<br />
need,evenifyouactually<br />
registeronline.<br />
Youwillneedtoconsider<br />
registeringforPAYE(PayAs<br />
YouEarn)ifyouplanto<br />
employandforVAT(Value<br />
AddedTax)ifyourturnoveris<br />
plannedtoexceed£85,000.<br />
Don’t,however,becaughtin<br />
theVATtransitiontrap,<br />
experiencedbymanygrowing<br />
businesses,whofindthatthey<br />
arerequiredtoregisterforVAT,<br />
havingbuiltacustomerbase<br />
thatisusedtolowernon-VAT<br />
prices.Ifyourbusinessisone<br />
whereVATregistrationis<br />
inevitable,considerregistration<br />
forVATandpricingofyour<br />
productorserviceattheoutset.<br />
Allbusinessesarelegally<br />
requiredtomaintaina<br />
completerecordofallbusiness<br />
transactions.Moreimportantly,<br />
yourbusinessrecordsand<br />
professionallyproduced<br />
It’s all in the small print<br />
fromasolicitoratsomepoint<br />
butitisworthwhilethinking<br />
whatyouwantbeforehand. So<br />
herearesometips:<br />
1. Howdoyouintendto<br />
trade?Web-basedservices<br />
willneeddifferentT&Csto<br />
physicalservices.<br />
2. Whereorhowwillyou<br />
displayyourT&Cs?<br />
3. Ifyouarewebbased,are<br />
yougoingtobestoring<br />
personalinformationabout<br />
acustomer?Inwhichcase,<br />
youneedtocaterforGDPR.<br />
4. Doyouwanttolimityour<br />
liability?How?Any<br />
financiallimit?<br />
5 Bookkeeping<br />
Emma Slade, partner at Slee Blackwell who specialises in litigation,<br />
advises on the merits of having terms and conditions of business<br />
5. Doyouwishtoprotectthe<br />
copyrightorother<br />
intellectualpropertyright<br />
inyourproduct?<br />
6. Paymentterms:all<br />
important.Whathappensif<br />
theydon’tpay?Doyou<br />
wanttochargeintereston<br />
latepayments?<br />
7. Andwhataboutrefunds?<br />
8. Willyouwanttoterminate<br />
thecontract?<br />
Thoseareonlyafew,very<br />
basictipsbuthopefully,itwill<br />
getyouthinkingaboutwhat<br />
youmayneedandalsomay<br />
highlightafewreasonswhy<br />
youmayneedsomeT&Cs.<br />
accountsareasourceofgold<br />
that,ifusedproperly,canlift<br />
yourbusinessabovethecrowd.<br />
Youcanclaimthecostsof<br />
anyexpensethatisincurred<br />
whollyandexclusivelyforthe<br />
purposesoftrade.<strong>The</strong>reare<br />
complexrulesaroundwhat<br />
maybeallowable,whichare<br />
notalwaysconsistentbetween<br />
differenttaxes.HMRevenue<br />
andCustomsdoprovidesome<br />
guidanceatgov.uk/expenses-ifyoure-self-employedasa<br />
startingpoint.However,dotake<br />
advicefromyouraccountant.<br />
Webelieveinkeeping<br />
bookkeepingsimpleand<br />
recommendtheuseofa<br />
dedicatedbankaccount,freeof<br />
personaltransactions,anda<br />
systemforfilingyourinvoices<br />
asyoupayforthem,whetheras<br />
oldschoolpaperoronline.<br />
Digitaltoolsintheright<br />
handscanhelp,butunlikethe<br />
advertssuggest,theywillnot<br />
blessyouwiththeskillofbeing<br />
abookkeepingortaxgeniusat<br />
themereclickofyourmobile.<br />
James Dapling<br />
JD Accountants<br />
t: 01271 378606<br />
Importantlythough,speak<br />
toyoursolicitortoget<br />
guidance.Becauseifyoudon’t<br />
talktoyoursolicitornow,you<br />
maybetalkingtomany<br />
solicitorsinthefutureasthe<br />
disputesstart.<br />
Emma Slade<br />
Slee Blackwell<br />
t: 01271 372128<br />
w: sleeblackwell.co.uk<br />
supplement<br />
Web site | business-action.co.uk<br />
Online version | business-action.uk<br />
t: 07971 176044<br />
Design & production by<br />
© Need it Find it <strong>2022</strong>. All information in this supplement is published in good faith. Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Need it Find it. Articles<br />
included in this supplement do not constitute business advice. Readers are strongly recommended to seek advice from an appropriate professional before taking any action<br />
on any topic discussed in the supplement and to check full terms and conditions of any products or services promoted in advertisements.<br />
2 business action | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk
Whose advice is best?<br />
As well as publishing <strong>Business</strong> Action, Robert Zarywacz’s long career<br />
includes corporate roles and running his own copywriting and<br />
communications partnership. He believes running a business is a<br />
way of life which must fit with your own beliefs and needs<br />
Advice based on experience<br />
<strong>The</strong>rearemanybusiness<br />
advisersandconsultantsready<br />
togiveyouadvice,buthow<br />
manyhaveactuallystartedor<br />
runtheirownbusiness?Thisis<br />
verydifferentfrombeingan<br />
employeeandisdifficultto<br />
understandifyou’venot<br />
experiencedityourself.<br />
Muchbusinessadviceis<br />
aimedathelpingbusinesses<br />
thatwillgrowlargefastand<br />
employlotsofpeople,butvery<br />
fewbusinesseseverdoeither.<br />
Mostaresoletradersormicrobusinessesemployinglessthan<br />
10.Doesthismakethemany<br />
lessvaluable?<br />
Establish your value<br />
Itdependsonyourreasonsfor<br />
runningabusiness.Some<br />
mightwanttoearnextra<br />
moneytosupplementtheir<br />
mainincome,othersmight<br />
wanttosupporttheir<br />
community,whileambitious<br />
entrepreneursmightwantto<br />
foundagiantbusinessempire.<br />
Howdoesasmallbusinessthat<br />
helpsthecommunityor<br />
improvespeople’slives<br />
comparewithabigonethat<br />
employslotsofpeopletosell<br />
consumerproducts?Valueis<br />
measurableinmorewaysthan<br />
justprofit.<br />
What’simportantisto<br />
knowwhat’sdrivingyouto<br />
runyourbusiness,whether<br />
youwanttopromoteaworthy<br />
cause,runahairdressingchain<br />
ormanufactureelectronics<br />
products.Perhapsyouwant<br />
morecontroltoenjoylifemore.<br />
Try out your ideas<br />
It’salwaysgoodtodrawupa<br />
plan,butmanyplansare<br />
purelytheoreticalbecause<br />
thereisnowayofknowing<br />
howrealistictheyareuntilput<br />
intoaction.<br />
<strong>The</strong>sedaysmorepeople<br />
seemtobetestingbusiness<br />
ideaswhilestillinajobtofind<br />
outwhatworksandwhat<br />
doesn’t.Thisresearchis<br />
invaluablebecauseyoudon’t<br />
havetorisklosingyour<br />
incomeorbiginvestment.You<br />
canstartsmallandbuildupto<br />
thedaywhenyourbusiness<br />
needsyoufull-timeandyou<br />
canresignfromyourjob.<br />
Marketing. What works?<br />
Godigital,everyonesays,but<br />
rememberthosebusinesses<br />
thatthriveonword-of-mouth<br />
recommendations,the<br />
personaltouchandpeople<br />
whorememberyourname<br />
withouthavingtolookitupin<br />
adatabase.<br />
Digitalandonlinetoolscan<br />
bevery,veryeffectivebutdo<br />
notguaranteesuccessontheir<br />
own.Whiledigitalexperts<br />
focusonnumbersofviews,<br />
visitsandshares,theonly<br />
statisticthatreallymattersis<br />
sales–doesithelpyousell?<br />
Lookatthewholemarketing<br />
mix–frombrandedshirtsand<br />
phonenumbersonvehiclesto<br />
socialmediavideos–tofind<br />
whatworksforyou.<br />
Who should you listen to?<br />
Everyone,especiallyyourself.<br />
It’sgoodtohearawiderange<br />
ofopinionsandinvestin<br />
whatevertrainingyoucan.<br />
Chooseadviserswhose<br />
advicecorrespondswithyour<br />
ethos.Andrememberthat<br />
whatworksforothersisnot<br />
guaranteedtoworkforyou.<br />
Yourgutinstinctisvital.<br />
Youwillinevitablyhavetodo<br />
thingsyoudon’tenjoydoing–<br />
taxreturns,admin,cleaning<br />
equipment–butdon’teverdo<br />
anythingyoudon’tbelieveis<br />
therightthingtodo.Listen<br />
carefullytoyourownvoice.<br />
Enjoy your business<br />
And,finally,havefun.Along<br />
withtheinevitableupsand<br />
down,problemsand<br />
frustrations,manybusiness<br />
ownerslovewhattheydoand<br />
wouldn’tchangeitfor<br />
anything.That’sagoodaim.<br />
Perhapsyoursuccesswill<br />
leadyoutoofferadviceto<br />
otherpeoplelookingtofollow<br />
yourexampleandstarttheir<br />
ownbusiness.Goodluck!<br />
Robert Zarywacz<br />
Zarywacz<br />
t: 01271 879100<br />
w: z2z.com<br />
FIND HEADER ADVICE<br />
Are you a Small <strong>Business</strong> in the <strong>North</strong><br />
<strong>Devon</strong> and Torridge area and would like to<br />
have an input with the Petroc curriculum?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Big Benefits for Small <strong>Business</strong>es project works<br />
collaboratively with small businesses in <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
and Torridge to improve the relevance of skills<br />
provision, maximise innovation and develop training<br />
and skills opportunities.<br />
For more information please e-mail<br />
projects@petroc.ac.uk<br />
in partnership with<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 3
Maintaining privacy<br />
and data protection<br />
Most businesses collect and store data on customers, employees and<br />
other individuals. Ensuring their privacy and protecting their data is<br />
vital. But where do you start? Nigel Hellewell provides specialist<br />
advice and training on privacy and data protection to organisations.<br />
Below is an extract adapted from a comprehensive introduction to the<br />
topic published by Nigel on his web site at enaych.com<br />
Whatarethemainconstituent<br />
partsofUKdataprotection<br />
lawandhowdotheyinteract<br />
witheachother?<br />
Information Commissioners<br />
Office (ICO)<br />
<strong>The</strong>ICOregulatesthelegislation.<br />
Itisfundedmainlybyfees<br />
paidby‘datacontrollers’.<br />
Datacontrollersarethe<br />
legalentity(soletrader,<br />
partnership,company,<br />
organisation,etc)who<br />
ultimatelydecidesthe<br />
purposesandmeansofthe<br />
processingofpersonaldata.<br />
