Fresh Start Guide

Welcome to the Start Up Loans: Fresh start guide, everything you need to know about self-employment.

This guide has been created to give those thinking about going self-employed a step-by-step guide to creating their own business.

With guidance on everything from building confidence and researching your business idea to business finance options and how being self-employed could impact any welfare benefits you may be receiving, this guide is your handy companion on the road to being your own boss.

On the go? Download your own copy of the Fresh Start Guide (Opens in new window)(.PDF, 1.92 MB) which is also available in Welsh Language format (Opens in new window)(.PDF, 1.94 MB).

Chapter 1

Why self-employment could work for you

Discover the benefits of being your own boss.

Learn more

A craftsman putting products onto a store shelving unit

Making a fresh start

A positive mindset can help you build resilience as you launch your business.

A female wearing an apron in a bakery type environment

How to build your confidence

Tips to keep your confidence high, with resources for further support.

A young female photographer holding her camera sat at a desk looking at a laptop

Skills mapping

Match your abilities, values and passions to create a satisfying career path.

A female sat at a communal working space at a laptop with a dog sat on her lap

Common costs of setting up a business

Understand start-up costs so you can budget wisely and avoid financial surprises.

A male chef opening up the hatch of a food truck

10 steps to your fresh start

These strategic actions can help you plan for success.

A portrait of the team from Frazers

How we made a fresh start

Learn from the experience of other entrepreneurs who took out a Start Up Loan.

Our other free guides

The essential guide to starting a business

Research your business idea and understand your potential market
Create a business strategy and develop your business plan
Understand different business structures and how to set up a limited company
Learn about business finances, funding options and tax
Get guidance on setting up and managing your supply chain
Learn how to market your business and reach customers
Discover how networking can help you build your business
Understand how to protect your business's intellectual property

Guide to business resilience - download

Back yourself – hear from our ambassadors on confidence tips for new founders
financial planning and resilience
funding options and guidance
focusing on customers
technology solutions
energy use solutions
supply chain solutions
making the best use of technology
recruiting and supporting staff
mental health and wellbeing

Download (.PDF, 23.4 MB)

Making business finance work for you - download

Designed to help businesses know what type of finance is right for them
Discover the types of finance you can use to start a business
Learn how finance can support your business growth
Understand how to consolidate debt or purchase a major asset
Read chapters on working capital, importing/exporting, R&D and more

Download (.PDF, 2.43 MB)

Essential Guide to PR

Crafting effective press releases
Working with journalists
Engaging customers with social media
Maximising your website

Social Media toolkit - download

Choosing the right social media platforms for your business
Creating a social media strategy
Techniques you can use to save time and money
Using social media advertising to build your business
How to monitor competitors on social media

Download (.PDF, 1.28 MB)