Data Protection<br />
(Charges and Information)<br />
Regulations 2018<br />
<strong>The</strong>seareoftenreferredtoas<br />
theDataProtectionFee.<strong>The</strong>re<br />
arethreetiersofpayments<br />
dependingonthesizeand<br />
natureofanorganisation.<br />
Data Protection Act 2018<br />
(DPA2018)<br />
<strong>The</strong>DPA2018setsoutthe<br />
frameworkfordataprotection<br />
lawintheUK.Itsitsalongside<br />
andsupplementstheUK<br />
GDPR(seebelow),egby<br />
providingexemptions.Italso<br />
coverslawenforcement<br />
authorities,nationalsecurity<br />
anddefence.<br />
<strong>The</strong>DPA2018issplitinto<br />
differentparts,whichapplyin<br />
differentsituationsand<br />
performdifferentfunctions.<br />
Part2:Generalprocessing<br />
(UKGDPR)supplementsand<br />
tailorstheUKGDPR.<br />
Formostorganisations,this<br />
isthepartthatwillapply.Read<br />
italongsidetheUKGDPR<br />
itself,asbothsetsofprovisions<br />
applydirectlytoyou.<br />
General Data Protection<br />
Regulations (GDPR)<br />
AftertheUKlefttheEU,the<br />
EUGDPRwasreplacedbythe<br />
UKGDPR,whichsimilarly<br />
has99articles(asitisderived<br />
fromtheEUversion).<strong>The</strong><br />
wordinghasbeenchangedin<br />
somearticlestomakeitrelevant<br />
totheUKandsomehavebeen<br />
redactedanddonotapply.<br />
<strong>The</strong>UKGDPRappliesto<br />
processingofpersonaldataby<br />
organisationsoperatingwithin<br />
theUK.Italsoappliesto<br />
organisationsoutsidetheUK<br />
thatoffergoodsorservicesto<br />
individualsintheUK.<br />
Specificarticlescover<br />
definitionsoftheterminology;<br />
theprinciplesofprocessing<br />
personaldata,includingthe<br />
‘lawful,fairnessand<br />
transparency’principle;the<br />
provisiontoindividualsofall<br />
detailsaboutwho,where,<br />
what,whenandhowpersonal<br />
dataisbeingprocessed;the<br />
rightofaccessforindividuals<br />
toaskaboutandreceive<br />
confirmationaboutprocessing<br />
oftheirownpersonaldata;the<br />
keepingofrecords;andmore.<br />
Good practice<br />
Gettoknowthepersonaldata<br />
youoryourorganisation<br />
processes.Reviewtheamount<br />
andvalidityofthedata,ensure<br />
itissecureandonlythose<br />
authorisedhaveaccesstoit.<br />
Trainyourstaffinthe<br />
processingofpersonaldata–<br />
it’salegalrequirement.<br />
Rememberpersonaldata<br />
thatyourorganisation<br />
processesarenotyourdata–<br />
youarejustthecustodianofit<br />
whileit’sbeingprocessed.<br />
Privacy and Electronic<br />
Communications<br />
Regulations (PECR)<br />
<strong>The</strong>PECRsitalongsidethe<br />
DataProtectionActandthe<br />
UKGDPR.<strong>The</strong>ycoverpeoplespecificprivacyrightsin<br />
relationtoelectronic<br />
communications.<br />
■ Formoredetailed<br />
information,adviceand<br />
trainingondataprotection<br />
andprivacy,call01271595001<br />
orvisitenaych.com<br />
PRIVACY HEADER / HR<br />
5 HR tips for hiring<br />
a member of staff<br />
Hiringstaffisexciting,but<br />
therearelegalobligationsyou<br />
needtomeetasanemployer.<br />
Workers/employeeshave<br />
employmentrights,soyou<br />
mustbecarefultoavoidrisk<br />
andprotectyourbusiness.<br />
Foranessentialcheckliston<br />
gettingstarted,usetheguide<br />
ongov.uk/employing-staff<br />
Here,full-serviceHR<br />
outsourcingspecialist<br />
FitzgeraldHRoffersfive<br />
practicaltipstohelpyou<br />
navigateyourfirsthire.<br />
1 What do you need?<br />
Scopeouttherole,its<br />
responsibilitiesandnecessary<br />
skillsandexperience,and<br />
recordthisinajobdescription.<br />
Thiswillhelpyoutorecruit<br />
fairly,communicateyour<br />
expectations,andmonitor<br />
performance.<br />
Considerhowyouneedthe<br />
roletooperateandits<br />
employmentstatus.Ifyouneed<br />
torecruitfromoverseas,you<br />
willneedtomeetspecific<br />
criteriaandapplyforasponsor<br />
licence.<br />
Decidehowmuchyouwill<br />
pay.Researchthemarketto<br />
understandwhatafairpay<br />
rangeisfortherole.Itis<br />
essentialthatyoupayatleast<br />
nationalminimumwage.<br />
2 Advertise your role<br />
Itisagainstthelawto<br />
discriminateagainstsomeone<br />
becauseofaprotected<br />
characteristicsuchasage,<br />
gender,disability,race,religion<br />
andmore.Takecarenotto<br />
discriminatewhenadvertising<br />
yourrole,suchasthroughthe<br />
languageinthejobadvert.<br />
Advertiseinmultiple<br />
locationstoreacharangeof<br />
candidates.Itisagoodideato<br />
attachyourjobdescriptionto<br />
theadvertandcommunicate<br />
theprocessifyoucan–eg<br />
closingdate,interviewdates.<br />
3 Select candidates<br />
Aninterviewwillhelpselect<br />
therightcandidate,andby<br />
askingifyoucanmakeany<br />
reasonableadjustmentsyoucan<br />
ensuretherecruitmentprocess<br />
isaccessibletoall.<br />
Avoiddiscriminative<br />
questionsandscorecandidates<br />
basedonhowwelltheymeet<br />
therequirementsinthejob<br />
description.Thiswillhelpyou<br />
tocomparecandidatesfairly<br />
andseewhoisthebestfitfor<br />
therole.<br />
4 Making the hire<br />
Onceyou’vemadeaverbal<br />
offerofemploymenttoa<br />
candidate,youshouldfollow<br />
thisupinwriting.<br />
Youmustcheckthe<br />
candidate’srighttoworkinthe<br />
UK.Considerifyouneedto<br />
carryoutanyadditionalpreemploymentchecks,suchasa<br />
DBScheck.<br />
You’llalsoneedtoregisteras<br />
anemployerwithHMRC<br />
beforethefirstpayday,acquire<br />
employers’liabilityinsurance,<br />
andcheckifyouneedto<br />
automaticallyenrolyour<br />
employeeontoaworkplace<br />
pensionscheme.<br />
Youarelegallyrequiredto<br />
providethewrittentermsof<br />
employment(themaindetails<br />
ofacontractofemployment<br />
suchaspayandworkinghours)<br />
onorbeforetheworker’sstart<br />
date.Inaddition,we<br />
recommendhavingessential<br />
HRpoliciesinplace–suchas<br />
processestomanagebullying<br />
andharassment,grievanceand<br />
disciplinarymatters.<br />
5 Friends & family<br />
Friendsandfamilyareoften<br />
keentosupport,butyoushould<br />
makesuretheyarethebestfit<br />
fortherolebeforehiringthem.<br />
Likeanyotheremployee,<br />
theywillhaveemployment<br />
rights.Werecommendyou<br />
alwaysfollowafairprocessto<br />
ensureyourbusinessis<br />
protectediftherelationship<br />
doesnotworkoutprofessionally.<br />
■ Wehopeyoufoundthis<br />
useful.Ifyouneedsupport<br />
withtheabove,werecommend<br />
thatyouseekprofessional<br />
adviceforyourbusiness.Call<br />
03302235253orvisit<br />
fitzgeraldhr.co.uk<br />
4 business action | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk
A combination of the pandemic, global conflict and high<br />
accommodation costs makes it hard for employers to find new staff.<br />
Traditionally, many employers sought staff ‘ready to go’, but a<br />
different approach is needed now. Many people want to work but<br />
need encouragement, training or some other assistance. Here are two<br />
support schemes available now to help both employers find valuable<br />
members of staff and jobseekers wanting rewarding careers<br />
Jobcentre: Way to Work<br />
WaytoWorkisanational<br />
pushtohelpevenmorepeople<br />
benefitfromtherecord<br />
numberofvacanciesavailable,<br />
includingmanyinsectorsvital<br />
tonationalrecovery.<br />
Atthesametime,thereare<br />
hundredsofthousandsof<br />
peopleonUniversalCredit<br />
whoareactivelylookingto<br />
makeafreshstartinwork.<br />
Thismeanstherearemany<br />
talented,work-readypeople<br />
onourbookswhoareeagerto<br />
takeonyourroles.<br />
Thiscampaignwillhelp<br />
peoplemoveswiftlybackinto<br />
workandhelpyoufilltheroles<br />
youandoureconomyneed.<br />
How do we help you?<br />
Ifyou’relookingtofilla<br />
vacancy,wewillofferyoua<br />
namedemployeradviserin<br />
yourlocalJobcentreto<br />
supportyou(ordedicated<br />
nationalaccountmanagerfor<br />
largecompanies).<br />
Ourrangeofrecruitment<br />
servicesinclude:<br />
➤ <strong>The</strong>opportunitytobe<br />
introducedtopeople<br />
lookingforworkthrougha<br />
varietyofplatforms<br />
➤ Simplifyingandshortening<br />
therecruitmentprocessto<br />
findbettermatched<br />
candidatestointerview<br />
➤ Helpsettingupworktrials<br />
toassesspotentialrecruits<br />
➤ Adviceaboutofferingwork<br />
experienceand<br />
apprenticeships<br />
➤ Supportfromother<br />
employmentschemes<br />
■ CalltheEmployerServices<br />
Lineon08001690178oremail<br />
employer.services@dwp.gov.uk<br />
RECRUITMENT HEADER<br />
Be Ready . . . to unlock<br />
talent for your business<br />
Beinganinclusiveorganisation<br />
couldenhancethereputationof<br />
yourbusiness,improve<br />
innovationandattractmore<br />
customers.<br />
<strong>The</strong>BeReadyEmployer<br />
Hubcansupportyoutogrow<br />
yourbusinessinnewwaysby<br />
harnessingtheabilitiesandideas<br />
ofamorediverseworkforce.<br />
<strong>The</strong>serviceisfree,offering<br />
informationandguidanceon<br />
employingandkeepingstaff<br />
whoapplytheirskillsandtalent<br />
differently.Itoffers:<br />
➤ onlinetrainingworkshops<br />
➤ telephonesupport<br />
➤ business-to-business<br />
learningnetworks<br />
➤ onlineresources<br />
Employer challenges<br />
Asabusinesssupportservice,<br />
BeReadyEmployerHub<br />
recognisesthechallenging<br />
timeslocalemployersare<br />
facing.Asemployersmakethe<br />
decisionsonwhentoreturnto<br />
anoffice,orhowtokeepthe<br />
workplaceCovid-safe,many<br />
employeesmayalsohaveto<br />
discloseadisabilityorhealthconditionforthefirsttime(as<br />
theirconditionhadnot<br />
impactedontheirabilityto<br />
workpreviously).<br />
<strong>The</strong>BeReadyEmployer<br />
Hubcanprovideguidanceand<br />
linkstospecialistsupportfor<br />
employersandaccesstogrant<br />
fundingforanyreasonable<br />
adjustmentsthatareneededto<br />
supportemployeeswith<br />
disabilitiesorhealthconditions<br />
(includingmentalwellbeing).<br />
<strong>The</strong>DepartmentofWork<br />
andPensions(DWP)Accessto<br />
Workgrantschemehas<br />
introducedadditionalmeasures<br />
toenabledisabledpeopleto<br />
moveintoorretainemployment,<br />
whichincludescontinued<br />
supporttoworkathome.<br />
■ Call01392241124orvisit<br />
readydevon.org.uk<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 5
Somepeoplegrappleforyears<br />
withthethoughtofstarting<br />
theirownbusiness,butare<br />
heldbackbyfears.When<br />
GemmaMullinger’sson<br />
startedpre-school,shewas<br />
determinedtobefinancially<br />
independentandpostedon<br />
Facebookaskingifanyone<br />
neededacleaner.<br />
“Itwasveryspontaneous,”<br />
saysGemma,buttheresponse<br />
snowballedandshestarteda<br />
Facebookbusinesspagein<br />
February2019.Requestsfor<br />
cleaningcontinuedtoincrease<br />
duetoword-of-mouth<br />
recommendationsandin<br />
October2019,Gemmawas<br />
joinedbybusinesspartner<br />
KellytolaunchHiddenGem<br />
Housekeeping.<br />
Gemmawasdriventostart<br />
thebusinessbyseveralaims:“I<br />
didn’twanttoworkforother<br />
peopleandIdidn’twantto<br />
missmysongrowingup.I<br />
neededsomethingIcoulddo<br />
withnostart-upcosts.Iwould<br />
highlyrecommenditto<br />
womeninmysituation.”<br />
Gemmaaddsthatthe<br />
cleaningmodelfitsinperfectly<br />
aroundchildrenandthatitis<br />
CASE HEADER STUDY<br />
It started with a<br />
Facebook post<br />
easytopromoteasyouarenot<br />
sellingaproductthatpeople<br />
don’tunderstand.<br />
“Iusedallmyprevious<br />
customerserviceskillsand<br />
businessexperience.”<br />
HiddenGemHousekeeping<br />
nowemploysateamof12selfemployedmembersand<br />
providesdomestic,commercial<br />
andend-of-tenancycleaning<br />
servicestocustomersacross<br />
<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>.<br />
Gemmaexperienceda<br />
considerablebuzzwhen<br />
buildingabusinessandnow<br />
wantstosupportotherwomen<br />
tostarttheirownbusinesses<br />
bydevelopingherown<br />
coachingpractice.<br />
“Yourmindsetisvery<br />
important.Self-development<br />
toworkonyourselftoworkon<br />
yourselfisalsoreallyvaluable.”<br />
Gemmaencouragesanyone<br />
wantingtostartabusinessto<br />
gooutandmakeastart:“If<br />
youhaveaskill,justdoit.You<br />
canworkonalogoand<br />
marketingafterwards–you<br />
candoallthatlater.”<br />
Shealsoencouragespeople<br />
toattendthemanyfree<br />
businesseventsorganised<br />
acrosstheareaandtonetwork<br />
asmuchaspossible.<br />
■ Fordetailsandtobook<br />
cleaningservices,<br />
call07403476427orvisit<br />
hiddengemhousekeeping.com<br />
6 business action | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk
FINANCE HEADER<br />
Funding options for start-up and early-stage businesses<br />
1 Bank loans<br />
Yourbankisstilloftenthefirst<br />
portofcallforbusiness<br />
funding.However,manybanks<br />
arerisk-averse,andyoumight<br />
findthattheyarenotwillingto<br />
lendwithoutaproventrack<br />
record–somethingwhichnew<br />
andearly-stagebusinesses<br />
won’thave.<br />
2 Small business grants<br />
Grantsarenon-repayablesums<br />
ofmoneythatareawardedto<br />
businessestomeetspecific<br />
needs.Whilethenon-repayable<br />
aspectisattractive,these<br />
schemesgenerallyhave<br />
Accommodation & facilities<br />
Node Cowork<br />
Node,locatedofftheA39at<br />
Roundswell,wasofficially<br />
openedinOctober2021.<br />
<strong>The</strong>completedphase1now<br />
offers37smallandmedium<br />
offices,acoworkingspacefor<br />
upto50people,meeting<br />
roomsandon-sitecoffeeshop.<br />
Broadbandinternet<br />
connectivityofupto1Gbpsis<br />
availabletousers,dependent<br />
onmembershiplevel,which<br />
rangesfrom£20&VATfora<br />
daypassupto£249&VATper<br />
monthforpromembership.<br />
Ratesforteams,which<br />
include24-houraccessseven<br />
daysaweek,arealsoavailable.<br />
■ Call01271452442orvisit<br />
nodecowork.co.uk<br />
<strong>Business</strong> & IP Centre<br />
<strong>The</strong><strong>Business</strong>&IPCentre<br />
<strong>Devon</strong>(BIPC)atBarnstaple<br />
Libraryoffersbusinesses<br />
accesstoalargecollectionof<br />
businessandresearchdatabases.Manycanbeaccessed<br />
fromhomewithalibrarycard,<br />
whileothersareavailable<br />
throughthepubliccomputers<br />
inthelibrary.<strong>Business</strong>escan<br />
alsobrowseandborrowan<br />
extensiverangeofbusiness<br />
books,eBooksandmagazines.<br />
BarnstapleLibraryalso<br />
offersanin-houseFabLab<br />
wherebusinessescanaccess<br />
3Dprinters,laserandvinyl<br />
cutters,anddigitalsewing<br />
machinesataffordablerates.<br />
■ Detailsfablabdevon.organd<br />
bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk<br />
When your business needs finance, you’ll discover that there is an<br />
array of sources available. Understanding your options and<br />
determining what is best for your business can seem daunting. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
different types of finance serve different purposes and you might find<br />
that you’ll need to utilise more than one option during the course of<br />
your business journey<br />
particulareligibilitycriteria.Be<br />
preparedtoinvesttimeand<br />
effortintoyourapplicationbut<br />
don’tlosesightoftheendgoal<br />
–profitabletrading.<br />
3 Overdraft / credit card<br />
Overdraftsandbusinesscredit<br />
cardsoffera‘lineofcredit’which<br />
isattachedtoyourbusiness<br />
transactionaccount–youcan<br />
accessthesewheneveryouneed<br />
to.Youpaybackwhatyoucan,<br />
Castle Hill Work Hub<br />
CastleHillWorkHubinGreat<br />
Torringtonoffersameeting<br />
roomforuptoeightpeople,<br />
15workspacesaswellasa<br />
collaborationareaand<br />
kitchenette.<br />
Membersalsobenefitfrom<br />
freedrop-insupport<br />
opportunitiesandaregular<br />
presencefromPetroc’sBig<br />
BenefitsforSmall<strong>Business</strong>es<br />
programme.<br />
■ Visittorridge.gov.uk/<br />
castlehillworkhub<br />
Cotie (Centre of Technology<br />
and Innovation Excellence)<br />
CotieatPetrocoffersaccessto<br />
advancedtechnology-based<br />
facilities,includingshared-use<br />
laboratorieswith3Dprinting<br />
anddesignequipment.<br />
■ Detailsatpetroc.ac.uk<br />
South West Institute of<br />
Technology (SWIoT)<br />
SWIoTatPetrocincludes<br />
twostate-of-the-artfacilities:<br />
<strong>The</strong>Engineeringfacility<br />
housescleanroomfabrication<br />
capabilities;electronicsdesign,<br />
manufactureandtesting<br />
laboratories;additive<br />
technologies(3D);and<br />
productionrobotics.<br />
<strong>The</strong>DigitalSciencesuite<br />
containsabespokeareafor<br />
developingvirtual<br />
environments;alargespacefor<br />
droneexperimentation;and<br />
thelatestspecification<br />
networking,software,anddata<br />
engineeringfacilities.<br />
■ Detailsatpetroc.ac.uk<br />
whenyoucan–ifthecredit<br />
staysundertheapprovedlimit.<br />
4 Crowdfunding<br />
Crowdfundingiswhenfunds<br />
areraisedbyalargenumberof<br />
peoplecontributingsmall<br />
amountsinreturnforaninterest<br />
orfeereturnand/or‘rewards’.<br />
Typically,rewardstakethe<br />
formofmerchandiseor<br />
benefitsrelatedtothebusiness.<br />
5 Investors<br />
<strong>The</strong>seincludeequity<br />
investment,angelinvestorsand<br />
venturecapitalists.Investment<br />
couldbeusefulforfast-growth<br />
businesses.However,<br />
investmentscanbecomplex<br />
andappropriatelegaladvice<br />
shouldbesought.<br />
6 Non-bank loans<br />
<strong>The</strong>rearemanynon-bank<br />
lenders,manyofwhichcan<br />
giveveryquickdecisionsby<br />
usingautomatedcredit<br />
assessmenttools.<br />
7 CDFIs<br />
Community<strong>Development</strong><br />
FinanceInstitutions(CDFIs)<br />
arenon-profitlenderswhohelp<br />
financiallyexcludedbusinesses<br />
togrow,createjobsand<br />
developtheirlocal<br />
communities.<strong>The</strong>ygettoknow<br />
theircustomers,challenge<br />
businessplans,andtakea<br />
flexibleapproachtolending<br />
whenthebankhassaidno.<br />
<strong>The</strong>SouthWest’sCDFIfor<br />
businessisSWIGFinance,who<br />
istheregion’sleadingdelivery<br />
partnerforStartUpLoans,a<br />
government-backedinitiative<br />
providinganaffordablesource<br />
offinancetohelpnewand<br />
early-stagebusinessowners<br />
bringtheirplanstolife.<br />
■ TofindoutmoreaboutStartUpLoans,call01872227932,<br />
visitswigfinance.co.uk/start-up-loans/<br />
oremailstartup@swigfinance.co.uk<br />
START<br />
Start-up and Grow your<br />
business in <strong>Devon</strong><br />
Call: 0800 500 3107<br />
devon.ytko.com/community-renewal-fund/<br />
Funded by<br />
GROW START<br />
• Start-up Support<br />
Sessions<br />
• Growth Training<br />
Support Sessions<br />
• One-to-one coaching<br />
• Grants of up to £10k<br />
• Skills workshops<br />
Delivered by<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 7
Everynewbusinessneedsto<br />
attractnewcustomers,butwith<br />
endlessoptionsformarketing<br />
(allofwhicharemust-haves)<br />
andalimitedbudget,youneed<br />
tomakesureyourmarketing<br />
effortsproducetheright<br />
results.<br />
Customer focus<br />
It’smostimportanttostartby<br />
identifyingyourideal<br />
customer.Whoarethey?<br />
What’stheirproblem?This<br />
helpstargetyouradvertisingso<br />
thattherightcustomersseeyou<br />
andunderstandwhyyou’re<br />
whattheyneed.<br />
Targetingonegroupdoesn’t<br />
necessarilyexcludeothers,but<br />
givesyouabetterchanceof<br />
beingnoticedbythepotential<br />
customersthatyouwant.<br />
Spend wisely<br />
Withsomanyoptionsoutthere<br />
it’seasytogetcarriedaway.This<br />
iswherethecustomerfocus<br />
comesin:wherewillyourideal<br />
Use the power of direct mail<br />
<strong>The</strong>writtenwordisthesecond<br />
oldestformofcommunication<br />
afterthespokenword.It<br />
continuestobesuccessful<br />
becauseitismemorable.<br />
Mail reaches customers<br />
Today,RoyalMailprocesses<br />
morethan14.4billionletters<br />
peryear.Eachonestandsout<br />
inacrowdedmarketing<br />
landscape.Unlikeemail,a<br />
letterisaphysicalobject:itis<br />
postedthroughaletterbox;it<br />
avoidsspamfilters;reduces<br />
unsubscribes;andgrabsthe<br />
attentionoftherecipientthe<br />
momentitlands.<br />
Withmoreofusworking<br />
fromhome,physicalpostis<br />
achievingevenhigher<br />
engagementrates.Thisis<br />
becausewhentheletterbox<br />
rattles,consumers<br />
instinctivelyjumpupand<br />
openthemailstraightaway.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ystopwhattheyaredoing,<br />
theninstinctivelyleapbackon<br />
totheirPCtogetthedeal.<br />
Personalise your mail<br />
<strong>The</strong>keytograbbingconsumer<br />
attentionispersonalisation,<br />
whichisavailabletoall<br />
businessesthroughplatforms<br />
suchasstannp.com.This<br />
enablesyoutosend<br />
MARKETING HEADER<br />
Marketing: where to start?<br />
Marketing doesn’t come naturally to many of us, but when you run a<br />
small business it’s likely that marketing will be one of your main roles.<br />
Susie Kevern of Pound Lane Financial Management shares experience<br />
she has gained when marketing her own business<br />
customerbelooking?Canyou<br />
useFacebookinsteadofaweb<br />
site?Doyouwantanonline<br />
shoportohavecustomersvisit<br />
inperson?<br />
Usingfriendsandcontacts<br />
tospreadnewsaboutyour<br />
businesswillalwaysbemore<br />
effectivethanpayingfor<br />
advertising.Potential<br />
customersvaluereviewsof<br />
otherpeople’sexperiencesso<br />
tryaskingfriendsorrelatives<br />
forfeedbackandusethatfor<br />
marketing.<br />
Build authority<br />
Selfpromotiondoesn’talways<br />
comenaturally.Rememberthat<br />
whatyouthinkofasbasic<br />
knowledge–makingagood<br />
lemondrizzlecakeorwritinga<br />
personalisedmailtoyour<br />
customersfromyourdesk<br />
throughaneasy-to-usewebbasedplatform.<br />
Monitor and engage<br />
stannp.comalsoprovides<br />
trackingandengagementtools<br />
soyoucantellthatyourmail<br />
arrivesandisread.Mailis<br />
scannedateverystage–apart<br />
fromthelastmilewhen<br />
deliveryisassumed–while<br />
engagementcanbemonitored<br />
throughaQRcodeprintedon<br />
youritem.<strong>The</strong>QRcodecan<br />
takecustomerstoaspecific<br />
webpageorprovideacustom<br />
promotionalcode–all<br />
measurablesoyoucanmonitor<br />
yourreturnoninvestment.<br />
<strong>The</strong>searejustsomeofthe<br />
standardreportingtools<br />
stannp.comoffersyouand<br />
therearealotmorethat<br />
integrateallthebenefitsof<br />
traditionalprintedmailwith<br />
up-to-datedigitaldesign,data<br />
processingandbusiness<br />
managementsystems.<br />
Lorien Hamilton<br />
Stannp<br />
t: 01271 320864<br />
w: stannp.com<br />
Usevouchercode‘POST4’at<br />
checkoutfor10%off.<br />
concisereport–isnotso<br />
simpletootherpeople.Be<br />
proudofyourskillsandhave<br />
confidencethatyouare<br />
providingavaluableservice.<br />
Talkaboutyourstartupto<br />
everyoneyouthinkmightbe<br />
interestedandtakeevery<br />
opportunitytogetamention:<br />
somethingintheparish<br />
magazine,aprizeinaschool<br />
raffle,orsomethingmore<br />
creative.Anywayofraising<br />
yourprofilewithpotential<br />
customers.<br />
Take the long view<br />
EarlyoninmybusinesslifeI<br />
wastoldthatittakesthree<br />
yearstoestablishabusiness.I<br />
wouldsaythatperhapsittakes<br />
longertofeelyouarereally<br />
self-sustaining,butthekeyis<br />
nottoexpectsuccessovernight.<br />
Oftenpotentialcustomers<br />
becomeawareofyourbusiness<br />
longbeforetheyarereadyto<br />
buyfromyou.Usethepowerof<br />
smallbutconsistentmarketing<br />
effortstobuildupawarenessof<br />
yournewbrand.Ifpotential<br />
customersseeyourname<br />
regularly,discussingthingsthat<br />
theyareinterestedin,youwill<br />
bethe‘goto’person/place<br />
whentheyareready.<br />
Listen for feedback<br />
Finally,it’simportanttoreview<br />
youroriginalbusinessidea:<br />
Howdoesitcomparetoyour<br />
currentexperience?Doyou<br />
wanttosticktotheoriginal<br />
planorcanyouseenew<br />
opportunities?<br />
Susie Kevern<br />
Pound Lane Financial Management<br />
t: 07801 199671<br />
w: poundlane.co.uk<br />
5 digital marketing tips<br />
1 Own your web site<br />
Owningyourowndomain–eg<br />
yourname.co.uk–andwebsite<br />
givesyoutotalcontrolover<br />
materialyoupublish.Anyposts<br />
onsocialnetworks–eg<br />
Instagram–aresubjecttothat<br />
network’scontrol.Andifa<br />
networkclosesdown,as<br />
Google+did,youcouldloseall<br />
yourmaterial.Evenifyouuse<br />
socialmedianetworks<br />
extensively,youcanalwaysfall<br />
backonyourownwebsite.<br />
2 Grow your web site<br />
Whenyoustartout,youmight<br />
onlyneedaone-pagestaticweb<br />
site,sodon’tspendmoneythat<br />
youdon’tneedto.Some<br />
services,likewix.comeven<br />
offerfreewebsites.<br />
Youcandevelopandexpand<br />
yourwebsiteatanytimeas<br />
yourbusinessdevelopsandyou<br />
knowwhichdirectionyou’re<br />
goingin.<br />
3 Plan social media<br />
Socialmediaisveryusefulbut<br />
cantakealotoftimetocreate<br />
contentandbuildafollowing.<br />
Thinkabouthowmuch<br />
resourceyouwanttocommitto<br />
it.Withsomanynetworks,itis<br />
besttofocusononeortwoto<br />
avoidover-stretchingyourself.<br />
Monitorresults,asitcan<br />
takealongtimetoestablish<br />
yourself.Isitgeneratingactual<br />
enquiries?Areyouspending<br />
toomuchtimeforlittlereturn?<br />
Rememberthatsocialmedia<br />
networkscomeandgo–don’t<br />
putallyoureggsinonebasket!<br />
4 Sell online<br />
Manyservicesmakeiteasyto<br />
setupanonlinestore,which<br />
canbeespeciallyeffectivefor<br />
sellingconsumerproducts.<br />
<strong>The</strong>seservicesand<br />
marketplacesprovideallthe<br />
infrastructureforyourshopfor<br />
amonthlyorannualfeesoyou<br />
don’tneedtechnicalknowledge.<br />
Becarefulifbuildingyour<br />
entirebusinessonsucha<br />
service.Howeasycanyou<br />
changeserviceonceestablished?<br />
Andensureyoucanaffordthe<br />
feesoyourshopdoesn’tvanish.<br />
5 Stay safe and secure<br />
<strong>The</strong>digitalworldisexcitingbut<br />
notalwayssafe.<br />
Keepuptodatewithactions<br />
youcantaketosecurethedata<br />
youstore(seepage4)andto<br />
protectyourwebsitesand<br />
systems(seepage9).<br />
8 business action | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk
Harnessing the<br />
power of IT<br />
IT & TECHNOLOGY HEADER<br />
Greatnews!Youareyour<br />
company’snewchief<br />
technologyofficer(alongwith<br />
everythingelse).<br />
Don’tpanic!Formicrobusinesses,harnessingsome<br />
smarttechnologychoicesearly<br />
willsupportyourplanstogrow.<br />
In the cloud<br />
Asyou’restillgettingyour<br />
businessofftheground,it’s<br />
wisetopickcloud-based<br />
technology,ratherthan<br />
investingheavilyinhardware.<br />
Manyweb-basedplatforms<br />
offerlow-coststarterplans<br />
thatgiveyoujustthebasicsat<br />
afractionofthetechnology<br />
costs–coveringeverything<br />
fromprofessionalbusiness<br />
emailtopowerfulcreative<br />
tools,simpleaccounting<br />
systemsandyourownonline<br />
store,allavailableviathe<br />
cloudforasmallsubscription<br />
cost.<strong>The</strong>barriertoentryis<br />
low–socapitaliseonthis.<br />
WithyourITresources<br />
cloud-based,you’llbeableto<br />
keepupfrontcostsdowninthe<br />
beginningandstayflexible.<br />
Beingabletoaccessyourtools<br />
fromanywherealsohelps<br />
makethingsconvenientfor<br />
youpersonally,duringwhat<br />
willprobablybehecticearly<br />
daysforyournewbusiness.<br />
Cloud-basedsystemsare<br />
usuallyscaleablesoyoucan<br />
adduserlicencesfornew<br />
employeesorassociates<br />
wheneveryouneedthem.<br />
Monthlypaymentoptionsalso<br />
giveyouflexibilitytocancel<br />
licenceswhenyounolonger<br />
needthem,usefulifyou<br />
assembleateamforthe<br />
durationofaprojectand<br />
disbanditoncompletion.<br />
Keep cybersecure<br />
Youwon’thaveabig<br />
cybersecuritybudgettobegin<br />
with,soithelpstomakesome<br />
shrewddecisions.Areputable<br />
antivirussoftwareisamust<br />
(evenifyou’veonlygotone<br />
device)butleveragefree<br />
resourcestoo:theUKNational<br />
CyberSecurityCentreoffersa<br />
free‘CyberActionPlan’<br />
toolkitforsoletradersand<br />
smallbusinessesatncsc.gov.uk,<br />
andITGovernanceoffers<br />
accessibleGDPR/data<br />
protectionguidesaimedat<br />
beginnersatitgovernance.co.uk.<br />
Ourbestrecommendation?<br />
Turnonmulti/two-factor<br />
authentication(MFA/2FA)<br />
everywhere.Thisworksby<br />
requiringextraauthentication<br />
ontopofusualusername/<br />
passwordlogins,suchas<br />
inputtingaone-offcodetexted<br />
toyourmobilephone.Itwill<br />
keepyouraccessprotected,<br />
notjustforyouronlinebank<br />
account,butforallyourother<br />
websiteloginstoo.Manybig<br />
onlineplatformsofferthis<br />
safeguardforfreeinyouruser<br />
settingsanyway–sotakefull<br />
advantageandturnMFA‘ON’.<br />
Virtual landline<br />
Partofthechallengeisalso<br />
aboutpresentingyourselfas<br />
anauthoritative,professional<br />
concern–somethingthatis<br />
alsomucheasierinthe2020s.<br />
It’sworthinvestigatinga<br />
low-costvirtuallandline<br />
serviceforthatofficial<br />
‘businessnumber’look.Most<br />
usefully,thesesolutionsoften<br />
includefeatureslikeanopen<br />
choiceofareacodes,<br />
scheduledaudiogreetingsand<br />
integratedaccessfromyour<br />
smartphone–helping<br />
customersthinkyou’re‘inthe<br />
office’evenwhenyou’reout<br />
andabout.<br />
Withtherighttechnology<br />
choices,youcanensureyour<br />
newbusinesspuncheswell<br />
aboveitsweightina<br />
competitivemarketplace<br />
withoutspendingafortuneat<br />
thestart.<br />
■ Linealisamulti-disciplinary<br />
ITsupportcompanybasedin<br />
Barnstaple,committedto<br />
providingreliabletechnical<br />
supportandserviceswithan<br />
honest,professionaland<br />
approachablemanner.<br />
ForspecificITand<br />
communicationadvice,<br />
contact01271375999or<br />
lineal.co.uk<br />
BBxpo<br />
BIDEFORD<br />
BUSINESS • BOOST • EXPO<br />
Thursday 27 October<br />
<strong>Devon</strong> Hall<br />
▶ <strong>Business</strong> exhibition<br />
▶ Talks & workshops<br />
▶ Networking buffet<br />
Book space at bbxpo.uk<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 9
10 sustainable<br />
business tips<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sustainable <strong>Business</strong> Resource is a <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong>-based<br />
organisation connecting SMEs with the tools required to reduce their<br />
carbon footprint and improve sustainability in all possible aspects of<br />
operations. Working as part of the Plastic Free <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> charity, it<br />
will run a full assessment of your business and then lay out a plan of<br />
action to tackle every aspect from a sustainable point of view, helping<br />
you, target, source and measure change<br />
1 Include your people<br />
Includeandengageyourstaff.<br />
Withoutbringingyourstaff<br />
alongwithyouontheprocess<br />
ofchangeandimprovement,<br />
thejourneywillbetwiceas<br />
longandtwiceashard.<br />
2 Draw up a list<br />
Createahitlistofalltheareas<br />
thatneedimprovingand,<br />
regardlessofhowchallenging<br />
theyare,givethemtargetdates<br />
forcompletion.Startwiththe<br />
lowesthangingfruitandbe<br />
realisticabouttime.<br />
3 Measure progress<br />
Assessandrecordalltheareas<br />
whereyouareworkingto<br />
improvesoyoucanreportyour<br />
improvementstoyourstaff,<br />
stakeholdersandcustomers<br />
withfactsandfigures.<br />
4 Assign roles<br />
Appointkeystaffmembersto<br />
workonspecifictargets,eg<br />
packaging,energyetc.Most<br />
importantly,apportiona<br />
suitableamountoftimeper<br />
weektomakethishappen.<br />
Askingthemtofititintoan<br />
alreadyoverloadedweekwill<br />
neverwork.<br />
5 Explain your aims<br />
Whenmeasuringcostof<br />
change,factorinthelonger<br />
termbenefitsandreturnsin<br />
regardtostaffandcustomer<br />
engagementandallegiance.In<br />
mostcases,ifyourcostshaveto<br />
rise,explainthereasonsbehind<br />
thisandyourcustomerswillbe<br />
morelikelytoacceptthem.<br />
SUSTAINABILITY HEADER<br />
6 Assess all changes<br />
Foreachareaofproposed<br />
change,completeafulland<br />
honestappraisalbefore<br />
embarkingonthechange.Can<br />
thesavingsfromsomeofthe<br />
changesbeusedtooffsetthe<br />
additionalcostsforothers?<br />
7 Collaborate<br />
Workwithyoursuppliersto<br />
helpthemunderstandthatyou<br />
needinformationonhowthey<br />
operatealongwithcertification<br />
ofmaterialsandsources.Bring<br />
themalongonthejourneywith<br />
you.<br />
8 Network<br />
Networkwithyourindustry,<br />
findoutwhohasdonewhat<br />
andhow,workwithspecialists<br />
tocutdownthetimeon<br />
research,andshareyourresults<br />
andfindingssootherscan<br />
benefittoo.<br />
9 Raise awareness<br />
Tellyourcustomerswhatyou<br />
areplanningandwhatyouhave<br />
achieved.Ateverylevel,in<br />
everyindustry,customersare<br />
choosingtoworkwith<br />
responsiblecompaniesfirst.<br />
10 Plan sustainably<br />
Recognisesustainabilityasa<br />
keypartofallyourbusiness<br />
planning.Factoritinatthe<br />
beginningofanynewdesignor<br />
projecttorecogniseboththe<br />
materialcostandecological<br />
costwhendecidingwhich<br />
product/servicetobuy.<br />
■ FordetailsoftheSustainable<strong>Business</strong>Resource,<br />
call01271311104orvisitthesbr.org.uk<br />
Protect<br />
yourself<br />
It’aeasytogetcarriedawayby<br />
theexcitementofstartinga<br />
businesssothatyouoverlook<br />
yourownprotection.<br />
Sometimesnewbusinesses<br />
strikeluckyfastandwinbig<br />
contracts–thenyouneedto<br />
ensureyouhaveeverythingin<br />
placetoprotectyourself–and<br />
yourcustomers–ifsomething<br />
majorgoeswrong.<br />
Develop processes<br />
Whatifyouplaceanorderon<br />
behalfofaclientworth<br />
thousandsofpoundsandyou<br />
findthatyourcontactdidnot<br />
havetheauthoritytodothis<br />
andnowtheclientisrefusing<br />
topay?Youwillbeliablefor<br />
allthismoney.<br />
Processestoensureyou<br />
obtainanddocument<br />
authorisedordersfromclients<br />
arevital,asisinsurancecover.<br />
Insurance cover<br />
Aswellasinsuranceforyour<br />
businesspremisesand<br />
equipment,youmightneed<br />
professionalindemnity,public<br />
liability,employers’liability<br />
and/orothercover.<br />
Youwon’tnecessarilyneed<br />
theseimmediately,butdo<br />
speaktoatrustedinsurance<br />
specialistfortheiradviceand<br />
monitoryourrequirements.<br />
Remember,asyourbusiness<br />
grows,sowillyourliability.<br />
Peace of mind<br />
Manypeopleusepersonal<br />
financestofundanew<br />
business.<strong>The</strong>rightprocesses<br />
andinsurancehelpprotectyou.<br />
Promote your business in local media distributed to businesses across <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
Advertise from just £30 a year with <strong>Business</strong> Action<br />
All plans include<br />
➤ 4 adverts (if selected)<br />
➤ 4 magazine listings<br />
➤ 12-month web adverts<br />
➤ online listing<br />
➤ 4 mailed magazines<br />
➤ plus more<br />
Select plan<br />
£30 <strong>Business</strong> Action Plan – 4 magazine listings<br />
£125 <strong>Business</strong> Action Plan – 4 business card adverts<br />
£225 <strong>Business</strong> Action Plan – 4 banner adverts<br />
£315 <strong>Business</strong> Action Plan – 4 quarter page adverts<br />
£645 <strong>Business</strong> Action Plan – 4 half page adverts<br />
£995 <strong>Business</strong> Action Plan – 4 full page adverts<br />
Payment options<br />
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12 monthly instalments –<br />
with no extra charges.<br />
Put yourself in front of<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> businesses.<br />
Book online at business-action.co.uk/plans or call Robert on 07971 176044<br />
10 business action | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk
DIRECTORY HEADER<br />
ACCOUNTANTS<br />
Cranford <strong>Business</strong> Services<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 01237 488077<br />
w: accountsindevon.co.uk<br />
JD Accountants (South West) Ltd<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 378606<br />
AESTHETIC CLINICS<br />
Orchard Clinic<br />
Bideford<br />
w: orchardclinic.net<br />
ANTIQUE MAPS & CHARTS<br />
Old Folding Maps<br />
South Molton<br />
t: 01769 573935<br />
w: foldingmaps.co.uk<br />
BRANDING & DESIGN<br />
Boom Boom Media<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 326694<br />
w: boomboommedia.co.uk<br />
BrandLanterns<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 372620<br />
w: brandlanterns.co.uk<br />
BREWERY<br />
Combe Brewing Company<br />
Ilfracombe<br />
t: 07973 488409<br />
w: facebook.com/<br />
CombeBrewingCompany<br />
GT Ales<br />
Chivenor<br />
t: 01271 267420<br />
w: gtales.co.uk<br />
BUILDING SUPPLIES<br />
Heritage Cob and Lime<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 01237 477431<br />
w: heritagecobandlime.com<br />
RGB Building Supplies<br />
Branches in Barnstaple, Bideford,<br />
Hatherleigh, Holsworthy,<br />
Ilfracombe, Okehampton, South<br />
Molton, Tiverton<br />
w: rgbltd.co.uk<br />
BUSINESS ADVISORS<br />
Pound Lane Financial Management<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 07801 199671<br />
w: poundlane.co.uk<br />
BUSINESS SUPPORT<br />
Be Ready Employer Hub<br />
<strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 01392 241124<br />
w: readydevon.org.uk<br />
CAR SALES & SERVICING<br />
Blights Motors<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 01237 472282<br />
w: blightsmotors.co.uk<br />
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY<br />
James Doble Commercial<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 01237 424053<br />
w: jd-commercial.co.uk<br />
CONSTRUCTION<br />
Advanced Scaffolding<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 321100<br />
w: advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk<br />
COPIERS & PRINTERS<br />
Clarity Copiers <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
Barnstaple & <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 01271 374061<br />
w: claritynorthdevon.co.uk<br />
COPYWRITING & MARKETING<br />
Zarywacz<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> & UK<br />
t: 01271 879100<br />
w: z2z.com<br />
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY<br />
<strong>Devon</strong> Counselling Training<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 07522 841009<br />
w: devoncounsellingtraining.co.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> Counselling<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 07872 501606<br />
w: northdevoncounselling.co.uk<br />
DIGITAL & WEB SITES<br />
Kameleon<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 375100<br />
w: kameleondigital.uk<br />
Peak Online<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 01237 721256<br />
w: northdevon.peak-online.uk.com<br />
DINING<br />
Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar<br />
Ilfracombe<br />
t: 01271 863482<br />
w: terracetapasbar.co.uk<br />
<strong>The</strong> Royal George<br />
Appledore<br />
t: 01237 424 138<br />
w: trgpub.co.uk<br />
ENVIRONMENT<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> Biosphere<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 01392 388647<br />
w: northdevonbiosphere.org.uk<br />
FINANCE<br />
SWIG Finance<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> & South West<br />
t: 01872 227 932<br />
w: swigfinance.co.uk<br />
FINANCIAL ADVISERS<br />
D Scott Financial<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 01237 426450<br />
w: dscottfinancial.co.uk<br />
Philip J Milton & Co Plc<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 344300<br />
w: miltonpj.net<br />
GARDENING & LANDSCAPING<br />
AB SEA Services<br />
Torrington<br />
t: 07799 478318<br />
w: abseaservices.com<br />
HEALTH & SAFETY<br />
Safety Supplies Direct<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 377558<br />
w: safetysuppliesdirect.co.uk<br />
HOLIDAY COTTAGES<br />
Marsdens <strong>Devon</strong> Cottages<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 01271 813777<br />
w: marsdens.co.uk<br />
HOTELS<br />
<strong>The</strong> Carlton<br />
Ilfracombe<br />
t: 01271 862446<br />
w: ilfracombecarlton.co.uk<br />
HUMAN RESOURCES<br />
Fitzgerald HR<br />
Barnstaple, Exeter, London &<br />
Wellington<br />
t: 01271 859267<br />
w: fitzgeraldhr.co.uk<br />
INSURANCE<br />
Together Insurance Solutions<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 347147<br />
w: togetherinsurancesolutions.co.uk<br />
INTERNATIONAL TRADE SUPPORT<br />
International Trade Matters Ltd<br />
Bampton<br />
t: 01398 332881<br />
w: internationaltradematters.com<br />
IT<br />
Lineal Software Solutions<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 375999<br />
w: lineal.co.uk<br />
JOINERY & CARPENTRY<br />
Bespoke Timber Joinery &<br />
Carpentry<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 603411<br />
w: bespoketimberjc.co.uk<br />
LOCKSMITHS<br />
MJS Locksmith<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 07532 139388<br />
w: northdevonlocksmith.co.uk<br />
SW Locksmiths<br />
Holsworthy / Bude<br />
t: 01409 255533<br />
w: swlocksmiths.com<br />
MANUFACTURERS<br />
<strong>The</strong> Clovelly Soap Company<br />
Clovelly<br />
t: 01237 432280<br />
w: theclovellysoapcompany.com<br />
Smart Manufacturing<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 01237 471977<br />
w: smart-manufacturing.co.uk<br />
MASSAGE & BEAUTY<br />
Essential Bodyworkx<br />
South Molton<br />
t: 01769 574474<br />
w: essentialbodyworkx.co.uk<br />
NETWORKING GROUPS<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Networking in Barnstaple<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 0843 289 1339<br />
w: bnibarnstaple.co.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> Networking Group<br />
Barnstaple<br />
w: northdevonnetworking.co.uk<br />
Torridge <strong>Business</strong> Network<br />
Westward Ho!<br />
w: torridgebusinessnetwork.co.uk<br />
OFFICE SUPPLIES<br />
South West Office Supplies<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 01271 889337<br />
w: swofficesupplies.co.uk<br />
PACKAGING<br />
Atlas Packaging<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 344055<br />
w: atlaspackaging.co.uk<br />
PRINTING<br />
Jamaica Press<br />
Buckland Brewer<br />
t: 01237 452333<br />
w: jamaicapress.co.uk<br />
RECRUITMENT<br />
Cooper Golding<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 349745<br />
w: coopergolding.co.uk<br />
RETAILERS<br />
Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium<br />
Ilfracombe<br />
t: 01271 867193<br />
w: ilfracombechocolateemporium.co.uk<br />
Pedlars<br />
Ilfracombe<br />
t: 01271 863509<br />
w: Facebook @pedlarsofilfracombe<br />
SHEDS<br />
SHEDS 4 you<br />
Bideford<br />
t: 01237 459193<br />
w: sheds4you.co.uk<br />
SIGNS<br />
Doubleuprint<br />
Barnstaple<br />
t: 01271 268 041 / 07866 420436<br />
w: doubleuprint.co.uk<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sign Maker<br />
High Bickington<br />
t: 01769 561355<br />
w: sign-maker.net<br />
SOLICITORS<br />
Slee Blackwell Solicitors<br />
Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton,<br />
South Molton<br />
t: 0808 139 1606<br />
w: sleeblackwell.co.uk<br />
SPORTS EQUIPMENT<br />
Aramis Rugby<br />
South Molton<br />
t: 01769 550284<br />
w: aramisrugby.co.uk<br />
TELECOMS<br />
Integra<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
t: 01271 555 666<br />
w: integra.im<br />
TRAINING & EDUCATION<br />
Petroc<br />
Barnstaple & Tiverton<br />
t: 01271 345291<br />
w: petroc.ac.uk<br />
TRAVEL AGENTS<br />
Clare Flint – Travel Counsellors<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> & UK<br />
t: 01271 828990<br />
w: travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint<br />
WILLS<br />
Wills at Home<br />
West Yelland<br />
t: 01271 860105<br />
w: wills-athome.co.uk<br />
BOOK YOUR £30 LISTING NOW AT needitfindit.uk<br />
➤ Listinginfourissuesof<br />
magazinewithbusiness<br />
nameandcategory,phone<br />
number,websiteandtown.<br />
➤ 12-monthonlinelistingat<br />
needitfindit.uk<strong>North</strong><br />
<strong>Devon</strong><strong>Business</strong>Directory<br />
withbusinessnameand<br />
category,logo,phone<br />
number,addressandlinks.<br />
➤ 4issuesofmagazinemailed<br />
directtoyourUKaddress.<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 11
HEADER<br />
Moo Free – growing a national brand<br />
What is Moo Free?<br />
MooFreewasfoundedinMay<br />
2010byhusband-and-wife<br />
team,AndreaandMikeJessop.<br />
Andreaisglutenintolerantand<br />
Mikeislactoseintolerant.<br />
Whentheirsonwasababy,<br />
hesufferedwithallergies.Like<br />
anymum,Andrearesearched<br />
hissymptomsanddiscovered<br />
anarticlerelatingtodairy.<br />
Seekingadvicefromtheir<br />
doctortheydecidedtocutout<br />
milkandhewasprescribed<br />
withsoyababymilk–thiswas<br />
intheearlyeightieswhensoya<br />
milkwasn’treadilyavailable.<br />
Withintwoweeks,his<br />
symptomsimproved.<br />
AndreaandMikedidn’t<br />
wanttheirsontomissouton<br />
seasonalchocolatebecauseof<br />
hisallergies,sotheystartedto<br />
createdairy-freealternativesat<br />
home.<strong>The</strong>ybothstudiedat<br />
ReadingUniversitytogether.<br />
Whenleaving,Andreastarted<br />
asawebandmarketing<br />
managerforachildren’scharity<br />
andMikehadastrong<br />
backgroundincomputer<br />
scienceandexperienceinweb<br />
development.<strong>The</strong>ybothused<br />
theirtransferableskillstocreate<br />
MooFree!<br />
<strong>The</strong>transitionincareer<br />
happenedgraduallyoveralong<br />
periodoftimeandtheyinitially<br />
beganbysellingchocolates<br />
online.Moreandmore<br />
customerswereaskingforfreefromoptions,particularly<br />
aroundseasonaloccasionslike<br />
EasterandChristmas,sothey<br />
startedtoresearchdifferent<br />
If you’re dreaming of developing a brand that transforms your market,<br />
is it achievable? Especially in <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong>? Holsworthy-based Moo<br />
Free’s dairy-free and vegan chocolate is now available from many<br />
independent retailers across the UK as well as in the major<br />
supermarket chains. Below Moo Free’s chief executive Andrea Jessop<br />
explains how the business started and achieved national success<br />
supplierswhocouldmeetthese dairydodgingchoccybars<br />
demands.<strong>The</strong>yweresurprised catertomanydiets.Allofits<br />
tolearnthattherewasn’tany chocolatecreationsaregluten,<br />
currentlyonthemarket,sothey soyaanddairy-free,making<br />
settoworkonmakingtheir themnaturallysuitablefor<br />
own;thiswasbackin2008. vegetariansandvegans,too.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ystartedwithafew<br />
Eastereggs,usingamilk<br />
What led to the start of the<br />
alternativechocolate,which<br />
business?<br />
flewoutthedoorandwere<br />
Everychilddeservestohavean<br />
incrediblypopular.By<br />
Eastereggthatwon’tmake<br />
Christmastheywereinundated<br />
themunwell(unless,ofcourse,<br />
withemailsaskingforthesame they’veeatentoomuchofit!)<br />
inanadventcalendarformat andthesameforChristmas<br />
andotherproducts.Itwasthen chocolate.It’stheseoccasions<br />
thattheyknewtheyneededto wherechildrencanfeel<br />
investinmachineryandquality particularlyleftout,whichis<br />
ingredientstomakethisa whyMooFreebegan.It’sMoo<br />
permanentoptionforcustomers. Free’smissionthatchildren<br />
<strong>The</strong>yspentthefirsttwo withallergiesandintolerances<br />
yearsresearchingandtweaking don’tfeelthisway,notjust<br />
theirrecipestomakesurethey duringseasonaloccasionsbut<br />
didn’tjusttastedeliciousbut fortheeverydayaswell.<br />
werealsogreatqualityand AndreaandMikecan<br />
sustainable.Duringthistime, rememberwhentheirsonhad<br />
theydiscoveredalotabout hisfirstEasterEggandittasted<br />
pesticidesandinsecticidesand nothinglikechocolate.It’sthese<br />
howitaffectsworkersinthird personalexperiencesthat<br />
worldcountriesduetothe continuetomotivateanddrive<br />
constantexposure.<strong>The</strong>ywere MooFreefurther.<br />
alreadyeatingorganicfoods Asabusiness,ithasvery<br />
andgrewtheirownvegetables. strongethicssurrounding<br />
<strong>The</strong>ywerealsokeentorecycle, equality,diversityand<br />
sotheykepttruetotheirown sustainability–notjustwithin<br />
valueswhenitcametosetting theproductsitcreates,butfor<br />
upMooFree. thewidercommunityaswell.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ypridethemselveson MooFreepartnerswithlocal<br />
beingknowledgeableaboutthe charitiestoprovidework<br />
market,whichiswhytheir experienceandpermanent<br />
rolestothosewithdisabilities<br />
wherepossiblewithinits<br />
company.<strong>The</strong>y’reincredibly<br />
proudoftheirMoofamilyand<br />
believeeveryonedeservesa<br />
chance–thisishowitshouldbe.<br />
What were the biggest<br />
challenges and how did<br />
they overcome these?<br />
Everyoneprobablyhastheir<br />
concernswhenstartinganew<br />
business,butAndreaandMike<br />
decidedtostartMooFree<br />
duringtherecession,which<br />
meantgettingfinancialsupport<br />
wasverydifficult.<strong>The</strong>yended<br />
upre-mortgagingtheirhouse<br />
forasecondtimebecausethey<br />
weresodeterminedtogettheir<br />
chocolateoutintotheworld,<br />
especiallyforchildrenatEaster<br />
andChristmastime.<br />
Fromtheirresearchthey<br />
alsoknewthatnobodyelsewas<br />
doingthisandtherewasa<br />
strongcustomerbasewho<br />
neededthemtodeliver.<strong>The</strong>y,of<br />
course,couldn’thavedoneit<br />
withouttheirfamilyand<br />
friends,whohelpedthemto<br />
developtheirthinking,<br />
conceptsandideas,whilstalso<br />
samplingdozensofproductsto<br />
makesuretheygotitright.<br />
Fortunately,AndreaandMike<br />
wereinittogether,socould<br />
sharethechallengestheyfaced<br />
knowingthattheybothhada<br />
strongpassiontomakeitwork<br />
andbringtasty,ethical,freefromchocolatetothemasses.<br />
<strong>The</strong>pandemicalsobrought<br />
withitseveralhighsandlows,<br />
likemanyotherbusinesses.Its<br />
12 business action | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk
SUPPORT<br />
strategypre-COVIDwasto<br />
concentrateontheUKmarket,<br />
ratherthanoverseas,duetothe<br />
uncertaintyaroundBrexit.<br />
<strong>The</strong>yfelttherewasplentyof<br />
roomforgrowthonhomesoil,<br />
butthenthepandemichit,and<br />
theirplanscametoahalt.Like<br />
alotofcompaniesinthefirst<br />
lockdown,theyhadnoidea<br />
whatwasgoingtohappen.<strong>The</strong><br />
supermarketsunderstandably<br />
prioritisedeverydayessentials<br />
whichaffectedMooFree.<br />
Fortunately,theywereableto<br />
quicklyrecoverandassoonas<br />
theirteamreturnedtoworkin<br />
Junetheywereworkingflat-out<br />
tomakeChristmasandthen<br />
Easterproducts.<strong>The</strong>irsales<br />
shiftedtoitsonlinesiteand,<br />
thankstotheirloyalcustomers,<br />
theywereabletomakeit<br />
throughsomedifficultmonths.<br />
Sincethen,theyhave<br />
launchedanumberofnew<br />
productsincludingthelatest<br />
ChoccyRockrange,which<br />
includeschocolate-covered<br />
Moofreesas,Bunnycomband<br />
Raisinpieces.<br />
What advice would they<br />
give anyone with an idea<br />
for a business?<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’ssomuchadviceout<br />
therethatitcanoftenfeel<br />
overwhelming,butforMoo<br />
Free,talkingtothosewhoare<br />
alreadydoingitordoing<br />
somethingsimilarisinvaluable.<br />
Sharingyourexperiencesand<br />
learningfromotherswillhelp<br />
tobuildasupportnetworkand<br />
youwillbeabletoshareyour<br />
knowledgeandskills.<br />
What should new business<br />
owners avoid?<br />
<strong>The</strong>reisprobablyawholehost<br />
ofthingstoavoidbut<br />
somethingthatshouldneverbe<br />
avoidediskeepingtrackofyour<br />
finances.Evenifitdoesn’tcome<br />
naturallytoyou,itcanmakea<br />
hugedifferencetowhetherthe<br />
companysurvivesornot–<br />
especiallyduringtestingtimes<br />
likethepandemic.<br />
Makesureyouunderstand<br />
howmuchprofityouneedto<br />
generatetonotjustkeepyour<br />
businessrunning,butyourself<br />
aswell.<br />
■ Formoredetailsandto<br />
orderMooFree’smulti-awardwinningdairy-freeandvegan<br />
chocolatesforyourself,visit<br />
moofreechocolates.com<br />
Looking to start up or grow a business?<br />
Ifyouarelookingtosetup<br />
yourownbusinessorgrow<br />
yourrecentlyestablishedsmall<br />
businesslocatedin<strong>Devon</strong>,you<br />
cannowbenefitfromsupport<br />
thankstotwonew<br />
programmesdeliveredby<br />
YTKOinpartnershipwith<br />
<strong>Devon</strong>CountyCouncil.<br />
If you are thinking of<br />
starting a new business<br />
OutsetStart<strong>Devon</strong>canhelp<br />
youtoexploreifselfemploymentisrightforyou<br />
andgiveyouthetoolsand<br />
confidenceyouneedtostart<br />
yourbusinessjourney.<br />
If you want to grow your<br />
new business but are not<br />
sure how<br />
GetSetGrow<strong>Devon</strong>helps<br />
businesseswhohavebeen<br />
tradingforlessthanthree<br />
yearswithfewerthan10staff<br />
togetbackontrackafterthe<br />
Enjoy Big Benefits for Small <strong>Business</strong>es<br />
What it is?<br />
<strong>The</strong>BigBenefitsforSmall<br />
<strong>Business</strong>esprojectisbeing<br />
deliveredbyPetrocandfunded<br />
bytheEuropeanSocialFund.It<br />
alsohasthecollaborative<br />
supportofTorridgeDistrict<br />
Council,<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>Council<br />
and<strong>Devon</strong>CountyCouncil.<br />
What are the objectives?<br />
Ouraimsareto:<br />
➤ Helpsmallbusinessesin<br />
Torridgeand<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong><br />
toaccessfullyfunded<br />
trainingopportunitiesto<br />
allowtheirbusinessesto<br />
grow.<br />
➤ Workcollaborativelywith<br />
businessestoencourage<br />
themtoparticipateand<br />
supportPetrocwithits<br />
curriculum.Forexample,<br />
providingatalktoour<br />
learners,orworkingwithus<br />
toensurePetrocstaffhave<br />
up-to-dateindustry<br />
knowledge.<br />
Covidpandemic,especially<br />
tourismandleisure,<br />
constructionandretail<br />
businesses.<br />
Who is eligible?<br />
Youmustbebasedin<strong>Devon</strong>,<br />
excludingTorbayandPlymouth,<br />
havebeentradingforlessthan<br />
threeyearsandhavefewer<br />
than10full-timeemployees.<br />
How the programmes can<br />
help you<br />
Aswellashelpingtobuild<br />
skills,supportfromboth<br />
programmescanhelpyouto<br />
accessgrantsofupto£10kto<br />
buynewkit,installnew<br />
technology,hirepeopleor<br />
expandyourpremisesto<br />
achieveaprofitableand<br />
sustainablebusiness.We’ll<br />
evenhelpyoutocompletethe<br />
applicationpaperworkto<br />
optimiseyourchanceof<br />
successfullygainingthegrant.<br />
Allbusinesseswhowork<br />
withuswillbeinvitedtoattend<br />
anin-depthTrainingNeeds<br />
Analysiswherewecandiscuss<br />
anytrainingneedsyour<br />
businesshasanddesigna<br />
coursetosuityou.Wecanalso<br />
signpostyoutoothercourses<br />
wethinkmaysuityou.<br />
What are the benefits to<br />
your business?<br />
Youcanaccessfullyfunded<br />
trainingprogrammesto<br />
supportyourbusinessandhelp<br />
itgrowordiversifyintonew<br />
areas.Trainingprogrammes<br />
canbedesignedanddelivered<br />
tosupportyourbusinesswitha<br />
specifictrainingneed.Wealso<br />
workwithindependent<br />
businessestodeliverworkshops<br />
oncurrenttrends,<br />
environmentalawareness,and<br />
businesssupport.<br />
BysupportingPetroc<br />
throughinvolvementwithour<br />
curriculumandourevents,<br />
<strong>Business</strong>Actionis<strong>North</strong><br />
<strong>Devon</strong>’sindependentquarterly<br />
businessmagazine,distributed<br />
tobusinessesintownand<br />
villagecentresandonbusiness<br />
parksacrosstheareaand<br />
Advice and training<br />
Bothprogrammesoffer<br />
informalinformationsessions,<br />
practicaltrainingworkshops<br />
andonlinelearningtoprovide<br />
youwiththeskillsyouneedto<br />
succeed.<strong>Business</strong>advisorsare<br />
alsoonhandateverystepof<br />
thewaytoprovidesupport<br />
andadvice.<br />
<strong>The</strong>programmesare<br />
availableforalimitedperiod,<br />
sogetintouchnowtospeakto<br />
oneofourbusinessadvisors.<br />
<strong>The</strong>programmesareledby<br />
YTKOinpartnershipwith<br />
<strong>Devon</strong>CountyCounciland<br />
fundedbytheUK<br />
GovernmentthroughtheUK<br />
CommunityRenewalFund.<br />
■ Formoreinformation<br />
call08005003017,visit<br />
devon.ytko.com/communityrenewal-fund/<br />
oremail<br />
start-grow-devon@ytko.com<br />
yourbusinesscanshowcase<br />
yourbusinesstoawider<br />
audience.Youcantellour<br />
learnersandotherbusinesses<br />
aboutexcitingdevelopments<br />
youaregoingthrough,how<br />
youadaptedtotheCOVID-19<br />
pandemic,orwhatyouhave<br />
learnedintheworldofbusiness<br />
thatwouldbenefitothers.<br />
Byworkingwithour<br />
learners,youcanaccess<br />
potentialfutureemployeeswith<br />
moreindustry-relevantskills<br />
whoaremoreeffectiveinthe<br />
workplace.<br />
More business support<br />
programmes from Petroc<br />
AswellastheBigBenefitsfor<br />
Small<strong>Business</strong>esprojects,<br />
Petrocalsohasseveralother<br />
employersupportprojects<br />
whichcansupportyour<br />
businessthroughfullyfunded<br />
training.<br />
■ Fordetailsemail<br />
james.walker@petroc.ac.uk<br />
onlineatbusiness-action.uk<br />
Wewelcomebusinessnews<br />
fromandofinterestto<strong>North</strong><br />
<strong>Devon</strong>businesses–call07971<br />
176044oremail<br />
robertz@business-action.co.uk<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 13
Securing local, regional and<br />
national representation<br />
Networkingisessentialtobuild<br />
relationshipswithnewcustomers,<br />
suppliers,collaboratorsand<br />
evencompetitors,anditis<br />
importanttofindgroupswhere<br />
youfeelwelcomeandvalued.<br />
Anotherimportantaspectis<br />
representationtogovernment,<br />
councilsandotherbodies.So<br />
manybusinessesfeelthatthey<br />
lacktheauthoritytomake<br />
themselvesheardbybig<br />
organisationsandthisiswhere<br />
representationbylarger<br />
businessgroupsisinvaluable.<br />
Representing <strong>Devon</strong> business<br />
<strong>Devon</strong>andPlymouthChamber<br />
isthelargestnetworkof<br />
businessesintheSouthWest,<br />
andincludessmall,medium<br />
andlargeorganisations.Asan<br />
accreditedmemberofthe<br />
nationalBritishChambersof<br />
Commercenetwork,itfulfilsan<br />
Resourcing & Talent Planning<br />
HR Policy and Process<br />
Learning & <strong>Development</strong><br />
Employee Relations<br />
importantroleinconnectingits<br />
memberstonationalbusiness<br />
issuesandWestminster.Itaims<br />
toprovideastrong,influential<br />
voiceforallbusinesses,<br />
whetheryou’reastartup,sole<br />
trader,educationalorganisation<br />
orlargemanufacturer.<br />
Strategic priorities<br />
<strong>Devon</strong>Chamberhaseight<br />
strategicpriorities:skills,<br />
educationandtraining;sales,<br />
supplychainsandlocal<br />
procurement;accesstofinance;<br />
buildingbusinessresilienceand<br />
offeringopportunities;new<br />
marketsandinternational<br />
trade;digital;environmentand<br />
climatechange;andtransport<br />
infrastructure.<br />
■ Fordetailsandtojoin<br />
<strong>Devon</strong>andPlymouth<br />
Chamber,call01752220471<br />
orvisitdevonchamber.co.uk<br />
Organisation <strong>Development</strong><br />
Pay & Benefits<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Change<br />
Occupational Health & Safety<br />
Human Resources with the human touch<br />
E: office@fitzgeraldhr.co.uk W: fitzgeraldhr.co.uk T: 0330 223 5253<br />
NETWORKING<br />
Networking likes & dislikes<br />
Every individual has a different approach to networking. Andrew<br />
Bowers of digital specialist Peak Online gives his personal view<br />
1. What do you look for in a<br />
networking event?<br />
Overtheyears,Ihaveattended<br />
manynetworkingeventswith<br />
differentformatsandstyles.<br />
<strong>The</strong>yrangefromtheindustryexclusiveapproach,whereonly<br />
onememberfromeachsector<br />
isallowedandisveryformal<br />
andregimented,toopen<br />
groupswherepeoplecomeand<br />
go.<strong>The</strong>nthereareverysocially<br />
targetedevents.<br />
3. What part does<br />
Frommyexperience,the networking play in selling?<br />
industryopengroupswork Onceyouhaveestablished<br />
best.Itgiveschoicetothe goodrelationshipswithyour<br />
groupifseveralpeopleoffer networkinggroups,theyform<br />
thesameservice,butthose agoodpartofyourlead<br />
individualscanalsowork referrals.Networkingformsa<br />
togetherasnobusinessis thirdofPeakOnlineleads,<br />
100%thesame. whichhaveahighconversion<br />
<strong>The</strong>besteventformatis rate.<strong>The</strong>mainreasonforthis<br />
when,onarrival,theroomis isthereisalreadyaleveloftrust<br />
openforyoutomovearound fromthepersonknowingyou<br />
asyouwanttospeaktoas orthepersonwhoreferredthem.<br />
manypeopleaspossible.<br />
Whenseatedforbreakfastor<br />
lunch,circletablesortable<br />
formatswhereyoucanspeak<br />
withsixtoeightpeopleare<br />
bestasyourengagement<br />
opportunitiesarenotlimited.<br />
It’sgoodtohave10-15<br />
minutesattheendtoengage<br />
furtherwithpeopleyouhave<br />
spokentoduringtheevent.<br />
2. What’s your approach<br />
when you meet people at<br />
networking events?<br />
Ideally,beforetheeventyou<br />
shouldknowwhoiscoming<br />
andresearchthosepeopleand<br />
theircompanies.Sowhenyou<br />
arrive,youalreadyknowwho<br />
youwanttospeakwithrather<br />
thanrandomlyspeakingtothe<br />
firstpersonyousee.Ifit’san<br />
eventof25,youwillnothave<br />
timetospeaktoeveryone.<br />
<strong>The</strong>nIconnectwithpeople<br />
ontwolevels:firstly,thoseI<br />
canresellservicesforPeak<br />
Onlineorcompaniesthat<br />
wouldbeusefulformyclients;<br />
secondly,thereasonweall<br />
attendeventsistogainleads<br />
andnewbusiness.<br />
Thispartisthelonggame,<br />
asyouneedtobuildup<br />
relationshipswithpeoplefor<br />
themtotrustyouwiththeir<br />
ownbusinessorclients.Ifind<br />
thiscantakeonetothreeyears.<br />
4. What don’t you like<br />
about networking events?<br />
Mybiggestbugbearwouldbe<br />
peoplepretendingtobe<br />
interestedinyourproductsor<br />
servicestousethisartificial<br />
opportunitytoselltheir own<br />
productsorservicesina<br />
speeded-upprocessinsteadof<br />
buildinganaturalrelationship,<br />
whichtakestime.<br />
Toanyonelookingforthe<br />
shortgame:Iwouldsay<br />
networkingisnotforyou.<br />
<strong>The</strong>nextdislikewouldbe<br />
poorlyarrangedroomsor<br />
tablesandnofreemovement.<br />
<strong>The</strong>rehavebeentimeswhen<br />
yougetlimitedtosmalltables<br />
oftwotothreepeople.Ifthey<br />
arenotagoodmatchforwhat<br />
youarelookingfor,theoneto<br />
twohoursdoesnotturnoutto<br />
beasuccessfulevent.<br />
<strong>The</strong>lastonewouldbeif<br />
peopleusetheexperiencefor<br />
moreofasocialeventrather<br />
thanbusiness.<strong>The</strong>socialpart<br />
isimportant,sotheeventis<br />
enjoyable,butthemain<br />
outcomeisthatpeoplework<br />
togethertoachievemore<br />
businessforthemselvesand<br />
theotherpeopleinthegroup.<br />
Andrew Bowers<br />
Peak Online<br />
t: 01237 721256<br />
w: peak-online.uk<br />
14 business action | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business-action.co.uk
EXHIBITION<br />
BBxpo<br />
BIDEFORD<br />
BUSINESS • BOOST • EXPO<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong>’s business<br />
exhibition returns in October<br />
BBxpo,<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>’slargest<br />
independentbusiness<br />
exhibition,returnsafteran<br />
absenceoftwoyearson<br />
Thursday27Octoberat<strong>Devon</strong><br />
Hall,BidefordCollege.<br />
<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Boost</strong> branding<br />
OriginallynamedBideford<br />
<strong>Business</strong>Expo,theevent,<br />
whichfastbecameknownas<br />
BBxpo,hasbeenrebrandedas<br />
<strong>Business</strong><strong>Boost</strong>Expo–Bideford<br />
tomatchcomplementary<br />
activities,includingthis<br />
<strong>Business</strong><strong>Boost</strong>startupand<br />
businessdevelopment<br />
magazinesupplement,all<br />
aimedatsupporting<strong>North</strong><br />
<strong>Devon</strong>businesses.<br />
ThiswillbethethirdBBxpo<br />
exhibition,followingthe2018<br />
and2019eventsand<br />
cancellationofthe2020and<br />
2021eventsinthepandemic.<br />
Successful exhibition format<br />
<strong>The</strong>formatofthe<strong>2022</strong>event<br />
willrepeatthepreviously<br />
successfulformulaof<br />
exhibitionstandsrepresenting<br />
businessesfromacross<strong>Devon</strong>,<br />
aprogrammeofworkshopsand<br />
/ortalksplusthefreelatelunchnetworkingbuffet.<br />
Detailsareyettobefinalised<br />
atthetimeofpublication.<br />
Affordable promotion<br />
BBxpo’saimsremainthesame:<br />
toprovideeffectiveand<br />
affordableexhibitionand<br />
promotionalopportunitiesfor<br />
all<strong>North</strong><strong>Devon</strong>businesses.<br />
Aswellasstandspace,<br />
exhibitorsreceivebusiness<br />
profilesin<strong>Business</strong>Action<br />
magazineandarepromoted<br />
widelyonline.<br />
■ Fordetailsandtobook<br />
exhibitionspace,visitbbxpo.uk<br />
@businessactionm | <strong>Startup</strong> & <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | business action 15
THRIVE<br />
with free business support for sole traders<br />
and SMEs in <strong>North</strong> <strong>Devon</strong><br />
Are you a sole trader, micro business or limited<br />
company in the South West? Thrive is for you.<br />
Whether you are looking for ways to increase your turnover, grow your business<br />
or just do things more efficiently, Thrive can help.<br />
• A 3-hour review meeting leading to a development plan for your business<br />
• 1-2-1 sessions focusing on your particular needs<br />
• Webinars on relevant business topics<br />
Webinars and 1-2-1 sessions will cover a range of topics to support your<br />
business: Digital Support (websites, SEO, social media, Google Analytics),<br />
Leadership, Finance, HR, Innovation, Marketing and <strong>Business</strong> Planning.<br />
*Thrive is open to businesses in <strong>Devon</strong>, Somerset, Torbay and Plymouth<br />
(excluding BANES and <strong>North</strong> Somerset).<br />
Register online today:<br />
www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/thrive/<br />
<strong>The</strong> Heart of the South West Growth Hub Service for All is receiving up to £781,965 of funding from the England<br />
European Regional <strong>Development</strong> Fund (ERDF). <strong>The</strong> accountable body for this programme is <strong>Devon</strong> County Council.